2021 Lexus GX vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

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 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.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson rode on a new platform and featured a long-wheelbase version in the U.S., offering two rows of seating and an expanded cargo area. The Tucson sported Hyundai’s new design language, with a parametric grille hiding LED daytime running lights, Bi-LED headlights, and LED front turn signals. The side profile borrowed design cues from the Hyundai Elantra, while the rear showcased toothy taillights illuminated by LEDs. Depending on the trim level, the Tucson rode on either 17- or 19-inch wheels, with high-end trims featuring premium fascias, gloss black pillars, and a panoramic sunroof. The interior was well-appointed, with standard stain- and odor-resistant cloth seats and available leather-trimmed seats on higher trims. Horizontal lines across the dashboard and an uncluttered aesthetic gave the cabin a sense of spaciousness.

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, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and several driver aids. The optional Off-Road Package added further enhancements, making the GX a formidable off-road vehicle. It also boasted a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered two powertrain variants: a 2.5-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine and a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder hybrid engine. The ICE engine delivered 187 horsepower and 178 pound-feet of torque, while the hybrid powertrain offered 226 combined horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid engine made the Tucson more powerful and enjoyable to drive, especially during elevation changes. The Tucson also offered an all-wheel-drive option, standard on the hybrid model and available on ICE models. The front-wheel-drive Tucson achieved an EPA-estimated fuel economy of 26 mpg city, 33 mpg highway, and 29 mpg combined, while the hybrid model boasted 37 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 37 mpg combined. A plug-in hybrid version with a 13.8-kilowatt-hour battery was also in the pipeline, promising even greater power and efficiency.

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 the tall seating position made driving feel like operating a bus. However, the dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility. Storage space was limited, with small center-console bins, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. 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 also limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, on the other hand, offered a spacious and well-appointed interior. Standard features included a six-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, with an eight-way version available on higher trims. The new platform allowed for more passenger and cargo space, with the rear seats offering two inches more legroom than the Toyota RAV4. The Tucson’s 74.8 cubic-foot cargo area was comparable to other compact SUVs and featured a dual-level cargo floor on ICE models. A 60-40 split-folding rear bench seat and a hands-free liftgate were also available, making the Tucson a practical choice for families.

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

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with a robust set of standard tech features, including an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, HD Radio, and two USB ports. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen, satellite radio, Blue Link mobile app compatibility, and a fully digital instrument cluster. The larger touchscreen integrated climate control and media functionality, but the lack of physical buttons made it challenging to use while driving. Despite this, the Tucson’s tech offerings were far more advanced and user-friendly than those of the GX.

The 2021 Lexus GX had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. 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 Tucson also had not been rated by the NHTSA or IIHS. It featured the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, which included forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a driver attention monitor as standard. Additional available features included blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, adaptive cruise control, and a surround-view camera system. Hyundai’s comprehensive safety suite rivaled those of luxury SUVs, making the Tucson a safe choice for buyers.