2022 Ford Bronco 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, which was further refined in 2020 with a new textured insert and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t introduce any new styling changes but did make silver 18-inch wheels 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 contemporary expectations.

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its attractive retro styling and go-anywhere attitude, quickly became one of the most sought-after vehicles. Building on its successful debut, the Bronco introduced two new range-topping models: the Everglades and the Bronco Raptor. The Everglades model, designed for swamp trekking and deep water, featured an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. The Bronco lineup expanded to seven distinct trims, each with increasing off-road capabilities. Despite being sold out for 2022, the Bronco offered a choice between two-door and four-door body styles, a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine, and a removable roof with either a soft- or hard-top. Its design, dictated by off-roading needs, included short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height, making it both utilitarian and distinctive.

The 2021 Lexus GX kept things 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. While the V8 provided ample grunt for a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds, the vehicle’s 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. Stopping the GX also required more forethought than modern vehicles, and its body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. An optional Off-Road Package added further enhancements, making the GX a formidable off-road vehicle with a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine producing 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder engine could be paired with a seven-speed manual transmission featuring a crawl gear, while a 10-speed automatic was available for both engines. All Broncos came with four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. The Bronco’s off-road prowess was evident across its lineup, with even the base model capable of tackling challenging terrain. The Everglades model, tested on Michigan’s Drummond Island, showcased its ability to handle deep-rutted muddy trails, deep water crossings, and steep rock climbs with ease. On pavement, the Bronco impressed with its precise steering and smooth ride quality, making it a better road trip companion than its direct rival, the Jeep Wrangler. Wind noise was a minor issue, but overall, the Bronco excelled in both off-road and on-road performance.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics revealed 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. However, the dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console bins, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating for seven, but accessing the third row was challenging, and it was best reserved for children. Cargo space was also limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, significantly less than competitors like the Land Rover Discovery.

The 2022 Ford Bronco’s iconic squared-off styling contributed to its spacious interior. Headroom was abundant, even for tall passengers, and there was plenty of legroom and lateral space. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some effort, but grab handles and side steps helped. Cargo capacity varied by model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering up to 52.3 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and the four-door hard top providing up to 77.6 cubic feet. The Bronco also featured clever storage solutions, including large armrest bins, netted door pockets, and rubberized phone trays. External hard mounting points and removable fender flares added to its utility, making it a versatile and practical vehicle.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, reflecting its decade-old design. Standard features included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were notably absent. The infotainment system’s graphics were outdated, and the system offered limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available, but overall, the GX’s tech offerings were underwhelming for a luxury SUV.

The 2022 Ford Bronco smartly used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while keeping the driver engaged. The G.O.A.T. modes provided off-road confidence for novice drivers, while seasoned off-roaders could manually select their preferred setups. A forward-looking trail camera with overlay lines helped navigate difficult terrain, and the Trail Turn Assist feature allowed for sharper turns in tight spaces. The Bronco’s Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, and an available wireless charging pad added convenience.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or 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. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 2022 Ford Bronco came with standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional safety features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The High package added front parking sensors and a surround-view camera system, while the Luxe package included adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The NHTSA awarded the four-door Bronco four out of five stars for frontal crash protection and three out of five stars for rollover protection. The IIHS gave the Bronco its best score of “Good” in frontal, side, and roof strength tests, and an “Acceptable” rating for head restraints and seats.