2022 Lexus GX vs 2021 Honda Pilot

The 2021 Honda Pilot aimed to balance styling with reliability, safety, comfort, and performance. Despite a 2019 refresh and a 2020 Black Edition, the exterior design remained polarizing. The Pilot was available in seven trims, ranging from the base LX to the upscale Black Edition, with prices between $32,250 and $49,920. Front-wheel drive was standard, with all-wheel drive available for an additional $2,000 on most trims. The new Special Edition trim added features like black 20-inch alloy wheels and wireless smartphone charging. The Black Edition, priced at $51,435 with optional white paint, featured exclusive black leather upholstery with red accents, but its black floor mats were a hassle to clean.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, available in Black Onyx, Starfire Pearl, or Nori Green Pearl, aimed to appeal to those who love black-on-black vehicles. The Black Line treatment removed almost all chrome, giving the SUV a sleek, dark appearance. However, the GX quickly accumulated dust, making it look old and shabby. The GX's design, despite updates, still resembled its first-generation model from 2002. Inside, the cabin quality was high, with smooth, refined materials and a quiet ride. The GX was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210. The Black Line Special Edition, based on the Premium trim, started at $60,535.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque. The engine was smooth and responsive, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The Pilot offered a torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system, enhancing traction and handling. Fuel-saving features included variable-cylinder management and automatic engine stop/start, with an EPA rating of 22 mpg combined for the AWD model. The Pilot's suspension provided a comfortable ride and surprisingly athletic handling, though its off-road capability was limited by 7.3 inches of ground clearance and all-season tires.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a curb weight of 5,126 pounds, was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. The engine's torque made the GX's 7.8-second run to 60 mph feel more exciting and contributed to its 6,500-pound towing capacity. A six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system, distributing power 40/60 front/rear. The GX's high drag coefficient and V8 engine resulted in an EPA rating of 16 mpg combined. The Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved stability and off-road capability. Despite its age, the GX remained agreeable to drive, though its slow steering and touchy brake pedal were drawbacks.

The 2021 Honda Pilot offered ample space for families, seating up to eight with a second-row bench seat. The test vehicle's front seats were comfortable and supportive, with 10-way power adjustment for the driver. Second-row captain's chairs were optional on Touring and standard on Elite and Black Edition trims. The third-row seat was less comfortable for adults. Storage was abundant, with various compartments and a large center console. The power tailgate revealed 16.5 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 46.8 cubic feet with the third row folded and 83.9 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2022 Lexus GX provided an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear visibility. The interior featured comfortable seats and well-placed padding, though some switchgear was outdated. The Black Line Special Edition included NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The rear seats were heated, but access was tricky due to narrow door openings. The third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space. The GX's side-opening tailgate was cumbersome, and cargo capacity was limited to 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2021 Honda Pilot featured an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and HondaLink connected services. The Special Edition added wireless phone charging, while the Touring trim included navigation, a WiFi hotspot, and a premium audio system. The rear-seat entertainment system in the Touring trim played DVDs and Blu-Ray discs. The infotainment system was adequate but lacked a tuning knob and had limited voice-recognition capabilities.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 introduced a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, eliminating the need for the outdated Remote Touch Interface. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. A CD player and Lexus Enform connected services, including a WiFi hotspot, were also available. The stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. The GX also featured Intuitive Parking Assist and optional surround-view and terrain-view cameras.

The 2021 Honda Pilot came standard with Honda Sensing, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and lane-keeping assist. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning. The Pilot received favorable crash-test ratings, with a five-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and high ratings from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Lexus GX, despite its age, included Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked some modern safety technologies found in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and active blind-spot intervention. There were no crash-test ratings available for the GX.