2022 Lexus GX vs 2022 Honda Passport

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, was a striking vehicle that eradicated almost all chrome from its exterior, transforming it into a rolling black hole. Despite its modern touches like the signature Lexus spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, the GX still looked dated, reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002. Inside, the cabin quality was impeccable, featuring smooth, silky refinement and a quiet atmosphere, with only the faint roar of the V8 engine audible. However, the GX's design, both inside and out, felt old-fashioned, and its black-on-black aesthetic quickly showed dirt and dust.

In contrast, the 2022 Honda Passport shared its platform with the Honda Ridgeline, Odyssey, and Pilot, making it a shorter, two-row version of the Pilot with a tougher, more rugged look. The new TrailSport trim aimed to appeal to off-road enthusiasts, featuring standard all-wheel drive, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and traction management driving modes. The Passport's design updates for 2022 included new wheel designs and a more aggressive front end, making it look more like an SUV and less like a crossover. The interior was spacious and well-crafted, with quality materials and thoughtful design elements like orange contrast stitching and amber ambient lighting in the TrailSport trim.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with its 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, was a heavy vehicle with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, provided a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. However, its fuel economy was a drawback, with an EPA estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. The GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) helped improve ride quality and stability, but the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal detracted from the overall driving experience. The Off-Road Package, available only with the Luxury trim, added features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, and skid plates for enhanced off-road capability.

The 2022 Honda Passport, powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine with 280 horsepower and 262 pound-feet of torque, offered a smooth and responsive driving experience. The nine-speed automatic transmission and available all-wheel drive system, with mechanical torque vectoring, provided good performance both on and off-road. The Passport's fuel economy was better than the GX, with an EPA estimate of 21 mpg in combined driving for the AWD model. The TrailSport trim, with its 8.1 inches of ground clearance and traction management driving modes, handled off-road conditions well, though it wasn't as capable as more rugged SUVs like the Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler. On-road, the Passport excelled with its firm, communicative ride, athletic handling, and good steering feel.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position and clear outward visibility, but its narrow width and short length made it feel cramped. The interior featured comfortable seats and high-quality materials, but the switchgear was outdated, and the placement of controls was confusing. The second-row seats provided ample legroom, but the third-row seats were difficult to access and uncomfortable for adults. The GX's cargo space was limited, with only 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row and 64.7 cubic feet with all seats folded down. The side-swinging tailgate further complicated loading and unloading cargo.

The 2022 Honda Passport, with its large doors and low step-in height, was easy to enter and exit. The front seats were spacious and comfortable, with standard leather upholstery and heated seats. The rear seats offered plenty of room for passengers, and the large side windows made the cabin feel open and airy. The Passport excelled in storage space, with a massive center console storage bin and generous cargo space, measuring 41.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 77.7 cubic feet with the seats folded down. The power liftgate added convenience for loading and unloading.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The system was easy to use, but the placement of stereo controls below the off-roading controls was confusing. The GX also offered a CD player, a Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. The voice recognition technology was excellent, and the dual-screen view was a useful feature. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety and driver-assist technologies found in its competitors.

The 2022 Honda Passport's infotainment system included an 8-inch touchscreen display, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and satellite radio. The TrailSport trim added a navigation system, while the Elite trim featured a 10-speaker premium sound system and HondaLink connected services with a WiFi hotspot. The system was user-friendly, with shortcut buttons and a volume knob, but the navigation system was clunky and less intuitive than using Apple CarPlay. The Passport also offered wireless smartphone charging, but overall, its technology was not as advanced as some competitors.

The 2022 Lexus GX, with its older design, lacked crash-test ratings from safety organizations. However, it came standard with Lexus Safety System+, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. The GX lacked some advanced driver-assist technologies found in newer SUVs, but its simplicity could be appealing to some drivers.

The 2022 Honda Passport came standard with Honda Sensing, a comprehensive suite of driver aids including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, and lane-centering assist. The Passport also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, automatic high-beam headlights, a rear-seat reminder system, and a seatbelt reminder system. While effective, some of the Honda Sensing features were less refined and could be intrusive. The Passport received high safety ratings from the NHTSA and IIHS, though it fell slightly short in some areas.