2022 Toyota Highlander 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 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 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, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim.

In contrast, the 2022 Toyota Highlander boasted a modern, somewhat aggressive front-end design. The flared fender arches and the upward kick of the third-row window gave it a more compact appearance. Inside, the Highlander offered ample cabin space and clever storage solutions for iPads and juice boxes. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, unique exterior styling, ambient interior lighting, and sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander’s trim levels ranged from the base L to the top-tier Platinum, each adding more features and luxury. The Limited and Platinum trims offered high-end amenities like heated and ventilated front seats, genuine leather upholstery, and a hands-free power liftgate.

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’s performance was a throwback to an earlier era of SUVs. While the V8 provided ample grunt for a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds, the vehicle’s 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The braking and handling were also reminiscent of older SUVs, with low grip and significant body roll in corners. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, lacking the refinement of modern unibody SUVs. 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. The optional Off-Road Package added even more rugged features, making the GX a formidable off-road vehicle. It had a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds and respectable ground clearance and approach/departure angles.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. The Highlander offered standard front-wheel drive (FWD) and available all-wheel drive (AWD), with a tap-shift function and drive modes for different conditions. The V6 engine provided better pickup once the vehicle was moving, with plenty of power for highway cruising and overtaking. The Highlander’s handling was impressive, especially in the XSE trim with its sport-tuned suspension, which reduced body roll while maintaining a comfortable ride. The Highlander could tow up to 5,000 pounds, which was average for its class, and had a maximum payload of 1,685 pounds in the FWD L and LE trims.

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, combined with the tall seating position, made it feel like driving a bus. 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 bins, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating for seven, 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, and virtually no space with the third row up.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander offered up to 84.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the second and third rows folded. With the second-row seats in use, there was 48.4 cubic feet of space, and 16 cubic feet with all seats deployed. The seats were easy to lower and raise, thanks to quick-release latches and pull-straps. The Highlander’s interior was designed for convenience, with deep cargo pockets, multiple storage trays, and a large center console compartment. The XSE trim featured second-row captain’s chairs, providing a center aisle to the third row and additional space between occupants. While the third row was cramped for adults, it was suitable for short trips.

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, with a separate display for time and temperature using a seven-segment format. However, the GX included analog controls for most functions, providing a straightforward interface. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available as an option.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came standard with a WiFi hotspot, five USB ports, and an 8-inch touchscreen supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The infotainment system had a straightforward layout with hard buttons for easy navigation. Higher trims offered a larger 12.3-inch touchscreen, a digital instrument panel screen, and an 11-speaker JBL premium stereo system. The XSE trim featured a wireless charging pad and a combination of USB and USB-C ports.

The 2021 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, 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, the GX lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander included the Toyota Safety Sense suite of driver-assistance features as standard. This suite comprised forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, pedestrian detection, lane-departure warning, adaptive cruise control, traffic-sign recognition, and automatic high beams. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, rain-sensing windshield wipers, a surround-view parking monitor, a head-up display, and adaptive headlights. The lane-departure warning and lane-keeping assist systems were very active, sometimes overly so, but provided robust safety support.