Lexus RX Hybrid vs Toyota Grand Highlander

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was part of a diverse lineup of Toyota crossovers and SUVs, offering both gas and hybrid options. Built on the TNGA-K platform, it shared its underpinnings with models like the Highlander and RAV4, distinguishing itself from the truck-based Sequoia. With a length of 201.4 inches and a 116.1-inch wheelbase, it was larger than competitors like the Kia Telluride, providing a spacious interior. Its design, inspired by rugged vehicles, featured a blockier style with a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights, reminiscent of the Toyota 4Runner.

Inside, the Grand Highlander offered three trims: XLE, Limited, and Platinum. The XLE featured Softex synthetic leather, while higher trims boasted real leather. The Platinum trim offered Portobello upholstery with the top-spec engine. Standard features included a 10-way power-adjustable driver seat and heated front seats, with ventilation and a heated steering wheel on higher trims. The interior was well-built, with ample storage and comfort, making it an excellent road-trip vehicle.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h Black Line Special Edition, was a $75,000 SUV with a unique Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers. Despite its price, the RX's design was considered unremarkable, with a large grille and rear haunches. The RX lineup included three models: RX 350h, RX 500h, and RX 450h+, each offering different power and efficiency levels. The RX 500h stood out with its turbocharged engine and sport-tuned features, but its design was more about appearance than dynamic capability.

Inside, the RX Hybrid focused on comfort and practicality. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model had snug front seats with enhanced bolstering, but the bottom cushions were less comfortable over time. The rear seats were spacious and comfortable, with optional power-reclining features. The RX offered ample interior storage and a hands-free power liftgate, revealing 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space. However, the cargo area was less accommodating for larger items.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options. The 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine produced 265 horsepower and 310 lb-ft of torque. A 2.5-liter hybrid option delivered 245 combined net horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. The top-tier Hybrid Max powertrain offered 362 combined net horsepower and 400 lb-ft of torque. The Hybrid Max provided impressive acceleration with a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander was available in FWD and AWD, with the Hybrid Max exclusively in AWD. It featured three drive modes: Sport, Eco, and Normal, with additional modes for AWD models.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid lineup included the RX 350h with 246 hp, the RX 450h+ PHEV with 304 hp, and the RX 500h with 366 hp. The RX 500h featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine and a six-speed automatic transmission, offering quick acceleration but lower fuel economy. It included a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension and Direct4 AWD system. The RX 500h was capable on twisty roads but lacked dynamic communication, making it more about appearance and straight-line speed.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was larger than its rivals, with a length of 201.4 inches and a 116.1-inch wheelbase. It offered 97.5 cubic feet of cargo space, with 57.9 cubic feet behind the second row and 20.6 cubic feet with all seats up. The interior was spacious and comfortable, with ample head, leg, and shoulder room in every row.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and cargo space. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model had snug front seats with enhanced bolstering, but the rear seats were spacious and comfortable. The RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space, with 46.2 cubic feet available with the second row folded. However, the cargo area was less accommodating for larger items.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander featured a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with an intelligent assistant and cloud-based navigation. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity, wireless Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The Limited and Platinum trims came with an 11-speaker JBL stereo. Streaming audio integration and Sirius XM satellite radio were available with subscriptions.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen display. It included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and streaming services. The RX featured a head-up display and an optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. However, the steering wheel controls were distracting and difficult to use.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander included Toyota Safety Sense 3.0 with features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. It had yet to be crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 with forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It included Predictive Driving Assist and a surround-view camera. The RX received a five-star safety rating from NHTSA but a Poor rating from IIHS in frontal-impact tests.