In the luxury SUV market, the Lexus RX and Volvo XC90 are staples. They serve slightly different purposes but are both known for their durability. The RX has long led the five-passenger midsize premium SUV class, gaining a reputation for a smooth ride, easy-to-use tech, and reliability. Meanwhile, the Volvo XC90 remains a popular three-row luxury SUV, combining Scandinavian design with practicality and driving enjoyment rarely seen in vehicles of its size.
Today’s RX lineup is more versatile than ever, offering a turbocharged four-cylinder, a hybrid, and a plug-in hybrid. Each aims to balance performance with efficiency, while its infotainment system emphasizes clarity and physical controls over flashy features. It is a design philosophy that resonates with many owners.
The XC90 takes a different approach. It is a bit longer, a couple of inches taller, and designed to seat seven passengers comfortably. Its Google-based infotainment system offers extensive features and functions. Inside, the XC90 combines minimalism with unique details, and its seats are among the most supportive in the industry. Performance varies from refined to surprisingly quick, with handling that remains composed despite its size.
Both SUVs target luxury buyers but in different ways: one designed for two rows and classic luxury, the other for three rows and refined Continental style. This comparison helps you decide which is best for your household.
2025 Lexus RX 500h Black Line Special Edition
The 2025 Lexus RX offers a wide range of trims to fit different preferences. Gas-powered options include the RX 350, RX 350 Premium, RX 350 Premium+, RX 350 Luxury, RX 350 F Sport Design, and RX 350 F Sport Handling AWD. Hybrid choices are the RX 350h AWD, RX 350h Premium AWD, RX 350h Premium+ AWD, RX 350h Luxury AWD, RX 350h F Sport Design AWD, RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD, and the RX 500h Black Line Special Edition. The lineup also features the plug-in hybrid (PHEV) RX 450h+ Luxury AWD.
Prices start at $50,575 for the front-wheel drive (FWD) RX 350 and go up to $72,710 (plus options) for the RX 450h+ PHEV. Prices include the $1,450 destination charge.
Standard ownership benefits include four years of roadside assistance and complimentary LexusCare scheduled maintenance for up to 10,000 miles. Every 2025 RX comes with a three-year Lexus Safety Connect trial, which offers stolen vehicle tracking, GPS-enabled roadside assistance, and automatic emergency response. A 10-year Service Connect subscription provides continuous access to vehicle health reports, while a Wi-Fi hotspot is available with a complimentary 30-day or 3-gigabyte trial.
For the 2026 model year, the Volvo XC90 comes in three trims—Core, Plus, and Ultra—with three engine options: B5, B6, and T8. All 2026 XC90s sold in the United States come with all-wheel drive (AWD). The XC90 Core B5 is the most affordable, with a manufacturer suggested retail price (MSRP) of $62,345, while the Ultra T8, a PHEV, is at the top of the lineup. Prices include the destination charge.
Volvo offers XC90 buyers complimentary roadside assistance for four years with no mileage limits and free scheduled maintenance for three years or 30,000 miles. Buyers of the SUV get a digital services package that includes four years of free access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play Store. The Volvo Cars app provides free remote functions.
Advantage: Lexus RX
Why? The RX offers a broader selection of options, which are usually more affordable than those of the XC90.
2025 Volvo XC90
The Lexus RX ranks second in the Midsize Premium SUV segment in the JD Power 2025 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS), which assesses owner reported problems during the third year of ownership.
The RX also ranks second (in a tie) in its segment in the JD Power 2025 U.S. Initial Quality Study (IQS), which tracks problems experienced by owners during the first 90 days.
The 2025 Lexus RX comes with a standard warranty of four years or 50,000 miles, a powertrain warranty of six years or 70,000 miles, and an eight-year or 100,000-mile warranty for the hybrid vehicle system.
The Volvo XC90 does not rank among the top three models in the Upper Midsize Premium SUV segment in either the 2025 VDS or the 2025 IQS. It offers standard and drivetrain warranties of four years or 50,000 miles, and its hybrid components are covered for eight years or 100,000 miles.
Advantage: Lexus RX
Why? The RX outperforms the XC90 in initial quality and vehicle dependability, and it also comes with a longer powertrain warranty.
