A comparison of the Lexus RX and the Toyota Highlander might seem inherently unfair because Lexus is a premium marque while Toyota is a mass-market brand. Since the same global automaker markets both models, it might seem obvious that the premium Lexus RX would outpoint the mass-market Toyota Highlander in virtually every area. How else could Lexus justify its premium reputation and premium price?
At the same time, thousands of shoppers who intend to buy a midsize SUV are likely interested in discovering how the Highlander and RX stack up against one another. They might ask if Lexus has advantages that justify its higher price. Or would they be just as happy and satisfied with the lower-priced Toyota? That is reason enough to perform this comparison.
Indeed, the Lexus RX and the Toyota Highlander are comparable in many ways. One of the most obvious is under the hood. For the 2023 model year, Toyota replaced the long-standard 3.5-liter V6 with a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. That is the same engine that is the RX's base power plant, though it has a slightly higher horsepower rating in the Lexus. Switching to the hybrids, the Highlander Hybrid and RX 350h share similar powertrains.
Other similarities abound. As crossover SUVs, both are tall vehicles that are easy to get into and out of. Toyota bases them on front-wheel-drive (FWD) platforms, and both offer all-wheel-drive (AWD) options. Both emphasize safety with impressive rosters of standard electronic safety equipment; even more are available optionally. As a result of all they offer, the Lexus RX and Toyota Highlander are extremely popular, leading their respective market segments in sales year after year.
So, while this isn't an even contest in every respect, comparing the 2024 Lexus RX and the 2024 Toyota Highlander is a worthy endeavor. The details will give you a clearer idea of which of these two vehicles deserves a place in your driveway.
2024 Lexus RX 350 Premium AWD
Lexus builds the RX in a wide variety of trim levels and configurations. Customers can choose among five conventionally powered trims: RX 350, RX 350 Premium, RX 350 Premium+, RX 350 Luxury, and RX 350 F Sport Handling AWD. Beyond that, the 2024 Lexus RX offers six hybrid trims: RX 350h AWD, RX 350h Premium AWD, RX 350h Premium+ AWD, RX 350h Luxury AWD, RX 450h+ Luxury AWD, and RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD. The RX 450h+ Luxury AWD is a plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
The hot-selling RX 350 is the lowest-priced version, with a suggested starting price of $49,950 (FWD) and $51,550 (AWD). The FWD variant of the RX 350 Premium+ begins at $53,950. The RX 350 F Sport Handling AWD, featuring performance looks, has a suggested base price of $58,550. The least expensive hybrid model is the RX 350h AWD, with a base of $52,100. The plug-in RX 450h+ has a starting price of $70,580.
Like Lexus does with the RX, Toyota offers Highlander shoppers many choices. The conventionally powered 2024 Toyota Highlander has five trims: LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum. All offer the choice of FWD or AWD. The Toyota Highlander Hybrid offers six trims: LE, LE Nightshade, XLE, XLE Nightshade, Limited, and Platinum. Toyota builds both FWD and AWD hybrid models.
The luxurious AWD Platinum trim resides at the top of the Highlander's conventionally powered lineup. It has a base price of $53,070, including the $1,395 destination fee. The 2024 front-drive LE trim is the least costly of the Highlanders, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) of $40,665, including the destination charge.
The high-luxe AWD Platinum Hybrid has a base price of $54,770 with destination. The least expensive Highlander Hybrid is the FWD LE, with a base MSRP of $42,365.
Advantage: Toyota Highlander
2024 Toyota Highlander Limited
The Lexus RX is the highest-ranked model in the Midsize Premium SUV segment in the JD Power 2024 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which assesses owner-reported problems during the third year of ownership. The RX does not rank among the top three models in its segment in the JD Power 2023 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), which tracks problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days.
The 2024 Lexus RX has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
The Toyota Highlander ranks third in the Upper Midsize SUV segment in the 2024 VDS but does not rank among the top three models in its segment in the 2023 IQS.
