2021 Hyundai Tucson vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson featured a more conventional styling compared to its futuristic successor. It had an upright layout that provided a commanding view of the road. Inside, the Tucson boasted a modern and attractive dash design, seamlessly integrating tech features into the overall aesthetic. Every button and dial was easy to find, making the interior user-friendly. The Tucson was available in six trim levels: SE, Value, SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate. The base SE trim came with 17-inch alloy wheels, manually adjustable front seats, a digital driver information display, and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Higher trims added features like LED headlight accents, heated side mirrors, roof rails, and more advanced tech and comfort options.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition had a distinctive black-on-black design, eradicating almost all chrome from its exterior. This gave it a unique, albeit high-maintenance, aesthetic. Despite its modern touches like the signature Lexus spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, the GX's design felt dated, reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002. Inside, the GX maintained Lexus's reputation for quality with smooth, refined materials and a quiet cabin. 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 Hyundai Tucson offered two engine options. The base engine was a 2.0-liter four-cylinder producing 161 horsepower and 150 pound-feet of torque. The SEL, Sport, Limited, and Ultimate trims came with a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivered 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. Both engines were paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and had standard front-wheel drive (FWD) with optional all-wheel drive (AWD). The base engine felt underwhelming, especially at highway speeds, while the 2.4-liter engine provided a livelier performance around town. The Tucson had a comfortable and refined ride, striking a balance between softness and athleticism. The base engine allowed for a towing capacity of up to 1,500 pounds, while the 2.4-liter engine increased this to 2,000 pounds.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, was equipped with a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds. Despite its leisurely 7.8-second run to 60 mph, the GX's torque made the drive feel more exciting. The GX had a high drag coefficient of 0.35, contributing to its EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. The standard Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved stability and off-road capability. However, the GX's slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal detracted from the overall driving experience. The Off-Road Package, available with the Luxury trim, added features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and additional cameras for enhanced off-road performance.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson provided 31 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 61.9 cubic feet with the seats folded. While this was on the lower side for the compact SUV segment, it offered adequate space for weekend bags or large boxes. Higher trims like the Sport included a hands-free power liftgate. The Tucson's front seats offered solid headroom and legroom, with comfortable and supportive seating even on long trips. The rear seats were less spacious but still accommodating for adults. The interior featured plenty of cubbies and compartments for storage.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear outward visibility. Despite its tall, narrow, and short design, the GX was easy to maneuver in various settings. The seats were comfortable, with appropriate padding and physical controls. However, the placement of the stereo and off-roading controls led to frequent mix-ups. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the back seats were heated. The GX's third-row seat was challenging to access and uncomfortable for adults, reducing cargo space when in use. The side-swinging tailgate further complicated loading, especially in tight spaces. With the third-row seat stowed, the GX offered 46.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 64.7 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson came standard with a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system featuring Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Ultimate trim offered an upgraded 8-inch touchscreen, which was optional on other trims. The touchscreen was user-friendly with logical menu layouts and helpful hard buttons. Additional available features included navigation, satellite radio, and wireless device charging.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant upgrade from previous models. The screen was easy to see and use, eliminating the need for the outdated Remote Touch Interface (RTI) touchpad. The system included standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The GX also had a CD player, a Lexus app compatible with smartwatches, and Lexus Enform connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system was available but not included in the test vehicle. The placement of the stereo controls below the off-roading controls was counterintuitive, making them harder to use. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. For 2022, Lexus made its Intuitive Parking Assist technology standard, with optional surround-view and terrain-view cameras.

The 2021 Hyundai Tucson offered a solid list of standard driver-assistance features, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and driver drowsiness monitoring. Upper-tier trims added features like adaptive cruise control, pedestrian detection, automatic high-beams, a 360-degree parking monitor, and blind-spot monitoring. The Tucson earned five stars from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a "Top Safety Pick" rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Lexus GX, being an older design, lacked crash-test ratings. However, it came with standard Lexus Safety System+, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling, complimentary for three years. The GX lacked some modern safety technologies found in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and semi-autonomous driving systems. This absence might appeal to those who prefer fewer driving aids.