2020 Lexus GX vs 2020 Subaru Ascent

The 2020 Subaru Ascent, resembling a larger Subaru Forester, was designed with practicality and utility in mind. It featured gray plastic cladding for 360-degree protection, an oversized grille, and exaggerated fender flares for a robust appearance. The Ascent's roof rails and 20-inch aluminum wheels on three of the four trim levels added to its functional design. The base model, starting at $31,995, came with 18-inch wheels and lacked dark-tinted privacy glass. Upgrading to the Premium trim at $34,395 offered better detailing and a superior infotainment system. The Limited trim at $39,345 added leather seats, while the top-tier Touring trim at $45,045 included premium leather, a panoramic sunroof, and special wood trim. The test vehicle, a Touring trim painted Abyss Blue Pearl, featured Java Brown leather and third-row quick-charge USB ports, totaling $46,285. The interior was stylish, with quality materials and thoughtful details, making it feel worth the investment. CarGurus recommended the Ascent Premium with additional packages for a similar look to the Touring trim but at a lower price.

The 2020 Lexus GX, introduced in 2002 and redesigned in 2010, retained its decade-old design with some updates. The GX adopted the hourglass grille design common in the Lexus lineup, which suited it better than the larger LX. Despite the new front end and headlights, the GX's age was evident. Sharing a platform with the Toyota 4Runner, the GX prioritized rugged capability over innovation. The cabin, unchanged from a decade ago, featured a large, chunky center console with big buttons and a recessed infotainment screen, reminiscent of early 2010s Lexus styling. The GX's interior was functional, with large dials and knobs operable while wearing work gloves. The GX was available in three trims: the 460, 460 Premium, and 460 Luxury. The base 460 trim included 10-way power front seats, leather upholstery, push-button start, automatic climate control, and a power sunroof. The Premium trim added rain-sensing wipers, 3-zone climate control, parking sensors, and navigation. The Luxury trim, tested with a rear-seat entertainment system, included premium leather, a heated steering wheel, and power-folding third-row seats. CarGurus recommended the base 460 trim for its well-equipped features and simplicity.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was powered by a turbocharged 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD). This setup provided good acceleration, even at high elevations. However, the Ascent's fuel economy was disappointing, averaging 18.9 mpg during testing, below the EPA estimate of 22 mpg combined. The Ascent's handling was not sporty, with slow and numb steering, and the suspension struggled on uneven surfaces. The CVT, while decent, had issues with power delivery and responsiveness. The shifter felt cheap, and the Ascent rolled significantly when parked on a hill. Despite these drawbacks, the Ascent excelled on smooth freeways and off-road, thanks to its AWD system, X-Mode off-road traction, Hill Descent Control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard 4-wheel drive (4WD). While modern V6 and turbocharged 4-cylinder engines could exceed these figures, the V8 provided a satisfying swell of power in real-world driving. The GX's steering, initially feeling over-boosted, proved to be direct and responsive on the road. The self-leveling air suspension offered a smooth and composed ride, capable of handling potholes and bumps while maintaining control in corners. The GX excelled off-road, with various 4WD modes, adjustable suspension height, and Downhill Assist Control. It could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius of 19 feet. However, its fuel economy was poor, averaging 16.3 mpg during testing, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent offered comfort, especially in the Touring trim, with soft leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. The 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat included a manual thigh support extension, and the armrests were densely padded. The front passenger seat lacked height adjustment but was high enough off the floor. The dashboard featured a useful shelf and ambient lighting, with a logically laid-out center control panel. Storage options included a center bin, door panel bins, armrest bins, and a glove compartment. The Ascent could be configured with a second-row bench seat or captain's chairs, with the latter providing comfort and sliding functionality. The third-row seat offered acceptable space for short trips, with easy access and amenities like large side windows, a panoramic roof, and USB ports. The Ascent provided 17.8 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 47 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 86 cubic feet with the second row folded. The upright liftgate and rear glass made the cargo space more usable.

The 2020 Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs in the Premium and Luxury trims, with power-folding third-row seats standard in the Luxury trim. The captain's chairs provided a small access way to the third row and a natural barrier between passengers. However, getting into the third row was challenging for adults. With all rear seats folded, the GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space, less than competitors like the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Land Rover Discovery. The GX featured a side-opening rear hatch, which was unique but not particularly advantageous. However, the separately opening rear window/hatch was a useful feature for quick access to the cargo area.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent came with a Starlink infotainment system, including Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, satellite radio, HD Radio, integrated apps, and a CD player. Premium trim added an 8-inch touchscreen, text-messaging capability, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and Starlink Safety and Security connected services. The Touring trim improved the display and added navigation. The system's screen size was small, but the display was satisfying, with stereo knobs and separate climate controls. However, the voice-control system was outdated and unresponsive. The navigation system had issues with accuracy, but Bluetooth pairing and music streaming were easy, and the Harman Kardon speakers provided rich sound. USB ports were available in all three rows, but there was no wireless charging pad. The Ascent Touring offered a 180-degree front camera view, a 180-degree rear camera view, and a PIN Code Vehicle Access system for secure keyless entry.

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment system showed its age, with a touchscreen setup from the previous generation of Lexus Enform. The system was simple, with large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls, but lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite this, the straightforward interface was preferred by some drivers over more complex modern systems.

The 2020 Subaru Ascent was built on Subaru's latest global platform, earning a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS. It featured EyeSight, a collection of camera-based advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS), including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Premium trim added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert, while Limited trim included LED steering-responsive headlights and reverse automatic braking. The EyeSight Assist Monitor projected indicators onto the windshield, enhancing safety. The Ascent also had a rear-seat reminder system and Starlink Safety Plus connected services, offering automatic collision notification, SOS emergency calling, and roadside assistance.

The 2020 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and an available surround-view camera. The GX's great visibility, with large windows and mirrors, added to its safety.