Compare the2022 Lexus RXVS 2021 Toyota Rav4 Prime

The Lexus RX has standard driver and front passenger side knee airbags mounted low on the dashboard. These airbags helps prevent the driver and front passenger from sliding under their seatbelts or the main frontal airbags; this keeps them better positioned during a collision for maximum protection. Knee airbags also help keep the legs from striking the dashboard, preventing knee and leg injuries in the case of a serious frontal collision. The Rav4 Prime doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

The RX has standard Active Headrests, which use a specially designed headrest to protect the driver and front passenger from whiplash. During a rear-end collision, the Active Headrests system moves the headrests forward to prevent neck and spine injuries. The Rav4 Prime doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

The RX’s driver alert monitor detects an inattentive driver then sounds a warning and suggests a break. According to the NHTSA, drivers who fall asleep cause about 100,000 crashes and 1500 deaths a year. The Rav4 Prime doesn’t offer a driver alert monitor.

Both the RX and the Rav4 Prime have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

The RX comes with a full 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which covers the entire truck and includes 24-hour roadside assistance. The Rav4 Prime’s 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty expires 1 year or 14,000 miles sooner.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RX 1 year and 10,000 miles longer than Toyota covers the Rav4 Prime. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Rav4 Prime ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

The RX’s corrosion warranty is 1 year longer than the Rav4 Prime’s (6 vs. 5 years).

A reliable vehicle saves its owner time, money and trouble. Nobody wants to be stranded or have to be without a vehicle while it’s being repaired. Consumer Reports rates the RX’s reliability 25 points higher than the Rav4 Prime.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX first among midsize premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Rav4 Prime isn’t in the top three in its category.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 13 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked 13th.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2021 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 17 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is ranked fourth.

The RX 450h’s standard 3.5 DOHC V6 hybrid produces 6 more horsepower (308 vs. 302) than the Rav4 Prime’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

The RX Hybrid’s standard fuel tank has 2.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rav4 Prime (17.2 vs. 14.5 gallons), for longer range between fill-ups. The RX’s standard fuel tank has 4.7 gallons more fuel capacity than the Rav4 Prime (19.2 vs. 14.5 gallons).

The RX stops shorter than the Rav4 Prime:

For better traction, the RX has larger tires than the Rav4 Prime (235/65R18 vs. 225/60R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RX offers optional 20-inch wheels. The Rav4 Prime’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The RX has standard front and rear gas-charged shocks for better control over choppy roads. The Rav4 Prime’s suspension doesn’t offer gas-charged shocks.

The RX offers an available driver-adjustable suspension system. It allows the driver to choose between an extra-supple ride, reducing fatigue on long trips, or a sport setting, which allows maximum control for tricky roads or off-road. The Rav4 Prime’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

The RX has vehicle speed sensitive variable-assist power steering, for low-effort parking, better control at highway speeds and during hard cornering, and a better feel of the road. The Rav4 Prime doesn’t offer variable-assist power steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RX’s wheelbase is 3.9 inches longer than on the Rav4 Prime (109.8 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RX is 1.4 inches wider in the front and .3 inches wider in the rear than on the Rav4 Prime.

For greater off-road capability the RX has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Rav4 Prime SE (8.2 vs. 8 inches), allowing the RX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The RX has 1.7 inches more front headroom, 3.1 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front hip room, .2 inches more rear legroom, 8.4 inches more rear hip room and 1.2 inches more rear shoulder room than the Rav4 Prime.

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers or raises the RX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Rav4 Prime doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

A standard locking glovebox (which can’t be accessed with the valet key) keeps your small valuables safer in the RX. The Rav4 Prime doesn’t offer locking storage for small valuables.

Maximum trailer towing in the Toyota Rav4 Prime is limited to 2500 pounds. The RX offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity.

The RX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Rav4 Prime uses a prop rod to support its heavy hood. It takes two hands to open the hood and set the prop rod, the prop rod gets in the way during maintenance and service, and the prop rod could be knocked out, causing the heavy hood to fall on the person maintaining or servicing the car.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Toyota. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 49% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 20th.

The RX’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Rav4 Prime doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The RX’s rain-sensitive wipers adjust their speed and turn on and off automatically based on the amount of rainfall on the windshield. This allows the driver to concentrate on driving without constantly adjusting the wipers. The Rav4 Prime’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the RX to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Rav4 Prime doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

When the RX is put in reverse, both rearview mirrors tilt from their original position. This gives the driver a better view of the curb during parallel parking maneuvers. Shifting out of reverse puts the mirrors into their original positions. The Rav4 Prime’s mirrors don’t automatically adjust for backing.

The RX’s standard rear and side view mirrors have an automatic dimming feature. These mirrors can be set to automatically darken quickly when headlights shine on them, keeping following vehicles from blinding or distracting the driver. The Rav4 Prime offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The RX’s available GPS navigation system has a real-time traffic update feature that plots alternative routes to automatically bypass traffic problems. (Service not available in all areas.) The Rav4 Prime’s available navigation system doesn’t offer real-time traffic updates.

The RX is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Rav4 Prime doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

Both are recommended, but Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus RX as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance.