2022 GMC Terrain vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its longevity in 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’ spindle grille in 2014 and a textured insert in 2020. The 2021 model didn’t see any new 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 modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic, though it did offer standard leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2022 GMC Terrain received a significant update with new front styling, wheel designs, taillights, and interior trim. The new AT4 trim level featured a bolder grille design, black 17-inch alloy wheels, and AT4 badges, along with a steel skid plate for off-road protection. Our test vehicle came with Ebony Twilight metallic paint, a black leather interior, and several packages, bringing the MSRP to $41,810. The Terrain offered more affordable SLE and SLT trims with standard front-wheel drive, while the Denali trim added luxury. However, the quality of materials and execution reflected its entry-level status, with some design choices like the pushbutton transmission controls and narrow storage tray being less intuitive.

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, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. 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. The optional Off-Road Package added further enhancements, making the GX a formidable off-road vehicle with a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2022 GMC Terrain, on the other hand, was powered by a turbocharged 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 170 horsepower and 203 pound-feet of torque. The previously available turbocharged 2.0-liter engine was no longer offered, reducing the Terrain’s towing capacity to 1,500 pounds. The 1.5-liter engine required careful management of its torque band for optimal performance, with a nine-speed automatic transmission helping to keep it in the sweet spot. The Terrain AT4 offered selectable FWD and AWD modes, along with Off-Road and Hill Descent Control systems. However, its 7.9 inches of ground clearance and sport-terrain tires limited its off-road prowess. On pavement, the Terrain provided a smooth and quiet ride, though it lacked the power and handling finesse of some competitors.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics revealed its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel’s odd angle and tall seating position felt bus-like. However, the boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was hampered by the tall hood. Storage options were limited, with small center-console bins and cupholders. 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 2022 GMC Terrain offered a more modern and functional interior. Our AT4 trim included power-adjustable and heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The back seat was spacious and comfortable, with plenty of legroom and a rear USB charging port. The Terrain featured numerous storage solutions, including a large storage bin under the trunk floor and various slots and shelves throughout the cabin. Cargo space measured 29.6 cubic feet behind the back seat, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down. The front passenger seat could also be folded for additional cargo length.

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. The infotainment system’s graphics were outdated, and the touchscreen offered limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a straightforward, if primitive, interface.

The 2022 GMC Terrain offered two infotainment systems: a 7-inch touchscreen for the SLE trim and an 8-inch high-definition touchscreen for the SLT, AT4, and Denali trims. Both systems included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, SiriusXM, and GMC Connected Services. Our test vehicle had the larger screen with the Infotainment Package II, which added connected navigation, improved voice recognition, and a Bose audio system. The voice recognition system was particularly impressive, accurately responding to various prompts. The Terrain also featured a head-up display, front and rear park assist sensors, a surround-view camera system, and a Tire Fill Alert 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. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 2022 GMC Terrain came standard with the GMC Pro Safety Package, which included forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a following distance indicator. The optional GMC Pro Safety Plus Package added adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-change assist, rear parking sensors, and a Safety Alert Seat. The IIHS awarded the Terrain mostly “Good” crash-test scores, with a “Marginal” rating in a new side-impact test. The NHTSA had not yet evaluated the 2022 Terrain’s crashworthiness.