2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2022 Genesis GV70

The 2022 Genesis GV70 presented a unique appearance, borrowing some styling elements from other Genesis models but maintaining its distinct identity. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that leaned more towards a fastback than a traditional SUV. The ribbed detailing added a muscular profile, blending SUV bulk with athletic, car-like elements for a rugged yet sleek look. The Sport Prestige models further enhanced this character with unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia with big vents, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark chrome trim. The interior boasted an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing's cross-section, with minimalistic design elements like a perched touchscreen and hidden air vents, creating a baroque spaceship feel. The GV70 offered a variety of interior color options and luxurious materials, such as Nappa leather upholstery with suede inserts in the Sport Prestige model, while base models featured leatherette seats.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, redesigned for the year, maintained a similar appearance to the standard RX 350, with only a badge on the liftgate distinguishing the RX 350h. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model stood out with a blacked-out grille, matte-black 21-inch wheels, and aggressive bumper designs. Despite its popularity, the RX's design was not considered gorgeous, with a blunt-nosed appearance and a wheelbase stretch that reduced rear overhang, making it look smaller than its predecessor. Inside, the RX adopted a cleaner, minimalistic look with fewer controls and a new Lexus Interface infotainment system. The RX 350h Luxury model featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had an all-black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. The RX offered ambient lighting and a variety of upholstery options, including Rioja Red for a splash of color.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a base 2.5-liter turbo-four engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 generating 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive, a feature not commonly found in competitors like the BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class, which typically offered rear-wheel drive. The GV70 included a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, features more suited to sporty coupes than compact SUVs. The Sport+ drive mode enhanced the GV70's sporty character, holding high revs and sharpening throttle response. However, the GV70's chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of competitors like the Acura RDX, BMW X3, or Porsche Macan. The steering was adequate but not precise enough for spirited driving, and the exhaust sound was not pleasant. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising but did not set the standard for luxurious driving, with a firm ride even in Comfort mode.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a more efficient powertrain with the RX 350h, expected to average 36 mpg in combined driving. It produced 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque from a hybrid powertrain based on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and a Direct4 AWD system, producing 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but was expected to achieve only 27 mpg in combined driving. The RX 500h offered an adaptive damping suspension, upgraded brakes, and rear-wheel steering, providing a more athletic driving experience. The Sport mode kept the powertrain responsive, and the six-speed automatic transmission avoided the droning common in hybrids. However, accessing drive modes required navigating the infotainment system, and the RX 500h's fuel economy fell short of expectations, averaging 20.9 mpg. The RX 350h, on the other hand, averaged 32 mpg and offered a quieter, more secure driving experience with instant electric motor torque and a quiet cabin.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with front-seat headroom comparable to a Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class and back-seat headroom similar to a BMW X3. Legroom in both rows was adequate, and rear-seat visibility was good due to thin rear pillars. Cargo space measured 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded, placing the GV70 in the middle ground between the Infiniti QX50 and the Lexus NX and Porsche Macan. The interior design compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets, but included a covered storage cubby with USB ports. The Sport Prestige model featured heavily bolstered front seats with heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions, though some controls were buried in touchscreen menus.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid provided a comfortable interior with the RX 350h Luxury model's ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone automatic climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance model had eight-way power-adjustable front seats with larger side bolsters and standard-grade leather. The hybrids' battery packs were located under the back seat, raising the seat cushion and resulting in excellent leg support but tight rear headroom. The RX offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the back seat folded, an improvement over the previous model but still short of some rivals. The RX's storage space was decent, and the hybrid drivetrain did not encroach on cargo volume.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 featured a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. The tile-based layout and crisp graphics were user-friendly, and the glass rotary controller offered pinch-and-zoom functionality. Higher trim levels included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster with a 3D effect and a 12-inch head-up display. The GV70 also offered a digital-key feature, allowing drivers to use a smartphone instead of a key fob, and a fingerprint scanner for starting the car. Genesis Connected Services included a radar-based rear-seat monitor, remote camera activation, and a three-year free subscription to various services.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring activation of free trial subscriptions for connected services. The Lexus Interface included Drive Connect with a cloud-based navigation system and an Intelligent Assistant digital voice assistant. The system worked reasonably well, though it occasionally provided inaccurate results. The touchscreen displayed one menu at a time, requiring frequent navigation, and suffered from reflections. The head-up display included dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, which were unmarked and difficult to use with polarized sunglasses. The RX also offered an available head-up display and semi-autonomous parking technology.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 came standard with numerous safety features, including lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, rear cross-traffic alert, a driver-attention monitor, and Highway Driving Assist with automated lane centering. It also included eight airbags, with a front-center airbag between the front seats. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control. The system performed well on highways but struggled with curves.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including a motorcycle detection system, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance with front cross-traffic alert, and curve-speed reduction for adaptive cruise control. Proactive Driving Assist maintained safe following distances and recharged the battery through regenerative braking. The front cross-traffic alert system provided visual indicators on the HUD, but these were not visible with polarized sunglasses. The curve-speed reduction tech was reactive, and the driver monitoring system could be blocked by certain driving positions. The RX also offered Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park, though these features were not tested.