2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2023 Genesis GV70

The 2023 Genesis GV70 was a striking blend of style and luxury, drawing inspiration from its sedan counterpart, the G70. Its design featured split-bar headlights and a distinctive chrome line that elegantly curved from behind the rear window, giving it a coupe-like SUV appearance without sacrificing versatility. Inside, the GV70's cabin was a testament to luxury, with top-notch materials and impeccable fit and finish. The interior design was both contemporary and classic, with climate controls integrated into a curving bezel and a touchscreen that seamlessly rose from the dash. The GV70's dash featured a full touchscreen, complemented by a rotary dial and button controls, offering a tactile experience superior to touch capacitive controls found in some competitors.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid maintained a more understated exterior, with the RX 350h and RX 350 looking nearly identical except for a badge on the liftgate. The RX 500h F Sport Performance stood out with its performance-tuned design, featuring a blacked-out grille and aggressive styling. The RX's interior adopted a minimalistic approach, with fewer switches and a new infotainment system that improved upon its predecessor. The RX 350h Luxury model boasted Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance featured a darker, sportier interior with artificial suede and aluminum trim. Despite its popularity, the RX's design was not considered particularly attractive, with a blunt-nosed appearance and a rear roof pillar design that visually shortened the SUV.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 offered a choice between two gas-powered engines and an electrified version. The 2.5T model featured a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque, while the 3.5T model boasted a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. The GV70 Electrified used a 77.4-kWh battery with dual electric motors, delivering a combined 429 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, with a Boost Mode increasing output to 483 horsepower for short bursts. The electric GV70 had a range of 236 miles and featured DC fast charging capabilities.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid lineup included the RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance. The RX 350h used a hybrid powertrain based on a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 246 horsepower and 233 lb-ft of torque, with an expected fuel efficiency of 36 mpg. The RX 500h F Sport Performance featured a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with a hybrid system, generating 366 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds but had a lower fuel efficiency of 27 mpg. The RX 500h's adaptive damping suspension and Dynamic Rear Steering system provided a sporty driving experience, while the RX 350h offered a more fuel-efficient and comfortable ride.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 provided 56.9 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 28.9 cubic feet with them in use, making it competitive in the compact luxury SUV segment. The GV70 featured a hands-free power liftgate and a well-designed interior with ample storage options. Front-seat passengers enjoyed comfortable seating, but rear-seat legroom was tighter, requiring adjustments for comfort.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the seat folded down, matching the standard RX 350. The RX 350h Luxury trim featured ten-way power-adjustable front seats with premium leather, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters. The RX's battery placement under the rear seat provided excellent leg support but limited headroom. The RX's interior was comfortable, with effective climate control and standard heated and ventilated front seats.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 came equipped with a 14.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring navigation, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. The system was user-friendly, with large icons and logical menu navigation. The GV70 also included four USB ports, wireless device charging, a Wi-Fi hotspot, and a nine-speaker stereo system. Ambient lighting and a digital instrument panel were available options.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid introduced a new infotainment system, requiring subscription services for full functionality. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with a cloud-based navigation system and Intelligent Assistant. While the system generally performed well, it had some limitations, such as reflections on the screen and a lack of simultaneous menu views. The RX also offered a head-up display with dual-function touch-sensing control pads on the steering wheel, though these could be challenging to use with polarized sunglasses.

The 2023 Genesis GV70 featured a comprehensive suite of driver-assistance technologies, including forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, driver attention monitoring, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Electrified GV70 included most of these features as standard, with the head-up display available in the Prestige trim.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included advanced driving assistance systems such as motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, and intersection turn assistance. The RX also featured Proactive Driving Assist, which maintained safe following distances and recharged the battery through regenerative braking. While the safety systems generally performed well, some features, like the front cross-traffic alert and curve-speed reduction, had room for improvement.