2022 Lexus GX vs 2022 Lexus RX

The 2022 Lexus RX was available in several trims, including the base 350, F Sport, and L for its gas powertrain, with a hybrid model known as the RX 450h. The RX 350 and F Sport seated five, while the L trim offered a three-row, 7-passenger configuration. The RX's design, updated in 2020, remained modern and sporty, standing out with aggressive styling among competitors like the Audi Q5 and BMW X5. The exterior featured sharp character lines and angular elements, creating a striking yet balanced look. The F Sport trim added a performance-oriented aesthetic with 20-inch wheels, black-housing mirrors, and unique front fascia.

Inside, the RX maintained a luxurious appeal across all trims, with the F Sport adding sporty touches like model-specific badging and Scored Aluminum trim. The cabin offered nearly a dozen color combinations, with F Sport models featuring NuLuxe synthetic leather in black or dark red. Despite the high-quality materials and soft-touch surfaces, the center stack felt dated due to an abundance of buttons. Comfort was a mixed bag, with the NuLuxe seats in the F Sport trim lacking cushioning and lumbar support. The limited-edition Black Line trim added exclusive black-colored elements and contrast gray stitching for a premium look.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, featured a new Black Line treatment that removed almost all chrome from the exterior, giving it a sleek, dark appearance. However, the GX's design felt dated, resembling the first-generation 2002 GX 470. The cabin quality was high, with smooth, refined materials and a quiet interior. The GX 460 was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210. The Black Line Special Edition, based on the GX 460 Premium, started at $60,535.

The 2022 Lexus RX 350 was powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with two electric motors for a total output of 308 hp. All RX models featured an eight-speed automatic transmission, with FWD standard on the RX 350 and AWD available. The hybrid RX came exclusively with AWD. Despite the F Sport designation, the RX lacked true sporty performance, with a V6 engine that sounded more like a turbocharged four-cylinder and unimpressive acceleration. The F Sport Handling package added adaptive suspension and other tuning bits, but the driving experience remained underwhelming.

The RX excelled in comfort and cabin quietness, absorbing rough patches and isolating road noise effectively. EPA estimates for the RX 350 were 20 mpg city, 27 mpg highway, and 23 mpg combined, with slight drops for AWD and three-row models. The RX 450h hybrid achieved 30 mpg combined, with 31 mpg city and 28 mpg highway.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission and full-time 4WD. The GX's V8 provided a satisfying engine note and ample torque, contributing to a 7.8-second 0-60 mph time and a 6,500-pound towing capacity. The GX's shape and weight resulted in a high drag coefficient of 0.35 and an EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg combined. The GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved stability and off-road capability, making it more agreeable to drive despite its age.

The standard two-row Lexus RX offered 99.8 cubic feet of passenger volume, comfortably seating four adults, with a snug fit for five. Front headroom was 39.4 inches, and rear headroom was 39.1 inches. Front legroom measured 44.1 inches, with 38.0 inches in the rear. The three-row L models had limited cargo space, with only 7.45 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 58.48 cubic feet with both back rows down. The RX featured thoughtful interior elements like a smartphone slot, adjustable-height cup holder, and a flat-bottomed cargo net.

The Lexus GX provided an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear visibility. The interior featured comfortable seats and well-placed padding, though some switchgear felt outdated. The Black Line Special Edition included NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The rear seats were tricky to access, and the third-row seat was cramped and close to the tailgate, reducing cargo space. The GX's side-opening tailgate made loading difficult, especially in tight spaces. Cargo capacity was limited to 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2022 Lexus RX came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with a 12.3-inch version available. The touchscreens were moved closer to the driver in 2020 but remained ergonomically unfriendly. The screen's placement created access issues, and the touchpad was frustrating to use. The RX offered a range of tech features, including six USB ports, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay integration, wireless charging, Amazon Alexa compatibility, a WiFi hotspot, and premium audio systems. The Lexus App allowed for remote engine start, vehicle settings, and service scheduling.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, eliminating the need for the old touchpad. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The GX also had a CD player, a smartwatch-compatible Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services with a WiFi hotspot. 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. The GX also included Intuitive Parking Assist, surround-view, and terrain-view cameras.

The 2022 Lexus RX came standard with the Lexus Safety System 2.0+, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, road-sign recognition, lane-keeping assist, a pre-collision system, and intelligent high beams. Additional safety features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, a head-up display, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect. The RX was named a Top Safety Pick by the IIHS with optional triple-beam LED headlights and received a four-star overall rating from the NHTSA.

The 2022 Lexus GX, lacking recent crash-test ratings, relied on its standard Lexus Safety System+, which included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked some advanced safety technologies found in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and semi-autonomous driving systems.