Lexus RX vs Ford Ecosport
What's the difference?

Lexus RX

$101,200 - $111,100

2026 price

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Ford Ecosport

$14,460 - $16,894

2019 price

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Land Rover Discovery Sport

Mercedes-Benz A-Class

Mercedes-Benz C-Class

Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Mercedes-Benz E53

Mercedes-Benz EQ-Class

Mercedes-Benz G-Class

Mercedes-Benz G63

Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLB-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLC-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class

Mercedes-Benz GLS

Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class

Mini Countryman

Mitsubishi ASX

Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross

Mitsubishi Outlander

Mitsubishi Pajero

Mitsubishi Pajero Sport

Summary

2026 Lexus RX

2019 Ford Ecosport

By Emily Agar

By Tom White

Safety Rating

Engine Type

—

Inline 3, 1.5L

Fuel Type

—

Unleaded Petrol

Fuel Efficiency

—

6.9L/100km (combined)

Seating

Likes

Smooth & refined
Premium features
Family-friendly rear seat

Cheap
Great multimedia
Practical boot

Dislikes

Relatively short EV-only range
No spare tyre, just a repair kit
Raised rear seat cramped for tall people

No active safety
Nasty cabin materials
No auto headlights

2026 Lexus RX Summary

Lexus has finally brought a plug-in hybrid to the Australian market with the RX450h+, and we’ve been testing the second-from-the-top Sports Luxury grade to see how it stacks up.

Promising a blend of electric efficiency and the high-end comfort Lexus is known for, this large SUV steps into a competitive segment. But does it deliver on both fronts?

View full pricing & specs

2019 Ford Ecosport Summary

We live in a strange time, where cars are going the way of the dinosaur and SUVs will take their place as the primary offerings of the worlds oldest and biggest car companies.

Look at Ford, the brand that literally wrote the book on automotive mass-production will soon no longer sell cars in its home market of America (apart from the Mustang, of course…) There’s a story your grandpa won’t believe.

It makes SUVs, especially small ones like the EcoSport all the more important. Customers who once would have considered the Fiesta small hatch (on which the EcoSport is based) would now rather hop into one of these. At least, that’s what the data says.

So, is the EcoSport a worthy successor to the hatchback mantle? Is it even economical or sporty? And what happened to the spare wheel on the rear door? Read on to find out.

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Deep dive comparison

2026 Lexus RX 2019 Ford Ecosport

Verdict

The new Lexus RX450h+ Sports Luxury is packed with a wealth of premium features and strikes a solid balance between refinement and practicality. There are enough thoughtful touches that make everyday driving a little easier.

You’ll get the most out of the plug-in hybrid powertrain if you’re able to charge it regularly; ideally every day. That might not always be practical for busy people on the go, but overall, the RX450h+ manages to blend efficiency with Lexus’ signature comfort and quality.

Verdict

So, should you buy a base-model Ford EcoSport Ambiente?

For the money it’s a great little daily commuter with an odd mix of dated trim and a great multimedia, but it’s definitely worth making room in your budget to investigate the Trend or Titanium grades.

Plus, it’s worth keeping in mind that many competitors now offer more comprehensive safety or more powerful drivetrains for not much more money.

Lexus RX vs Ford Ecosport What's the difference?

Summary

Deep dive comparison

Verdict

Verdict

Lexus RX vs Ford Ecosport
What's the difference?