2023 Dodge Durango vs 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, with its redesigned models, was a blend of subtlety and performance. The RX 350h Luxury test vehicle, despite its hybrid nature, maintained a standard appearance, lacking any overt hybrid indicators. Its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch wheels matched the standard RX 350, offering a seamless look. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling, reflecting its performance-oriented design. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic approach, with the RX 350h featuring luxurious Macadamia leather and Ash Bamboo trim, while the RX 500h sported a darker, sportier interior with artificial suede and aluminum accents.

In contrast, the 2023 Dodge Durango, despite its age, retained an attractive, clean design. It avoided the oversized grille trend, opting for a slim, car-like styling with forward-leaning headlights and distinctive "racetrack" taillights. The SRT models, including the SRT 392 and SRT Hellcat, featured subtle yet unique styling cues like a Viper-like hood and dual exhaust outlets. The Durango offered various appearance packages, such as the Blacktop and Hemi Orange, allowing for customization. Inside, the Durango provided a comfortable space with materials suited to each trim level, and the SRT Hellcat test car boasted bold red leather upholstery.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains, starting with the RX 350h, which delivered 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque from a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. It promised efficiency with an estimated 36 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing averaged 32 mpg. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with its turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, produced 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. However, its fuel economy was lower, averaging 20.9 mpg. The RX 500h featured an adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering, enhancing its driving dynamics.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered a variety of powertrains, starting with the 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine, producing 293 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The 5.7-liter Hemi V8, standard on the R/T, delivered 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque. The SRT 392, with a 6.4-liter Hemi V8, offered 475 hp and 475 lb-ft of torque, achieving 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds. The SRT Hellcat, with a 6.2-liter supercharged V8, produced 710 hp and 645 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 3.5 seconds. The Hellcat's performance was exhilarating, though its size made it less agile on twisty roads.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable interior, with the RX 350h Luxury offering ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and effective climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters and standard-grade leather. The hybrid's battery placement under the rear seat improved leg support but slightly reduced headroom. Cargo space was decent, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2023 Dodge Durango offered seven-seat or six-seat configurations, with standard front bucket seats, a second-row bench, and a third-row bench. The Citadel and SRT models featured second-row captain's chairs. Interior space was competitive with other midsize SUVs, though cargo space was less than some rivals, offering 17.2 cubic feet with all seats up and 85.1 cubic feet with the first row folded. The Durango excelled in towing capacity, with V6 models towing up to 6,200 pounds and V8 models up to 8,700 pounds.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. The Lexus Interface offered cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant, though it had some limitations, such as single-screen viewing and reflection issues. The available head-up display had dual-function control pads, which could be challenging to use with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Dodge Durango featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on SXT and GT models, while the Citadel and SRT models had a 10.1-inch touchscreen with Uconnect 5. The system was responsive and user-friendly, with unique features for SRT models, such as performance information and Easter Eggs. A 19-speaker Harman Kardon audio system was available on the SRT Hellcat.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, offering advanced driving assistance systems, including motorcycle detection and evasive steering assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available, though some features had limitations, such as the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction.

The 2023 Dodge Durango received mixed safety ratings, with top marks in some IIHS tests but a "Marginal" score in the driver-side small overlap front test. The NHTSA gave it a four-star overall rating. Standard driver-assist tech was limited, with blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert standard, but other features like forward collision warning and adaptive cruise control were only available on higher trims.