2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Honda CR-V, a familiar face since its 2017 debut, showcased a design that was both fun and practical. Its exterior, with curvy lines and a resemblance to Honda’s sedan lineup, leaned more towards a station wagon than an SUV, making it a modern family transportation staple. Inside, the CR-V presented a mix of textures and materials, with upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery in higher trims clashing with some low-quality plastics, reminding drivers of its commodity car roots.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX retained its decade-old body shell with minor updates, including the signature spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The GX’s tough, aggressive look appealed to SUV shoppers, but its interior felt dated. The wood trim in the Premium model resembled molded plastic, and the abundance of actual plastic detracted from the luxury feel. Despite standard leather upholstery, the GX’s interior did not meet modern luxury SUV standards.

The 2020 Honda CR-V featured a 1.5-liter turbocharged engine producing 190 horsepower and 179 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain provided a responsive and quick driving experience, especially in Sport mode. The CR-V’s car-like road manners, nimble handling, and low curb weight of 3,337 pounds for the FWD LX model contributed to its excellent performance. Fuel economy was impressive, with FWD models achieving 30 mpg combined and AWD models 29 mpg.

The 2021 Lexus GX, powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine generating 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission, offered a different driving experience. The GX’s 5,130-pound weight impacted its performance, making merging and overtaking maneuvers challenging. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and significant body roll in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and several driver aids, making it a formidable off-road vehicle.

The 2020 Honda CR-V excelled in interior space and practicality. Its cabin was roomy, with excellent head- and legroom for both driver and passengers. Clever storage solutions, such as a deep center console and a two-position load floor, enhanced its usability. The CR-V offered 75.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded, making it easy to live with and capable of accommodating various needs.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age. The upright dashboard and high center console limited legroom, and the steering wheel’s odd angle, combined with the tall seating position, felt bus-like. While the GX provided excellent outward visibility, the center-console storage bin and cupholders were small. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best suited for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2020 Honda CR-V’s infotainment system showed its age. The base LX trim featured a 5-inch screen with limited functionality, while higher trims had a 7-inch touchscreen that felt small compared to competitors. The system lacked hard buttons, making it challenging to operate. However, the CR-V offered plenty of USB ports and a wireless phone charger in the Touring trim.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features. While it included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a straightforward interface.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came standard with the “Honda Sensing” system, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, road-departure mitigation, and adaptive cruise control with lane-keeping assist. The CR-V earned five stars in NHTSA crash tests and a Top Safety Pick designation from IIHS, with the Touring trim’s LED headlights improving nighttime visibility.

The 2021 Lexus GX featured the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models.