2024 Ford Bronco 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 model, despite its hybrid nature, maintained a standard appearance, with no overt hybrid indicators, which was a preference for many. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling, making it visually distinct. The interior of the RX was minimalistic yet luxurious, with the RX 350h featuring Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h offered a sportier, all-black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. Despite its popularity, the RX's design was not considered stunning, with a blunt nose and a wheelbase stretch that made it appear smaller than its predecessor.

In contrast, the 2024 Ford Bronco embraced a retro design reminiscent of the 1960s, particularly successful in the two-door model. The Sasquatch Package enhanced its rugged look with a suspension lift and 35-inch mud-terrain tires, giving it a wide stance and purposeful appearance. The Bronco's interior was practical, with marine-grade upholstery that was water-resistant but not breathable, making it less comfortable in hot conditions. The dashboard featured an 8-inch digital display and a 12-inch touchscreen, with grab handles for easy entry due to the suspension lift. The Bronco's design was more about functionality and off-road capability, offering a unique driving experience compared to its rivals.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered two distinct hybrid powertrains. The RX 350h, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving 36 mpg in combined driving. It accelerated to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds, making it efficient yet less powerful than its predecessor. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. It featured an adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering, enhancing its athleticism. However, its fuel economy was lower, averaging 20.9 mpg during testing.

The 2024 Ford Bronco offered a range of engines, starting with a 2.3-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder producing 300 hp and 325 lb-ft of torque. The optional 2.7-liter V6 delivered 330 hp and 415 lb-ft, while the Raptor's 3.0-liter V6 offered 418 hp and 440 lb-ft. The Bronco's off-road capabilities were enhanced by its part-time 4WD system and various off-roading technologies like Trail Control and Trail Turn Assist. However, its fuel efficiency was lacking, with the Big Bend Sasquatch averaging 16.9 mpg during testing.

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

The 2024 Ford Bronco, available in two-door and four-door models, offered ample space for passengers. The four-door model was roomier, with no rollbar obstructing rear passengers. The Bronco's interior featured marine-grade vinyl upholstery, which was water-resistant but not breathable. The two-door model had 22.4 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 53.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door model offered 38.3 cubic feet, increasing to 83 cubic feet with the seats down.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system with the Lexus Interface, offering connected services like Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant. However, the system had limitations, such as only displaying one screen menu at a time and suffering from reflections. The available head-up display had dual-function touch-sensing control pads, which were challenging to use with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Ford Bronco featured a 12-inch touchscreen with Sync 4, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, FordPass Connect, and SiriusXM 360L. However, the system had connectivity issues with Apple CarPlay and inconsistent voice recognition. The Bronco Trail App provided access to trail maps and information, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring advanced driving assistance systems like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. Proactive Driving Assist and Traffic Jam Assist were also available, though some features, like curve-speed reduction, were not favored.

The 2024 Ford Bronco included standard safety features like forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and a backup camera. The Mid Package added Ford Co-Pilot360 technologies, including lane-departure warning and blind-spot monitoring. The Bronco received favorable crash test ratings from the IIHS, except for its headlight performance.