2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler maintained its iconic styling, recognizable by its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and exposed bolts and hinges. Despite various trim levels offering different looks, such as painted or exposed fenders and soft or hard tops, the core elements remained unmistakable. The Wrangler's design evoked a toy truck for adults, appealing to those who valued its rugged charm over comfort. Inside, the Wrangler's upright seating, limited legroom, and manual seat adjustments highlighted its utilitarian nature, which some drivers found endearing rather than inconvenient.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460's styling reflected its long tenure on the market, retaining the same basic body shell with updates like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The GX's exterior was tough and aggressive, appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior felt dated, with wood trim resembling plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Despite standard leather upholstery, the GX's interior did not meet modern luxury SUV standards.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered a diverse powertrain lineup, including gas, diesel, mild-hybrid, and a Hemi V8. The standard 3.6-liter V6 produced 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with either a six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler's 4WD systems, such as Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, catered to various off-roading needs. The Rubicon 392, with its 6.4-liter V8 engine, delivered 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, transforming the Wrangler into an off-road supercar with enhanced suspension, frame-rails, and brakes.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 kept it simple with a single 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's 5,130-pound weight impacted its performance, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added further enhancements for rugged terrain.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, premium black cloth soft top, and classic tan soft top. The Freedom top, a three-piece hardtop, came in black or body color with optional insulation. The Sky one-touch power top on the Rubicon 392 provided a convenient open-air experience. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with small storage spaces and drain plugs for easy cleaning. It offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats, expanding to 72.4 cubic feet with the seats folded.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics felt outdated, with an upright dashboard, high center console, and limited legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position resembled driving a bus. Despite excellent outward visibility, forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage spaces were small, and the third row was cramped and difficult to access. The GX offered 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded, significantly less than competitors. The third row was best reserved for occasional use.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler's Sport trim featured a basic 5-inch screen, with a 7-inch Uconnect screen available on the Sport S and standard on higher trims. The 8.4-inch Uconnect screen offered crisp graphics and intuitive controls. The Rubicon 392 included a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera for trail visibility.

The 2021 Lexus GX lacked modern tech features, with no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. However, analog controls for climate and seat heaters were user-friendly. The GX included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, with an optional 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features like forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. A backup camera with dynamic guidelines and a live tire-pressure monitoring system were standard.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models.