2025 Lexus RX 450h
The 2025 Lexus RX offers multiple powertrain options, including gasoline, hybrid, and plug-in hybrid models. The standard gasoline versions feature a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 275 horsepower.
The RX 350h combines this engine with two electric motors for a total of 246 hp, while the RX 500h enhances the hybrid system with turbocharging to reach 366 hp. The plug-in hybrid RX 450h+ comes with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine paired with two electric motors, generating a combined 302 hp and providing an estimated 37 miles of electric-only driving range.
According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fuel economy for the turbocharged RX 350 is 25 mpg combined, while the RX 350h hybrid provides an estimated 36 mpg combined. The RX 500h has a combined rating of 27 mpg, and the EPA says the RX 450h+ achieves 35 mpg combined and 83 MPGe combined.
The 2025 RX seats five and offers 29.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, which expands to 46.2 cubic feet when the 40/20/40 power-folding rear bench is lowered. The rear bench can be heated and ventilated, and the power liftgate makes loading and unloading golf bags and other gear easier. Most 2025 RX SUVs can tow up to 3,500 pounds.
The 2026 Volvo XC90 comes with three powertrains. The B5 uses a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, producing 247 hp. The XC90 B6 features a similar engine and drivetrain tuned to deliver 295 hp. The plug-in hybrid T8 combines the turbo 2.0-liter four-cylinder with electric motor power for a total of 455 hp. All powertrains are equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and AWD.
Not surprisingly, the plug-in hybrid T8 offers the best fuel efficiency—58 MPGe combined—and has 33 miles of electric-only range. The EPA estimates the base Volvo XC90 B5 will get 26 mpg combined, while the B6 models are rated at 23 mpg.
The Volvo XC90 is two inches longer than the RX, has a 6-inch longer wheelbase, and offers seven-passenger, three-row seating, which the current RX does not have. The third-row head- and legroom are surprisingly spacious, and the XC90 features an attractive interior that is, perhaps, more stylish than the RX’s. The luggage area measures 13.1 cubic feet behind the third row. This expands to 36 cubic feet with the third row folded down and to 66.0 cubic feet when both rows are folded. The XC90 is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds.
Advantage: Volvo XC90
Why? The XC90 provides more interior space, three rows, greater towing capacity, and European-inspired handling.
2025 Volvo XC90
At this point, it is reasonable for any consumer to expect a brand new vehicle to come with the following safety features:
So, how do the RX and XC90 stack up? Let's take a look.
All 2025 Lexus RX SUVs come equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0—a comprehensive suite of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Along with standard ADAS functions, it includes upgraded systems such as Proactive Driving Assist, which offers braking and steering support to help maintain safe distances from vehicles, pedestrians, and cyclists.
Additionally, Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist, also known as automatic emergency steering, can help drivers steer clear of hazards, while the Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection/Braking system—also called intersection automatic emergency braking—alerts drivers to potential left-turn dangers and can automatically apply the brakes if needed.
The 2025 RX earned a maximum five-star overall safety rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the RX “Good” in two of three tested crashworthiness categories, although it did not receive the “Top Safety Pick” designation for 2025.
The 2026 Volvo XC90 includes many ADAS. In addition to the features listed at the beginning of this section, it also offers adaptive cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and a slippery road alert that not only warns the XC90’s driver but also other cloud-connected vehicle drivers. The Volvo’s oncoming collision system provides automatic emergency steering if it detects an impending frontal crash, and its rear collision system aims to prevent or lessen rear-end collisions. Front and rear parking sensors help avoid parking mishaps.
The NHTSA gave the 2026 Volvo XC90 a five-star overall safety rating. Meanwhile, the IIHS named the structurally similar 2025 XC90 a “Top Safety Pick+” for the 2025 calendar year. As of this writing, the Institute has not carried that rating forward for the 2026 model.
Advantage: Volvo XC90
Why? The XC90 features innovative ADAS technologies like slippery road alert, and the IIHS named it a Top Safety Pick+.
2025 Lexus RX 500h F Sport Performance AWD
The 2025 Lexus RX features a 9.8-inch touchscreen, with Premium trims upgradeable to a 14-inch display, which becomes standard on Premium+ and higher trims. The infotainment system is user friendly, with menus designed to look like smartphone interfaces. The display features clearly labeled icons, a physical on/off and volume knob for added convenience, and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto smartphone mirroring, both of which work smoothly.
