Compare the2025 Lexus RZVS 2025 Volvo EX40

The Lexus RZ 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 EX40 doesn’t offer a front passenger side knee airbag.

Both the RZ and the EX40 have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, driver knee airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, front wheel drive, 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.

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 RZ is safer than the EX40:

The Lexus RZ 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 EX40 is not a “Top Safety Pick” for 2024.

Lexus’ powertrain warranty covers the RZ 2 years and 20,000 miles longer than Volvo covers the EX40. Any repair needed on the engine, transmission, axles, joints or driveshafts is fully covered for 6 years or 70,000 miles. Coverage on the EX40 ends after only 4 years or 50,000 miles.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 Initial Quality Study of new car owners surveyed provide the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are better in initial quality than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus above average in initial quality. With 68 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is rated below average.

J.D. Power and Associates’ 2024 survey of the owners of three-year-old vehicles provides the statistics that show that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in reliability, above the industry average. With 110 more problems per 100 vehicles, Volvo is ranked 24th.

From surveys of all its subscribers, Consumer Reports’ January 2024 Auto Issue reports that Lexus vehicles are more reliable than Volvo vehicles. Consumer Reports ranks Lexus first in overall reliability. Volvo is ranked 25th.

On the EPA test cycle the RZ gets better mileage than the EX40:

The RZ’s standard front and rear disc brakes are vented to help dissipate heat for shorter stops with less fading. The rear discs on the EX40 are solid, not vented.

The RZ stops shorter than the EX40:

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the RZ’s wheelbase is 5.8 inches longer than on the EX40 (112.2 inches vs. 106.4 inches).

The RZ 450e Luxury handles at .86 G’s, while the EX40 AWD pulls only .84 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The RZ 450e Luxury executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the EX40 AWD (25.9 seconds @ .7 average G’s vs. 26.3 seconds @ .7 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the RZ’s turning circle is .6 feet tighter than the EX40’s (36.8 feet vs. 37.4 feet).

For greater off-road capability the RZ has a greater minimum ground clearance than the EX40 (7.9 vs. 6.9 inches), allowing the RZ to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The design of the Lexus RZ amounts to more than styling. The RZ has an aerodynamic coefficient of drag of .29 Cd. That is significantly lower than the EX40 (.329) and many sports cars. A more efficient exterior helps keep the interior quieter and helps the RZ get better fuel mileage.

The front grille of the RZ uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The EX40 doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

The RZ uses computer-generated active noise cancellation to help remove annoying noise and vibration from the passenger compartment, especially at low frequencies. The EX40 doesn’t offer active noise cancellation.

The RZ has 1 inch more front headroom, 1.2 inches more front legroom, .2 inches more front shoulder room, .4 inches more rear headroom and 1.4 inches more rear legroom than the EX40.

For enhanced passenger comfort on long trips the RZ’s rear seats recline. The EX40’s rear seats don’t recline.

The RZ has a much larger cargo volume than the EX40 with its rear seat up (34.1 vs. 16 cubic feet).

The RZ’s cargo area is larger than the EX40’s in almost every dimension:

J.D. Power and Associates surveys of service recipients show that Lexus service is better than Volvo. J.D. Power ranks Lexus first in service department satisfaction. With a 48% lower rating, Volvo is ranked 23rd.

The RZ Premium/Luxury’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 EX40 doesn’t offer an easy entry system.

The RZ offers an optional heads-up display that projects speed and navigation instruction readouts in front of the driver’s line of sight, allowing drivers to view information without diverting their eyes from the road. The EX40 doesn’t offer a heads-up display.

To shield the driver and front passenger’s vision over a larger portion of the windshield and side windows, the RZ has standard extendable sun visors. The EX40 doesn’t offer extendable visors.

The Lexus RZ has power folding mirrors that offer unparalleled convenience while maneuvering in tight places or parked. With the mirrors folded it’s easier to walk past and help prevent parking damage. The mirrors can be quickly unfolded when the driver is ready to leave. Power folding mirrors are only offered on the EX40 Plus/Ultra.

Standard air-conditioned seats in the RZ Premium/Luxury keep the driver and front passenger comfortable and take the sting out of hot seats in Summer. The EX40 doesn’t offer air-conditioned seats.

The RZ has a standard heated steering wheel to take the chill out of steering on extremely cold winter days before the vehicle heater warms up. A heated steering wheel costs extra on the EX40.

The Lexus RZ has a standard Homelink wireless remote control system for garage door operation and device management, conveniently located on the rear view mirror. Homelink® eliminates the need for separate garage door openers and associated risks of losing, breaking, or having dead batteries. Volvo charges extra for Homelink® on the EX40.

The RZ has a 115-volt a/c outlet on the center console, allowing you to recharge a laptop or run small household appliances without special adapters that can break or get misplaced. The EX40 doesn’t offer a house-current electrical outlet.

The RZ’s optional Advanced Park can parallel park or back into a parking spot by itself, starting, stopping and changing direction automatically. 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 EX40 doesn’t offer an automated parking system.

Consumer Reports® recommends the Lexus RZ, based on reliability, safety and performance.