2020 Lexus GX vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Lexus GX carried over its decade-old design with just a few tweaks to keep it slightly updated. Introduced in 2002 and redesigned for the 2010 model year, the GX showcased its age with a design philosophy grounded in the early 2010s. For 2020, the major visual update was the adoption of Lexus' signature hourglass grille, which had already spread across the brand's lineup. While the GX wasn't originally designed with this grille in mind, it didn't look too out of place. It was, however, a testament to the car's durability that it was one of the last Lexus models to adopt this design.

Despite the new front end and headlight adjustments, the GX's cabin was a time capsule of sorts, with little change from its early days. Its chunky center console and large, manual buttons were reminiscent of old-school SUV interiors, aimed at enhancing ease of use, even with gloves on. This rugged simplicity worked well for the GX, emphasizing capability over luxury finesse.

Lexus offered the GX in three trims - the 460, 460 Premium, and 460 Luxury. The base model was well-equipped with standard features like 10-way power seats, leather upholstery, and push-button start. The Premium trim added conveniences like rain-sensing wipers and heated seats, while the Luxury trim offered premium leather, a self-leveling air suspension, and the option of a rear-seat entertainment system.

The 2021 Lexus GX, meanwhile, sported no major styling changes. It retained the 2020 model’s spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. However, it did standardize silver 18-inch wheels on the Premium trim. The exterior had a tough, aggressive look that appealed to SUV shoppers seeking a rugged aesthetic. The interior, though, wasn't quite up to snuff for a modern luxury SUV. Our Premium test car's wood trim felt more like plastic, and a fair amount of actual plastic was present. Leather upholstery was standard, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim.

Under the hood, both the 2020 and 2021 Lexus GX 460 models were powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. This engine, coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission, sent power to a standard 4-wheel-drive system. While these specs might seem modest compared to modern V6 or turbocharged 4-cylinder engines, the V8 delivered a smooth, satisfying swell of power in real-world driving.

In the 2020 GX, the steering felt light initially but proved direct and responsive on the road. The self-leveling air suspension in our test model provided a smooth yet composed ride, capable of absorbing road imperfections while remaining competent in corners. The GX shone off-road, with toggle switches near the shifter for adjusting 4WD modes, suspension height, and features like Downhill Assist Control. The vehicle could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a surprisingly small turning radius of 19 feet. Fuel economy, however, was less impressive, with the GX returning just 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The 2021 GX mirrored the performance attributes of the 2020 model. It offered strong acceleration from a stop but felt its hefty 5,130 pounds at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The body-on-frame design contributed to less smooth ride quality, particularly in our Premium trim test car, which lacked adaptive suspension. Nonetheless, the GX remained a formidable off-roader, boasting features like a Torsen center differential, hill-descent control, and an optional Off-Road Package for the Luxury trim. The package added various enhancements including a transmission cooler, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The GX retained a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2020 GX was available with second-row captain's chairs on Premium and Luxury trims, with the latter also offering power-folding third-row seats. While the captain’s chairs worked well for families by providing easy access to the third row, adults might struggle to get in and out. Cargo space was limited, with just 64.7 cubic feet available with all rear seats folded—a figure lower than many competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Land Rover Discovery. The GX featured a side-opening rear hatch, which wasn't universally loved, but it did offer a separately opening rear window for added convenience.

The 2021 GX’s interior also showed its age with an upright dashboard and high center console, which resulted in limited legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and the tall seating position contributed to a bus-like driving feel, though visibility was excellent due to the dashboard shape and boxy profile. The knock against the 2021 model was that it felt outdated inside.

Cargo capacity in the 2021 GX also suffered from the same limitations, with 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded. The third row, marketed as suitable for occasional use, eliminated almost all cargo space when upright. The design of the second-row seats further muddled access to the third row, making it cumbersome to use.

Technology was where the 2020 GX really felt its age. Its touchscreen infotainment system was the last generation of Lexus Enform, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It used a simple, straightforward interface with large buttons for crucial controls, offering an easy but dated user experience.

The 2021 GX maintained this trend, remaining light on tech features. Standard offerings included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant connectivity, and two USB ports per row (excluding the third row). The infotainment system felt particularly primitive, with graphics reminiscent of the 1990s and analog controls for most functions. This approach was user-friendly but far from what buyers expected from a luxury SUV in 2021.

In 2020, Lexus equipped the GX with the Lexus Safety System+, which included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and a surround-view camera were also available, offering good protection on all fronts.

The 2021 GX came with the same Lexus Safety System+ suite, including safety features like forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lagged in offering some of the more advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.