2022 Lexus GX vs 2021 Subaru Forester

The 2021 Subaru Forester, despite its 2019 redesign, retained a somewhat dated appearance, largely carrying over from its previous generation. The most noticeable change was the distinctive cross-shaped taillights. Subaru seemed to follow the adage, "If it ain't broke, don't fix it," maintaining the boxy, upright shape that appealed to many SUV shoppers. The Forester Sport model added orange striping, a rear spoiler, and black 18-inch alloy wheels, which made a significant visual impact, especially with complementary paint colors like Dark Blue Pearl. The Forester's interior was practical, with materials designed to withstand years of use, and the Sport trim added orange accents for a bit of flair. Cloth upholstery was standard on lower trims, while higher trims offered leather and additional comfort features.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition aimed for a sleek, monochromatic look, particularly in Black Onyx, which eliminated almost all chrome from the exterior. This gave the SUV a striking, albeit high-maintenance, appearance. Despite its modern touches, the GX's design felt dated, reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002. Inside, the cabin quality was impeccable, with smooth, refined materials and a quiet ride. The GX offered a range of trims, with the Black Line Special Edition featuring NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The seats were comfortable, but the third-row access was challenging, and the cargo space was limited when the third row was in use.

The 2021 Subaru Forester was powered by a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 182 horsepower and 176 pound-feet of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This setup provided adequate power for most situations but lacked the punch needed for quick highway merges or overtaking. The Forester's suspension was tuned for comfort, resulting in a soft ride that absorbed bumps well but suffered from significant body roll and bounce on uneven surfaces. All-wheel drive (AWD) was standard, with the Forester featuring a sophisticated X-Mode system for different driving conditions. The Forester also boasted 8.7 inches of ground clearance, making it more capable off-road than many competitors, though not as rugged as a Jeep Cherokee Trailhawk or Ford Bronco Sport.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with its 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivered 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system. Despite its power, the GX's performance was hampered by its hefty 5,126-pound curb weight, resulting in a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The GX's fuel economy was a dismal 16 mpg combined, partly due to its always-on 4WD system and high drag coefficient. However, the GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved stability and off-road capability, making it more agreeable to drive than expected. The GX's steering was slow and heavy, and the brake pedal was touchy, making smooth driving in traffic challenging.

The 2021 Subaru Forester offered generous interior space, with above-average headroom and legroom in both rows, thanks to its tall, flat roofline. This design also provided excellent outward visibility and a roomy feel. The Forester's cargo space was impressive, with 35.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 76.1 cubic feet with the seats folded. However, it lacked a sliding second-row bench and had a small phone-storage cubby. The Forester's controls were user-friendly, with large knobs for audio and climate control, though the steering wheel had an overwhelming number of buttons.

The 2022 Lexus GX provided an elevated driving position and clear visibility, with a 10-way power-adjustable seat. The interior featured comfortable seats and ample padding, though some switchgear felt outdated. The Black Line Special Edition added NuLuxe upholstery and black ash wood trim. The GX's third-row seat was difficult to access and uncomfortable for adults, and it significantly reduced cargo space when in use. The side-swinging tailgate was cumbersome, especially in tight parking situations. With the third row stowed, the GX offered 46.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 64.7 cubic feet with the second row folded, which was less than some compact SUVs.

The 2021 Subaru Forester came with the Subaru Starlink infotainment system, featuring a 6.5-inch touchscreen, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and front-row USB ports. Higher trims added an 8-inch touchscreen, Harman Kardon audio, navigation, and rear USB ports. The system was user-friendly, with well-designed graphics and physical shortcut buttons, though it was slow to boot up. The Forester also had a secondary screen in the dashboard and a small screen in the instrument cluster, which seemed redundant.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, 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 stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them difficult to use. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. The GX also included Intuitive Parking Assist, surround-view, and terrain-view cameras.

The 2021 Subaru Forester excelled in safety, earning the highest "Top Safety Pick+" award from the IIHS and a five-star overall rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included Subaru's EyeSight system, which offered adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and lead-vehicle start alert. Optional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear-cross traffic alert, lane-keep assist, and reverse automatic braking.

The 2022 Lexus GX, despite its age, included the Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked some advanced safety technologies found in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and semi-autonomous driving systems.