2021 Lexus GX vs 2022 Kia EV6

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. The GX adopted Lexus’ signature spindle grille in 2014, which was further refined in 2020 with a new textured insert and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn’t introduce any new styling changes, but it did make silver 18-inch wheels standard on the Premium trim level. Despite its age, the GX’s tough, aggressive look remained distinctive and appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior lagged behind 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 not up to par with contemporary luxury SUVs.

In contrast, the 2022 Kia EV6 presented a sportier and more modern aesthetic. It was visually lower and wider, with a highback tail featuring a lip spoiler that doubled as a lightbar. The wheels were pushed to the furthest corners of the chassis, giving the body a curvaceous, stable look reminiscent of a Porsche 911. The headlights traced a V-shaped pattern, and the wedgy profile with an angled roofline and twin ducts in the rear spoiler added to its sleek appearance. The interior was equally impressive, featuring dual 12-inch screens, a floating center console, and seats covered in faux suede and leather. Ambient lighting and a hockey-puck shifter added to the futuristic feel, making the EV6 a standout in terms of design and functionality.

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. The GX 460 could accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, but its 5,130-pound weight made higher-speed maneuvers feel sluggish. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen center differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and several driver aids like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. An optional Off-Road Package added even more features, making the GX a formidable off-road vehicle. It also had a respectable towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2022 Kia EV6, particularly the GT-Line e-AWD model, offered a thrilling performance with its dual electric motors producing 320 horsepower and 446 pound-feet of torque. It could sprint to 60 mph in a claimed 4.6 seconds and handled corners with agility. The top-power GT trim promised even more excitement with 576 horsepower and a sub-3.5-second 0-60 time. The EV6 featured multiple regenerative braking settings, allowing for one-pedal driving in its maximum I-Pedal setting. However, its driving range was disappointing in cold weather, delivering only 65 percent of Kia's 274-mile EPA estimate. Charging was relatively quick, with the EV6 capable of accepting up to 240 kW, but real-world charging speeds often fell short of this potential.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics revealed its age. The upright dashboard and high center console limited legroom, and the steering wheel’s odd angle made for an uncomfortable driving position. Visibility was generally good, thanks to the boxy profile and low side glass, but the tall hood obstructed forward visibility. 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, significantly less than competitors like the Land Rover Discovery.

The 2022 Kia EV6 offered a more modern and spacious interior. The low floor provided generous legroom and headroom in all seating positions. The rear seats could recline and had air vents with optional heated cushions, creating an airy and comfortable space. However, the cargo area was limited, with just 24 cubic feet behind the seats and 50 cubic feet when folded. The EV6 also featured innovative design elements like pop-out door handles and a rotary shifter. Towing capacity was rated at 2,300 pounds, and the onboard power generator could run 120-volt equipment or charge another EV.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, reflecting its decade-old design. It offered Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a straightforward, if primitive, interface.

The 2022 Kia EV6, on the other hand, was packed with modern technology. Its infotainment system was user-friendly and full of connectivity options, though wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto required a wired connection. The instrument panel displayed live feeds of blind spots and offered a 3D bar graph of power and speed. The head-up display used augmented reality for navigation and adaptive cruise control. Higher trims featured a 14-speaker Meridian stereo and a remote parking system. However, Kia Connect features were disabled for Massachusetts residents due to compliance issues with state laws.

The 2021 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, 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 Kia EV6 also lacked published crash-test results but came equipped with an impressive array of safety features. The base Light trim included lane-keeping, cyclist and pedestrian detection, front and rear cross-traffic alert, and a driver attention monitor. Higher trims added features like automatic rear braking, 360-degree cameras, and evasive steering assist. The EV6 also featured a driver’s knee airbag and advanced adaptive cruise control with machine learning.