Toyota Highlander Hybrid vs Lexus RX

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was available starting at $41,995, including the destination charge, for the base LE trim with front-wheel drive. Buyers could upgrade to higher trims like XLE, Bronze Edition, Limited, and Platinum, with all-wheel drive as an option. The test vehicle was a top Platinum trim with AWD, priced at $54,718. Changes for 2023 were minimal, with a new Cypress Green paint and standard power-folding mirrors for Limited and Platinum trims. The Highlander Hybrid's design was criticized for being overly styled, with exaggerated forms and a lack of subtlety both inside and out. The interior was noted for its large features and mismatched textures, which detracted from the overall quality feel. Despite these design critiques, the Highlander Hybrid was praised for its quiet ride, especially on rough pavement, thanks to acoustic front window glass in higher trims.

The 2024 Lexus RX, following a redesign, presented a mixed bag in terms of styling. The front end featured an oversized trapezoidal grille, which was awkwardly integrated into the bodywork, especially noticeable in lighter colors. The hood added to the bulky appearance, contrasting with previous RX models' sleek designs. The rear design was more cohesive, with a single light strip connecting the taillights. Inside, the RX offered a more conventional and inviting layout, especially in the top Luxury trim with faux suede inserts. The 14-inch infotainment touchscreen was well-placed, and the climate controls were user-friendly. However, the simulated woodgrain on the center console felt cheap, and the genuine wood inlays on the steering wheel didn't match the plastic substitute. Despite these issues, the cabin was covered in premium materials with sturdy construction.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators, producing 243 combined horsepower. The AWD version added a third electric motor for the rear wheels. The Highlander Hybrid was designed for fuel efficiency, with a Predictive Efficient Drive system to optimize performance. However, it fell short of its EPA-estimated 35 mpg, achieving only 28.7 mpg during testing. The SUV's performance was described as lackluster, with limited high-speed passing power and a soft suspension that made the ride feel underwhelming. The Highlander Hybrid was best suited for city and suburban driving, offering a quiet and smooth ride but lacking excitement.

The 2024 Lexus RX offered four models, starting with the RX 350, powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter engine with 275 horsepower. The RX 350h hybrid version produced 246 hp, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance combined a turbo engine with a hybrid powertrain for 366 hp. The new RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid delivered 304 hp and an estimated 37 miles of electric-only range. The RX 350 and RX 350h felt underpowered compared to rivals, but the RX 450h+ offered better acceleration, reaching 60 mph in 6.2 seconds. The RX's suspension prioritized comfort, smoothing over road imperfections but resulting in noticeable body roll during cornering. The F Sport Handling trim offered a sportier experience, but the RX's main focus remained on comfort.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid was designed to accommodate family needs, seating seven or eight people depending on the configuration. Most models featured second-row captain's chairs, making the third row suitable only for occasional use. The interior offered three-zone automatic climate control, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated second-row seats. The front seats were large and supportive, though additional thigh support was desired. The second-row seats provided comfort and flexibility, with sunshades for added privacy. The third row was cramped and best reserved for short trips. The Highlander Hybrid offered 16 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 84.3 cubic feet with the second row folded. However, the storage areas were unlined, and the center console design was unnecessarily complex.

The 2024 Lexus RX provided ample front seat space with power adjustments and standard heating. The Premium trim included a wireless charging pad, while the center console offered deep storage and versatile cupholders. The rear seats were spacious, with good legroom and visibility. Manual sunshades and rear climate controls added to passenger comfort. The RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 46.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The load floor was higher than competitors, requiring more effort for loading. All trims featured a power liftgate, with hands-free operation available.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid introduced new technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display in upper trims. The infotainment system featured an 8.0-inch or 12.3-inch touchscreen, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Connected services included Wi-Fi Connect and Remote Connect, with the Drive Connect plan offering advanced features like natural voice recognition and cloud-based navigation. The test vehicle had a head-up display and an 11-speaker JBL sound system, which delivered decent sound quality. The infotainment platform was user-friendly, though the graphics could be improved for better visibility.

The 2024 Lexus RX benefited from a redesigned infotainment system, replacing the previous trackpad controller with a touchscreen. Lower trims had a 9.8-inch display, while others featured a 14-inch screen. The system offered natural speech commands and logical menu layouts. The steering wheel had multi-function pads for easy control, though the activation process could be cumbersome. All trims included cloud-based navigation, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and remote monitoring, though connectivity issues were noted. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were reliable alternatives. The available 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system provided excellent audio quality.

The 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid prioritized safety with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and lane-keeping assist. Hybrids added blind-spot monitoring, while higher trims featured parking sensors and a surround-view camera. The ADAS performed well, though it occasionally struggled with lane markings. Safety Connect offered emergency assistance and vehicle location services. The Highlander Hybrid received excellent crash-test ratings from both the IIHS and NHTSA.

The 2024 Lexus RX earned high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA for overall and side protection. The IIHS awarded it a Top Safety Pick, despite a "Poor" rating in the moderate frontal overlap test. The Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 included adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, and blind-spot monitoring. Higher trims added features like parking sensors and a head-up display. Some safety systems were overly sensitive, but adjustments were possible. The RX's safety features functioned effectively, though parking alerts could be overwhelming.