2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 was a fresh take on electrified mobility, distinct from the original Ioniq. It featured a sleek, polished exterior with minimal character lines, avoiding the flashy designs of some competitors. The Ioniq 5's Parametric Pixel design, inspired by 8-bit graphics, was both fascinating and frustrating, with pixelated lighting elements used extensively throughout the vehicle. The interior, however, was a stark contrast, offering a mellow and relaxing "Living Space" with sustainable materials and a zero-gravity "Relaxation" mode for the driver's seat.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX had a commanding presence with its massive spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned with limited availability and exclusive paint colors. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's interior was marred by an abundance of plastic materials, though it did offer some luxury touches like heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery. The GX's design leaned towards a sleeker aesthetic compared to Toyota's blocky designs, making it easier to handle in technical driving situations.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 offered two drive configurations, three trims, and three powertrains. The base SE Standard Range model featured a 128-kW rear-mounted electric motor with 168 horsepower and a range of 220 miles. The extended-range variants, available in SE, SEL, and Limited trims, had a 168-kW rear motor producing 225 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque, with a range of 303 miles. The AWD versions had a dual-motor system with a total power output of 320 hp and 446 lb-ft of torque, but the range dropped to 256 miles. The Ioniq 5 handled well, with four drive modes and paddle shifters for adjusting regenerative properties. It was quiet and composed, thanks to features that reduced noise, vibration, and harshness.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While it didn't excel on paper compared to newer engines, the V8 provided a satisfying sound and linear power delivery. The GX had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds but lagged behind other SUVs in fuel economy, with an EPA estimate of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's weight made it roll through corners, but its driving dynamics were predictable and controllable. The Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential and Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) enhanced its off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 sat on the Electric Global Modular Platform (E-GMP), offering a longer wheelbase and maximizing interior space. It had a total interior volume of 133.7 cubic feet, with a passenger volume of 106.5 cu-ft. The Ioniq 5's interior was comfortable, with soft touch points and a moveable center console. The leatherette seats were supportive and comfortable, making it a pleasant space for both driving and relaxing.

The 2023 Lexus GX retained plenty of cubby space, with a deep center console bin and conveniently placed cupholders. The physical controls were a blessing for those who preferred hard buttons over touchscreens. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs or a three-across bench seat option. However, the third row was too tight for regular use, and the side-hinged trunk door required muscle to open. The GX offered 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 featured next-generation high-voltage, energy-dense systems with vehicle-to-load capabilities. It supported ultra-fast charging, reaching 80 percent battery capacity in 18 minutes, and offered unlimited 30-minute fast-charging sessions for two years through Electrify America. The Ioniq 5 also had a redesigned Blue Link connected car app, digital key, enhanced smartphone pairing, and over-the-air updates. The 12.3-inch screens for the instrument cluster and infotainment were elegant and intuitive, with an anti-glare coating.

The 2023 Lexus GX had a 10.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integrations. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface (RTI) 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 newer Lexus models. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a real 4WD system, Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), and an Off-Road Package that added various off-road features.

The 2022 Hyundai Ioniq 5 came with Hyundai SmartSense, a suite of advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS) that included blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, and front- and rear-collision avoidance. Hyundai Highway Drive Assist I (HAD) was also standard, offering Level 2 semi-autonomous driving with machine-learning adaptive cruise control. The Ioniq 5 was expected to earn high safety ratings, though official ratings were not yet available.

The 2023 Lexus GX, despite its older engineering, included advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. However, it lacked some top-end features like lane-tracing assist and road-sign recognition. Official crash test ratings were not available for the 2023 model.