2021 Lexus GX vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its long tenure on the market. Retaining the same basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several updates over the years, including the addition of Lexus’ trademark spindle grille in 2014 and a textured insert in 2020. The 2021 model didn’t see any new styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim level. Despite its age, the GX’s tough, aggressive look remained distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior did not meet modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim.

In contrast, the 2021 Nissan Kicks received significant exterior updates, aligning its design with the new faces of the 2021 Nissan Armada, Ariya, and Rogue. The Kicks featured a bold V-motion design, thinner and longer headlights, and a new bumper and LED taillight combination at the rear. The top-tier Kicks SR trim level boasted LED multi-reflector headlights and standard LED fog lights. The Kicks also offered new paint options and a two-tone paint job that enhanced its upmarket look. The interior saw improvements in material quality, drawing inspiration from the 2020 Nissan Sentra. The Kicks SR Premium Package added Prima-Tex-appointed seating with a three-tone design and stitching, elevating the cabin’s appeal.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept it 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 460’s performance was a throwback to an earlier era of SUVs, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, its 5,130-pound weight made higher-speed maneuvers challenging, and the ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, lacking the refinement of modern unibody SUVs. The GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and several driver aids. The optional Off-Road Package added further enhancements, making the GX a formidable off-road vehicle. It also had a respectable towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came with a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine delivering 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT and front-wheel drive. The Kicks’ electric power-assisted steering and front independent strut suspension made it nimble and easy to handle in various driving conditions. While not particularly powerful, the Kicks had a good power-to-weight ratio, making it adequate for its size. The Kicks SR tester performed well on icy roads, and the CVT, though noisy under heavy acceleration, did not detract significantly from the driving experience. The Kicks offered standard 16-inch steel wheels on the base model, with 17-inch aluminum-alloy wheels on higher trims. It also featured a traction control system, stability control, hill start assist, and auto-hold. The Kicks’ fuel economy was impressive, with an EPA rating of 31 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel’s odd angle and tall seating position made it feel like driving a bus. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage options were limited, with small center-console bins, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best suited for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, and virtually no space with the third row up.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks made the most of its small size with easy-to-reach buttons and knobs, good small-item storage, and multiple smartphone storage options. Climate controls were straightforward, and the seat warmers worked efficiently. The Kicks featured a D-shaped steering wheel, six-way adjustable driver’s seat, four-way adjustable front passenger seat, and 60/40 split-folding rear seat. The Kicks offered best-in-class front seat legroom, though hip room was limited for larger drivers. Adults could comfortably fit in the back seats, a rarity in the subcompact class. The available tonneau cover provided hidden storage, covering about two-thirds of the rear cargo area.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a robust suite of modern technology. The base model Kicks S included a 7-inch infotainment touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, three USB ports, keyless entry, push-button start, and Easy Fill Tire Alert. The Kicks SV added Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, a 7-inch driver information screen, satellite radio, remote engine start, and a USB-C port. The Kicks SR Premium Package featured a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with eight speakers, including two in the front seat headrests. The Kicks also offered a surround-view monitor and a WiFi hot spot with over-the-air updating capabilities.

The 2021 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included 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.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Kicks had 10 airbags, a driver alertness monitor, and rear door alert on the SV and SR trims. The 2020 Kicks, mechanically similar to the 2021 model, received Good marks in IIHS crashworthiness tests and a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.