2021 Jeep Wrangler vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler retained its iconic styling, which had remained largely unchanged over the years. Key features included circular headlights, a seven-slat grille, exposed bolts and hinges, and protruding bumpers and fenders, giving it a toy truck-like appearance. Depending on the trim level, the Wrangler could have painted or exposed fenders, a soft top or hardtop, and other individual styling touches, but it always maintained its unmistakable look. Inside, the Wrangler was not built for comfort, with upright seating, limited legroom, and somewhat awkward seat adjustments, but for the right driver, these were charming quirks rather than inconveniences.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition featured a sleek Black Onyx exterior that eradicated almost all chrome, transforming the SUV into a rolling black hole. Despite its modern touches like the signature Lexus spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, the GX still looked dated, reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002. Inside, the cabin quality was impeccable, with smooth, silky refinement and a quiet atmosphere. The GX offered a comfortable and elevated driving position, but some switchgear felt old-school, and the rear seat access was tricky due to narrow door openings.

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 an eight-speed automatic transmission. Other options included a mild-hybrid eTorque variant of the V6, a 270-hp turbocharged four-cylinder engine, and a 3.0-liter EcoDiesel V6 with 260 hp and 442 lb-ft of torque. The Rubicon 392 trim featured a 6.4-liter V8 engine, delivering 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque, turning the Wrangler into an off-road supercar. The Wrangler's 4WD systems, including Command-Trac, Select-Trac, and Rock-Trac, provided excellent off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds. The GX's drag coefficient of 0.35 and its V8 engine contributed to an EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. The standard Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved ride stability and off-road capability. Despite its age, the GX remained surprisingly agreeable to drive, with refined ride and handling on pavement and impressive off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered various top options, including the zipper-less Sunrider soft-top, a premium black cloth soft top, and a classic-looking tan soft top. The Freedom top was a three-piece hardtop with removable panels, available in black or body color. The Sky one-touch power top, featured on the Rubicon 392, provided a convenient way to enjoy the open-air experience. The Wrangler's cabin was functional, with a small center console bin, glovebox, and in-door cargo nets. It offered 31.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seats and up to 72.4 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Lexus GX provided an elevated driving position from a 10-way power-adjustable seat with clear outward visibility. 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. However, rear seat access was challenging due to narrow door openings, and the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access. The GX offered 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third-row seat, 46.7 cubic feet with the third-row seat folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second-row seat folded. The side-swinging tailgate made loading cargo difficult in tight spaces.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler Sport came with a basic 5-inch screen, while higher trims offered a 7-inch or 8.4-inch Uconnect screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger screens had crisp graphics and intuitive layouts, complemented by radio toggles on the back of the steering wheel. The Rubicon 392 featured a color TFT screen in the instrument panel and an off-road camera nestled between the front grille slats, providing a clear view of the trail ahead.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The GX also had a CD player, a Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The stereo controls were located at the bottom of the center control panel, making them harder to grasp and turn. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. The GX also included Intuitive Parking Assist, surround-view, and terrain-view cameras.

The 2021 Jeep Wrangler offered optional modern driver-assistance features, including forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, parking sensors, and blind-spot monitoring. However, lane-departure warning was not available. The Wrangler also featured a live tire-pressure monitoring system, useful for off-roading.

The 2022 Lexus GX, despite its age, came with standard Lexus Safety System+, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, 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 with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. However, it lacked some advanced safety technologies found in competitors.