2021 Subaru Forester vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX retained its rugged and aggressive exterior styling, a testament to its long-standing design lineage. Despite its decade-old body shell, the GX managed to incorporate Lexus' signature spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, giving it a distinctive look that appealed to SUV enthusiasts. However, the interior did not quite match the modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt more like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic materials. While leather upholstery was standard, the overall interior ambiance felt dated compared to contemporary luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2021 Subaru Forester, although redesigned in 2019, carried over much of its previous-generation styling, giving it an older appearance. Its boxy, upright shape was favored by many SUV shoppers for its practicality and clean, unpretentious look. The Forester Sport models added a touch of flair with orange striping and black alloy wheels, enhancing its visual appeal. Inside, the Forester's no-nonsense interior was built to withstand daily wear and tear, with cloth upholstery on lower trims and leather on higher ones. The Sport trim added orange accents, providing a splash of color to the otherwise utilitarian cabin.

The 2021 Lexus GX was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the V8 provided ample power for initial acceleration, the GX's hefty 5,130-pound weight made high-speed maneuvers feel sluggish. The SUV's body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capabilities, featuring a Torsen center differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and several driver aids for tackling rough terrains. It also boasted a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds, making it a robust choice for off-road enthusiasts.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, mated to a CVT. While the engine provided adequate power for most driving situations, it lacked the punch needed for confident highway merging and overtaking. The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride with noticeable body roll and bounce on uneven surfaces. However, its standard AWD system, along with X-Mode and hill-descent control, offered better off-road capabilities than most compact crossovers. With 8.7 inches of ground clearance, the Forester was well-suited for light off-road adventures.

The interior of the 2021 Lexus GX reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position contributed to a bus-like driving feel. While the GX offered excellent outward visibility, thanks to its boxy profile, forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. The three-row seating configuration provided limited cargo space, with only 64.7 cubic feet available when the second and third rows were folded. The third row was best suited for children, and accessing it was cumbersome due to the second-row seats.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered generous headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also allowed for excellent outward visibility and a spacious cabin feel. The Forester provided 35.4 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats up and 76.1 cubic feet with them folded, surpassing some competitors. While it lacked a sliding second-row bench, a power liftgate was available on higher trims. The Forester's interior featured well-sized cupholders and a reasonably sized center console, though the phone-storage cubby was too small for most phones, and wireless charging was not offered.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The infotainment system's graphics were outdated, and the interface was primitive compared to other luxury SUVs. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a straightforward user experience.

The 2021 Subaru Forester featured the Subaru Starlink infotainment system with a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto compatibility. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and additional features like a Harman Kardon audio system and navigation. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and backup analog controls. However, the screen was slow to boot up, and the multiple displays for secondary information seemed overly complex.

The 2021 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models. The GX had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. It came standard with Subaru's EyeSight suite, featuring adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. The Forester also offered a driver-monitoring system, blind-spot monitoring, and reverse automatic braking as optional features.