2021 Lexus GX vs 2020 Toyota Highlander

The 2020 Toyota Highlander presented a design that was subtle yet refined, with a few updates from its previous model. The tailgate glass was slightly more slanted, and the body panels featured more pronounced creases. The trapezoidal theme was evident in various elements, including the tailgate's license plate cutout, the rear bumper, and the slimmer headlights. Most trims, except the base L, came with projector-beam LED headlights and fog lights, while the higher trims boasted prettier LED running lamps. The introduction of big 20-inch wheels on the Limited and Platinum trims added a touch of flair. Inside, the Highlander excelled with its quality fit and finish, highlighted by silver-painted accents and a multi-layered dash. The interior color palettes were pleasing, with the Limited trim offering a three-tone interior that combined brown, beige, and black. The Highlander's cabin was a standout, offering a level of detail and quality that was hard to find in its competitors.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX retained its long-standing design, with the same basic body shell from a decade ago. The GX featured Lexus' signature spindle grille, updated in 2020, and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn't see any major styling changes, but it did come with standard silver 18-inch wheels on the Premium trim. The GX's styling was coherent, despite not being originally designed around the spindle grille. Its tough, aggressive look was distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior didn't quite match the standards of a modern luxury SUV. The wood trim in the Premium test car felt like molded plastic, and there was an abundance of actual plastic. While the GX offered standard leather upholstery, the overall interior experience felt dated compared to newer luxury SUVs.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander was equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, available in both front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations. This engine delivered 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque, providing brisk acceleration without the need for turbochargers. The eight-speed automatic transmission made full use of the engine's power, although it required a heavy foot for kickdown. The Highlander's steering was loose, and the suspension was soft, leading to a ride that felt more like an older Buick. However, it offered a calm and isolating driving experience, ideal for long road trips. The Highlander also boasted good fuel economy, with the FWD model achieving 21 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The AWD version was slightly less efficient, while the hybrid variant offered up to 36 mpg combined.

The 2021 Lexus GX, on the other hand, featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's performance was reminiscent of older SUVs, with a noticeable weight of 5,130 pounds affecting its agility. While the V8 provided ample power for initial acceleration, merging and overtaking required careful planning. The GX's ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. However, it excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and several driver aids for off-road conditions. The GX also had a respectable towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander offered seating for eight, or seven with the second-row captain's chairs available on higher trims. The second-row seats were versatile, with generous adjustments and easy access to the third row. The Highlander provided ample legroom and exceptional ingress and egress. It featured three-zone climate control, a 120-volt outlet, and generous cargo space, with 16 cubic feet behind the third row, 48 cubic feet behind the second, and 84 cubic feet with both rows folded. The Highlander's interior was well-designed, with simple controls and a user-friendly infotainment interface.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX's interior felt dated, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel was positioned at an odd angle, contributing to a bus-like driving feel. The GX offered excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. The interior storage was limited, with small cupholders and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best suited for children. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander's infotainment system felt outdated, with low-resolution screens and a lack of onboard apps. The 12.3-inch touchscreen was optional on the Limited trim and standard on the Platinum, but it didn't offer much more usable area than the standard 8-inch screen. However, the Highlander included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. It also featured a large head-up display and a semi-automated driving system with adaptive cruise control and road sign detection. The optional JBL audio system was decent, and the Highlander offered a range of connectivity options.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functionality. However, the GX included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces. The GX also offered a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system as an option.

The 2020 Toyota Highlander came with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring and rear emergency braking. The Highlander received a 2020 Top Safety Pick from the IIHS for its crash test performance and emergency braking capabilities.

The 2021 Lexus GX featured the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some safety features found in other Lexus models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.