2021 Lexus GX vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

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 didn't quite 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 feel was somewhat dated.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, even though it wasn't a total redesign. The 2022 model was 1.6 inches longer than its predecessor and featured revised front and rear fascias, enhanced LED lighting, and sporty new character lines. The interior saw improvements as well, with a more horizontal layout that gave it a wider, more spacious look. New ambient lighting and a rear USB port added a touch of sophistication and convenience. The addition of two new trim levels, the sporty N Line and the even sportier Kona N, brought unique styling elements and performance features that made the Kona look more athletic and racy. Our test vehicle, a Kona N Line in Blue Wave, impressed with its streamlined look, quality interior materials, and sporty accents.

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 a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds, the GX's 5,130-pound weight made higher-speed maneuvers and stopping a bit challenging. The body-on-frame construction resulted in a less-than-ideal ride quality, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. However, 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 tackling tough trails. The GX also boasted a respectable 6,500-pound towing capacity.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a variety of powertrains across its lineup. The base SE and SEL trims featured a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 147 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with a CVT. The N Line and Limited trims stepped up to a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 195 horsepower and 195 pound-feet of torque, paired with a seven-speed DCT. The new Kona N took performance to another level with a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 276 horsepower and 289 pound-feet of torque, paired with an N eight-speed wet DCT. Our test vehicle, a Kona N Line with AWD, delivered more than adequate power and was a pleasure to drive, both in the city and on the highway. The Kona's low curb weight and low center of gravity contributed to its composed handling and sporty feel.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics showed its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console that limited legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and the tall seating position made it feel like driving a bus. However, the boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, and the array of buttons and knobs for various controls was user-friendly. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best reserved for children due to limited space and difficult access. Cargo space was also limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, despite its small size, offered a comfortable front-seat experience with ample headroom and legroom. The N Line's front seats provided excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat occupants had to contend with small door openings and compromised head- and legroom. Cargo space was tight at 19.2 cubic feet with all seats up, expanding to 45.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. Towing was not recommended with the Kona, making it less versatile for hauling larger loads.

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 standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functionality, though it did include analog controls for ease of use. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available as an upgrade.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona added more tech for the new model year. The base SE trim featured an 8-inch display with a six-speaker audio system and Bluetooth connectivity. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation, an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, and wireless device charging. The Kona also included Hyundai Blue Link, a suite of connected services, and a digital key feature. The infotainment system was user-friendly and intuitive, with standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto on the base screen.

The 2021 Lexus GX came 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 Hyundai Kona offered a solid suite of standard safety features, including automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assistance, lane-following assistance, driver attention warning, and rear occupant alert. Available features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning, Highway Drive Assist, and rear cross-traffic alert. The Kona received five stars from NHTSA for overall crash protection and "Good" ratings from IIHS in all crashworthiness tests. However, it missed out on Top Safety Pick status due to "Marginal" ratings for child-seat anchors.