2022 BMW X3 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 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, but the overall interior quality lagged behind competitors.

In contrast, the 2022 BMW X3 featured a revised exterior design that presented a more aggressive stance. The kidney grille was larger, but not overly so, and the headlights were slimmer, now adaptive full LEDs. The rear saw new taillights with a black surround and pincer claw-shaped brake light LEDs, along with larger redesigned exhaust tips and a new bumper. The X3 was available in nine finishes, with new colors like Brooklyn Grey and Tanzanite Blue II. The interior of the X3 was clean and efficient, featuring dark oak wood trim, an anthracite headliner, and new perforated SensaTec synthetic leather upholstery. The cabin was well-appointed with eight-way power-adjustable front Sport seats, tri-zone automatic climate control, and a panoramic moonroof available on higher trims.

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 and stopping more challenging. The body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality compared to modern unibody SUVs. Despite these drawbacks, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring 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 even more features for serious off-roading. The GX 460 had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2022 BMW X3 offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine in the sDrive30i and xDrive30i models, producing 248 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Both RWD and AWD versions had a 0-60 mph time of 6 seconds. Fuel economy for the sDrive30i was 23 mpg city, 29 mpg highway, and 25 mpg combined, while the xDrive30i offered 21 mpg city, 28 mpg highway, and 24 mpg combined. The X3 M40i featured a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine with a mild-hybrid system, producing 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, with a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds. The M40i also included performance enhancements like a flap-controlled sports exhaust system, sport brakes, and an adaptive suspension. The mild-hybrid system provided smoother start/stop operation and an additional 11 horsepower during acceleration.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics showed its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel was positioned at an odd angle, making the driving experience feel 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 also limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 BMW X3 offered a more comfortable and practical interior, with seating for five and ample storage space. The rear seats featured a 40/20/40-split, providing flexibility for cargo and passengers. The SensaTec faux-leather seats were comfortable, with the option to upgrade to Vernasca leather for added softness. The X3’s redesigned center console and larger infotainment system improved accessibility and usability. The standard 10.25-inch infotainment screen could be upgraded to a 12.3-inch touchscreen, and the vehicle featured push-button and rocker-style controls for climate and audio functions. The X3’s sport seats were supportive, and the vehicle offered a multitude of adjustability options for all occupants.

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, providing a more straightforward interface compared to screen-centric systems in other luxury SUVs.

The 2022 BMW X3 featured BMW Live Cockpit Plus with iDrive 7 telematics as standard, including a 5.1-inch color display instrument panel and a 10.25-inch infotainment screen. The system offered navigation, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility, Amazon Alexa integration, two USB ports, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and various connected digital features. An optional Live Cockpit Professional package enlarged both screens to 12.3 inches and provided a fully digital experience. The X3 also offered a 12-speaker 205-watt HiFi sound system, with an optional Harman Kardon surround sound system available on M40i models. Additional tech options included a Convenience Package and a Premium Package, which added features like a heated steering wheel, heated front and rear seats, a head-up display, and gesture control.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, 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. The GX 460 missed out on some advanced safety features available in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 2022 BMW X3 received a five-star crash safety rating from the NHTSA. While IIHS ratings for the 2022 model were not yet available, the 2018 X3 had been named a Top Safety Pick+. The 2022 X3 added more safety features, including adaptive LED headlights with automatic high beams, a rearview camera, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, active blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, rear collision avoidance, park distance control with auto braking, forward-collision warning with pedestrian/cyclist detection, and active pre-collision protection systems. The available Parking Assistance Package added parking assistance plus, active park distance control, and a 360-degree surround camera view. The Driving Assistant Professional Package included traffic jam assistance, back-up assistant, front cross-traffic alert, active lane-keep assist with lane centering, and side collision avoidance.