2020 Lexus GX vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander had a design that was more about subtlety than making a bold statement. Compared to its predecessor, it featured a slightly more slanted tailgate glass and more pronounced body panel creases. The trapezoidal theme was evident in various elements like the tailgate's license plate cutout, rear bumper, headlights, grille, and lower front bumper. Higher trims like the Limited and Platinum boasted projector-beam LED headlights and fog lights, along with attractive LED running lamps. The new 20-inch wheels on these trims added a touch of flair, and the new paint colors, such as Blueprint, were particularly appealing. However, the overall exterior design was considered more functional than exciting.

Inside, the Highlander excelled with its quality fit and finish. Silver-painted accents highlighted the armrests, steering wheel, and gear selector, while an 8-inch touchscreen and polished black plastic climate controls floated above the multi-layered dash. The color palettes were pleasing, even on the base L trim's fabric seats. The Limited trim featured a three-tone interior with rich textures and padded surfaces, except for the middle portions of the door panels. The leatherette had a perforated texture, and the Platinum trim added diamond quilting on the seat backrests. The interior was inviting and well-crafted, making it a standout in its class.

The 2020 Lexus GX, despite its age, received some design tweaks, including the hourglass grille that had become a signature of the Lexus lineup. While this grille design was polarizing on some models, it suited the GX better than the larger LX. The GX retained its rugged, decade-old design, sharing a platform with the Toyota 4Runner, which emphasized capability over innovation. This approach worked well for the GX, as it remained a capable and rugged SUV.

Inside, the GX's age was evident with its large, chunky center console and big buttons, reminiscent of early 2010s Lexus cabin styling. While this interior might not suit a new Lexus RX, it worked for the GX's rugged character. The GX was available in three trims: 460, 460 Premium, and 460 Luxury. The base 460 trim came well-equipped with features like 10-way power front seats, leather upholstery, push-button start, automatic climate control, and a power sunroof. The Premium trim added more features, including rain-sensing windshield wipers, 3-zone automatic climate control, and navigation. The Luxury trim offered premium leather upholstery, a heated steering wheel, self-leveling air suspension, and power-folding/reclining third-row seats. The GX's interior was functional and well-suited for its rugged nature.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. Unlike competitors with turbocharged four-cylinder engines, the Highlander's V6 delivered brisk acceleration with 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of this power, though it required a heavy foot for kickdowns. The Highlander's steering was loose, requiring adjustments at highway speeds, and the soft suspension had too much rebound. While this setup provided a comfortable and isolating ride, it lacked the control expected from a brand-new chassis. The Highlander excelled in fuel economy, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The AWD model returned 20/27/23 mpg, and the hybrid variant achieved up to 36 mpg combined.

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 modern V6 and turbocharged engines could exceed these figures, the V8 provided a distinctive swell of power in real-world driving. The GX's steering was light but direct and responsive, making it easy to handle on the road. The self-leveling air suspension provided a smooth and composed ride, capable of handling potholes and bumps with ease. The GX's 4WD system made it a beast off-road, with various 4WD modes and adjustable suspension settings. It could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius of 19 feet. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight or seven with second-row captain's chairs, standard on Limited and Platinum trims. The second-row seats were versatile, with generous adjustments and easy access to the third row. The rear doors opened wide, making ingress and egress easy. The Highlander featured three-zone climate control, a 120-volt outlet for the rear, and a large panoramic moonroof on the Platinum trim. Cargo space was generous, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second, and 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Highlander also had eight cupholders, four bottle holders, and two shelves integrated into the dash for added convenience.

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 easy access to the third row and a natural barrier between passengers. However, getting into the third row was more challenging for adults. With all rear seats folded, the GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space, which was less than some competitors. The GX had a unique side-opening rear hatch and a separately opening rear window/hatch for added convenience.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander featured an infotainment system that felt outdated. The maps lacked detail, there were no onboard apps, and the screen resolution was low. The 12.3-inch touchscreen, optional on the Limited and standard on the Platinum, couldn't fully utilize its size for maps or vehicle options. However, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration were standard. The Highlander had a 10-inch head-up display and a 7-inch display in the instrument cluster, both crisp and informative. The semi-automated driving system was effective, and the optional JBL audio system had 11 speakers. Standard features included SiriusXM, HD radio, WiFi, and four USB-A ports.

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment system showed its age with a decade-old layout. However, it was a true touchscreen with large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls, making it simpler to use than modern Lexus systems. The downside was the lack of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Despite this, the GX's system was straightforward and user-friendly.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, parking sensors, and rear emergency braking. The Highlander had a driver's knee airbag and a special cushion airbag for the front passenger. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) awarded it a 2020 Top Safety Pick.

The 2020 Lexus GX came standard 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. The GX offered great visibility with large windows and mirrors, enhancing safety.