2022 Lexus GX vs 2022 Volvo XC90

Volvo had come a long way from its boxy cars and wagons of the past decades. The brand maintained its family-friendly, safety-oriented image while moving upscale, nearing the luxury class. After Ford sold Volvo to China's Zhejiang Geely Holding in 2010, the company underwent a significant transformation, developing new vehicle platforms from scratch. The original XC90, launched in 2003, received updates until 2015. The 2016 model marked the debut of the current XC90, Volvo's flagship SUV, built on the Scalable Product Architecture (SPA) platform.

The 2022 XC90 had a striking stance and sleek profile, with a body that seemed ready to launch forward. Its long roofline and pronounced wheel arches emphasized athleticism, while the snub nose and upright grille paid homage to the classic 245 wagon. The interior, described as "Scandinavian Modern" and "Swedish Luxury," featured natural wood and metal trim, with exquisite details like a sliding wood tambor cover and a clear crystal gear selector handle. Volvo offered a choice between Nappa leather and a tailored wool blend upholstery, with the latter being a sustainable option.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, featured a design that eradicated almost all chrome, transforming the SUV into a rolling black hole. However, it took less than 24 hours for a windy afternoon to coat the Lexus with a layer of brown dust, making it look drab and old. The GX's design, despite updates, still appeared dated, resembling the first-generation 2002 GX 470. Inside, the cabin's quality was undeniable, with smooth, silky refinement and a quiet atmosphere, save for the faint roar of the standard V8 engine.

The 2022 Lexus 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. Despite its dated appearance, the GX's interior featured comfortable seats, physical controls, and a tall seating position. However, the rear seat access was tricky, and the third-row seat was cramped and challenging to access, making it less suitable for adults.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered three powertrain options. The T5 model featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter gasoline four-cylinder engine, producing 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The T6 model had a supercharged and turbocharged version of the same engine, delivering 316 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The T8 model, a plug-in hybrid, combined the supercharged/turbocharged gasoline engine with an electric motor, producing a combined 455 horsepower and 523 pound-feet of torque. The T5 models were front-wheel drive (FWD) with available all-wheel drive (AWD), while the T6 and T8 models were AWD only. All XC90 models used a conventional eight-speed automatic transmission.

The XC90 engines required Premium (91-octane) gasoline. The EPA estimated the T5 FWD models to achieve 21 mpg city/30 mpg highway/25 mpg combined, while the T5 AWD models were rated at 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway/23 mpg combined. The T6 AWD models achieved 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway/22 mpg combined. The T8 model had a 27 mpg combined rating on gas and 55 MPGe with an 18-mile EV range. The extended-range variant had a 26 mpg combined gasoline rating, a 66 MPGe rating, and an EV range of up to 36 miles. Charging the battery from empty to fully charged took about five hours at 240 volts (Level 2).

The driving experience of the XC90 was superb, with minimal body roll and controlled handling. The T8 Inscription extended range model provided spirited acceleration, with the electric motor delivering torque early, eliminating turbo lag and smoothing power delivery. The XC90 was not a hot rod but offered enough performance to be enjoyable to drive.

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 contributed to the GX's maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds and a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system, sending 40 percent of the engine's power to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear wheels in normal driving conditions.

The GX's shape, resembling a tall and narrow shoebox, resulted in a drag coefficient of 0.35. Combined with the V8 engine, always-on 4WD system, and heavy curb weight, the EPA fuel economy estimate was 16 mpg in combined driving. During testing, including off-roading, the GX returned 16.8 mpg. The standard Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved wheel articulation off-road and reduced body motions, making the GX more stable and secure.

Despite its age, the GX remained agreeable to drive, with refined ride and handling on pavement. However, the slow, heavy steering made parking a chore, and the touchy brake pedal made smooth driving in traffic challenging. The Off-Road Package, available with the Luxury trim, added features like Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, skid plates, improved drivetrain cooling, and monitoring cameras for enhanced off-road capability.

The 2022 Volvo XC90 offered six-passenger and seven-passenger configurations, with captain's chairs or three-across seating in the second row. Access to the third row was easy with a one-handed slide and fold of the second row. The third row was suitable for kids but lacked legroom and thigh support for adults. The XC90 provided 15.9 cubic feet of luggage space behind the third row, 41.8 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 85.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded. Towing capacity ranged from 4,000 to 5,000 pounds, depending on the configuration and powertrain.

The XC90's interior featured ample storage space, comfortable seating, and a spacious cabin with a standard laminated panoramic moonroof. The air-conditioning system performed well during a heat wave, providing rapid cooling and maintaining a comfortable environment.

The 2022 Lexus GX offered an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear outward visibility. The GX's tall height, narrow width, and short length made it easy to maneuver in various situations. The seats were comfortable, and the interior featured physical controls, though some switchgear was outdated. The Black Line Special Edition included NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the back seats were heated, with triple-zone automatic climate control.

Access to the rear seat was tricky due to narrow door openings, but once inside, there was ample legroom and a tall seating position. The third-row seat was cramped and difficult to access, making it unsuitable for adults. The third-row seat also reduced cargo space, and the side-opening tailgate made loading challenging. The GX provided 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 Volvo XC90 featured the Sensus infotainment system, with a nine-inch portrait-oriented touchscreen interface. The system supported familiar smartphone gestures but was occasionally glitchy and slow to respond. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were available, with better performance when connected to an iPhone. The XC90 also had a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, a head-up display, a 360-degree surround-view camera system, and an advanced air cleaner. The standard Harman Kardon Premium Sound system could be upgraded to a Bowers & Wilkins system for audiophiles. The XC90 included USB-A and USB-C ports, a WiFi hotspot, and the Volvo Care smartphone app.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 featured a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, replacing the old Remote Touch Interface touchpad. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. A CD player and Lexus Enform connected services, including a WiFi hotspot, were also available. The GX offered a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system as an option. The infotainment display provided 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 Volvo XC90 continued Volvo's commitment to safety, featuring blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking assist, rain-sensing wipers, slippery road alert, lane-keeping aid, adaptive cruise control, oncoming lane mitigation, and road-sign recognition. The Pilot Assist system combined several safety features for highway driving with minimal driver intervention. The XC90 received the IIHS Top Safety Pick+ designation and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA.

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. The GX also had 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.