Compare the2024 Toyota VenzaVS 2023 Lexus RX

To provide maximum traction and stability on all roads, All-Wheel Drive is standard on the Venza. But it costs extra on the RX.

Both the Venza and the RX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, post-collision automatic braking systems, daytime running lights, lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, rearview cameras, rear cross-path warning, driver alert monitors and available 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 standard headlight’s “Acceptable” rating, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety grants the Venza its highest rating: “Top Safety Pick Plus” for 2022, a rating granted to only 130 vehicles tested by the IIHS. The RX has not been fully tested, yet.

Toyota pays for scheduled maintenance on the Venza for 1 year and 15000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the RX (2/25000 vs. 1/10,000).

There are over 5 times as many Toyota dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Venza’s warranty.

The battery on the Venza is in the trunk, which protects it from hot underhood temperatures that can degrade battery life. By keeping the Venza’s battery 20 to 30 degrees cooler, its life is increased by years. The RX’s battery is in the hot engine compartment.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2022 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the long-term dependability statistics that show that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lexus vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Toyota above average in long-term dependability. With 34 more problems per 100 vehicles in the first three years of ownership, Lexus is rated lower.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2023 Auto Issue reports that Toyota vehicles are more reliable than Lexus vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Toyota first in overall reliability. Lexus is ranked second.

On the EPA test cycle the Venza gets better mileage than the RX:

The Venza can travel with zero emissions on a full charge for 1.6 miles. The RX 350h has to start its internal combustion engine after only .6 miles.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Toyota Venza uses regular unleaded gasoline. The RX 350 requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

The Venza stops much shorter than the RX:

The Venza Limited handles at .80 G’s, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

For greater off-road capability the Venza has a greater minimum ground clearance than the RX 350 (8.2 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Venza to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Toyota Venza may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 300 to 850 pounds less than the Lexus RX.

The Venza is 5.9 inches shorter than the RX, making the Venza easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Venza uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The RX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The Venza has .4 inches more rear headroom, .4 inches more rear legroom and .4 inches more rear shoulder room than the RX.

The Venza has a larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the RX with its rear seat folded (55.1 vs. 46.2 cubic feet).

Consumer Reports rated the Venza’s headlight performance “Good,” a higher rating than the RX’s headlights, which were rated “Fair.”

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Toyota Venza has a standard wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. Wireless charging costs extra on the RX.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Toyota Venza and the Lexus RX, based on reliability, safety and performance.