2020 Lexus GX vs 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had a design that harkened back to Toyota's classic trucks, shedding the soft and contoured look of its predecessor. The front resembled the 4Runner with a big flat slab of trapezoids and flexing surfaces, while the hood had a milder angle. The fenders and wheel wells featured hard creases, and the side glass reclaimed the original RAV4's large greenhouse. The XSE trim sported glossy black trim on the roof, A-pillars, mirrors, fender flares, and 18-inch wheels, giving it a sporty and upscale appearance. Inside, the RAV4 Hybrid boasted high-quality materials, including padded dash and door trim with blue stitching, silver trim around the center stack, and snug front seats with blue-striped cloth inserts.

In contrast, the 2020 Lexus GX retained its decade-old design with some new tweaks, including the garish hourglass grille. Despite its age, the GX shared a platform with the Toyota 4Runner, making it incredibly capable. The cabin looked unchanged from a decade ago, featuring a large, chunky center console with big buttons and a recessed infotainment screen. The GX was available in three trims: 460, 460 Premium, and 460 Luxury, each offering a range of features from leather upholstery to a rear-seat entertainment system. The GX's rugged capability and luxurious features made it a unique offering in the luxury SUV market.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with two electric motors and a 1.6-kilowatt battery, producing 219 horsepower. This setup provided a surge of torque missing from the regular model. The RAV4 Hybrid used older nickel-metal hydride batteries, which were reliable and consistent, especially in cold weather. The hybrid system operated seamlessly, making it difficult to notice when the engine was on or off. The continuously variable transmission (CVT) didn't strain the engine at high revs, and the standard all-wheel drive (AWD) was sometimes slow to counter wheelspin. The RAV4 Hybrid's handling was stable and connected, with sport-tuned dampers and springs in the XSE version. Fuel efficiency was exceptional, averaging 36 mpg over 400 miles, with EPA ratings of 41 mpg city, 38 highway, and 40 combined.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard 4-wheel drive (4WD). The V8 engine provided a swell of power in real-world driving, and the steering, though initially feeling over-boosted, was direct and responsive. The self-leveling air suspension offered a smooth and composed ride, and the GX excelled in off-road conditions. The GX featured various 4WD modes, adjustable suspension response, and Downhill Assist Control. It could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius of 19 feet. However, fuel economy was not impressive, with estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered excellent sightlines and generous cargo space, with 37.5 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 70 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The second row provided ample legroom and manual reclining seats. The air conditioning was highly effective, and the big knobs and switches enhanced ergonomics. The controls for windows, locks, and mirrors were not illuminated at night, but the infotainment screen, climate controls, and steering-wheel controls were easy to use and read.

The 2020 Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs in the Premium and Luxury trims, with power-folding third-row seats standard in the Luxury trim. The captain's chairs provided easy access to the third row, though getting into the third row was challenging for adults. With all rear seats folded, the GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some competitors. The GX had a side-opening rear hatch and a separately opening rear window/hatch, which was convenient for accessing the cargo area without opening the entire hatch.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid featured an infotainment interface that was better than Lexus models, with a simple touchscreen that accepted swiping and pinching gestures. The home screen could be customized with shortcuts, though the maps looked dated. Toyota's Entune 3.0 included apps like NPR, but only if a smartphone with those apps and the Entune app was plugged in. Apple CarPlay was standard, but Android Auto was not. The JBL stereo was adequate, and the lane-keep assist reacted too late. Toyota offered standard stolen-vehicle alerts, automatic crash notifications, and SOS assistance for three years as part of Safety Connect.

The 2020 Lexus GX had an older touchscreen infotainment setup, which was simpler than the modern Lexus systems. It lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the touchscreen was flanked by large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls. The GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera were also available.

The 2019 RAV4 Hybrid earned a 5-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with 4 stars for the driver's-side frontal crash test and rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) rated the 2019 RAV4 (not the Hybrid) its top Good rating in all six crash tests and the top Superior rating for its collision-avoidance system. Toyota Safety Sense came standard, including forward emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, adaptive cruise, traffic-sign recognition, and auto high beams. The RAV4 Hybrid featured a unique airbag in the front passenger seat's cushion and a driver's knee airbag.

The 2020 Lexus GX came standard with the latest driver-assistance features, including the Lexus Safety System+, which included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera were also available. The GX offered great visibility with massive windows and mirrors, enhancing safety.