2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2025 Ford Explorer

The 2025 Ford Explorer continued to build on its previous redesign, which transitioned the midsize SUV to a rear-wheel-drive platform, enhancing its proportions and giving it a sleeker, more streamlined appearance. The refreshed model featured a restyled front end, making it appear wider and more ruggedly handsome. New LED taillights and a strip of trim connecting them added to its modern look. Inside, the Explorer saw significant improvements, with upgraded materials, colors, and displays that made it competitive in its segment. Ford reduced the number of trim levels from eight to four, offering options like the new base Active trim, sporty ST-Line, luxurious Platinum, and performance-tuned ST, with prices ranging from $39,755 to $55,505, excluding destination charges.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h Black Line Special Edition, was priced at $75,000 and featured exclusive Incognito paint and orange brake calipers. Despite these unique touches, the RX's design remained somewhat unremarkable, with a large front grille and dramatic rear haunches. The RX Hybrid lineup included three models: the base RX 350h, the RX 500h, and the RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid, each offering different power outputs and fuel efficiencies. The RX 350h provided 246 horsepower and 36 mpg, while the RX 500h delivered 366 hp and 27 mpg. The RX 450h+ offered an electric-only range of 37 miles before switching to hybrid mode. All models came with standard all-wheel drive, and the RX 500h featured a sport-tuned suspension and performance brakes.

The 2025 Ford Explorer offered two EcoBoost engine options. Most trims, except the ST, came with a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The Explorer ST and optionally the Platinum trim featured a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter V6 engine, delivering 400 hp and 415 lb-ft of torque. All Explorers were equipped with a 10-speed automatic transmission and rear-wheel drive, with an optional four-wheel-drive system. The ST-Line test vehicle, with rear-wheel drive, averaged 23.8 mpg during testing. The Explorer's turbo four provided quick acceleration, and the 10-speed automatic offered decisive shifts. The ST-Line's performance was enhanced with larger wheels and optional performance brakes, providing a delightful ride and handling experience.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered three distinct powertrains. The RX 350h, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine, produced 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, offering excellent fuel efficiency. The RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid delivered 304 hp and a 6.2-second zero-to-60 time, while the RX 500h featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The RX 500h's sport-tuned suspension and Direct4 all-wheel-drive system provided improved acceleration and handling. However, its fuel economy was lower than expected, averaging 20.9 mpg during testing. The RX 500h's drivetrain offered quick acceleration and a pleasant sound, but its adaptive damping suspension and steering system filtered communication, making it less rewarding to drive.

The 2025 Ford Explorer accommodated six passengers in its standard configuration, with an optional second-row bench seat increasing capacity to seven. The ST-Line test vehicle featured a heated steering wheel, power-adjustable front seats, and a Premium Package with ambient lighting and heated second-row seats. The front seats were comfortable, with breathable fabric inserts, while the second-row captain's chairs offered similar comfort. However, accessing the third row was challenging for adults, and the seat was uncomfortable. The Explorer provided competitive cargo space, with 16.3 cubic feet behind the third row, 46 cubic feet behind the second row, and a maximum of 85.8 cubic feet.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space. The RX 500h F Sport Performance test vehicle featured heated and ventilated front seats with enhanced bolstering, though the bottom cushions were less comfortable over long drives. The rear seats offered ample room and comfort, with optional power-reclining, heated, and ventilated features. The RX Hybrid provided 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small storage area under the load floor. Folding down the second row increased cargo volume to 46.2 cubic feet, though the cargo cover could be cumbersome when loading larger items.

The 2025 Ford Explorer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a new 13.2-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Ford Digital Experience. This system included Google Built-in, Amazon Alexa Built-in, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. A 5G LTE Wi-Fi hotspot was available, and the system supported streaming music and video apps. The Explorer offered B&O sound systems by Bang & Olufsen, with 10 speakers in the ST-Line and 14 speakers in the Platinum and ST trims. The Ford Digital Experience was user-friendly, with excellent Google Maps integration and a responsive Google Assistant.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen display with the Lexus Interface infotainment system. The system included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and streaming services like Apple Music and Amazon Music. The RX 500h featured a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, though the steering wheel controls were distracting and difficult to use. The Lexus Interface technology worked well, with a conversational digital voice assistant and cloud-based navigation. However, the system experienced occasional glitches, such as disappearing song titles and album art.

The 2025 Ford Explorer came standard with Ford CoPilot 360+, which included adaptive cruise control with lane-centering assist and other driver assistance systems. The ST-Line trim and higher featured Ford CoPilot 360 2.0, adding a surround-view camera system and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving system. BlueCruise performed well during testing, though it occasionally struggled with tighter curves and heavy traffic. The 2025 Explorer had not yet received full safety ratings from the NHTSA or IIHS at the time of publication.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid included Safety Connect, offering automatic collision notification, an SOS emergency assistance button, and roadside assistance. Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 provided advanced driver assistance systems, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The RX Hybrid also featured Predictive Driving Assist, which monitored forward progress and used braking or steering input to maintain safe distances. The RX received a five-star overall safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it poorly in the moderate overlap frontal-impact test.