2021 Lexus GX vs 2022 INFINITI QX80

The 2021 Lexus GX 460’s styling was a testament to its longevity in the market. Retaining its basic body shell from a decade ago, it had undergone several incremental updates over the years. In 2014, it adopted Lexus’ iconic spindle grille, which was further refined in 2020 with a new textured insert. That year's redesign also brought fresh triple-beam LED headlights, giving it a contemporary touch. For the 2021 model year, no dramatic styling changes were introduced, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim level, with an option to go for 19-inch wheels.

Considering the GX wasn't initially crafted with the spindle grille in mind, its appearance remained surprisingly cohesive. The grille, although enormous, was not out of place compared to other SUVs, such as the BMW X7. The GX showcased a robust and aggressive exterior that stood out in the SUV market, making it appealing to buyers looking for a distinctive and rugged design.

However, the interior of the GX lagged behind modern luxury SUV standards. Our Premium test unit featured wood trim that felt like molded plastic, alongside a considerable amount of actual plastic. On the bright side, it boasted standard leather upholstery, with semi-aniline leather available on the top-tier Luxury trim level.

In contrast, the 2022 INFINITI QX80 shared its platform and design elements with the Nissan Armada, yet managed to establish its own distinct presence. It was unmistakably large but balanced in size—neither too imposing nor too compact. The QX80’s front-end styling, characterized by Infiniti’s grill, set it apart from its Armada sibling. The grille was both distinctive and prominent, but not overbearing. LED lighting was seamlessly blended into both the front and back, contributing to its upscale appearance. The use of chrome was sophisticated and tasteful, enhancing its premium look. The 22-inch dark chrome alloy wheels, standard on Premium Select and above, were particularly striking, adding to the exterior's appeal.

Inside, the Infiniti QX80's cabin sported more luxurious materials compared to the Armada, though Nissan’s design influence was recognizable. The layout of the instrumentation, dashboard, and switchgear was reminiscent of its Nissan counterpart. Our Sensory-trim test vehicle spotlighted attractive quilted semi-aniline Saddle Brown leather seats and tasteful wood trim. Despite its appealing features, the cabin's design seemed outdated compared to newer competitors in the luxury SUV segment.

Overall, while both SUVs had their moments of brilliance in exterior and interior design, each had its drawbacks, with the GX showing its age more prominently than the QX80.

Powering the 2021 Lexus GX 460 was a tried-and-true 4.6-liter V8 engine, generating 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. This engine was mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. On the road, the GX 460 felt like a relic from a bygone era of SUVs, which wasn't entirely positive. The V8 provided adequate power for initial acceleration, achieving a zero to 60 mph time of 7.8 seconds according to Lexus. Its NASCAR-esque exhaust note at full throttle was a delight. However, its 5,130-pound weight was conspicuous at higher speeds, necessitating careful planning for merging and overtaking.

Stopping the SUV also required forethought, and in corners, the GX displayed noticeable body roll and limited grip. The ride was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, lacking the smoothness of newer unibody designs. Our Premium test car missed out on the adaptive suspension available on the Luxury trim, but even that couldn't entirely mitigate the drawbacks of separate body and frame construction.

Off-road, the GX 460 excelled, featuring a Torsen center differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range for tough trails, and multiple driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. An optional Off-Road Package for the Luxury trim added a transmission cooler, fuel-tank protector, multi-view camera, Crawl Control, and Multi-Terrain Select. With 8.1 inches of ground clearance and respectable approach, departure, and break-over angles, the GX was a competent off-roader.

On the other side, the 2022 INFINITI QX80 housed a robust 5.6-liter V8 engine under its hood, churning out an impressive 400 horsepower and 413 lb-ft of torque. This engine was mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission, featuring adaptive shift control and manual mode. The QX80's performance was one of its standout attributes, with the engine delivering strong performance and a pleasant exhaust note. Acceleration was smooth and linear, with the transmission shifting seamlessly. The power delivery was consistent, and the transmission handled gear changes efficiently, avoiding any unnecessary gear hunting.

The QX80’s off-road capability was noteworthy, thanks to its connection to the globally respected Nissan Patrol. It offered a standard 2WD system, with an optional 4WD available on all trim levels for an additional cost. The 4WD system featured a computer-controlled transfer case that could be set to Automatic, 4Hi, or 4Lo. With 9.2 inches of ground clearance, the QX80 could tackle rough terrain with confidence. Despite its size and weight, the QX80 managed to maintain control during cornering, thanks to the Hydraulic Body Motion Control system on the Sensory trim, which helped keep body lean in check.

