2021 Toyota 4Runner vs 2021 Lexus GX

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 major styling changes, but it did come with standard silver 18-inch wheels on the Premium trim level. Despite its age, the GX's tough, aggressive look remained distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior didn't quite match the modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, but the overall feel was somewhat dated.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota 4Runner, last redesigned 12 years ago, had a design that aged remarkably well. Its two-box body with flared fenders and trapezoidal wheel arches broadcasted balanced proportions and undeniable utility. The 4Runner was available in various trims, including SR5, TRD Off-Road, Limited, and TRD Pro, with special editions like the Trail Special Edition. Our test vehicle, the Trail Special Edition, was priced at $38,565 MSRP for the RWD model, with an additional $1,875 for 4WD. It featured dark gray TRD Off-Road wheels, a Yakima RoadWarrior rooftop cargo basket, and black cloth upholstery with tan stitching. The interior was dominated by hard plastic, which was easy to clean and in line with the SUV's rugged mission. The dashboard was old-school, with big knobs and buttons, and the 4Runner required a traditional key to start.

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 generation of SUVs. The V8 engine provided ample power for acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, the GX's 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, making merging and overtaking maneuvers require careful planning. The braking and handling were also reminiscent of older SUVs, with low grip and significant body roll in corners. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, lacking the refinement of modern unibody SUVs. Despite these drawbacks, the GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen center differential, standard 4WD with a low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, and Crawl Control. The GX had a respectable 8.1 inches of ground clearance and a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner, equipped with a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower and 278 pound-feet of torque, paired with a five-speed automatic transmission, was designed for off-road adventures. At the Hungry Valley State Vehicular Recreational Area, the 4Runner's A-Trac off-road traction control system proved invaluable, allowing the SUV to navigate challenging terrain. The Trail Special Edition handled mud, hills, and ruts with ease, and higher trims like the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro offered additional off-road features like a locking rear differential, Multi-Terrain Select, and Crawl Control. On paved roads, the 4Runner felt slow, heavy, and clunky, with a truck-like driving experience that was part of its charm. However, its fuel economy was poor, averaging 16.8 mpg during testing. The 4Runner's maximum tow rating was 5,000 pounds.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel was positioned at an odd angle, and the tall seating position felt bus-like. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console storage 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 Toyota 4Runner offered a more practical interior, with comfortable front and rear seats, ample legroom, and good visibility. The back seat featured air conditioning vents and USB charging ports. A third-row seat was available, but our test vehicle had a sliding cargo deck instead, which could hold up to 440 pounds. Cargo space was generous, with up to 47.2 cubic feet behind the back seat and 89.7 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The Trail Special Edition's big roof rack added to its utility. Interior storage was decent, and the back bumper served as a convenient place to sit.

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 compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, making it easy to use. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner Trail Special Edition didn't offer much in the way of technology, but it did come with a standard 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. This system included Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM satellite radio, and five USB ports. The premium audio upgrade added dynamic navigation, dynamic point-of-interest search, dynamic voice recognition, and a one-year subscription to Destination Assist concierge services. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with physical shortcut buttons and knobs that could be operated while wearing gloves.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included forward-collision warning with 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 available in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 2021 Toyota 4Runner came with Toyota Safety Sense P (TSS-P), which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic forward emergency braking, lane departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. However, it did not offer blind-spot monitoring or rear cross-traffic warning. The 4Runner received a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA and a "Good" rating for roof crush strength from the IIHS. However, its protection for the driver in a small overlap frontal-impact collision was rated "Marginal" by the IIHS, and the NHTSA gave the front passenger protection a three-star rating in a frontal-impact crash.