2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2021 Lexus GX

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 match the modern luxury standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim. In contrast, the 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured bold front styling with the automaker’s “Dynamic Shield” grille and lighting concept, presenting a balanced and appealing design from front to rear. Available in multiple trim levels, the Outlander came with handsome 20-inch wheels as standard or optional equipment. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with AWD and the Touring option package, boasted premium semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, a premium sound system, and rear-window sunshades. The interior design adhered to minimalism, with authentic aluminum accents and gloss black trim. While some interior plastics reminded of its segment, Mitsubishi avoided obviously inexpensive materials, maintaining an upscale feel.

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 older generation of SUVs. It had plenty of grunt for initial acceleration, reaching 60 mph in 7.8 seconds, but its 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds. Merging and overtaking required careful planning, and stopping the SUV demanded advanced preparation. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll 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 further enhancements for rugged terrain. The GX 460 had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds and respectable ground clearance and approach/departure angles. The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine making 181 horsepower and 181 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The Outlander’s performance was best suited for lower-speed urban and suburban environments, where it felt responsive. However, it struggled with acceleration on freeways and passing maneuvers, lacking the confidence-inspiring power of a turbocharged engine. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was too firm, transmitting road imperfections into the cabin. The Outlander offered various driving modes, but none significantly improved the driving experience. It returned 24.9 mpg in testing, slightly below the EPA rating of 26 mpg for AWD models.

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 felt bus-like. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. Storage space was limited, with small center-console storage, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. 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, and minimal space with the third row in use. The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, deeply padded armrests, and an eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat. The controls were intuitive, and the displays, including the digital instrumentation and HUD, were impressive. However, the center console had wasted space, lacking the storage benefits of a shift-by-wire transmission design. The rear seat was generous, with good thigh support and seat heaters. The third-row seat was cramped and best suited for children, with limited head and leg space. Cargo capacity was 11.7 cubic feet with the third row in use, 33.5 cubic feet with it folded, and up to 79.7 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof.

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 standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions, with a separate display for time and temperature using a seven-segment format. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces. The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander stood out with its 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large and detailed HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and a two-year subscription to Mitsubishi Connect Safeguard and Remote service plans. Wireless smartphone charging and a 10-speaker Bose premium audio system were also standard. The voice-recognition technology had room for improvement, struggling to understand commands while driving due to road noise.

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, 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 available in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist. The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander featured the Mi-Pilot Assist driver-assist system, similar to Nissan’s ProPilot Assist, providing smooth and accurate Level 2 hands-on assistance. It included common driver-assist technologies like forward collision avoidance, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. The steering assistance and lane-departure prevention systems were intrusive but manageable with Mi-Pilot Assist active. Crash-test results were not available at the time of review.