The QX80 demonstrated a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds, superior to the GX’s 6,500 pounds. It was clear that the Infiniti prioritized performance and capability without compromising on refinement.

Inside the 2021 Lexus GX, the age of its design was evident. The dashboard was upright and the high center console restricted legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle, along with the tall seating position, contributed to a bus-like driving feel. A new heated wood-trimmed steering wheel for Premium models was a minor upgrade, but the heating elements didn’t cover the entire wheel.

The GX's boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, especially the low side glass which facilitated parking and off-road maneuvers. However, the tall hood limited forward visibility. Storage in the center console was minimal, as were the cupholders and in-door bottle holders across all three rows. The second row had additional cupholders in the armrest, further eating into passenger space.

The GX came standard with three rows of seating, accommodating seven passengers. The second-row bench could be swapped for captain’s chairs, but accessing the third row remained cumbersome. The third row was best suited for children, and even folding the second-row seats didn’t make access easier. Cargo space with the third row up was nearly non-existent, and even with the second and third rows folded, the cargo capacity was just 64.7 cubic feet, significantly less than many rivals, including the Land Rover Discovery.

Conversely, the 2022 Infiniti QX80 offered a better balance of form and function, albeit with some compromises. You had to step up into the cabin due to its nearly two-foot step-in height, a consequence of its traditional body-on-frame construction. Shorter drivers would have appreciated the A-pillar grab handle for easier ingress.

Once inside, the QX80 provided a spacious and airy cabin. Front-seat head- and legroom were commendable, though not as generous as in the Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator. The visibility out of the large windshield was excellent, though the side mirrors were a tad small for aesthetic reasons.

The QX80 could seat up to eight passengers with an optional second-row bench seat, seven with the standard captain's chairs. However, the third row was tight for adults, and the power-folding process was slow. Cargo space was relatively competitive within its class, offering 16.6 cubic feet with all seats up, expanding to 49.6 cubic feet with the third row folded, and maxing out at 95.1 cubic feet.

Our test QX80 featured several premium touches, such as illuminated kick plates and cargo scuff plates, enhancing its upscale feel despite its aging design.

The 2021 Lexus GX lagged significantly in the technology department, reflective of its decade-old design. It featured standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The first two rows had two USB ports each, leaving the third row without any. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was an option for those seeking enhanced audio quality.

The standard infotainment system was rudimentary, with touchscreen graphics that looked like they belonged in the 1990s. The array's functionality was basic, and the display for time and temperature resembled a digital clock—a far cry from what one would expect in a luxury vehicle in 2021. However, the GX did come with plenty of physical controls, which made it easier to operate various functions without relying on the touchscreen.

On the other hand, the 2022 Infiniti QX80 was more tech-savvy, despite being based on an older architecture. It featured a new 12.3-inch Infiniti InTouch display at the center of its tech suite, supporting Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio. The display also included navigation, lane guidance, voice recognition, and Infiniti InTouch connected services.

A Bose 13-speaker premium sound system was standard, while the top Sensory trim received a 17-speaker Performance Series Bose system. The QX80 also offered multiple USB ports and illuminated steering-wheel-mounted audio controls. For added convenience, a wireless smartphone charger was introduced in 2022.

Our test model boasted a dual-screen rear entertainment system integrated into the front-seat headrests, though the absence of HDMI adapters marred the experience for our younger passengers on a long road trip.

Notably missing was Infiniti's ProPilot Assist advanced driving-assistance system, which wasn't compatible with the QX80’s older vehicle systems architecture. This meant the QX80 couldn't benefit from the advanced driver aids available in less expensive models like the Nissan Rogue Sport.

For the 2021 Lexus GX 460, neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) had published crash-test ratings. However, it did come with the Lexus Safety System+ suite, which included forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Additionally, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. Unfortunately, the GX missed out on some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and even non-luxury Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist lane centering.

In contrast, the 2022 Infiniti QX80 was better equipped with safety features. Standard safety equipment included forward automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, blind-spot monitoring with lane-departure prevention, forward-collision warning, backup collision intervention, a smart rearview mirror, and adaptive cruise control. New for 2022 were driver attention alert, front knee airbags, and second-row seat belt pre-tensioners.

The NHTSA hadn't rated the crashworthiness of the 2022 QX80 except for rollover resistance, giving it three out of five stars. The structurally similar 2021 model received a four-star overall crash protection rating due to a three-star front crash rating and five-star side impact results. The IIHS had not yet rated the QX80 for safety.