2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2023 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Subaru Outback underwent a facelift, featuring a new front end with redesigned LED headlights, a restyled grille, and a revised bumper with dark gray vertical cladding. This design gave the Outback an aggressive appearance, especially with the addition of a jutting simulated skid plate and fog lights in oversized housings. The Onyx Edition, with its black wheels and trim, complemented the bold cladding, making it a more appealing choice for those who preferred a darker paint color to tone down the design's excesses. The Outback's interior, particularly in the Touring trim, was praised for its upscale feel, with Java Brown leather contrasting beautifully against a predominantly black interior. Despite some hard plastic elements, the interior maintained a premium look, though the large infotainment screen and gloss black trim were prone to collecting dust and smudges.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance models, offered a sleek and modern design. The RX 350h Luxury test vehicle, with its Iridium silver finish and 21-inch wheels, maintained a subtle hybrid identity, lacking any overt hybrid badges. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic approach, with contemporary textures and backlit ambient lighting. The RX 350h Luxury featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, exuding luxury, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a sportier all-black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. Despite its modern design, the RX's rear headroom was somewhat limited due to the battery placement and lower roofline.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured horizontally opposed engines, known for their flat design and characteristic grumble. The standard engine produced 182 horsepower and 176 lb-ft of torque, but the 3,781-pound vehicle felt underpowered, especially during passing and climbing. The turbocharged XT models offered a more satisfying 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, though at the cost of fuel efficiency. The Outback's CVT mimicked an eight-speed automatic, and the standard AWD system provided excellent off-road capabilities. However, the standard engine's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 25.6 mpg compared to the EPA's 28 mpg estimate.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a more efficient powertrain in the RX 350h, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque. It was expected to average 36 mpg in combined driving, though real-world testing yielded 32 mpg. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with its turbocharged 2.4-liter engine, delivered 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's adaptive damping suspension and rear-wheel steering provided a dynamic driving experience, though accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system.

The 2023 Subaru Outback prioritized utility with features like a robust roof rack and flat door sills. The Touring trim offered a comfortable interior with 12-way power-adjustable front seats, premium Nappa leather, and heated and ventilated seats. The Outback's cargo space was generous, with 32.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 75.6 cubic feet with them folded. However, wind noise was noticeable on the highway, and the vehicle could benefit from more practical storage solutions.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable and luxurious interior, especially in the RX 350h Luxury trim with its ten-way power-adjustable seats and premium leather. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had sportier seats with larger bolsters. The RX's cargo space was improved, offering 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 46.2 cubic feet with them folded. However, rear headroom was limited due to the battery placement and lower roofline.

The 2023 Subaru Outback featured a Starlink 11.6-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. However, the voice recognition system was lacking, and the graphics were not particularly appealing. The Outback also included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front-view camera, though a surround-view camera was not available.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system with the Lexus Interface, offering wireless smartphone connectivity and a cloud-based navigation system. The Intelligent Assistant worked reasonably well, though the system's single-screen view and lack of a tuning knob were drawbacks. The available head-up display had issues with polarized sunglasses, and the dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel were distracting.

The 2023 Subaru Outback was equipped with Subaru's EyeSight system, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, and automatic emergency braking. The system also included a new Automatic Emergency Steering feature and a Wide-Angle Mono Camera for better pedestrian and cyclist detection. However, the adaptive cruise control and lane-centering assist systems felt artificial and intrusive.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. The Proactive Driving Assist technology was appreciated, though the front cross-traffic alert system and curve-speed reduction tech had some issues. The RX also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, though these features were not tested.