2022 Mitsubishi Outlander vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander showcased a bold front styling with its “Dynamic Shield” grille and lighting concept, giving it a unique identity. Despite its daring front, the design from the front wheels to the rear bumper was balanced and appealing. The Outlander was available in several trims, all featuring handsome 20-inch wheels. The test vehicle, an SEL trim with AWD, White Diamond paint, and the Touring option package, was luxuriously outfitted with premium semi-aniline leather, a heated steering wheel, a head-up display, a premium sound system, and a power panoramic glass sunroof. The interior design adhered to minimalism, with black and aluminum accents, though some plastics reminded occupants of its compact crossover SUV status.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition featured a Black Onyx exterior that eradicated almost all chrome, transforming the SUV into a rolling black hole. Despite its new Black Line treatment, the GX’s design looked dated, reminiscent of its first-generation model from 2002. Inside, the cabin quality was impeccable, with smooth, silky refinement and a quiet atmosphere, save for the faint roar of the V8 engine. The GX 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 Mitsubishi Outlander was equipped with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine producing 181 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 181 pound-feet of torque at 3,600 rpm. A continuously variable transmission (CVT) powered the front wheels, with an optional Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) AWD system. Despite various driving modes like Eco, Normal, Tarmac, Gravel, Snow, and Mud, the Outlander felt sluggish in Eco mode and lacked the power needed for confident acceleration, especially on freeway on-ramps or during passing maneuvers. The steering felt vague and disconnected, and the suspension was too firm, making the ride brittle over anything but smooth pavement. The Outlander returned 24.9 mpg on the testing route, slightly below the EPA’s rating of 26 mpg for AWD models.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, featured 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 on the testing loop. The standard Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) helped maximize wheel articulation off-road while reducing excessive body motions on pavement. However, the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal detracted from the overall driving experience.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander excelled in form and function, with roomy and comfortable front seats, intuitive controls, and impressive displays, including a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display and a large HUD. However, the center console had wasted space, and the third-row seat was cramped and unsafe for children. The Outlander offered 11.7 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in use, 33.5 cubic feet with it folded, and up to 79.7 cubic feet without the panoramic sunroof.

The 2022 Lexus GX provided an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear visibility. The interior featured comfortable seats, physical controls, and NuLuxe upholstery in the Black Line Special Edition. However, the rear seat access was tricky, and the third-row seat was cramped and unsafe for children. The GX offered 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space with the third row in use, 46.7 cubic feet with it folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row down. The side-swinging tailgate made loading difficult in tight spaces.

The 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander SEL with the Touring Package featured a 12.3-inch digital instrumentation display, a large HUD, and a 9-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, and a two-year subscription to Mitsubishi Connect. The 10-speaker Bose premium audio system delivered good sound quality. However, the voice-recognition technology struggled with road noise and tire slap.

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 included a CD player, a Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services. The stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them hard 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 Mitsubishi Outlander included Mi-Pilot Assist, a hands-on Level 2 driver-assist system, along with forward collision avoidance, safe reversing, lane-keeping assistance, and blind-spot warning. However, crash-test results were unavailable at the time of review.

The 2022 Lexus GX, despite its age, included Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked some modern safety technologies found in competitors.