2025 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E retained its distinctive and sharp styling, with an aggressive front fascia and a sloping profile that maintained its crossover proportions. The tri-bar tail lights, a hallmark of the Mustang nameplate, were refreshed to match the signature lighting of the seventh-generation Ford Mustang. The new Rally trim emerged as the top-of-the-line model, featuring unique styling cues such as LED fog lamps integrated into the grille, a black roof, and Oxford White 19-inch wheels. The interior of the Mach-E was familiar, with a minimalist dash and a large touchscreen, while the Ford Performance front seats added a sporty touch.

In contrast, the 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid, particularly the RX 500h Black Line Special Edition, presented a more understated appearance despite its exclusive Incognito paint job and orange brake calipers. The RX Hybrid lineup offered three models, with the RX 350h being the most efficient and the RX 500h delivering the most power. The interior of the RX Hybrid was contemporary, with quality materials and ambient lighting, although some ergonomic issues were noted. The RX provided ample room for adults and practical cargo space, but the rear center armrest storage compartment lacked a lining, which could lead to unwanted noise.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E was known for its sporty ride, with a firm suspension that prioritized sports-car dynamics over crossover comfort. The GT trim featured a MagneRide damping system and a Performance Upgrade package that increased torque to 700 lb-ft, resulting in a 0-60 mph time of 3.3 seconds. The Mach-E GT and Rally trims offered all-wheel drive, with ranges of 280 and 265 miles, respectively. The Mach-E also benefited from a lighter-weight rear eMotor and improved DC fast-charging capabilities.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains, with the RX 350h providing 246 hp and the RX 500h delivering 366 hp. The RX 500h featured a turbocharged engine and a sport-tuned adaptive damping suspension, but its fuel economy was lower than expected. The RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid offered 304 hp and an electric-only driving range of 37 miles. The RX 500h's drivetrain was powerful but not very fuel-efficient, and its adaptive damping suspension produced unnatural sensations. The RX 500h excelled in straight-line acceleration but lacked dynamic capability and communication between the driver and the road.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E excelled in interior space, offering 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, with 29.7 behind the rear seats and a drainable frunk. Folding the rear seats expanded the cargo space to 59.7 cubic feet. The Mach-E provided ample headroom and legroom for both front and rear passengers, with power-adjustable seats and ActiveX seating surfaces.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid focused on occupant comfort and practical cargo space, with heated and ventilated front seats and a panoramic sunroof. The RX provided 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space, with hooks for grocery bags and a small amount of storage under the load floor. Folding down the second row created 46.2 cubic feet of cargo volume. The RX offered plenty of interior storage, but the rear center armrest storage compartment lacked a lining.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with the latest version of Ford’s SYNC 4A infotainment software. The 15.5-inch touchscreen housed climate and temperature controls, while Ford’s Intelligent Range system provided real-time range updates. The Mach-E's infotainment system was user-friendly, but navigation instructions could be improved.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 14-inch touchscreen display with the Lexus Interface infotainment system. The RX featured wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a cloud-based navigation system and a Wi-Fi hotspot. The RX's technology worked well, but the steering wheel controls were distracting and the head-up display was smaller than some rivals.

The 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-E came with BlueCruise 1.3, a hands-free highway-driving assist software, and the Ford CoPilot 360 suite of advanced driver-assistance technologies. The Mach-E earned a Top Safety Pick Award from the IIHS and five-star ratings from the NHTSA.

The 2025 Lexus RX Hybrid included Safety Connect and Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, with features like forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. The RX earned a five-star safety rating from the NHTSA, but the IIHS rated it poorly in a frontal-impact test. The RX's safety technology worked well, but some features were quirky and the steering wheel controls were frustrating.