The Lexus RX 350L and Toyota Highlander are two of the most well-liked SUVs on the market. The Lexus RX 350 has far more expensive materials and a sportier ride, but the Highlander is one of the best options for a three-row SUV. These cars are somewhat different from one another.
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The Highlander is larger than the RX350.
You’ll find it simpler to get in and out of the Lexus RX 350 than the Toyota Highlander in a confined parking space because it is slightly thinner. The Toyota Highlander and Lexus RX 350 use almost the same amount of space in your garage when comparing overall lengths.
Is the Highlander comparable to the Lexus RX?
The Lexus RX and Toyota Highlander may not appear to be direct rivals at first glance. After all, one is distinguished by a luxury logo while the other is associated with a well-known mainstream automaker. One can accommodate up to eight people, while the other has conventional seating for five. Additionally, their respective starting prices are more than $11,000 apart.
However, when you look closer, you may see additional parallels between the two. They are both produced by Toyota Motor Corp., even though they are constructed on separate platforms, therefore they have a lot in common. The RX and Highlander also have V6 or gas-electric hybrid powertrain options, three-row seating is an option, good resale prices, and a track record of Toyota dependability.
Still not persuaded that these two SUVs are rivals? The Internet has spoken, and a startling amount of shoppers look up the distinctions between the Lexus RX and the Toyota Highlander each month. In order to assist you in choosing between these two midsize crossover SUVs, we will now compare their main distinctions. Since the third row of seats in the Highlander is a standard feature, we’ll concentrate on making apples-to-apples comparisons with the 3-row Lexus RX L.
What is the Lexus RX 300’s Toyota equivalent?
The Lexus RX is a luxury crossover SUV that Lexus, a high-end brand of Toyota, has been selling since 1998. The Toyota Harrier was initially made available in its native Japan in late 1997, while export sales of the Lexus RX started in March 1998. [1] There have been four generations of the RX made to date, the first being tiny in size and the latter three being categorized as mid-size. The RX is regarded as the first premium crossover SUV[2][3]. The RX series has utilized both front-wheel drive and four-wheel drive setups, and many gasoline powertrain options, including V6 engines and hybrid systems, have been provided. The RX stands above the smaller NX crossover with a smaller displacement inline-four engine and below the bigger GX and LX (marketed as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and the Toyota Land Cruiser body-on-frame SUVs outside of North America) in the Lexus model lineup. RX stands for “Radiant Crossover,” hence the name. [4] In some markets, it has also been referred to as “Recreational Cross Country.” [5] The Highlander/Kluger and the Harrier and Venza were once the RX’s Toyota competitors.
Sales of the 3.0 liter V6-powered first-generation RX 300 started in 1998. A 2.2-liter inline-four, later increased to 2.4 liters, was also available in the 1997 Harrier for the Japanese market. The second-generation RX 300 (3.0 liter V6) and RX 330 (3.3 liter V6) vehicles first went on sale in 2003, while the more potent RX 350 (3.5 liter V6) took their place in the market in 2006. In the Japanese market Harrier, a 3.0 liter V6 engine and a 2.4 liter inline-four engine were offered. The 3.3-liter second-generation vehicle was made available in 2005 as a hybridized gasoline-electric version under the names RX 400h in international countries and Harrier Hybrid in Japan. Both the RX 350 (3.5-liter V6) and RX 450h (3.5-liter V6 hybrid) models were initially available for the third generation, which debuted in 2009. Since 2010, however, Lexus has also marketed the entry-level RX 270 (2.7-liter inline-four) in several Asian markets, including Japan. Japanese sales now take place under the RX moniker rather than Harrier as they had in the past since the third generation’s debut. The 2.7-liter engine was replaced by a turbocharged (2.0-liter inline-four) RX 200t/300 variant in the fourth generation.
Since its debut, Toyota Motor Kyushu has been producing the RX. The RX and RX Hybrid were the first Lexus models to be produced outside of Japan; North American market versions were made at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada factory in Cambridge, Ontario starting in 2003 (RX), and it was enlarged in 2014. (RX Hybrid). [6] Since 2009, hybrid transaxles are manufactured at the Kokura facility in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka. [7] [8]
Which is preferable, a Lexus or a Toyota?
In the U.S. News Battle of the Brands comparison, Lexus defeated Toyota in five of the 13 categories performance, interior, safety, subcompact SUV, and midsize SUV outperforming Toyota in all 13 categories. In the 44-inch midsize SUV class, the two brands were tied.
Although Lexus only triumphed in less than half of the categories, U.S. News nonetheless named it the superior vehicle overall. This is largely attributable to how well the high-end brand performed in the crucial areas of safety and performance. In the latter, Lexus cars typically outperform even the most sporty Toyota models in terms of handling.
Toyota is surpassed by Lexus in terms of interior design as well. While both companies have generally appealing interiors, Lexus cars consistently come with premium materials, cozy seats, and a more opulent vibe.
The Lexus brand is known for its emphasis on luxury, comfort, and overall performance. If you have a higher income and desire a car that provides a pleasant driving experience without compromising performance, upgrading can be worthwhile. If you’re looking for a sports vehicle or an SUV, the upgrade is especially valuable because Lexus consistently obtains top ratings in these categories.
Do Lexus and Toyota share an engine?
The engines used by Lexus brands are almost identical to those used by Toyota. A four-cylinder, a V6, or a V8 are the three types of engines found in Lexus vehicles. For instance, the 3.5Ltr V6 Engine is shared by the Toyota Avalon and the Lexus ES.
The number of cylinders in an engine varies, and the more cylinders an engine has, the more powerful it is. Consequently, the V8 has twice the power of the four-cylinder engine.
