Are you looking for a large luxury SUV that can take you and your family on the roads less traveled no matter how rocky they are? In that case, you may want to check out either the Lexus LX600 or the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover SE. I had a chance to drive both of these three-row SUVs this year and came up with this quick real-world comparison.

The 2022 Range Rover SE has a quieter and more comfortable ride than the Lexus LX600

Although the 2022 Lexus LX600 is super quiet and comfortable when driven at highway speeds, the 2022 Land Rover Range Rover is quieter. The Range Rover has an acoustic windshield and more robust doors and insulation, which makes it feel as quiet as a casket at higher speeds. The Range Rover I drove also had an electronic air suspension with different drive modes.

The best mode was “comfort mode,” which made the steering easier, lifted the chassis, and provided a pillow-soft ride that soaked up even the worst road bumps and imperfections. The Lexus LX600 F Sport I tested didn’t have an air suspension. Instead, it’s equipped with a double-wishbone front and multi-link rear suspension that’s comfortable but not as plush as the Rover’s ride.

The Lexus LX600 has more power than the Rover SE

The Lexus LX600 is powered by a twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 engine that generates 409 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. On the other hand, the Range Rover SE is equipped with a turbocharged inline-six engine that makes 395 hp and 406 lb-ft of torque.

In reality, the Lexus LX600 feels quicker and more agile despite the fact that it weighs around 400 more pounds than the Range Rover. Apparently, that extra torque and power make up for the car’s added weight.

Both SUVs will return similar fuel economy numbers

Speaking of the powertrain in both of these cars, you can expect them to get similar fuel economy numbers. The EPA rates the Range Rover at 18 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, while the LX600 is rated at 17 and 22 mpg, respectively. On paper, that sounds like a huge difference.

But in my real-world testing, I averaged 16.6 mpg in the Lexus and 18 mpg in the Range Rover. Of course, a two-mpg difference may sound like a lot to some, but your mileage will vary. Either way, you can expect sub-20-mpg returns in either of these cars if you drive up hills and through cities like I did.

Which three-row SUV is more comfortable?

Out of the two competitors, I would say that the Range Rover is more comfortable by far. The base Rover SE came equipped with Windsor leather seats that were soft to the touch, power-adjustable, and had seat massagers.

The Lexus was comfortable as well, with its two-toned leather seats that were heated and ventilated. Even the second row had ventilated outboard seats, which is a rare find. However, the Range Rover’s overall head and legroom in all three rows were more generous than the LX600’s.

I preferred the Mark Levinson sound system over the Meridian

I’m a bit of an audiophile, so I tend to swoon over cars that have premium sound systems. Neither of these large SUVs disappointed me. The Lexus came with a Mark Levinson sound system, and the Range Rover came with a Meridian system.

Don’t get me wrong, the Meridian system sounded crisp and clear, but I preferred the Mark Levinson speakers. It sounds far more clear, and there’s plenty of bass in every song, which I like since my preferred genre is EDM.

I also preferred the Lexus’ 12.3-inch infotainment screen to the Range Rover’s 13.1-inch screen. Bigger isn’t always better, as functionality is key when it comes to infotainment. As such, I found it easier to learn the LX600’s system, and there are not too many hidden menus to get around.

The Range Rover’s system is clear, but its graphics aren’t great, and it takes too many clicks to get to some basic features like the audio source and vehicle system settings.

Which large luxury SUV is a better buy?

The 2022 Lexus LX600 F Sport has a starting price of $102,345, while the 2022 Range Rover SE starts at $104,500. For my money — which doesn’t add up to anywhere near those two price tags – I would choose the Range Rover for its exceptional value right out of the box.

If you’re looking for a three-row SUV that doesn’t need to be optioned up to the gills to be capable off-road and comfortable on the road, the Range Rover is for you. But if you want something a little more sporty and unique-looking, the Lexus LX600 will work just fine.