Compare the2024 Lexus RXVS 2023 Toyota Highlander Hybrid

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 Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the RX and the Highlander Hybrid 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, 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.

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

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

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.

The RX 350h’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 3 more horsepower (246 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The RX 350’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder produces 32 more horsepower (275 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The RX 450h+’s standard 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid produces 61 more horsepower (304 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid. The RX 500h F Sport Performance’s standard 2.4 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 123 more horsepower (366 vs. 243) than the Highlander Hybrid’s 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid.

As tested in Consumer Reports the RX 350h 2.5 DOHC 4-cylinder hybrid is faster than the Toyota Highlander Hybrid:

On the EPA test cycle the RX running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the Highlander Hybrid:

The RX 450h+ can travel with zero emissions for 37 miles. The Highlander Hybrid can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

Both the RX and Highlander Hybrid 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.

For better stopping power the RX F Sport’s brake rotors are larger than those on the Highlander Hybrid:

The RX stops shorter than the Highlander Hybrid:

The RX’s standard tires provide better handling because they have a lower 60 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the Highlander Hybrid LE/XLE/Bronze’s standard 65 series tires. The RX’s optional tires have a lower 50 series profile than the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum’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 Highlander Hybrid LE/XLE/Bronze. The RX’s optional 21-inch wheels are larger than the 20-inch wheels on the Highlander Hybrid Limited/Platinum.

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 Highlander Hybrid’s suspension doesn’t offer adjustable shock absorbers.

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the RX is 1.1 inches wider in the rear than on the Highlander Hybrid.

The RX 500h F Sport Performance handles at .79 G’s, while the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD pulls only .78 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RX 500h F Sport Performance executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the Highlander Hybrid Platinum AWD (28 seconds @ .59 average G’s vs. 28.4 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the RX 500h F Sport Performance’s turning circle is 2 feet tighter than the Highlander Hybrid’s (35.4 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RX 350 has a greater minimum ground clearance than the Highlander Hybrid (8.1 vs. 8 inches), allowing the RX to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The RX 350h’s minimum ground clearance is .2 inch higher than on the Highlander Hybrid (8.2 vs. 8 inches).

The RX has a much larger cargo volume than the Highlander Hybrid with its rear seat up (29.6 vs. 16 cubic feet).

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

The RX uses gas struts to support the hood for easier service access. The Highlander Hybrid 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.

The RX Premium/Luxury/500h F Sport’s standard easy entry system raises the steering wheel and glides the driver’s seat back when the door is unlocked or the ignition is switched off, making it easier for the driver to get in and out. The Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

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 Highlander Hybrid does not have an oil pressure gauge.

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

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 Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer headlight washers.

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

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 Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats for the second row.

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 Highlander Hybrid doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Lexus RX and the Toyota Highlander Hybrid, 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 Highlander Hybrid isn’t in the top three in its category.