Compare the2024 Lexus RXVS 2024 Toyota Venza

Safety
Warranty
Reliability
Engine
Fuel Economy and Range
Brakes and Stopping
Tires and Wheels
Suspension and Handling
Passenger Space
Cargo Capacity
Towing
Servicing Ease
Ergonomics
Model Availability
Economic Advantages
Recommendations

Safety

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For enhanced safety, the front and rear seat shoulder belts of the Lexus RX have pretensioners to tighten the seatbelts and eliminate dangerous slack in the event of a collision and force limiters to limit the pressure the belts will exert on the passengers. The Toyota Venza doesn’t offer pretensioners for its rear seat belts.

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 Venza doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the RX and the Venza have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, 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, available all wheel drive and around view monitors.

Side impacts caused 23% of all road fatalities in 2018, down from 29% in 2003, when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety introduced its side barrier test. In order to continue improving vehicle safety, the IIHS has started using a more severe side impact test: 37 MPH (up from 31 MPH), with a 4180-pound barrier (up from 3300 pounds). The results of this newly developed test demonstrates that the Lexus RX is safer than the Venza:

	RX	Venza
Overall Evaluation	GOOD	ACCEPTABLE
Structure	GOOD	GOOD
	Driver Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	97	120
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Torso Deflection Rate	5 MPH	7 MPH
Head Protection	GOOD	GOOD
	Passenger Injury Measures
Head/Neck	GOOD	GOOD
Head Injury Criterion	90	542
Head Peak Forces	no contact	104 G’s
Neck Tension	45 lbs.	312 lbs.
Neck Compression	45 lbs.	223 lbs.
Torso	GOOD	GOOD
Shoulder Force	245 lbs.	290 lbs.
Torso Deflection Rate	8 MPH	8 MPH
Pelvis	GOOD	GOOD
Pelvis Force	469 lbs.	692 lbs.
Head Protection	GOOD	MARGINAL

The Lexus RX achieved a “Top Safety Pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) for the 2024 model year. This recognition was based on its impressive performance in the small overlap frontal crash test, updated side impact crash test, headlight evaluations, and pedestrian crash prevention testing. The Venza last would have qualified as a “Top Safety Pick” in 2023.

Warranty

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 Venza’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 Venza. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the Venza ends after only 5 years or 60,000 miles.

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

Reliability

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2023 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 above average in initial quality. With 23 more problems per 100 vehicles, Toyota is rated below average.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Toyota vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Toyota is ranked second.

Engine

The RX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 27 more horsepower (246 vs. 219) than the Venza’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The RX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 56 more horsepower (275 vs. 219) than the Venza’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The RX 450h+’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 85 more horsepower (304 vs. 219) than the Venza’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The RX 500h F Sport Performance’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 147 more horsepower (366 vs. 219) than the Venza’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Motor Trend the RX 350h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Toyota Venza:

	RX	Venza
Zero to 60 MPH	7.4 sec	7.5 sec
Zero to 80 MPH	12.6 sec	12.7 sec
Passing 45 to 65 MPH	4 sec	4.1 sec
Speed in 1/4 Mile	89.2 MPH	87.8 MPH

Fuel Economy and Range

The RX 450h+ can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Venza has to start its internal combustion engine after only 1.6 miles.

Both the RX and Venza have a standard automatic start/stop engine feature to stop unnecessary fuel waste and pollution at stoplights and heavy traffic. The RX 350 has a standard disable switch for the system, so a driver can keep the engine from shutting off when the vehicle stops temporarily.

The RX 350’s standard fuel tank has 3.3 gallons more fuel capacity than the Venza (17.8 vs. 14.5 gallons).

Brakes and Stopping

For better stopping power the RX’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Venza:

	RX	RX F Sport	Venza
Front Rotors	13.4 inches	15.7 inches	12 inches
Rear Rotors	13.4 inches	13.4 inches	11.1 inches

The RX’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the Venza are solid, not vented.

The RX stops shorter than the Venza:

	RX	Venza
70 to 0 MPH	178 feet	179 feet	Car and Driver
60 to 0 MPH	132 feet	137 feet	Consumer Reports
60 to 0 MPH (Wet)	145 feet	147 feet	Consumer Reports

Tires and Wheels

For better traction, the RX has larger tires than the Venza (235/60R19 vs. 225/60R18).

