2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid vs 2020 Lexus GX

The 2020 Lexus GX, despite some new design tweaks, was a decade-old vehicle. It featured the garish hourglass grille design that had become a staple in the Lexus lineup. While this grille was hard to look at on some models, the GX wore it better than the larger LX. The GX shared a platform with the Toyota 4Runner, making it a rugged and capable SUV that didn't need to innovate much. Inside, the cabin looked unchanged from a decade ago, with a large, chunky center console and big buttons. This old-school interior worked for the GX, especially since it was designed to be operable while wearing work gloves.

The GX was available in three trims: the 460, the 460 Premium, and the 460 Luxury. The base 460 trim came well-equipped with features like 10-way power front seats, leather upholstery, and a power sunroof. The Premium trim added rain-sensing windshield wipers, 3-zone automatic climate control, and navigation. The Luxury trim included premium leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, and self-leveling air suspension. CarGurus recommended the base 460 trim for its extensive standard features and simplicity.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid, redesigned for 2019, featured a tougher and more angular design. Its front fascia resembled the Toyota 4Runner, with stacked, trapezoidal apertures and a perforated grille. The RAV4 Hybrid was available in four trims: LE, XLE, XSE, and Limited. Lower trims had 17-inch wheels, while the XSE and Limited had 18-inch wheels. LED headlights and taillights were standard, with adaptive headlights available on the top trim. Inside, the design was simple and functional, with tasteful shiny trim. The base fabric seats looked and felt good, and the interior materials were nice, though not as luxurious as some competitors.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. This power was sent through a 6-speed automatic transmission to standard 4-wheel drive (4WD). While these specs might not impress compared to modern engines, the V8 offered a swell of power in real-world driving. The GX had light but direct steering, making it responsive on the road. The self-leveling air suspension provided a smooth ride, and the GX excelled in off-road conditions. It could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius of 19 feet. However, its fuel economy was poor, with estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had a combined EPA fuel economy rating of 40 miles per gallon, which was impressive for a roomy, five-passenger SUV. It used a 2.5-liter, 176-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine combined with two electric motors to drive all four wheels. The first electric motor delivered up to 118 hp to the front wheels, while the second motor provided 54 hp to the rear wheels. This setup eliminated the need for a heavy driveshaft, improving handling and fuel economy. The RAV4 Hybrid's engine felt well-matched to the vehicle, providing quick acceleration and smooth regenerative braking. It could tow up to 1,750 pounds and had light steering and a soft suspension, making it easy to drive.

The 2020 Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs on the Premium and Luxury trims, with power-folding third-row seats standard on the Luxury trim. The captain's chairs provided a small access way to the third row, which was a bit of a chore for adults to access. With all rear seats folded, the GX had 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space, less than some competitors. The GX had a unique side-opening rear hatch, which was less convenient than a traditional hatch but included a separately opening rear window/hatch.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid had excellent ergonomics, with a standard 7-inch touchscreen (an 8-inch screen was optional) positioned atop the center dashboard. The center console had room for a cell phone, two cupholders, and a large storage bin. The RAV4 Hybrid's cabin could be quieter, but it remained comfortable on long trips. The rear seat had impressive legroom, and the cargo compartment was capacious. The hybrid model did not compromise interior or cargo space, offering 98.9 cubic feet of passenger volume and 37.6 cubic feet of trunk capacity.

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment system showed its age, with a true touchscreen flanked by large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which was a tough tradeoff for some drivers.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered Android Auto and Apple CarPlay for the first time, along with SiriusXM Radio. These features were standard, providing excellent infotainment technology. The RAV4 Hybrid also had WiFi Connect, with a 3-month, 2GB trial. The USB-A port on the dash made plugging in a phone convenient, and additional USB-A charging ports were available on higher trims. The RAV4 Hybrid also featured "Predictive Efficient Drive," which improved the hybrid system's efficiency by calculating when to discharge and charge the battery.

The 2020 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, which included 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 great visibility, with massive windows and mirrors, added to its safety.

The 2020 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included a pre-collision system with automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure alert, automatic high beams, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign assist. It also included a 1-year trial of Safety Connect. The RAV4 Hybrid received a five-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and had two safety recalls for engine coolant leaks and suspension issues.