Engines with fewer cylinders, however, offer additional benefits. They are more fuel-efficient and lighter. The engine will weigh and cost more as the number of cylinders increases.
What does the Lexus RAV4 look like?
In terms of luxury crossover SUVs, the Lexus NX is setting the standard. The Toyota RAV4 actually wishes it were more like the NX. Here is a comparison of the two automobiles. You’ll see why the Lexus NX is the obvious pick for your next luxury crossover SUV after reading a review.
Which Lexus SUV resembles the Toyota Highlander the most?
Many of the same opulent amenities found in the Lexus RX 350, which has a base price of $41,900, are also available in the Highlander LTD model. Given that both SUVs are equally equipped, it is important to analyze their differences.
Which Lexus is identical to the 4Runner?
The current 2022 4Runner is still the same fundamental body-on-frame SUV, with the same engine and transmission that it had back in 2009. There was a styling makeover for 2014 and numerous minor tech advancements along the road.
And the 4Runner’s current surge in popularity may be down to its sturdy, tried-and-true, ancient bones. TRD Pro models have historically been in high demand and frequently sell to long queues of customers for prices much above MSRP.
The identical 4.0 liter V6 engine paired with the identical five-speed automatic transmission powers all fifth-generation 4Runners. The majority of models are 4x4s by nature, while the base versions are two-wheel-drive. Contrary to the fourth generation 4Runner, a V8 option wasn’t offered.
Naturally, used models of the fifth-generation 4Runner have been as popular, selling for some of the highest prices of any SUV on the market. Naturally, some purchasers have resisted paying the exorbitant rates for used examples of the fifth generation 4Runner and have looked at alternatives, such as its Lexus rival, the GX460.
Is Lexus more dependable than Toyota?
The J.D. Power 2019 Vehicle Dependability Study, or VDS, found that modern cars are more dependable than ever. There are a few well-known brands at the top of the list, starting with Lexus, which is ranked first overall. Toyota, the parent company of the luxury brand, is ranked first in the mainstream category and third overall.
Is a Lexus only an upscale Toyota?
Is Lexus a Toyota brand? Yes, the Toyota Motor Corporation, which has its headquarters in Japan, is the owner of the Lexus brand. However, the luxury car line runs separately from Toyota Motor Corporation in many aspects.
Is Lexus a premium Toyota brand?
The luxury car branch of the Japanese carmaker Toyota is called Lexus (, Rekusasu). More than 90 nations and territories throughout the world actively promote the Lexus brand[3]. and is the top-selling brand of luxury vehicles in Japan [6]. According to market valuation, it has been placed among the top 10 Japanese global brands. [7] The headquarters of Lexus are in Nagoya, Japan. Operational hubs are situated in Plano, Texas and Brussels, Belgium, respectively.
Lexus was founded from a corporate initiative to produce a new premium sedan, code-named F1, which started in 1983 and concluded in the unveiling of the Lexus LS in 1989. This was around the same time that Japanese rivals Honda and Nissan formed their Acura and Infiniti luxury divisions, respectively.
[8] Sedan, coup, convertible, and SUV vehicles were later added by the division. All automobiles marketed as Lexus globally from 1989 to 2005 were first introduced in Japan under the Toyota nameplate and a model name similar because Lexus did not exist as a brand there until 2005. A hybrid RX crossover made its debut in 2005, and later hybrid vehicles were added to the range of the division. With the introduction of the IS F sport sedan in 2007, Lexus established its own F marque performance division. In 2009, the LFA supercar followed.
The majority of Lexus automobiles are made in Japan, mostly in the Chbu and Kysh areas, namely in Toyota’s Tahara, Aichi, Chbu, and Miyata, Fukuoka, Kysh facilities. The Canadian-built RX 330, the first Lexus made outside of the United States, started going through assembly in 2003. After a corporate restructuring that took place between 2001 and 2005, Lexus started running its own design, engineering, and manufacturing facilities.
Since the 2000s, Lexus has boosted sales outside of the United States, which is still its biggest market. In 2005, the division opened its first dealerships in the domestic Japanese market, becoming the first Japanese premium automobile brand to do so. [9] Since then, the company has made its debut in Southeast Asia, Latin America, Europe, and other continents. It has also introduced hybrid automobiles in other areas.
What does Lexus RX stand for?
Radiant Crossover is the name of the particular model. The word Radiant stands for the optimistic future that Lexus had in mind when the car was introduced at the beginning of the millennium.
How reliable is the Lexus RX 350?
A good SUV, the Lexus RX is. It has comfortable handling and a smooth ride, and its fuss-free V6 powerplant gets the job done. With two rows of comfy seats and a comprehensive list of standard equipment, the cabin is stylish and sophisticated. Even so, this Lexus has a respectable fuel rating.
Which Lexus SUV is the best?
The Lexus RX 350 is a popular vehicle. For nearly two decades, Consumer Reports has given it nothing but positive evaluations, and for good reason: it is the greatest Lexus SUV you can purchase overall.
What is so fantastic about the RX 350? One benefit is that it is fuel-efficient. Although it doesn’t seem that great on paper (the EPA rates it at 20 mpg city and 27 mpg highway), in practice it performs better and achieves more like 31 mpg highway. Additionally, a hybrid powertrain with 28 city and 31 highway mpg is offered.
It’s also a terrific family vehicle because it has two sets of LATCH connectors and a tether anchor in the back seats. This LATCH system received the highest possible grade of Good+ from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), indicating that it is user-friendly.
Finally, it received top marks in crash tests. In all six crash tests, the IIHS granted the 2022 RX 350 the highest rating of Good. For its technology to prevent vehicle-to-vehicle front crashes, it likewise achieved the top score of Superior.