The RAV4 Hybrid is one of the best money can buy. Toyota’s luxury division, Lexus, produces its own interpretation of the RAV4 hybrid, the NX350h. Like most Lexus models, the NX350h offers opulent standard features and great performance. Is the 2023 Lexus NX350h AWD worth buying over the fully loaded RAV4 hybrid? It’s time for the 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited versus the 2023 Lexus NX350h AWD.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited is a win for hybrid vehicles
American drivers are embracing hybrid vehicles, but they aren’t as ubiquitous as internal combustion engine vehicles, despite offering more value and longevity in some cases. Some drivers worry that a hybrid is expensive, underpowered and unreliable. The RAV4 Hybrid Limited is a win for all hybrid vehicles because it proves it can get even cuter.
of the RAV4 at a still affordable price, but the fuel economy of the hybrid is superior.
The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited starts at just $38,530. It uses a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors to produce 219 horsepower and 252Nm of torque. The small hybrid SUV gets 41 miles per gallon in the city and 38 miles per gallon on the highway.
The RAV4 Limited comes standard with heated and ventilated front seats, SofTex covered seats and blue ambient lighting for the dashboard shelves, center console cup holders and front footwell. It also includes a smart key system with push-button start, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a blind spot monitor. The small hybrid SUV comes with several luxurious standard features at a price that won’t break the bank.
The 2023 Lexus NX350h AWD has a lot going for it
it may be significantly more expensive than the RAV4 hybrid, but it offers great features to justify its price. The 2023 Lexus NX350h AWD starts at $43,105. That’s $4,575 more than its cousin, the RAV4 Hybrid Limited. So, what do you get for that $4,575 difference?
The power output of the NX350h is slightly higher than that of the RAV4 Hybrid Limited. The 2023 Lexus NX350h makes 240 horsepower using a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and two electric motors.
The small luxury hybrid SUV gets 41 miles per gallon in the city and 37 miles per gallon on the highway, which is pretty close to the RAV4 Hybrid’s fuel economy. It comes standard with Lexus’ NuLuxe interior trim, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, and heated front seats. The NX350 features heated power door mirrors, roof rails and Lexus SmartAccess with push-button start.
2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited vs. 2023 Lexus NX350h AWD
The RAV4 Hybrid Limited is more affordable than the Lexus NX350h, but both small hybrid SUVs offer similar features. The biggest advantage the NX250h AWD has over its sibling is standard all-wheel drive. That said, consumers can add all-wheel drive to the 2023 RAV4 Hybrid Limited, making the two SUVs nearly identical.
If you’re looking for the best small hybrid SUV for the money, the RAV4 Hybrid Limited will do the trick for most drivers. If you want a luxury ownership experience, the Lexus NX350h’s exterior is more attractive and its interior is more refined.
