2020 Land Rover Range Rover vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover was a testament to the brand's legacy of combining luxury with rugged capability. Originating from the Series I off-roader, the Range Rover evolved into a luxury SUV with robust 4x4 underpinnings, a combination that defined the brand. By 2020, the Range Rover offered multiple trims, including HSE, Autobiography, and SVAutobiography Dynamic, available in both Standard Wheelbase (SWB) and Long Wheelbase (LWB) configurations. Standard features included leather seating, a panoramic sunroof, and the InControl Touch Pro Duo infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Optional features ranged from heated rear seats to a 19-speaker Meridian audio system, with higher trims offering even more luxury and customization.

The 2021 Lexus GX, on the other hand, retained its decade-old body shell with minor updates, such as the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The GX's styling was coherent despite its age, with a tough, aggressive look that appealed to SUV shoppers. However, the interior felt dated, with wood trim resembling plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, but the overall interior did not meet modern luxury SUV standards. The Premium trim added a heated wood-trimmed steering wheel, but the heating elements did not cover the entire wheel. Despite its shortcomings, the GX offered excellent outward visibility due to its boxy profile and dashboard shape.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered a diverse range of powertrains, starting with a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 355 horsepower and 365 pound-feet of torque. The HSE trim featured the same engine without the hybrid system, delivering 395 hp and 405 lb-ft of torque. A turbodiesel V6 was also available, rated at 254 hp and 443 lb-ft of torque. The P525 and Autobiography trims came with a supercharged 5.0-liter V8, generating 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, with a plug-in hybrid option offering 398 hp and 472 lb-ft of torque. The SV Autobiography Dynamic trim boasted a 5.0-liter V8 tuned to 557 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque. All engines were paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive. The Range Rover excelled in comfort and off-road capability, featuring an electronic air suspension and Terrain Response System with multiple drive modes.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX kept it simple with a single 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's performance was reminiscent of older SUVs, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The vehicle's 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and driver aids like hill-descent control. An optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler and Crawl Control. The GX had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds and offered respectable ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover offered two wheelbase options, SWB and LWB, with standard seating for five. The optional second-row captain’s chairs reduced seating to four but enhanced comfort, especially in the LWB version. The SWB model provided 70.9 cubic feet of cargo space with rear seats folded, while the LWB offered 77.5 cubic feet. The Range Rover featured a hands-free power liftgate with a unique two-piece configuration, facilitating easier loading. The front row had a convenient center-console compartment, and both front and rear doors offered decent storage and cupholders.

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 felt bus-like. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. The center-console storage bin and cupholders were small, but the array of buttons and knobs for controls was user-friendly. The GX came standard with three rows and seating for seven, with a power-folding third row available on higher trims. However, accessing the third row was challenging, and cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with seats folded.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover featured the InControl Touch Pro Duo system, consisting of two touchscreens. The top screen managed navigation, phone, stereo, and smartphone connectivity, while the lower screen controlled climate, seat settings, and Terrain Response. The system had a learning curve and occasional lag issues, but a volume knob was included. A fully digital instrument panel and optional head-up display were also available.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. Standard features included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, with two USB ports for the first two rows. The infotainment system's graphics were outdated, and the interface was primitive, but analog controls were provided for ease of use. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available.

The 2020 Land Rover Range Rover came with standard safety features like low-speed automatic emergency braking, forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and parking sensors. Optional features included a 360-degree parking camera, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Range Rover offered a solid list of safety features, though some were optional.

The 2021 Lexus GX included the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard, but the GX lacked some features found in other Lexus models, such as traffic-sign recognition.