2022 Ford Bronco vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2022 Ford Bronco, with its retro styling and go-anywhere attitude, quickly became one of the most sought-after vehicles. It returned with two new top-tier models: the Everglades and the Bronco Raptor. The Everglades model was designed for swamp trekking and deep water, featuring an intake snorkel, a Warn winch, and 35-inch Goodyear mud-terrain tires. The Bronco lineup expanded to seven trims, each with increasing off-road capabilities. Unfortunately, the 2022 models sold out quickly, leaving many hopeful buyers empty-handed. The Bronco offered a choice between two-door and four-door body styles, a four-cylinder or six-cylinder engine, and a removable roof with either a soft- or hard-top.

The Bronco's design was unapologetically utilitarian, with short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height to enhance off-road performance. Its interior continued this theme with features like sealed switches, marine-grade vinyl upholstery, and drain plugs for easy cleaning. Despite its rugged appearance, the Bronco was equipped with advanced technology, including G.O.A.T. modes, a digital instrument panel, and a large infotainment touchscreen. The Bronco's combination of brawn and brains made it a versatile vehicle, capable of tackling challenging terrain while offering modern conveniences.

The 2023 Lexus GX, with its massive spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance, had a commanding presence. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, limited to 3,000 units and available in three paint colors: Obsidian, Eminent White Pearl, and Nori Green Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's short wheelbase and minimal overhangs gave it a rugged, off-road-ready appearance. The hood's design made it easier to navigate technical driving, especially on inclines.

Inside, the GX's use of plastic materials was disappointing for a luxury SUV, but it still offered some premium touches like heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery. The GX's low sales volume meant Lexus had to keep manufacturing costs low, resulting in a dated design. However, the GX's V8 engine provided a satisfying driving experience, with 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. The GX's off-road capabilities were enhanced by a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential and a 4WD system, making it a capable vehicle for various terrains.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine producing 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque, and an optional turbocharged 2.7-liter V6 engine with 330 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The four-cylinder engine could be paired with a seven-speed manual transmission, featuring a crawl gear for low-speed driving, while the V6 came with a 10-speed automatic transmission. All Broncos had four-wheel drive and an electronic two-speed transfer case. Both engines provided ample power for various settings, with the Wildtrak and Everglades models excelling in off-road conditions.

The Bronco's off-road prowess was demonstrated on challenging terrain, including deep-rutted muddy trails, water crossings, and steep rock climbs. The Everglades model, in particular, handled these obstacles with ease, thanks to its mud/ruts drive mode and ability to ford water up to 36.4 inches deep. On pavement, the Bronco offered a surprisingly smooth ride and precise steering, making it a better road trip companion than its rival, the Jeep Wrangler. The only minor complaint was the wind noise on the highway, but overall, the Bronco excelled in both off-road and on-road performance.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its V8 engine, which provided a linear power delivery and a satisfying growl. With 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, the 4.6-liter V8 was paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While it didn't boast impressive paper specs compared to newer engines, the GX's V8 offered a unique driving experience. However, its fuel economy was a drawback, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's 6,500-pound towing capacity was respectable but fell short of some competitors.

The GX's weight affected its handling, causing it to roll through corners, but the roll was predictable and controllable. The steering was vague off-center, but the brakes were strong and reliable. The GX's Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential and 4WD system provided excellent traction in various conditions. The GX's driving dynamics had improved over the years, but it still felt dated compared to more modern SUVs.

The 2022 Ford Bronco's squared-off styling contributed to its spacious interior. Headroom was abundant, even for tall passengers, and there was plenty of legroom and lateral space. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some effort, but the four-door model was more accommodating. Cargo capacity varied depending on the model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering up to 22.4 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 52.3 cubic feet with the seats folded. The four-door hard top increased capacity to 35.6 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.6 cubic feet with the seats folded. The Bronco also featured clever storage solutions and accessories, such as stowable doors and removable fender flares.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered plenty of cubby space for small items, with a deep center console bin, a phone space ahead of the shifter, and conveniently placed cupholders. However, the GX lacked USB-C ports, relying on older USB-A ports. The GX's physical controls were a blessing for those who preferred hard buttons over touchscreens, although the abundance of buttons required some getting used to. The center console lid's sliding mechanism allowed for adjustable armrests, and the second row was comfortable with good legroom and headroom. The third row, however, was too tight for regular use, even for children. Cargo space was limited, with only 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 Ford Bronco smartly used technology to enhance its off-road capabilities while keeping the driver engaged. The G.O.A.T. modes provided off-road confidence for novice drivers, while seasoned off-roaders could manually select their preferred setups. The forward-looking trail camera was a standout feature, overlaying lines to indicate tire placement and removing any doubt about obstacles. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system was quick, responsive, and loaded with helpful off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with an available wireless charging pad.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment technology, revamped for the 2022 model year, already felt dated. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was an improvement, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was still present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX included three years of Lexus Enform Remote and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo. However, the touchscreen lagged, and the graphics were not as crisp as those in competing models. The GX's off-road capability was impressive, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, and stability control. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) and Off-Road Package further enhanced its off-road performance.

The 2022 Ford Bronco came with standard safety features like hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional features included frontal collision warning with automatic emergency braking, a blind-spot monitor with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane-keep assist, rear parking sensors, and automatic high beams. The High package added front parking sensors and a surround-view camera system, while the Luxe package included adaptive cruise control and evasive steering assist. The Bronco received a four-out-of-five-star rating for frontal crash protection and a three-out-of-five-star rating for rollover protection from the NHTSA. The IIHS awarded the Bronco its best score of "Good" in frontal, side, and roof strength tests and an "Acceptable" rating for head restraints and seats.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was originally engineered for the 2010 model year. Despite its age, the GX included advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. While it lacked some top-end features, the GX's safety features were still commendable.