Every 2025 RX includes a three-year trial of Lexus Safety Connect, which offers stolen vehicle tracking, GPS-enabled roadside assistance, and automatic emergency response. In emergencies, the system can automatically contact a 24-hour response center to dispatch help to the vehicle’s location. Service Connect provides complimentary access to vehicle health reports for up to 10 years. A Wi-Fi hotspot trial is also included for 30 days or 3 gigabytes of data.
The 14-inch Lexus Interface touchscreen pairs with a Mark Levinson 21-speaker audio system, integrating Drive Connect’s cloud-based services. These include real-time traffic updates, current maps, and Google-powered points of interest. The Intelligent Assistant supports natural voice commands and offers 24/7 live agent help to send destinations directly to the vehicle’s navigation system.
The 2026 Volvo XC90 features a new 11.2-inch touchscreen infotainment display, replacing the previous 9-inch screen. With Google Built-in, accessing navigation, music, and apps is smartphone simple. Drivers can use Google Assistant for voice commands, Google Maps for real-time navigation, and download apps via Google Play without needing an Android phone. Don't worry, Apple users—the system also supports wired Apple CarPlay. SiriusXM satellite radio and HD Radio are included, and a 14-speaker Harman Kardon audio system is available optionally.
The XC90 features a fully integrated connectivity system centered around the included Google services. Drivers can use the voice-activated Google Assistant, access Google Maps, and connect to the Google Play Store. The system learns driver preferences and provides personalized recommendations. Through the Volvo Cars app, owners can remotely precondition the cabin, locate the vehicle, and lock or unlock doors.
To address a possible lack of driver focus, the XC90 features the Intelligent Driver Information System. It is designed to reduce driver distraction during crucial moments when focus is most needed. The system constantly monitors driving habits and delays sending secondary information like calls or alerts until it is safer to do so.
Advantage: Volvo XC90
Why? While the RX’s infotainment system is more than enough and has a larger touchscreen, the XC90’s Google Built-in system is (arguably) more feature rich.
2025 Volvo XC90
The Lexus RX has achieved strong success in the five-passenger midsize SUV market, while the Volvo XC90 has enjoyed similar success as a popular choice in the three-row luxury SUV segment. After a failed attempt with a three-row RX, Lexus wisely developed the TX to compete directly with vehicles like the XC90. The RX remains a favored option for luxury buyers with its numerous qualities, including smooth ride quality, user friendly features, and a reputation for durability.
Once offering just a single powertrain, the RX now provides a range of powertrain options that deliver both performance and efficiency, offering the smooth driving experience that luxury SUV enthusiasts appreciate. The infotainment system is not overloaded with features, but it is the epitome of user friendliness.
The Volvo XC90 remains popular because it excels in many areas. Slightly longer and a bit taller than the Lexus RX, the Volvo provides three rows of seats and a larger overall interior with plenty of cargo space. Even with all three rows in use, it still has a commendable 13-cubic-foot luggage area. Its Google-based infotainment system is another advantage, outperforming the RX's system in functionality despite having a smaller screen.
The Volvo also offers a stylish interior with unique treatment options, including contoured faux leather upholstery and authentic ash accents. The XC90 features some of the most comfortable and supportive seats in the industry. Another advantage of the XC90 is its driving dynamics. With the T8 powertrain, it is a high performance vehicle, while the other powertrains offer driving enjoyment that is rare in a three-row SUV. As expected, the XC90 also provides a very comprehensive set of ADAS.
Advantage: Volvo XC90
Why? My mind sees the Lexus RX as the more rational choice, but my heart (and Swedish roots) will not let me abandon the Volvo XC90.
To learn more about these premium midsize SUVs, read our expert reviews of the Lexus RX, Lexus RX PHEV, and the 2026 Volvo XC90. To see how consumers rate these models, check out our ratings from verified vehicle owners.
Additionally, please note that while the information in this article was accurate and current as of August 13, 2025, it may have changed since then. Always verify product details and availability with the automaker’s website or your local dealership.
Jack R. Nerad has reviewed cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs for over three decades. He also managed the editorial efforts of MotorTrend, JD Power, and Kelley Blue Book. Jack currently hosts the Sports Byline Network program "America on the Road," available on Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Spotify, Audacy, Amazon Music, and other platforms.
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