2021 Kia Sportage vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured a design that some might have described as frog-like, with its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights. However, Kia marketed the Sportage's styling as "Euro-focused." This two-row crossover SUV had a short wheelbase and overhangs, making it well-suited for urban environments. The headlights were carried over from the previous year, and the Sportage offered wheel options ranging from 17 to 19 inches. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen served as the focal point, surrounded by air vents and physical controls for tuning and volume. The interior, while not the most advanced in terms of technology and fashion, provided a comfortable and pleasant experience for occupants.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX 460's styling reflected its long tenure in the market, retaining the same basic body shell for over a decade with incremental updates. The GX adopted Lexus' spindle grille in 2014, which was refreshed in 2020 with a textured insert, along with new triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn't introduce any styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim. Despite its age, the GX's design remained coherent, with a massive grille that contributed to its tough and aggressive look. However, the interior fell short of modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim that felt like plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Leather upholstery was standard, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim.

The 2021 Kia Sportage offered a choice of three trims: LX, EX, and SX Turbo, with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All Sportage models were equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD Sportage with the 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD models saw a slight decrease. The Sportage's suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left room for improvement. The SX Turbo trim, in particular, offered a sporty driving experience.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 kept things simple with a single powertrain option: a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's performance was reminiscent of older SUVs, with ample power for initial acceleration but requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking due to its 5,130-pound weight. Stopping the GX also required extra consideration, and its body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and various driver aids. An optional Off-Road Package further enhanced its off-road prowess. The GX offered 8.1 inches of ground clearance and a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, while on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, provided good interior space for passengers. The SX Turbo trim included a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and 8-way power adjustment for the passenger, along with heated and ventilated seats. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was limited, with 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics revealed its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position contributed to a bus-like driving feel. Despite these drawbacks, the GX offered excellent outward visibility due to its boxy profile. The center-console storage and cupholders were small, but the array of physical controls was user-friendly. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, accommodating seven passengers, though the third row was best suited for children. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface with standard Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports. Most trims also included Kia's UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. The Sportage's technology was user-friendly, with logical menus and physical controls, though not groundbreaking.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It offered standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, along with two USB ports for the first two rows. The infotainment system's graphics were outdated, and the touchscreen offered limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces.

The 2021 Kia Sportage excelled in safety, offering a comprehensive suite of standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage earned Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS and performed well in NHTSA crash tests.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 came with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, featuring forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, 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 safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.