2021 Volvo XC40 vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2021 Volvo XC40 had a traditional SUV styling with a tall, flat roof and upright rear hatch, fitting seamlessly into the Volvo lineup with its “Thor’s Hammer” LED headlights and simple oval grille. Gasoline models offered a white contrasting roof for a retro look. The XC40 Recharge featured a blanked-off grille, subtle “Recharge” badging, model-specific alloy wheels, a gloss black roof, and a model-exclusive Sage Green Metallic color. The interior was minimalist yet premium, with high-quality materials like Nappa leather and Nubuck textile, and a coherent design that melded elements like the portrait-oriented touchscreen and air vents into a pleasing whole.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, available in Black Onyx, Starfire Pearl, or Nori Green Pearl, eradicated almost all chrome from its exterior, transforming it into a rolling black hole. Despite its new Black Line treatment, the GX still looked dated, resembling the first-generation 2002 GX 470. Inside, the cabin quality was high, with smooth, silky refinement and a quiet ride, thanks to the standard V8 engine. The GX was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210, including destination charges.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 offered a three-tiered powertrain lineup. The base FWD T4 had a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and 221 pound-feet of torque, while the AWD T5 had 248 hp and 258 lb-ft. The electric Recharge model shared its powertrain with the Polestar 2, featuring one electric motor for each axle, providing AWD and a combined 402 hp and 486 lb-ft. The Recharge had a 78-kilowatt-hour battery pack, with 75 kWh of usable capacity, and could sprint from zero to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds. All versions were electronically limited to 112 mph. The Recharge emphasized quiet and comfort, with excellent ride quality even on winter-ravaged roads, and was capable of one-pedal driving. It also had a towing capacity of 2,000 pounds.

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 allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds and achieve a zero to 60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system, sending 40 percent of the power to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear. The GX had a drag coefficient of 0.35 and an EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. The standard Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved ride stability and off-road capability. The GX was more capable off-road than many rivals but had slow, heavy steering and a touchy brake pedal.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge had no difference in passenger or cargo space compared to gasoline models, but it was less spacious than competitors like the Tesla Model Y and Ford Mustang Mach-E. Clever storage solutions included a removable trash bin in the center console, a bag hook in the glovebox door, and extra-large door bins due to the relocation of the Harman Kardon system's speakers. The storage cubby ahead of the shifter was well-shaped to hold a phone, with a wireless charging pad optional and a single USB-C port standard. However, second-row occupants lacked phone-charging options.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position from a 10-way power-adjustable seat with clear outward visibility. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, the back seats were heated, and the model offered triple-zone automatic climate control. The third-row seat was challenging to access and uncomfortable for adults, reducing cargo space when in use. The GX had a heavy tailgate that swung open to the side, making loading difficult in tight spaces. Cargo capacity was 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Volvo XC40 Recharge featured the Android Automotive OS infotainment system with Google apps, including Google Assistant and Google Maps. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth connectivity, with a 9-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The Recharge also had OTA update capability for the infotainment system and other vehicle functions. It lacked a start button, allowing drivers to simply shift out of park with the key fob on their person.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 introduced a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, eliminating the need for the old Remote Touch Interface touchpad. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation, with a CD player and a Lexus app that was smartwatch-compatible. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system was available. The stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. The GX also featured Intuitive Parking Assist, surround-view, and terrain-view cameras.

The gasoline 2021 Volvo XC40 received the highest “Top Safety Pick+” rating from the IIHS and a five-star overall crash-test rating from the NHTSA. Standard safety features included lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, automatic emergency braking, rear parking sensors, hill-start assist, and hill-descent control. Optional features included traffic-sign recognition, reverse automatic emergency braking, a driver-alertness monitor, run-off road mitigation, oncoming lane mitigation, and Volvo’s Pilot Assist driver-assistance system. The Recharge model had Volvo’s latest sensor suite, scalable for future advanced driver aids.

The 2022 Lexus GX lacked crash-test ratings but included standard Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. However, it lacked more advanced safety technologies found in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and semi-autonomous driving systems.