2023 Lexus RX Hybrid vs 2024 Subaru Outback

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid, with its redesigned models, was showcased in Santa Barbara, California. The RX 350h and RX 500h F Sport Performance hybrid versions were the focus, while the RX 450h+ plug-in hybrid was not available for testing. Visually, the RX 350h was nearly indistinguishable from the standard RX 350, save for a badge on the liftgate. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, however, stood out with its Copper paint, blacked-out grille, and aggressive styling. Despite its popularity, the RX's design was not considered stunning, with a blunt nose and a wheelbase stretch that made it appear smaller. Inside, the RX adopted a minimalistic design with improved infotainment and contemporary textures. The RX 350h Luxury featured Macadamia semi-aniline leather and Ash Bamboo wood trim, while the RX 500h F Sport Performance had a black interior with artificial suede and dark gray aluminum trim. Pricing was not announced, but estimates suggested the RX 350h Luxury would be just over $60,000, and the RX 500h F Sport Performance around $70,000.

The 2024 Subaru Outback maintained its familiar look, with the Wilderness trim receiving a new front fascia and LED fog lights. The Outback Touring XT tester, in Autumn Green Metallic, featured dark gray cladding that contrasted nicely with the paint. The Outback trims varied in black and chrome fittings, with the Touring trim having the most chrome. Wheel designs differed by trim, with the Wilderness trim getting matte black wheels. The interior of the top-trim test car was impressive, with Java Brown Nappa leather upholstery. The Outback Limited had standard leather, while the Onyx Edition and Wilderness featured StarTex synthetic leather. Base and Premium trims came with cloth seats. The Outback's interior was more luxurious than expected from a brand known for capability over luxury.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid offered a range of powertrains. The RX 350h, with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, produced 246 hp and 233 lb-ft of torque, achieving 36 mpg in combined driving. It accelerated to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds. The RX 500h F Sport Performance, with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, delivered 366 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque, reaching 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. It featured a Direct4 AWD system and adaptive damping suspension, providing a dynamic driving experience. However, its fuel economy was lower, averaging 20.9 mpg. The RX 350h was preferred for its fuel efficiency, averaging 32 mpg, and its secure handling due to the battery pack's placement and electric assist motor.

The 2024 Subaru Outback was powered by a "Boxer" engine. The base engine was a 2.5-liter flat-four with 182 hp and 176 lb-ft of torque. The XT trims, including the Wilderness, had a 2.4-liter turbocharged engine with 260 hp and 277 lb-ft of torque, increasing towing capacity to 3,500 lbs. The Touring XT test car had the turbo engine, which managed the vehicle's weight well. The CVT mimicked eight gears, and the brake pedal felt responsive. The Outback offered a comfortable ride, with 8.7 inches of ground clearance, increasing to 9.2 inches in the Wilderness trim. The Wilderness also had all-terrain tires and an advanced X-Mode for off-road adventures.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid was comfortable and fuel-efficient. The RX 350h Luxury had ten-way power-adjustable front seats, premium leather, and three-zone climate control. The RX 500h F Sport Performance had eight-way power-adjustable seats with larger bolsters and standard leather. The hybrids' battery packs were under the back seat, providing good leg support but tight rear headroom. Cargo space was 29.6 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 46.2 cubic feet with the seat folded, an improvement over the previous model but still less than some rivals.

The 2024 Subaru Outback offered ample interior space despite its sleek design. It had more front headroom than the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4 and more front-row legroom than both. Cargo volume was 32.6 cubic feet with all seats in place and 75.6 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The Outback had dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, and a power-adjustable driver's seat starting with the Premium trim. Heated rear seats and a powered front passenger's seat were available on the Limited trim. The Touring trim had ventilated front seats and a heated steering wheel. The Outback also featured a hands-free power liftgate and standard raised roof rails with retractable cross bars.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid featured a new infotainment system, requiring a subscription for connected services after a trial period. The Lexus Interface offered Drive Connect with cloud-based navigation and an Intelligent Assistant. The system had some issues, such as limited screen views and reflections. The available head-up display had dual-function touch-sensing control pads, which were difficult to use with polarized sunglasses.

The 2024 Subaru Outback had a mix of old and new technology. The Touring trim included a CD player, and all but the base trim had USB-C and USB-A ports. The top-trim test car had an 11.6-inch infotainment screen, while the base trim had dual 7-inch screens. The Starlink multimedia platform included Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, with wireless connectivity starting with the Premium trim. The climate controls were managed through the touchscreen, with some hard buttons. Wi-Fi capability was available on all but the base trim, and most trims had a 12-speaker Harman Kardon audio system.

The 2023 Lexus RX Hybrid came with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring motorcycle detection, evasive steering assistance, intersection turn assistance, and curve-speed reduction. Proactive Driving Assist was also included, slowing the RX when the accelerator was released. The system had some issues, such as the front cross-traffic alert not being visible with polarized sunglasses and the curve-speed reduction being reactive.

The 2024 Subaru Outback earned a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA. Reverse automatic braking was standard from the Onyx trim level. The EyeSight suite included adaptive cruise control, automatic pre-collision braking, lane-keep assist, and automatic emergency steering. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on the Onyx Edition. The Touring trim had a wide-angle camera, digital rearview mirror, and driver-attention monitor.