2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L continued the legacy of its predecessors with a design that balanced toughness and luxury. The Hydro Blue model with the High Altitude package featured a blacked-out grille, logos, and door handles, complemented by dark gray 21-inch wheels and black leather with gold stitching. The interior boasted a mix of high-end materials, including matte-finish light walnut and aluminum speaker grilles, making it feel upscale. Despite some hard plastics and rougher-grained leather, the overall quality was impressive for a $70,000 SUV. The Grand Cherokee L's design elements, such as U-shaped fenders and slim LED lighting, maintained its classic Jeep look while incorporating modern touches.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX had a commanding presence with its massive spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The GX Black Line Special Edition, limited to 3,000 units, offered exclusive paint colors like Nori Green Pearl. The GX's short wheelbase and minimal overhangs emphasized its off-road capabilities. While the GX's design leaned sleeker compared to Toyota's blocky designs, it still retained a chunky motif with big, flared fenders. The interior, however, was a mix of luxury and disappointment, with a significant amount of plastic material. Despite this, the GX offered heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's standard V6 engine, producing 293 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, was its weakest link. The engine's noise was well-muffled, but it struggled to deliver the necessary power for a heavy SUV. The optional 5.7-liter Hemi V8, with 357 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque, was a better choice, especially for towing, with a max rating of 7,200 pounds. Fuel economy for the V6 was 18 mpg city, 25 mpg highway, and 21 mpg combined, while the V8's ratings were significantly lower at 14/22/17. The Grand Cherokee L's chassis, however, provided confident handling, especially with the air suspension, which allowed for five height settings and improved off-road capabilities.

The 2023 Lexus GX's defining feature was its 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. While not the most powerful on paper, the V8 provided a satisfying linear power delivery and a distinctive sound. The GX's towing capacity was 6,500 pounds, but its fuel economy was poor at 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's weight affected its handling, but it remained predictable and controllable. The GX's 4WD system, with a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential, made it capable off-road, complemented by features like downhill assist, hill-start assist, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS).

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L's extended length provided ample legroom for second-row passengers, with standard captain's chairs and optional bench seats. The third row, while power-folding, was tight for adults but suitable for children. The driver's seat offered good visibility, and the interior featured a mix of physical buttons and touchscreen controls. Cargo space was generous, with 17 cubic feet behind the third row, 47 cubic feet behind the second row, and 85 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered plenty of cubby space, a deep center console bin, and conveniently placed cupholders. The GX retained physical buttons, which were a blessing for those who preferred them over touchscreens. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs or a three-across bench seat option. However, the third row was too tight for regular use. The GX's cargo space was limited, with only 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L featured an 8.4-inch touchscreen on lower trims and a 10.1-inch touchscreen on higher trims, all running Uconnect 5. The system was generally quick and easy to use, despite some legibility issues. The Grand Cherokee L offered a range of tech features, including night vision, Active Driving Assist, and a passenger screen that could play video and music independently. The McIntosh sound system, with 19 speakers, was good but lacked surround imaging from the rear speakers.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment system, updated in 2022, already felt dated. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was an improvement but lagged behind other Lexus models. The GX included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, but the graphics were not as crisp as competitors. The GX's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a real 4WD system, KDSS, and an Off-Road Package that added features like a multi-terrain monitor and crawl control.

The 2023 Jeep Grand Cherokee L earned a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS for models built after May 2023 and scored five stars in most NHTSA tests. Standard safety features included forward and rear emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included front cross-traffic braking, backup camera washer, and 360-degree cameras.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it included several advanced driver assistance systems. These included automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. Despite its older design, the GX's safety features were up-to-date.