2022 Lexus GX vs 2023 Toyota Venza

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition was a striking vehicle, especially in its Black Onyx color. This model eliminated almost all chrome from its exterior, giving it a sleek, dark appearance. However, it quickly accumulated dust, making it look old and shabby. Despite its modern touches like the signature Lexus spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, the GX's design felt dated, reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002. Inside, the cabin quality was top-notch, with smooth, refined materials and a quiet atmosphere, save for the faint roar of the V8 engine.

In contrast, the 2023 Toyota Venza was a midsize crossover SUV with a sleek and sculpted design, more akin to a Lexus than a typical Toyota. Its contoured body and tapering rear roofline gave it a unique and elegant look. Inside, the Venza borrowed heavily from the Toyota RAV4 but featured nicer materials and details, approaching Lexus' level of luxury. The dashboard and center stack were well-designed, and the cabin offered a sense of spaciousness and refinement.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with its 4.6-liter V8 engine, produced 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. However, its 5,126-pound curb weight and high drag coefficient of 0.35 resulted in a fuel economy of just 16 mpg in combined driving. The GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved ride stability, but the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal detracted from the driving experience. The Off-Road Package, available only with the Luxury trim, added features like Multi-Terrain Select and Crawl Control for enhanced off-road capability.

The 2023 Toyota Venza featured a 2.5-liter four-cylinder hybrid system, producing a combined 219 horsepower. The hybrid system, paired with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and an electric motor for the rear wheels, provided all-wheel drive (AWD). The Venza accelerated to 60 mph in 7.5 seconds, with seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power. The ride quality was smooth, favoring comfort over sporty handling. However, the steering was light and lacked precision, and maneuverability was limited, requiring multiple-point turns in tight spaces.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear outward visibility. The interior featured comfortable seats and well-placed padding, but some switchgear was outdated. The Black Line Special Edition included NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and triple-zone automatic climate control. However, the rear seat access was challenging, and the third-row seat was cramped and eliminated cargo space. The GX's side-swinging tailgate further complicated loading, and the cargo capacity was limited to 64.7 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2023 Toyota Venza's front seats provided ample space and comfort, enhanced by large windows and a panoramic sunroof. The rear seats were spacious, with plenty of legroom and foot room. However, the cargo capacity was limited to 28.8 cubic feet, significantly less than competitors like the Honda Passport and Volkswagen Atlas Cross Sport. The Venza also lacked towing capability. On the plus side, it offered plenty of storage for smaller personal items, including a wireless phone charger, well-sized cupholders, and large door pockets.

The 2022 Lexus GX featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The system was easy to use, with a dual-screen view and excellent voice recognition. However, the stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them harder to use. The GX also included a CD player, a Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services. Intuitive Parking Assist was standard, with optional surround-view and terrain-view cameras.

The 2023 Toyota Venza came with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless charging pad. The base LE trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims offered a 12.3-inch display. The new infotainment system was user-friendly, with sharp graphics and quick responses. A Wi-Fi connection and remote vehicle monitoring were available, along with a one-year trial subscription to Drive Connect services on the Limited trim. The base audio system had six speakers, with a nine-speaker JBL premium audio system available on higher trims.

The 2022 Lexus GX, despite its age, included the Lexus Safety System+ suite, featuring adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked more advanced safety technologies found in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and semi-autonomous driving systems. There were no crash-test ratings available for the GX.

The 2023 Toyota Venza received high safety ratings, with five stars from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS. It came standard with Toyota Safety Sense 2.5+, including adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure assist, lane-keep assist, automatic high beams, and a traffic sign reader. Higher trims added features like parking sensors, a surround-view camera system, a head-up display, and a digital rearview mirror. The safety features performed well, with no false alarms reported.