The 2024 Toyota Highlander has the following warranty, roadside assistance, and scheduled maintenance coverage:
Advantage: Lexus RX
2024 Lexus RX 350 F Sport Handling AWD
For 2024, Lexus RX buyers will choose from four powertrains, including three hybrids. The entry model is the 2024 Lexus RX 350 with a 275-horsepower, turbocharged 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
The hybrid RX 350h AWD teams a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with two electric motors to produce 246 total horsepower. The hybrid RX 500h AWD adds turbocharging to the 2.4-liter engine and combines it with two electric drive motors to deliver 366 hp. The RX 450h+'s plug-in hybrid powertrain uses a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and two electric drive motors to develop 302 hp. Thanks to its plug-in battery pack, it offers an EPA-estimated 37-mile electric driving range.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the base RX 350 at 25 mpg combined. The three hybrids better that figure by large margins. The RX 350h gets a 36-mpg combined fuel-economy estimate, and the RX 500h gets a 29-mpg combined rating.
As of this writing, the EPA has not rated the RX 450h+ PHEV, but Lexus says it will get an 83-MPGe combined rating. In addition to the hybrids' better fuel economy, it exhibits better all-around drivability than the turbocharged RX 350, thanks to the electric motors' immediate torque. The F Sport trims are a mix of power and comfort in keeping with the Lexus brand.
The 2024 Toyota Highlander features a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine as its base power plant. It delivers 265 hp and 310 pound-feet of torque. Toyota matches it with an 8-speed automatic transmission driving the front or all four wheels. All 2024 Highlanders feature hill-start assist and trailer sway control.
The 2024 Toyota Highlander Hybrid teams an Atkinson-cycle 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electric motor-generators. The gasoline engine and one of the motor-generators provide propulsion. At the same time, the second motor-generator works with the first to charge the hybrid battery.
An electronically controlled continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) with a sequential shift mode directs the torque to the drive wheels. Both FWD and AWD versions are available. The hybrids' AWD system uses a separate rear-mounted electric motor to power the rear wheels.
The hybrid models lead the 2024 Highlander lineup in fuel economy. The EPA rates the FWD Highlander hybrids at 36 mpg combined. With AWD, the hybrid figure drops slightly to 35 mpg combined. With FWD, the Highlander equipped with the 2.4-liter turbo gets a 25-mpg combined rating. With AWD, the Highlander turns in a 24 mpg combined figure.
Advantage: Lexus RX
2024 Toyota Highlander Limited
Lexus equips all 2024 RX models with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, the brand's roster of electronic safety technology. It includes various advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) and several additional technologies.
Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection/Braking, or intersection turn assistance, warns the driver if the system determines they are turning left in front of an oncoming vehicle. It applies the brakes if the driver doesn't heed that warning.
Proactive Driving Assist provides soft braking into curves, and soft braking plus steering helps to maintain the distance between the vehicle and a preceding vehicle, pedestrian, or bicyclist.
Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist (automatic emergency steering) applies easy braking and steering assistance to avoid collisions with objects within the RX's lane.
At the time of writing, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has not rated the 2024 Lexus RX for overall crashworthiness. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) named the 2024 Lexus RX a Top Safety Pick+ for the 2023 calendar year.
Toyota equips the 2024 Highlanders with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, an impressive lineup of ADAS. It includes various typical features, plus adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, and rear cross-traffic warning. Front and rear parking assist with automatic braking is available on the Limited and Platinum trims.
Vehicle Dynamics Integrated Management, standard on hybrid versions of the 2024 Toyota Highlander, provides integrated control of the anti-lock brakes, brake assist, electronic traction control, electronic stability control, hill-start assist, and the electric power steering. Toyota says this helps the vehicle remain stable on slippery road surfaces where rapid direction changes could cause spinouts.
The NHTSA awarded the 2024 Toyota Highlander the highest possible 5-star overall safety rating. Meanwhile, the IIHS named the 2024 Highlander a Top Safety Pick+ for the 2023 calendar year.
Advantage: Lexus RX
2024 Lexus RX 350 Premium AWD
After years of somewhat substandard infotainment tech, Lexus has improved its systems considerably in the 2024 RX. It offers a standard 9.8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a 14-inch high-definition touchscreen is available. The Lexus/Toyota-developed infotainment system is full-featured and easy to use. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability are standard. The menus and touchscreen controls mimic those found in smartphones and tablets, and most occupants will appreciate the anachronistic on/off/volume knob at the touchscreen's bottom center.
