2022 Lexus GX vs 2021 Nissan Kicks

The 2021 Nissan Kicks underwent significant exterior changes, aligning its design more closely with the 2021 Nissan Armada, forthcoming Nissan Ariya, and 2021 Nissan Rogue. The front featured a bold, snubbed nose with a deep V-motion design, incorporating a new "double V-motion" feature. The Kicks sported thinner, longer headlights, with the top-tier SR trim level boasting LED multi-reflector headlights and standard LED fog lights. The rear of the Kicks showcased a new bumper, back door finisher, and LED taillight combination, giving it a proportionate look reminiscent of the Nissan Leaf. The model also introduced new paint options and continued offering a two-tone paint job, enhancing its upmarket appearance.

Inside, the Kicks maintained its familiar interior styling but with higher quality materials, drawing inspiration from the 2020 Nissan Sentra. The SR trim level included features like LED headlights, black heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob. Buyers could further customize their Kicks with over 100 million color combinations from Nissan Kicks Color Studio accessories. The interior also featured new seat and door designs, a full center console armrest in the mid-range SV and SR trims, and Prima-Tex-appointed seating with a three-tone design and stitching in the SR Premium Package.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, featured a new Black Line treatment that removed almost all chrome from the exterior, giving it a sleek, dark appearance. Despite its modern touches, the GX's design remained reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002. The cabin, however, showcased Lexus's renowned craftsmanship, with smooth, silky refinement and a quiet interior. The GX 460 was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210. The Black Line Special Edition, based on the GX 460 Premium, started at $60,535.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came with a single powertrain option: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 122 horsepower and 114 pound-feet of torque, paired with Nissan’s Xtronic continuously variable transmission (CVT) and front-wheel drive (FWD). The Kicks featured electric power-assisted steering with vehicle-speed variable assist, making it nimble in various driving conditions. Its handling was supported by a front independent strut stabilizer bar suspension with twist beam and twin-tube shock absorbers. Despite being low-powered, the Kicks had a good power-to-weight ratio, making it adequate for its size. The Kicks SR trim included an integrated dynamic-control module with active engine brake, intelligent trace control, and intelligent ride control. The EPA rated the Kicks at 31 mpg city, 36 mpg highway, and 33 mpg combined, with a range of 356 miles on a single tank of gas.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds. The GX's drag coefficient was 0.35, contributing to its EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg combined. The GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) enhanced its stability and off-road capability. Despite its age, the GX remained agreeable to drive, with Lexus refining its ride and handling. However, the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal were less appealing aspects of its performance.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a well-utilized interior space with easy-to-reach buttons and knobs, good small-item storage, and multiple smartphone storage options. The climate controls were user-friendly, and the seat warmers provided quick warmth. The Kicks featured a D-shaped steering wheel, six-way adjustable driver’s seat, four-way adjustable front passenger seat, and 60/40 split-folding rear seat. It had best-in-class front seat legroom, though the hip room was somewhat limited for larger drivers. The rear seats comfortably accommodated adults, and the available tonneau cover provided hidden storage.

The 2022 Lexus GX provided an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear outward visibility. The GX's tall, narrow, and short dimensions made it maneuverable in various settings. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the back seats were heated. However, the rear seat access was tricky, and the third-row seat was cramped and eliminated cargo space. The GX's side-swinging tailgate further complicated loading, and the cargo space was limited to 64.7 cubic feet with the second-row seat folded down.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks offered a range of modern technology features, including a 7-inch infotainment touch screen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, three USB ports, keyless entry, push-button start, and Easy Fill Tire Alert. The Kicks SV added Nissan Intelligent Key, automatic climate control, a 7-inch driver information screen, satellite radio, remote engine start, and a USB-C port. The SR Premium Package included a class-exclusive Bose Personal Plus sound system with eight speakers and Bose signal processing. The Kicks also offered a surround-view monitor and a WiFi hotspot with NissanConnect services.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The GX also included a CD player, a Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services with a WiFi hotspot. The test vehicle did not have the available 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system. The infotainment system offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. The GX also included Intuitive Parking Assist technology, surround-view, and terrain-view cameras.

The 2021 Nissan Kicks came standard with Nissan Safety Shield 360, which included automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, blind-spot warning, rear cross-traffic alert, high beam assist, and rear automatic braking. The Kicks had 10 airbags, a driver alertness monitor, and rear door alert as standard on the SV and SR trims. The 2020 Kicks received a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Good marks in crashworthiness from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2022 Lexus GX, despite its age, included Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. However, it lacked some modern safety technologies found in its competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and active blind-spot intervention.