The Toyota RAV4 Hybrid is one of the best small hybrid SUVs that money can buy. Toyota’s luxury division Lexus produces its own take on the RAV4 Hybrid, the NX350h. Like most Lexus models, the NX350h offers opulent standard features and great performance specs. Is the 2023 Lexus NX350 h AWD worth buying over the fully loaded RAV4 Hybrid? Time for 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited vs. 2023 Lexus NX350h AWD.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited is a win for hybrid vehicles

American drivers are warming up to hybrid vehicles, but they aren’t nearly as ubiquitous as internal combustion engine vehicles, despite offering more value and longevity in some cases. Some drivers are afraid that a hybrid will be expensive, underpowered, and unreliable. The RAV4 Hybrid Limited is a win for all hybrid vehicles because it proves that America’s favorite SUV can get even more likable.

The RAV4 rose to popularity because it’s affordable, practical, and dependable. The Japanese automaker produces a hybrid version of the RAV4 at a price that’s still affordable, but the hybrid’s fuel economy 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 make 219 horsepower and 252 lb-ft 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 seating, SofTex-trimmed seats, and blue ambient illumination for in-dash shelves, center console cup holders, and in-front footwells. It also includes a smart key system with push-button start, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and a blind-spot monitor. The small hybrid SUV comes with plenty of luxurious standard features for a price that doesn’t break the bank.

The 2023 Lexus NX350h AWD has plenty to offer

Lexus’ small hybrid SUV 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 NX350h’s power output is slightly higher than the RAV4 Hybrid Limited’s power output. 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 close enough to the RAV4 Hybrid’s fuel economy. It comes standard with Lexus’ NuLuxe interior trim, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and shift knob, and heated front seats. The NX350 comes with heated power outside 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 greatest advantage the NX250h AWD has over its relative is standard all-wheel drive. That being 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 better 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.