Lexus RX vs Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid

The 2024 Lexus RX, following its recent redesign, presented a polarizing exterior design. The front end was characterized by an oversized trapezoidal grille, which seemed awkwardly integrated into the bodywork, especially noticeable in lighter colors. The hood's large bump added to the bulky appearance, contrasting with the sleeker designs of previous RX models. The sides featured bulging body panels enveloping the rear fenders, with a swooping chrome accent strip suggesting a floating-roof design that felt somewhat out of place. The rear end, however, offered a more cohesive look with a tidy design connecting the taillights with a single light strip. Inside, the RX's interior was more conventional, with faux suede inserts in the top Luxury trim lending a softer feel. A 14-inch infotainment touchscreen was prominently placed, though the simulated woodgrain on the center console felt less convincing compared to the genuine wood inlays on the steering wheel. Despite this, the cabin was well-appointed with premium leather and sturdy construction.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid offered a distinct design with its Rugged and Sport trims, including the exclusive GR Sport. The RAV4 maintained its footprint but added buffer bumpers for a more assertive look. The Woodland trim emphasized boxiness, while the GR Sport featured a racier design with red brake calipers and a wide mesh grille. The RAV4's design was consistent with Toyota's SUV lineup, featuring boxy wheel arches and bulges over the fenders. The interior was optimized for storage, with clever features like a shelf over the dashboard and a wireless device charger. The RAV4's passenger space was comfortable, though slightly less than some rivals. The cargo area was slightly reduced in the PHEV model, but still offered ample space with the seats folded down. The GR Sport trim provided enhanced handling with a lower ride height and performance tires, making it a sportier option within the RAV4 lineup.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered four distinct models, starting with the RX 350, powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine producing 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. The RX 350h hybrid version featured a 2.5-liter engine with 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, paired with a CVT and standard AWD. The RX 500h F Sport Performance combined a turbo 2.4-liter engine with a hybrid powertrain, delivering 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. The new RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid increased power to 304 hp with an 18.1-kWh battery, offering up to 37 miles of electric-only range. The RX 450h+ was quicker, reaching 60 mph in 6.2 seconds, but the RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered compared to rivals. The RX prioritized comfort with a soft suspension, resulting in noticeable body roll but a smooth ride over road imperfections. The F Sport Handling trim offered sharper performance, but the RX's main focus remained on comfort.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured an updated 2.5-liter engine with 186 horsepower, paired with a larger 22.7-kWh battery pack. The PHEV's power increased to 324 hp, making it the most powerful RAV4 to date. The AWD system included a front motor rated at 203 hp and a smaller rear motor for assistance and traction. The RAV4 PHEV offered a seamless transition of power, with paddle shifters allowing manual control. The GR Sport trim provided enhanced handling with a lower ride height and performance tires, offering a sportier ride without sacrificing comfort. The RAV4 PHEV's weight was noticeable in corners, but the strengthened chassis and suspension enhancements contributed to a calmer and quieter ride. The GR Sport handled more evenly over rough terrain, with less body roll and improved damping force.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered spacious front seats with plenty of power adjustments, standard heating, and ventilation on all but the base trim. The interior featured a rubberized wireless charging pad, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and ample storage options. The rear seats provided good legroom and visibility, with manual sunshades for privacy. The RX's cargo space was 29.6 cubic feet, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The load floor was slightly taller than competitors, but the power liftgate and hands-free operation added convenience.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid's base SE trim included a power driver's seat, heated front seats, and five USB ports. The interior featured clever storage solutions, such as a dashboard shelf and a wireless device charger. The RAV4's passenger space was comfortable, with 37.8 inches of rear legroom, though slightly less than some rivals. The cargo area offered 33.6 cubic feet, expanding to 63.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The RAV4 PHEV included a temporary spare tire under the cargo floor, providing practicality for everyday use.

The 2024 Lexus RX featured a new infotainment system with a 9.8-inch or 14-inch touchscreen, offering logical menus, sharp graphics, and quick responses. The system accepted natural speech commands and included a cloud-based navigation system, though connectivity issues were noted. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, along with a 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound system. The steering wheel included multi-function pads, with a head-up display providing button diagrams for ease of use.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.5-inch or 12.9-inch touchscreen system. The touchscreen featured customizable tiles and a quick menu for easy access to settings. The Voice Assistant responded to a range of prompts, and a built-in dash cam recorded clips from exterior cameras. The RAV4 PHEV's new operating system, Arene, offered improved responsiveness and quicker loading times, enhancing the overall user experience.

The 2024 Lexus RX earned five stars in overall and side collision protection from the NHTSA, with four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick, despite a "Poor" rating in the moderate frontal overlap test. The RX included the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite, with features like adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keep assist. Additional features included parking proximity sensors, a head-up display, and a semi-automated parking system.

The 2026 Toyota RAV4 Plug-in Hybrid featured Toyota Safety Sense 4.0, with enhanced camera and radar detection. The suite included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitors. The RAV4's safety features contributed to its strong safety record, with a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the 2025 model. The redesign aimed to address previous shortcomings in front crash protection.