The RX’s optional tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Venza XLE/Nightshade/Limited’s 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the RX has standard 19-inch wheels. Smaller 18-inch wheels are standard on the Venza LE. The RX’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 19-inch wheels on the Venza XLE/Nightshade/Limited.

Suspension and Handling

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 Venza’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RX’s wheelbase is 6.3 inches longer than on the Venza (112.2 inches vs. 105.9 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RX is 2.2 inches wider in the front and 2.7 inches wider in the rear than on the Venza.

The RX 450h+ handles at .83 G’s, while the Venza Limited pulls only .79 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The RX 450h+ executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Venza Limited (26.8 seconds @ .65 average G’s vs. 27.7 seconds @ .62 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s turning circle is .7 feet tighter than the Venza LE’s (35.4 feet vs. 36.1 feet).

Passenger Space

The RX has .9 inches more front headroom, .2 inches more front legroom, 2.3 inches more front hip room, .7 inches more front shoulder room and 10.8 inches more rear hip room than the Venza.

Cargo Capacity

The RX has a larger cargo volume than the Venza with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 28.8 cubic feet).

The RX’s cargo area is larger than the Venza’s in every dimension:

	RX	Venza
Length to seat (2nd/1st)	40”/76.2”	39.2”
Max Width	55.5”	49.8”
Min Width	42”	39.7”
Height	30”	27.6”

Pressing a switch automatically lowers or raises the RX’s optional rear seats, to make changing between cargo and passengers easier. The Venza doesn’t offer automatic folding seats.

Towing

The RX offers up to a 3500 lbs. towing capacity. The Venza has no towing capacity.

Standard Trailer Sway Control on the RX uses the Vehicle Stability Control sensors to detect trailer sway, then uses individual brakes to counteract any swaying and help keep the tow vehicle and trailer steady. The Venza doesn’t offer electronic trailer sway control.

Servicing Ease

The RX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Venza 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 first in service department satisfaction. With a 49% lower rating, Toyota is ranked 20th.

Ergonomics

The RX’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The Venza does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The RX’s standard Smart Access allow you to unlock the doors from any outside door handle, open the cargo door, and start the vehicle, all without removing the key from the pocket or purse. Smart Key System standard on the Venza doesn’t offer a sensor on the rear doors, so you’ll have to reach a front handle to unlock the rear door. Smart Key System is not available on the Venza XLE/Nightshade/Limited.

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 Venza’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) conducts detailed tests on headlights for their range both straight ahead and in curves and to be certain they don’t exceed acceptable amounts of glare to oncoming drivers. The RX’s headlights were rated “Good” by the IIHS, while the Venza’s headlights are rated “Acceptable.”

In poor weather, headlights can lose their effectiveness as grime builds up on their lenses. This can reduce visibility without the driver realizing. The RX Luxury/500h F Sport offers available headlight washers to keep headlight output high. The Venza doesn’t offer headlight washers.

To help drivers avoid possible obstacles, the RX Luxury/500h F Sport offers optional cornering lights to illuminate around corners when the turn signals are activated. The Venza doesn’t offer cornering lights. The RX Luxury/500h F Sport also offers optional adaptive headlights to illuminate around corners automatically by reading vehicle speed and steering wheel angle.

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 Venza’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 Venza offers an automatic rear view mirror, but its side mirrors don’t dim.

The RX has standard heated front seats. Heated front seats are only available on the Venza XLE/Nightshade/Limited. The RX also offers optional heated rear seats to keep those passengers extremely comfortable in the winter. Heated rear seats aren’t available in the Venza.

The RX Premium/Luxury/F Sport has standard front air conditioned seats and the RX offers them optionally in the rear. This keeps the passengers comfortable and takes the sting out of hot seats in summer. The Venza doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats in the rear.

The RX Hybrid offers an optional 115-volt a/c outlet in the cargo area, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The Venza doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The RX Premium+/Luxury/F Sport’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. Optional Remote Advanced Park will park and retrieve your car remotely: press a button and watch it park itself. This is ideal for tight locations. The Venza doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Model Availability

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

Economic Advantages

The RX will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the RX will retain 58.33% to 60.37% of its original price after five years, while the Venza only retains 53.11% to 54.98%.

Recommendations

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

J.D. Power and Associates rated the RX first among midsize premium suvs in owner reported satisfaction. This includes how well the vehicle performs and satisfies its owner’s expectations. The Venza isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Lexus RX outsold the Toyota Venza by almost four to one during 2023.

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