Compare the2022 Lexus RXLVS 2022 Land Rover Range Rover Sport

The Lexus RXL 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 Range Rover Sport doesn’t offer knee airbags.

The RXL 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 Range Rover Sport doesn’t offer a whiplash protection system.

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The RXL offers optional Auto Brake that uses rear sensors to monitor and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a rear collision. The Range Rover Sport doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

The RXL has a standard blind spot warning system which uses sensors to alert the driver to objects in the vehicle’s blind spots where the side view mirrors don’t reveal them. A system to reveal vehicles in the Range Rover Sport’s blind spot costs extra.

To help make backing out of a parking space safer, the RXL has a standard rear cross-path warning system, which uses sensors in the rear bumper to alert the driver to vehicles approaching from the side, helping the driver avoid collisions. Rear cross-path warning costs extra on the Range Rover Sport.

Both the RXL and the Range Rover Sport have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact 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, rearview cameras, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

For its top level performance in IIHS driver and passenger-side small overlap frontal, moderate overlap frontal, side impact, roof strength and head restraint tests, its standard vehicle-to-vehicle front crash prevention system, its standard vehicle-to-pedestrian front crash prevention system, and its available headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the RXL the rating of “Top Pick” for 2021, a rating granted to only 128 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The Range Rover Sport has not been tested, yet.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RXL 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Land Rover covers the Range Rover Sport. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Range Rover Sport ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

There are over 28 percent more Lexus dealers than there are Land Rover dealers, which makes it easier should you ever need service under the RXL’s warranty.

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 RXL’s reliability 56 points higher than the Range Rover Sport.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RXL first among midsize premium suvs in their 2021 Initial Quality Study. The Range Rover Sport isn’t in the top three.

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 Land Rover vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus third in initial quality, above the industry average. With 56 more problems per 100 vehicles, Land Rover is ranked 26th, below the industry average.

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 Land Rover vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 163 more problems per 100 vehicles, Land Rover is ranked 33rd.

On the EPA test cycle the RXL gets better mileage than the Range Rover Sport:

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Lexus RXL higher (5 to 7 out of 10) than the Land Rover Range Rover Sport (3 to 7). This means the RXL produces up to 24.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the Range Rover Sport every 15,000 miles.

The EPA certifies the Lexus RXL at emission levels ranging from “Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (ULEV) to “Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicle” (SULEV). The Land Rover Range Rover Sport is only certified to “Low Emissions Vehicle” (LEV) standards.

The RX 450hL has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The Range Rover Sport doesn’t offer a CVT.

For better maneuverability, the RXL’s turning circle is 1.9 feet tighter than the Range Rover Sport’s (38.8 feet vs. 40.7 feet).

The Lexus RXL may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 400 to 550 pounds less than the Land Rover Range Rover Sport.

The RXL is 7 inches narrower than the Range Rover Sport, making the RXL easier to handle and maneuver in traffic.

The design of the Lexus RXL amounts to more than styling. The RXL has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .33 Cd. That is lower than the Range Rover Sport (.34 to .35) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the RXL get better fuel mileage.

The RXL has .3 inches more front headroom and 1.9 inches more front legroom than the Range Rover Sport.

The RXL’s cargo area is larger than the Range Rover Sport’s in almost every dimension:

A control in the cargo area automatically lowers or raises the RXL’s optional second and third row seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Range Rover Sport doesn’t offer automatic folding second row seats.

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Land Rover. J.D. Power ranks Lexus second in service department satisfaction. With a 96% lower rating, Land Rover is ranked 31st.

Consumer Reports rated the RXL’s headlight performance “Very Good,” a higher rating than the Range Rover Sport’s headlights, which were rated “Good.”

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the RXL offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Range Rover Sport doesn’t offer cornering lights. The RXL also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the RXL has standard extendable sun visors. The Range Rover Sport doesn’t offer extendable visors.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the RXL to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The Range Rover Sport doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Lexus RXL offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The Range Rover Sport doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

The RXL is available in both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive configurations. The Range Rover Sport doesn’t offer a two-wheel drive configuration.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the RXL is less expensive to operate than the Range Rover Sport because it costs $382 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the RXL than the Range Rover Sport, including $20 less for front brake pads, $350 less for fuel injection, $176 less for a fuel pump and $283 less for front struts.

Consumer Reports® chose the Lexus RXL as its “Top Pick,” the highest scoring vehicle in its category, based on reliability, safety and performance. The Land Rover Range Rover Sport isn't recommended.

The Lexus RX Series outsold the Land Rover Range Rover Sport by over five to one during 2020.