2021 Lexus GX vs 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar presented a balanced design, sitting between the sleek Evoque and the boxy Range Rover. Its low roof and steeply-raked windshield gave it a unique profile, distinct from the traditional upright Range Rover. The Velar maintained an intimidating presence with its broad front end, while its short overhangs improved off-road capabilities. The SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition added sportier touches, including larger air intakes and quad exhaust tips, enhancing its aggressive look. Inside, the Velar offered a luxurious experience with high-quality leather and metal trim, creating a cockpit-like feel that was more suited to urban environments.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX retained its decade-old body shell with minor updates over the years. The GX featured Lexus' signature spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, giving it a tough, aggressive look. However, the interior did not match modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Despite this, the GX offered standard leather upholstery and semi-aniline leather on the Luxury trim. The GX's styling was coherent, and its boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, although the interior ergonomics felt outdated.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar introduced a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 engine in the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition, producing 550 horsepower and 502 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, allowed the Velar to accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 4.3 seconds, with a top speed of 177 mph. Despite its power, the Velar's performance was not dominant compared to competitors like the BMW X3 M Competition and Mercedes-AMG GLC 63 S. The Velar's aluminum platform provided a solid and refined driving experience, but it felt large on tight roads. The rest of the Velar's powertrain lineup included a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four and a 3.0-liter supercharged V6, both with standard four-wheel drive.

The 2021 Lexus GX featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's performance was reminiscent of older SUVs, with a zero to 60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The GX's 5,130-pound weight affected its acceleration and braking, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and several driver aids. An optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler and multi-view camera system. The GX had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds, but its ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, lacking the refinement of modern SUVs.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar occupied a middle ground in size, larger than small luxury SUVs but smaller than midsize counterparts. Despite its size, the Velar's interior space was not as generous as competitors, with limited headroom and a claustrophobic feel due to its avant-garde styling. Cargo space was competitive, with 15.7 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 48.9 cubic feet with them folded. The Velar's towing capacity varied by model, with the SVAutobiography Dynamic Edition and V6 models capable of towing 5,511 pounds.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position contributed to a bus-like driving feel. The GX offered excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best reserved for children due to limited space. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded. The GX's interior storage was minimal, with small center-console storage and cupholders.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with dual 10.0-inch touchscreens, a WiFi hotspot, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and Apple CarPlay/Android Auto compatibility. The upper screen handled smartphone and media functions, while the lower screen managed vehicle settings and climate control. The system offered high-quality graphics but suffered from slow responses. Additional tech included a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, head-up display, and capacitive steering-wheel controls.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The infotainment system's graphics were outdated, and the system offered limited functions. The GX included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available, but the overall tech offering was primitive for a luxury SUV.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover Velar lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA. Standard safety features included automatic emergency braking, lane-keep assist, and front and rear parking aids. Adaptive cruise control and blind-spot monitoring were available as part of an option package. The Velar's driver-assist tech offerings were less sophisticated than competitors, with only lane-keep assist available.

The 2021 Lexus GX also lacked crash-test ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS. The GX came standard with 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 standard, but the GX missed out on features like traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.