2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX certainly made an impression with its huge spindle grille, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and an overall height of 74.2 inches. This combination gave it a notable visual presence. The front end looked ready to conquer the road, framed by massive headlights that defined the GX’s distinctive face. The 2023 model also saw the return of the GX Black Line Special Edition, limited to just 3,000 units, and available in Obsidian, Eminent White Pearl, and an exclusive Nori Green Pearl.

However, the GX's dimensions seemed to shrink when observed from the side. Its 109.8-inch wheelbase was positively short compared to other SUVs, and the minimal overhangs at the front and rear hinted at its engineering focus on off-road capabilities despite its luxury badge. The flared fenders added a chunky motif, while the overall aesthetic leaned sleeker compared to Toyota's blocky designs. From the driver’s perspective, the hood's steep fall-away aided in technical driving situations, making the GX easier to maneuver, especially on inclines.

Inside, the GX was a mixed bag. High-quality leather upholstery and optional heated and cooled front seats offered luxury, but a disappointing amount of plastic belied its luxury status. The low sales volume of the GX meant Lexus cut corners on manufacturing, recycling older designs to save costs. Nevertheless, the power-retracting steering wheel and other premium touches added a semblance of luxury.

On the other hand, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid took inspiration from Toyota's truck line for its redesign in 2019, adopting a more substantial and angular appearance. The trapezoidal grille added heft, and the beveled bodywork complemented the aggressively styled headlights. Initially eye-catching, the design has since been mimicked by competitors like the Honda CR-V and Mazda CX-50.

The angular theme continued inside with a multi-tiered dashboard featuring beveled cutouts. The layout was practical, with an infotainment touchscreen mounted atop the dash and a good mix of physical buttons and knobs for essential features. While material quality was average for its class, lightly padded surfaces on frequently touched areas improved the overall feel. Unfortunately, the base and new Woodland trim's use of a urethane steering wheel and center armrest detracted from the otherwise solid build quality. Other trims offered leather-wrapped steering wheels, ensuring a better user experience.

Performance-wise, the 2023 Lexus GX distinguished itself with its V8 engine. The 4.6-liter V8 produced 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's engine delivered power smoothly and linearly, with ample low-end torque that didn't feel stressed until pushed hard.

Despite its potent sound and satisfying V8 performance, the GX fell short against more modern SUVs. It had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds, which was respectable though not exceptional. The V8's fuel economy was a downside, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined, making it less appealing for fuel-conscious buyers. Additionally, the GX's considerable weight meant it rolled more through corners, although the roll was predictable and manageable, akin to powder skiing on all-terrain tires.

The GX focused on improving driving dynamics with road feel and strong, dependable brakes. The Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential distributed the 4WD power intelligently, enhancing traction on varied terrains, further bolstered by downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, and stability control.

Conversely, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid leveraged a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with an electric motor. Together, they produced 219 horsepower, funneled through a continuously variable transmission (CVT) driving the front wheels and a secondary electric motor driving the rear axle for AWD. This set-up propelled the RAV4 Hybrid to 60 mph in a respectable 7.5 seconds.

The RAV4 Hybrid was quicker than its non-hybrid counterpart and on par with rivals in its class. Braking was smooth, benefiting from regenerative braking that charged the hybrid battery under light stops, with physical brakes engaging seamlessly when necessary. The suspension effectively balanced ride comfort and handling, smoothing out bumps without compromising cornering confidence. While not sporty, the RAV4 Hybrid’s performance was satisfactory for the average driver, offering calm and effortless driving dynamics.

The 2023 Lexus GX excelled in small-item storage, with a spacious center console bin, conveniently placed cupholders, and a cubby space ahead of the shifter. However, it lacked modern USB-C ports, retaining the older USB-A ports. Physical controls were plentiful, deemed a blessing for those averse to touchscreens. Yet, the sheer number of buttons required familiarization.

Adjustable center armrests catered to different driver and passenger sizes. The second-row seats offered comfort with captain’s chairs and fold-out cupholders, or a standard bench for more seating flexibility. However, the third row was too cramped for regular use, even for children, making the GX best viewed as a two-row SUV with emergency seats. The side-hinged, non-power-operated trunk door was cumbersome, and cargo space was limited, offering only 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with both rows down—less than the Toyota RAV4’s 69.8 cubic feet.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had ample space for larger front passengers and comfortably accommodated average-sized adults in the rear. The RAV4 Hybrid offered a slight advantage in rear headroom over competitors but slightly less legroom. Cargo capacity reached 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats, nearly matching the non-hybrid variant and outclassing rivals like the Honda CR-V and Kia Sportage. The flat-folding rear seatbacks, though a bit of a reach for shorter owners, enhanced practicality. Interior storage included a wide dashboard shelf, a phone tray, and large cupholders compatible with big beverage containers, alongside an average-sized center armrest bin and door pockets.

Technology in the 2023 Lexus GX was a double-edged sword. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was a significant upgrade, providing high placement on the dash, easy readability, and integrations like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The touch interface rendered the Lexus Remote Touch Interface (RTI) somewhat redundant. Three years of Lexus Enform Remote, a smartphone-operated remote-start system, and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo came standard on the Luxury trim.

Despite these upgrades, the GX’s infotainment system felt dated compared to newer Lexus models. The touchscreen lagged, and its graphics were less sharp. Emphasis lay on the GX’s off-road capabilities, including a 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case, low range, and a locking center differential. The GX also featured downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, stability control, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) for enhanced on- and off-road handling.

In comparison, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid received a major infotainment upgrade for 2023. The new system featured modern graphics, logical menus, and high placement on the dash to reduce driving distractions. Standard wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were complemented by optional wireless charging. The infotainment system supported over-the-air updates, included a Wi-Fi hotspot, and offered remote vehicle monitoring and control.

Most RAV4 models came with an 8.0-inch display, with higher trims upgrading to a 10.5-inch touchscreen. Small on-screen buttons on the base display required precision, while the top trim featured a fully digital instrument panel. Audio quality varied, with a six-speaker system standard and an 11-speaker JBL system available on the Limited trim.

Safety features varied between the luxury GX and the practical RAV4 Hybrid. The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), reflecting its older engineering from the 2010 model year. Despite this, Lexus incorporated advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams, though it lacked features like lane-tracing assist and road-sign recognition.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid earned high safety ratings, with the NHTSA awarding it five-star overall and side crash protection scores, and four stars in frontal and rollover tests. The IIHS rated it "Good" in most tests, with an "Acceptable" score in new moderate overlap frontal and side-impact tests, and designated it as a Top Safety Pick. Standard Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite included forward collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alerts, parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a digital rearview mirror for enhanced visibility.