2022 Lexus GX vs 2021 Kia Sorento

The 2021 Kia Sorento marked a significant departure from its previous generation, shedding its jelly-bean-inspired design for a more athletic and muscular silhouette. The SX Prestige trim with the X-Line package featured roof rails, a shark fin antenna, and a rear roof spoiler, enhancing its rugged appeal. The front showcased an expansive tiger-nose grille with a noticeable curve, complemented by squinting but appropriately sized headlights. A silver accent between the front fender and the door added a touch of sophistication. The rear design, despite a large D-pillar, boasted beautiful vertical taillights that promised to age gracefully. Inside, the Sorento offered high-value features like heated outside mirrors, second-row air vents, and a range of seat adjustments, making it a comfortable and stylish choice for long journeys.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition aimed to captivate those who appreciate a black-on-black aesthetic, though it was also available in Starfire Pearl and Nori Green Pearl. The Black Line treatment eliminated almost all chrome, giving the SUV a sleek, monochromatic look. However, the GX's design felt dated, reminiscent of its first-generation predecessor from 2002. Inside, the cabin maintained Lexus's reputation for quality with smooth, refined materials and a quiet atmosphere. Despite its age, the GX offered a comfortable and well-padded interior, though some switchgear felt old-school. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner, adding a touch of modernity to its classic design.

The 2021 Kia Sorento offered a range of powertrains, with the most common being a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 191 horsepower and 181 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission, was available in both front-wheel and all-wheel drive. However, our test car featured the more powerful turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, delivering 281 horsepower and 311 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed dual-clutch transmission with a wet clutch. This setup provided ample power for merging, cruising, and passing on the interstate. The Sorento also offered a hybrid version with a turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and an electric motor, though it was only available in front-wheel drive.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with its base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, relied on a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque. This engine, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, provided a satisfying engine note and plenty of refinement. The GX's 4WD system sent 40% of the power to the front wheels and 60% to the rear in normal driving conditions. Despite its hefty weight and high drag coefficient of 0.35, the GX managed a 7.8-second run to 60 mph and a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. The standard Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) helped improve stability and off-road capability, making the GX surprisingly agreeable to drive despite its age.

The 2021 Kia Sorento, with its three-row seating, was best considered a four-seater in its top trims due to the tight third row. The second-row captain's chairs were comfortable, offering 41.4 inches of legroom in the front and 41.7 inches in the rear. Cargo space behind the third row was limited to 12.6 cubic feet, but folding the seats expanded the total cargo volume to 75.5 cubic feet. The Sorento provided ample storage for small items, with a spot for a phone, cupholders, and a decent-sized center console bucket. The door pockets and second-row cupholders added to the practicality, though the overall cargo space was more in line with a compact crossover.

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 dimensions, the GX was easy to maneuver in various environments. The interior featured comfortable seats and well-placed padding, though some switchgear felt outdated. The Black Line Special Edition included NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. However, accessing the rear seats was challenging due to narrow door openings, and the third-row seat was cramped and close to the tailgate. Cargo space was limited, with 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, less than a Toyota RAV4.

The 2021 Kia Sorento featured an 8-inch touchscreen display on the LX, S, and EX trims, with hard buttons, volume and tuning knobs, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The larger 10.25-inch screen on the SX and SX Prestige trims looked fantastic but required a physical connection for smartphone projection. The Sorento offered plenty of USB ports, though no USB-C ports, and an optional Bose stereo that felt just okay. The navigation system needed improvement, particularly in voice search and Point-of-Interest functions, but most drivers would likely rely on Apple CarPlay or Android Auto for navigation.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 introduced a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a significant upgrade from the previous model. The screen, positioned at the top of the center control panel, was easy to see and use, eliminating the need for the old Remote Touch Interface touchpad. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation, along with a CD player and a Lexus app compatible with smartwatches. The GX also offered a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system, though it was not included in the test vehicle. The stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The infotainment display's dual-screen view and excellent voice recognition technology were notable highlights.

The 2021 Kia Sorento came equipped with a comprehensive array of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, driver-attention warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-departure warning, lane-following assist, and auto high beams. Our test car also featured a surround-view camera and adaptive cruise control, which worked smoothly. The Sorento received a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick designation from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), though the LED reflector headlights on lower trims received a poor rating.

The 2022 Lexus GX, despite its age, included the Lexus Safety System+ suite, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. However, it lacked some modern safety technologies found in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and semi-autonomous driving systems. The absence of these features might appeal to those who prefer a more traditional driving experience.