2022 Genesis GV70 vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Lexus GX retained its rugged and aggressive styling, a testament to its long-standing presence in the market. Despite its decade-old body shell, the GX featured the signature Lexus spindle grille, updated in 2020 with a textured insert, and triple-beam LED headlights. The Premium trim level came standard with silver 18-inch wheels, while 19-inch wheels were also available. Although the exterior styling was kept up to date, the interior lagged behind modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Leather upholstery was standard, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Genesis GV70 boasted a unique appearance, inheriting some styling elements from other Genesis models. It featured quad LED strips for headlights and taillights, a large shield-shaped grille, and a sloping roofline that gave it a fastback look. The Sport Prestige models added character with unique styling features, including a model-specific front fascia, 21-inch wheels with a web pattern, and dark-finished chrome trim. The interior had an elliptical theme inspired by an airplane wing, with a minimalistic design and a rotary gear selector. The GV70 offered a wide array of interior color options, and the material quality in the Sport Prestige test car was luxurious, with Nappa leather upholstery and suede seat inserts.

The 2021 Lexus GX was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. It accelerated from zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, but its 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The GX's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a Torsen center differential, standard 4WD system with a low range, and several driver aids. It had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds and offered an optional Off-Road Package for enhanced off-road performance.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered two engine options: a 2.5-liter turbo-four with 300 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque, and a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 with 375 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque. Both engines came with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive. The GV70 featured a rear electronic limited-slip differential and launch control, emphasizing its sporty character. However, the chassis felt big and heavy, lacking the sharpness of some competitors. The GV70 excelled in highway cruising but had a firm ride with 21-inch wheels.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel was positioned at an odd angle, and the tall seating position felt bus-like. The GX offered 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 came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best suited for children. Cargo space was limited, with 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered mid-pack interior space for its segment, with adequate legroom and good rear-seat visibility. Cargo space was 28.9 cubic feet with the rear seats in place and 56.9 cubic feet with them folded. The daringly-designed interior compromised storage space, with a slim center console and thin door pockets. The front seats in the Sport Prestige test car were heavily bolstered, offering heating, ventilation, massage, and posture-assist functions. Rear-seat passengers had their own climate controls.

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 had outdated graphics and limited functions, but analog controls were included for ease of use.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 offered a 14.5-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 12-inch head-up display. The infotainment system featured a glass rotary controller with pinch-and-zoom functionality. The GV70 also included a digital-key feature, a fingerprint scanner, and a high-tech rear-seat monitor. Genesis Connected Services offered additional features like remote camera activation and driver profiles.

The 2021 Lexus GX 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. However, it lacked some safety features available in other Lexus models.

The 2022 Genesis GV70 included standard safety features like lane-keep assist, forward-collision warning, blind-spot and forward collision-avoidance assist, and Highway Driving Assist. It also had eight airbags, including a front-center airbag. Optional features included Highway Driving Assist 2 with lane-change functionality and navigation-based adaptive cruise control.