2022 Porsche Macan vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, featured a design that eradicated almost all chrome from its exterior, transforming it into a sleek, dark SUV. Despite its modern touches, the GX's design remained reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002, giving it an outdated appearance. The interior, however, showcased Lexus's legendary craftsmanship with high-quality materials and a quiet cabin, only interrupted by the faint roar of its V8 engine. The GX was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210, including destination charges.

In contrast, the 2022 Porsche Macan, introduced in 2015, maintained its sleek and athletic design with regular updates. The 2022 model received a styling refresh, larger standard wheels, and a new center console with haptic touch controls. Our test vehicle, a Macan S, featured Volcano Gray paint and 21-inch RS Spyder Design wheels, exuding a sporty and upscale appearance. Inside, the Macan drew inspiration from other Porsche models, with a flat and wide dashboard, a large tachometer, and a center console housing most secondary controls. The cabin, adorned with red leather, gloss black trim, and silver metallic accents, felt undeniably luxurious and purposeful.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system, allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds. Despite its high drag coefficient of 0.35 and a combined fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg, the GX returned 16.8 mpg during testing. The standard Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved ride stability, while the Off-Road Package, available with the Luxury trim, enhanced its off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Porsche Macan offered a range of engines, with the base model featuring a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 261 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The Macan GTS inherited the 2.9-liter twin-turbo V6 from the old Macan Turbo, delivering 434 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque. Our Macan S test car, equipped with a twin-turbo 2.9-liter V6, produced 375 horsepower and 383 pound-feet of torque, accelerating to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds with the optional Sport Chrono Package. All Macans featured a seven-speed PDK dual-clutch automatic transmission and a fully variable AWD system. The Macan S, with its larger 20-inch wheels and Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), offered an exhilarating driving experience, achieving 18.1 mpg during testing.

The 2022 Lexus GX provided an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear outward visibility. Its tall, narrow, and short design made it maneuverable in various environments, though the slow steering required extra effort. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, while the rear seats were heated. However, the rear door openings were narrow, and the third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access. 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 the second row folded.

The 2022 Porsche Macan, despite its sporty nature, provided comfort for the driver and front passenger with optional 14-way power-adjustable seats with heating and ventilation. The rear seats were cramped, but entry and exit were easy, and the seats were comfortable. The new steering wheel, modeled after the 911 sports car, felt thin and uncomfortable after extended driving. The redesigned center console with haptic touch controls offered a clean look but required the driver to look away from the road to use. Cargo space measured 17.2 cubic feet behind the rear seats and 53 cubic feet with the rear seats folded.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The system, positioned at the top of the center control panel, was easy to see and use. The GX also included a CD player, a smartwatch-compatible Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services with a WiFi hotspot. However, 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. Standard Intuitive Parking Assist and optional surround-view and terrain-view cameras enhanced the GX's technology offerings.

The 2022 Porsche Macan came with a 10.9-inch touchscreen infotainment system called Porsche Communication Management (PCM). The system included wireless Apple CarPlay, SiriusXM satellite radio, navigation, and connected services with available WiFi hotspot access. A 10-speaker sound system was standard, with optional upgrades to a Bose premium surround-sound system or a high-end Burmester audio system. The user experience was intuitive, though the voice recognition system was less accurate than competitors. The redesigned center console offered more storage space, but the touch-sensing controls required the driver to look away from the road.

The 2022 Lexus GX, with its older structural design, lacked crash-test ratings. However, it came with Lexus Safety System+, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, 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 with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. However, the GX lacked more advanced safety technologies found in competitors.

The 2022 Porsche Macan included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and a reversing camera. Optional safety features included blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assist. The Macan's safety technologies performed as expected, with no issues in accuracy or refinement. The Macan also offered advanced parking assistance with a surround-view camera and Park Assist system. However, the Macan lacked more advanced driving assistance technologies available in the larger Porsche Cayenne. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had published safety ratings for the Macan.