2021 Lexus GX vs 2022 Honda Passport

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 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 felt dated, with wood trim that resembled molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, but the overall interior quality didn't meet modern luxury SUV standards.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport's new styling closely resembled the Honda Ridgeline pickup truck, sharing the same vehicle platform. The updated design aimed to give the Passport a tougher look, especially with the new TrailSport trim, which added off-road appeal. The TrailSport trim included unique 18-inch wheels, a roof rack, and simulated skid plates, enhancing its SUV appearance. Inside, the Passport boasted one of the largest interiors in the two-row midsize SUV segment, with quality materials and thoughtful design. The TrailSport trim added orange contrast stitching, amber ambient lighting, and rubber all-season floor mats, making it both functional and stylish.

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. While the V8 provided ample grunt for acceleration, the GX's 5,130-pound weight made higher-speed maneuvers and braking more challenging. The body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, a low-range 4WD system, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added even more off-road features, making the GX a formidable off-road vehicle.

The 2022 Honda Passport retained its 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission. The V6 was smooth and responsive, and the Passport's driving dynamics were impressive, with firm, communicative ride quality and athletic handling. The i-VTM4 AWD system, standard on the TrailSport and Elite trims, provided mechanical torque vectoring and enhanced off-road capability. While the Passport wasn't designed for extreme off-roading, it performed well on moderate trails. However, the brakes could heat up and vibrate during mountain descents, which was a concern given its 5,000-pound towing capacity.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics reflected 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 boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, especially the low side glass. Storage space was limited, with small center-console bins and cupholders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was cramped 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 Honda Passport offered easy entry and exit, thanks to its large doors and low step-in height. The front seats were large and comfortable, with standard leather upholstery and heated seats. The rear seats provided ample room for passengers, with large side windows creating an open and airy feel. Storage was plentiful, with a massive center console bin and various compartments throughout the cabin. The Passport's cargo space was generous, with 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seat and 77.7 cubic feet with the back seat folded down, making it a practical choice for families and road trips.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity as standard, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. The infotainment system felt outdated, with graphics reminiscent of the 1990s and limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to touchscreen-centric interfaces.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system met modern standards with an 8-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added a navigation system, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services. The system included shortcut buttons and a volume knob, but lacked a tuning knob. While the navigation system was clunky, Apple CarPlay and Siri provided a better user experience. Wireless smartphone charging was standard, but the Passport's tech features were not particularly advanced.

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, 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 Honda Passport included the Honda Sensing suite of driver aids, with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and automatic high-beam headlights. New for 2022 were a rear-seat reminder system and a seatbelt reminder system. However, the lane-departure warning and lane-centering assist functions were intrusive, and the adaptive cruise control was not smooth in heavy traffic. The Passport received five-star ratings from the NHTSA in most categories, but four stars for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The IIHS gave it top ratings in most respects, but an Acceptable rating for front-passenger protection in a small overlap collision.