2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid 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. The GX adopted Lexus’ trademark spindle grille in 2014, which was further updated in 2020 with a new textured insert and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t see any styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim level, with 19-inch wheels also available.

Despite not being originally designed around the spindle grille, the GX’s styling remained coherent and distinctive, appealing to SUV shoppers with its tough, aggressive look. However, the interior did not meet modern luxury SUV standards. The wood trim in the Premium test car felt like molded plastic, and there was an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim level.

In contrast, the 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid Limited, which we reviewed, was fully loaded with options, bringing its MSRP to $42,083. Despite this, it didn’t look much different from a standard RAV4. The RAV4 Hybrid lacked the larger wheels found on the non-hybrid Limited and didn’t offer an Adventure trim level due to its electronic AWD system’s limitations.

The RAV4 Hybrid had a tough appearance for a compact SUV, but it could have benefited from bolder wheels. Inside, it was stylish, functional, and practical, with a mix of impressive materials and glossy hard plastic. Our test vehicle had a rattle from the license plate vibrating on the tailgate, but overall, the interior was well-designed and user-friendly.

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 reminiscent of older SUVs, with plenty of power for initial acceleration (0-60 mph in 7.8 seconds) but requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking due to its 5,130-pound weight. Stopping also required advanced planning, and the ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, meaning it wasn’t very smooth.

Off-road, the GX 460 excelled with its Torsen center differential, standard 4WD system with a low range, and various driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, multi-view camera system, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. The GX had 8.1 inches of ground clearance and respectable approach, departure, and break-over angles, but the Land Rover Discovery outperformed it in some metrics due to its air suspension. The GX 460 could tow up to 6,500 pounds when properly equipped.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid combined a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gas engine with front and rear electric motors and a lithium-ion battery pack, producing 219 horsepower. The rear electric motor provided standard AWD. The RAV4 Hybrid felt lively thanks to the instant torque from the electric motors, though the four-cylinder engine sounded unpleasant when revved. The EPA rated it at 40 mpg in combined driving, and our testing loop averaged 39.7 mpg.

The RAV4 Hybrid’s CVT operated smoothly, and the regenerative braking system was effective. The steering was nicely weighted, and the suspension design maximized ride and handling qualities. However, the test vehicle’s tires had low grip, causing them to squeal in corners. Overall, the RAV4 Hybrid was agreeable to drive, with a relatively flat cornering stance and favorable driving dynamics. It handled bumps and potholes well and had 8.1 inches of ground clearance for light off-roading.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics showed its age. The upright dashboard and high center console limited legroom, and the steering wheel’s odd angle and 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, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX had three rows of seating, but the third row was best for children and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered comfort with an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, heated and ventilated front seats, and a heated steering wheel. Rear-seat legroom and foot space were decent, with good leg support and reclining backrests. The dashboard was well-arranged, with large climate control knobs and easy-to-use infotainment controls. Storage was accommodating, with useful shelves and cupholders. The cargo area offered 37.5 cubic feet of space, expanding to 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features. It included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions, but analog controls made it easy to use.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid offered several infotainment systems with either a 7-inch or 8-inch touchscreen. All systems included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, and SiriusXM satellite radio. Our test vehicle had the top-shelf system with an 11-speaker JBL audio system, dynamic navigation, and various connected services. The 8-inch display was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and stereo knobs. The dynamic voice recognition technology was impressive, though it couldn’t adjust climate settings. The JBL sound system was satisfactory, and the RAV4 Hybrid offered advanced camera-based technology, including a 360-degree surround-view camera system.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including 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, but the GX lacked some safety features available in other Lexus and Toyota models.

The 2021 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.0, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centering assist, automatic high beams, and road-sign recognition. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic warning were standard on all but the Hybrid LE trim level, and rear automatic braking was available on the Hybrid Limited. The RAV4 Hybrid earned a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA and top marks from the IIHS, except for its headlights.