2019 Toyota RAV4 vs 2020 Lexus GX

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 presented a bold and aggressive design, drawing inspiration from the Toyota Tacoma pickup. Its chunky exterior and sharp edges conveyed a sense of strength and modernity, with taillights reminiscent of Lexus's luxury styling. The RAV4's character line on the rear C-pillar, while common in new vehicles, was not universally appealing, especially in monotone color schemes where it appeared as unnecessary clutter. Inside, the RAV4's cabin was surprisingly simple and elegant, featuring a floating touchscreen and a well-organized control pod. The RAV4 offered various trims, from the base LE with standard features like LED headlights and privacy-tinted windows, to the upscale Limited trim with chrome-finished alloy wheels and ambient interior lighting.

In contrast, the 2020 Lexus GX retained its decade-old design with some updates, including the hourglass grille that was less overwhelming on the GX than on other Lexus models. Despite its age, the GX shared a platform with the rugged Toyota 4Runner, maintaining its capability over innovation. The GX's interior reflected its age with a large, chunky center console and big buttons, reminiscent of early 2010s Lexus styling. The GX was available in three trims: the base 460, the 460 Premium with added tech features, and the 460 Luxury with premium leather and a heated steering wheel. CarGurus recommended the base 460 trim for its well-equipped standard features.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 was powered by a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission. It offered front-wheel drive or two all-wheel-drive options, including a torque-vectoring AWD for the Adventure and Limited trims. The RAV4's engine provided decent highway acceleration but felt sluggish in stop-and-go traffic. The ride quality was generally comfortable, though the steering was twitchy, and there was noticeable body roll. The RAV4's fuel economy was impressive, with the AWD model achieving 27 mpg city and 34 mpg highway.

The 2020 Lexus GX featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, with a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard 4-wheel drive. The GX's V8 offered a powerful driving experience, and its light steering was direct and responsive. The self-leveling air suspension provided a smooth ride, and the GX excelled in off-road conditions. The GX's fuel economy was less impressive, with 15 mpg city and 19 mpg highway. However, it could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius, making it versatile for city driving.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4's cabin was practical and spacious, with a clean design and ample cargo space. It offered 37.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet when folded. The RAV4's interior featured deep storage bins and a hidden tray above the glove box, enhancing its functionality.

The 2020 Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs and power-folding third-row seats in the Luxury trim. However, its cargo space was limited to 64.7 cubic feet with all seats folded. The GX's side-opening rear hatch was unique but not particularly advantageous. It did have a separately opening rear window, allowing easy access to the cargo area.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 came with a 7-inch touchscreen running Toyota's Entune 3 infotainment system, offering Apple CarPlay but not Android Auto. The XLE trim added multiple USB ports, while the Adventure trim featured an upgraded panoramic reversing camera and a larger 8-inch screen. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with real dials for volume and tuning.

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment system showed its age, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, it was a true touchscreen with large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls, offering simplicity over modern complexity.

The 2019 Toyota RAV4 included standard safety features like airbags, a reversing camera, and traction control. It also came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, offering forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and dynamic radar cruise control. The system added traffic-sign detection and Lane-Tracing Assist for enhanced safety.

The 2020 Lexus GX featured the Lexus Safety System+, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also had blind-spot monitoring and an available surround-view camera. The GX's high driving position and large windows provided excellent visibility.