2023 Toyota RAV4 vs 2022 Lexus GX

Back in 2022, the Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition had a distinctive presence—especially in Black Onyx, one of its three available colors. The Black Line treatment removed almost all chrome from the exterior, resulting in an imposing, shadowy figure. However, keeping this black-on-black SUV clean required significant effort, as it quickly accumulated dust and debris, marring its appearance.

However, the Lexus GX has looked antiquated for years. Since its second generation, it has retained a design that can be easily mistaken for the first-gen GX 470 from 2002, save for the signature Lexus spindle grille and the triple-beam LED headlights. While the exterior design was dated, the interior was top-notch, featuring high-quality materials and a reputation for refinement and quietness, with minimal noise from the standard V8 engine reaching the cabin. The GX 460 was offered in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, pricing between $56,700 and $66,210. The Black Line Special Edition, priced starting at $60,535, was based on the GX 460 Premium trim.

By contrast, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered a decidedly different aesthetic. The RAV4 stuck closely to its 2019 design but differentiated its Adventure and TRD Off-Road trims with a more rugged demeanor. The Adventure trim, which was tested, adopted an aggressively styled grille, blacked-out wheels, and beefy black cladding around the wheel arches, and it sported an orange-accented interior with stripes down the seat centers and contrasting stitching.

The RAV4 Adventure trim's aggressive outlook continued with orange plastic borders in the relatively basic center console, which lent a rugged but somewhat cosmetic feel to the SUV. A frameless rearview mirror added a touch of class to an otherwise utilitarian interior. RAV4 was available in six trims, with prices starting under $30,000 for the LE and climbing up for the more equipped Limited and off-road-focused TRD Off-Road trims.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 had one crucial advantage: its powerful 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque at just 3,500 rpm. This engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system. While its acceleration from 0 to 60 mph in 7.8 seconds wasn't remarkable, it was sufficient for everyday use, including some off-road capability with a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds. Yet, its fuel efficiency left much to be desired, with an EPA rating of 16 mpg combined, which wasn't surprising given the GX's 5,126-pound curb weight, high drag coefficient of 0.35, and full-time 4WD system.

The GX also included the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which maximized wheel articulation off-road but minimized excessive body motions on pavement. However, its slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal were downsides. For those keen on off-roading, the Off-Road Package added valuable features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control.

Meanwhile, the 2023 Toyota RAV4 offered a more fuel-efficient yet less powerful option: a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. Though not particularly thrilling, this setup was competent enough for most everyday driving tasks. The Adventure trim and TRD Off-Road trim came standard with AWD, and the TRD Off-Road offered a more robust off-road setup with 18-inch wheels and Falken All-Terrain tires.

While the RAV4 Adventure's setup with its MacPherson front suspension and multi-link rear suspension offered a smoother ride, it fell short in acceleration and overall excitement. On the bright side, its fuel efficiency was more favorable compared to the GX 460.

The interior of the 2022 Lexus GX provided an elevated driving position with 10-way power-adjustable seats, well-padded surfaces, and numerous physical controls that were clearly labeled. However, some controls were poorly positioned, like the DAC and 4WD knobs confusingly placed near the audio controls. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the rear seats were heated as well.

Second-row seating was comfortable with a tall seating position, although access was somewhat tricky due to narrow door openings. The third-row seat was less accommodating for adults and even children, as it eliminated substantial cargo space when in use. Lexus claimed 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 46.7 cubic feet with the third-row seats down, and 64.7 cubic feet with all rear seats folded—falling short of what rival mid-size SUVs offered.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4, seating five, came with a more practical design. Front-row headroom was adequate at 37.7 inches, even with the moonroof, and the rear seats offered 39.5 inches. Front legroom stood at 41 inches, and second-row legroom measured 37.8 inches. The back seat, while narrower than some competitors, provided sufficient comfort for most passengers. The interior boasted numerous storage options, including door pockets and a dashboard shelf.

The 2023 RAV4 excelled in cargo space with 37.5 cubic feet behind the second row and an expansive 69.8 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, offering more storage capacity than many of its rivals, and certainly more than the Lexus GX.

2022 saw the introduction of the most advanced Lexus GX to date, thanks to a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system. Positioned at the top of the center control panel, it eliminated the need to use the outdated Remote Touch Interface (RTI). This system included standard features like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The GX also had a CD player, a WiFi hotspot, and Lexus Enform connected services. However, the placement of stereo controls near off-roading controls was less than ideal.

The 2023 Toyota RAV4 finally received a tech upgrade, featuring an 8.0-inch standard touchscreen, with higher trims like Limited and TRD Off-Road getting a 10.5-inch screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto became standard, along with over-the-air updates and voice command. The upgraded multimedia system included an 11-speaker JBL Premium audio system and a 7-inch driver-information display, with a 12.3-inch display available on Limited and TRD Off-Road trims.

The 2022 Lexus GX, structurally an older model, lacked any modern crash-test ratings. However, it came with the Lexus Safety System+, offering adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Also included were blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. Missing, however, were more advanced safety technologies found in competitors, like lane-keeping assist and evasive steering assist.

For 2023, the Toyota RAV4 came standard with the updated Toyota Safety Sense 2.5 suite, including lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, and a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection. Adaptive cruise control with Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control was also standard. The RAV4 earned high marks from the IIHS, achieving a 2023 Top Safety Pick+ award, indicating its superior crash-test performance.