2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2023 Volvo XC90

The 2023 Volvo XC90 represented a significant departure from Volvo's past boxy designs. It showcased a purposeful yet understated front end, with a bold but not overly flashy grille. The recognizable "Thor’s Hammer" headlights added a modern touch, while the overall shape retained a rectilinear form without resembling the toasters of yesteryear. The test vehicle, an AWD Ultimate trim, featured 21-inch wheels and a Platinum Gray paint with brown undertones, adding depth and richness. Inside, the XC90 exuded elegance with two-tone leather, metal Bowers and Wilkins speaker covers, an Orrefors crystal shift knob, and luxurious Nappa leather upholstery. The minimalist design was complemented by wood deco inlays, creating a clean and beautiful look.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid maintained a similar appearance to the standard RX 350, with only subtle differences like the badge on the liftgate. The RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its Copper paint job, blacked-out grille, matte-black 21-inch wheels, and aggressive bumper designs. The RX models, while popular, were not considered gorgeous, with a blunt-nosed design and a wheelbase stretch that reduced the rear overhang. Inside, the RX adopted a cleaner, more minimalistic appearance with contemporary textures and backlit ambient lighting. The RX 350h Luxury featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had black artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 introduced new B5 and B6 engines with mild-hybrid technology, replacing the older T5 and T6 engines. The B5 engine, with a turbocharger and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, produced 247 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The B6 powertrain, similar to the T6, used a supercharger and turbocharger to generate 295 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The mild-hybrid system improved fuel efficiency and smoothness, though the gains were minimal. The XC90 delivered a reserved yet enjoyable driving experience, with quick acceleration, a responsive eight-speed automatic transmission, and excellent brakes. The AWD system performed well in a New Hampshire snowstorm, though dedicated winter tires would have provided more confidence.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered different powertrains for its models. The RX 350h, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, produced 246 horsepower and 233 pound-feet of torque, achieving 36 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine and hybrid system, generated 366 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. The RX 500h featured an adaptive damping suspension, Dynamic Rear Steering, and Active Sound Control, enhancing its driving dynamics. However, accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system, and the RX 500h's fuel economy fell short of its estimated 27 mpg, averaging 20.9 mpg during testing. The RX 350h, on the other hand, averaged 32 mpg and provided a more secure and comfortable driving experience.

The 2023 Volvo XC90's interior was peaceful and pleasant, but Scandinavian minimalism led to some space and storage frustrations. The lack of a dedicated space for a cell phone and limited cubby space were notable drawbacks. The second row was comfortable but challenging to adjust, and accessing the third row was difficult with the standard seven-passenger seating. Cargo space was decent, with 12.5 cubic feet behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 65.5 cubic feet with all rear seats folded. However, it fell short compared to competitors like the Audi Q7, Infiniti QX60, Genesis GV80, and Acura MDX.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a comfortable and luxurious interior, especially in the RX 350h Luxury trim with ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone automatic climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable front seats with larger side bolsters and standard-grade leather. The hybrids' battery packs were housed under the back seat, providing excellent leg support but tight rear headroom. The new RX had increased cargo space, with 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded, a significant improvement over the previous model but still falling short compared to some rivals.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 featured a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment display running Google OS, with Google Maps, Spotify, NPR, and Google Assistant as standard features. The natural-language recognition was impressive, and owners could issue commands via Google Home devices. However, many key functions were buried within the touchscreen interface, leading to frustration. The minimalist design meant fewer physical buttons, requiring drivers to use the screen for tasks like adjusting the heated steering wheel or driver's seat position.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, Lexus Interface, which required activation of connected services plans after the complimentary trial subscriptions expired. The system included a cloud-based navigation system, Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The touchscreen's size was appreciated, but it could only display one screen menu at a time, leading to constant fiddling. The screen suffered from reflections, and the lack of a tuning knob was a drawback. The available head-up display had dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which were unmarked and distracting, especially for drivers wearing polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Volvo XC90 was renowned for its safety, carrying a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It featured advanced driver safety tech, including adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping assist, and Pilot Assist technology, all standard on the XC90.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 (LSS+ 3.0), which included new features like motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance with front cross-traffic alert, and curve-speed reduction for adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist was also available, automatically slowing the RX when the accelerator pedal was released. The new front cross-traffic alert system and curve-speed reduction tech had some irritations, and the driver monitoring system could be obstructed by certain driving positions. Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park were available but not tested.