2022 Subaru Ascent 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. 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 did make silver 18-inch wheels standard on the Premium trim level. Despite its age, the GX’s design remained coherent and distinctive, appealing to SUV shoppers with its tough, aggressive look. 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 Subaru Ascent introduced a new Onyx Edition trim level, featuring a blacked-out exterior trim that gave the SUV a sporty appearance. The Ascent lineup included Base, Premium, Onyx Edition, Limited, and Touring trims, with prices ranging from $32,295 to $45,445. Our test vehicle, the Onyx Edition, came with black 20-inch aluminum wheels, a unique grille design, and special interior trim, including water-repellant StarTex synthetic leather seats. The gray two-tone interior with light gray stitching was a nice touch, but the StarTex material tended to trap sweat, making ventilated seats a desirable but unavailable option. The Ascent’s interior also featured metallic trim on the dashboard and door panels, adding to its overall appeal.

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. The V8 engine provided ample power for acceleration, with a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. However, the vehicle’s 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The braking system also demanded advanced planning, and the ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, which wasn’t very smooth. 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 like hill-descent control and hill-start assist. The optional Off-Road Package added even more features, making the GX a formidable off-road vehicle. It also had a respectable 8.1 inches of ground clearance and a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent, on the other hand, was equipped with a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 260 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque. It came standard with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and all-wheel drive (AWD). The Ascent’s fuel economy was rated at 22 mpg combined, and our testing loop averaged 20.5 mpg. The flat-four engine layout contributed to a lower center of gravity, improving handling. The CVT was impressive, featuring eight programmed ratios and manual shift control, allowing for brisk acceleration and commendable passing power. The Ascent could tow up to 5,000 pounds and came with Subaru’s X-Mode off-road traction control system, hill descent control, and 8.7 inches of ground clearance. In urban and suburban settings, the Ascent felt nimble and maneuverable, though its braking response could be overly sensitive. On country and mountain roads, it demonstrated unexpected athleticism, though its compliant suspension and tall height resulted in more body motion than desired. On highways, the Ascent’s lane-keeping and lane-centering assistance technologies could feel unstable, but turning them off made for a more enjoyable drive.

The 2021 Lexus GX’s interior ergonomics revealed its age. The upright dashboard and high center console left little legroom, and the steering wheel’s odd angle, combined with the tall seating position, made it feel like driving a bus. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, though forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. Storage options were limited, with a small center-console bin, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating for seven, 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 virtually no space with the third row up.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent could carry up to eight people with a second-row bench seat, though the third row was best suited for children. The driver’s seat offered a comfortable and commanding position, and the Onyx Edition was well-equipped for winter weather with water-resistant seat material, triple-zone climate control, heated front seats, heated side mirrors, and a wiper de-icer. Loading the second row was easy, thanks to wide rear doors that opened nearly 90 degrees. Captain’s chairs were available, and the panoramic sunroof extended over the second row. The Ascent provided ample storage, including a useful dashboard shelf and large cupholders in the second row. Cargo capacity was generous, with 17.8 cubic feet behind the third row, 47.5 cubic feet behind the second row, and 86.5 cubic feet with both rows folded down.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, reflecting its decade-old design. Standard features included Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were notably absent. The infotainment system’s graphics were outdated, and the system offered limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent came with a standard 6.5-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Bluetooth, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, HD Radio, satellite radio, and even a CD player. The Premium trim added an 8-inch display with available Starlink connected services, including a WiFi hotspot and remote engine starting. The system included volume and tuning knobs, as well as shortcut buttons for easy navigation. While the voice recognition technology needed improvement, the system was generally user-friendly. The Onyx Edition used standard stereo speakers, but higher trims offered a Harman Kardon premium sound system. Additional tech features on the Touring trim included a digital rearview mirror and a 180-degree front camera.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 had not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, which included 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, but the GX lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models.

The 2022 Subaru Ascent earned a "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and received five-star crash-test ratings from the NHTSA in all evaluations except for rollover resistance, where it earned four stars. The Ascent came standard with Subaru’s EyeSight driver-assistance technology, which included adaptive cruise control with lane-centering, though it struggled in direct sunlight and lacked refinement. Additional safety features included steering responsive LED headlights, automatic high-beam assist, and blind-spot monitoring on higher trims. Reverse automatic braking and a Starlink Safety and Security subscription plan were also available.