The Direct Connect suite of connected services for the 2024 Lexus RX provides cloud-based integral navigation, destination assistance, and voice control. Lexus offers it in a generous three-year trial and then via subscription. Among other benefits, the system stores user profiles you can access via other Lexus vehicles. A head-up display, sophisticated active parking assistance, and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system are available on some RX trims.
Created by Toyota's Texas-based Connected Technologies team, the Toyota Audio Multimedia infotainment system in the 2024 Toyota Highlander offers a standard 8-inch touchscreen. A 12.3-inch touchscreen is optionally available. Toyota Audio Multimedia delivers SiriusXM satellite radio, HD Radio, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The available Wi-Fi Connect subscription offers 4G connectivity for up to five devices. It enables integrated streaming of Apple Music and Amazon Music.
Vehicle occupants can connect two smartphones simultaneously via dual Bluetooth. The standard audio system employs six speakers. A 1,200-watt, 11-speaker JBL premium audio system is optional on the XSE and standard on Limited and Platinum trims.
Advantage: Lexus RX
2024 Toyota Highlander Limited
Interior design, comfort, and style are significant differentiators between the premium-grade Lexus RX and the mass-market Toyota Highlander. For 2024, Lexus RX buyers can choose among six interior color schemes. Available trim styles are decidedly upscale, featuring ash, bamboo, black open-pore wood, and dark-finished aluminum. The power-adjustable front bucket seats in the 2024 Lexus RX offer good support and long-haul comfort. The front seats in the performance-oriented F Sport trims offer deeper bolsters for grip in spirited cornering.
The F Sports include a perforated leather-trimmed steering wheel and aluminum pedals. A conventional moonroof and a retractable panoramic roof are available across the RX lineup. The optional 14-theme ambient lighting allows creative owners to turn the interior into a disco.
The 5-passenger RX provides a 40/20/40 power-operated split-folding rear bench seat with optional heating and ventilation. With the rear seats in use, the RX has 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space. With the rear seats folded, the space increases to 46.2 cubic feet. You can open or close the power-operated rear liftgate via buttons on the key fob, dashboard, and gate itself. In addition, it has an optional kick sensor, making its operation hands-free. Most 2024 Lexus RX SUVs have a towing capacity of 3,494 pounds.
The 2024 Toyota Highlander can accommodate seven or eight passengers, depending upon configuration. Several trims offer three-person second- and third-row bench seating or second-row captain's chairs. The LE trim has cloth-covered seats. The mid-level trims cover their seats in synthetic leather, while the top trims feature genuine leather seating. First- and second-row seats offer excellent room and comfort, though the headroom and legroom in the third row are tight for adults.
The Highlander's dashboard is nicely designed with easy-to-identify controls. Those who opt for the 12.3-inch touchscreen will appreciate its crisp graphics and ease of operation. Highlander occupants will get the benefit of plenty of passenger and cargo space. The handsome crossover has 16.0 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row. Folding the 60/40 split third-row seatbacks expands the space to 48.4 cubic feet. With both rows folded, the Highlander has 84.3 cubic feet of space.
Advantage: Toyota Highlander
If you'd like to learn more about these midsize SUVs, be sure to read our expert reviews of the Lexus RX, Lexus RX Plug-in Hybrid, and the Toyota Highlander. To find out how people like you rate models in this segment, check out our ratings from verified vehicle owners.
Also, please keep in mind that while the information in this article was accurate and valid on October 26, 2023, it may have changed since that date. Always confirm product details and availability with the automaker's website or your local dealership.
Jack R. Nerad has reviewed cars, trucks, vans, and sport utilities for over three decades. He also managed the editorial efforts of Motor Trend magazine, JD Power, and Kelley Blue Book. Jack is currently the host of the SportsMap Radio Network program America on the Road, which is available on Apple Podcasts, iHeart Radio, Spotify, Stitcher, and other outlets.
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