2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport was designed with a modernist and reductive aesthetic, embodying a clean and simple look—an elegance that may not appeal to those who prefer more flamboyant luxury SUVs. Land Rover provided minimal flashy elements from the factory, offering only a Firenze Red paint color and diamond-turned, multi-spoke 23-inch wheels to make the Range Rover Sport stand out. An anticipated performance-tuned SVR model with a loud twin-turbocharged V8 and vivid paint colors was expected to add more flair to the lineup in the future.

Our test vehicle arrived in a subdued Eiger Gray paint, featuring elegant silver 23-inch wheels and a Black Exterior Pack, creating an overall sophisticated look. Inside, it boasted a luxurious Deep Garnet over Ebony theme with aluminum and shiny black trim, radiating understated opulence. The vehicle offered slim premium LED headlights, flush-mounted door handles, and the first use of surface LED technology on a production vehicle, alongside excellent aerodynamics with a drag coefficient of 0.29.

Conversely, the 2023 Lexus GX offered a bold visual presence, starting with its immense spindle grille, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and an overall height of 74.2 inches. The GX’s front end seemed primed to conquer the road ahead, with massive headlights framing its distinctive face. The Black Line Special Edition, limited to 3,000 units and available in colors like Obsidian, Eminent White Pearl, and Nori Green Pearl, added an element of exclusivity.

Despite its imposing front, the GX’s 109.8-inch wheelbase gave it a compact side profile. The stylistic choice emphasized its off-road capabilities, unlike other luxury SUVs tipping towards urban agility. Large, flared fenders enhanced its robust appearance, while the sleek design differentiated it from Toyota’s blockier current designs. The GX’s hood dipped quickly from the driver’s sight, allowing easier navigation on challenging terrains.

Inside, the GX’s appeal waned slightly with an unexpected amount of plastic materials. However, luxury touches like heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery were notable. Lexus focused more on practical robustness rather than luxurious flourish given its niche but consistent target market.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport aimed to balance refinement, comfort, and driver-focused engagement. It had to blend off-road prowess with enjoyable on-road driving experiences—a challenging feat. Under the hood, the Range Rover Sport SE and SE Dynamic models featured a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid technology. The SE Dynamic model delivered 395 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, while the SE P360 model offered 355 hp and 369 lb-ft.

The Autobiography P440e model provided a plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) drivetrain with 434 hp and 406 lb-ft, offering an estimated 51 miles of electric driving range. Additionally, a limited early-build model featured a 523-hp twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine. However, this engine was temporarily off the menu, possibly returning in a performance-oriented SVR.

Our test vehicle, equipped with a 395-hp inline-six engine, impressed with a claimed 0-60 mph acceleration in 5.4 seconds and a tow rating of 7,716 pounds. Despite its power, the Range Rover Sport demonstrated respectable fuel efficiency, averaging 22.3 mpg during our evaluation route and achieving 25.1 mpg on a trip from Los Angeles to Santa Barbara.

The Range Rover Sport benefited from a new vehicle architecture with a 35-percent torsional stiffness increase, adaptive damping air suspension, Dynamic driving mode, and advanced off-road tech like Terrain Response and All Terrain Progress Control. Ground clearance and off-road angles were exceptional, providing a 35.4-inch wading depth.

On the other hand, the 2023 Lexus GX defined itself through its naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V8 engine. With 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission, the GX’s performance figures lagged behind contemporary SUVs. However, the V8’s linear power delivery and iconic growl added a satisfying driving experience, even if it wasn’t the most powerful option in its class.

A 6,500-pound towing capacity and old-school V8 fuel economy (15 mpg city, 19 highway, 16 combined) were somewhat disappointing. Still, the GX’s road feel was communicative, the brakes were strong and predictable, and the roll in corners felt controlled for its class.

Equipped with a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential, 40:60 front:rear split for 4WD, and capable features like downhill assist, hill-start assist, and traction control, the GX held its own off-road. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) further enhanced on- and off-road performance by leveling the vehicle when necessary.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport maintained the classic Range Rover Command Driving Position, offering an airy feel and excellent visibility due to the low dashboard, upright windshield, and thin roof pillars. The air suspension could “kneel” for easier ingress and egress, enhancing accessibility. Inside, the front seats were exceptionally comfortable with adjustable armrests, buttery Windsor leather, and 20-way power adjustments, including heating and ventilation. Options like a massage function, soft-closing doors, and a heated steering wheel elevated luxury.

However, the rear seat fell short. Despite improved legroom, hard seatback panels, narrow door openings, and an overly reclined seatback angle detracted from comfort. Rear amenities included manual sunshades, air conditioning vents, and power ports.

Cargo capacity in the Range Rover Sport measured 31.9 cubic feet behind the rear seats and expanded to 53 cubic feet with them folded. It featured a power liftgate, controls to adjust the air suspension for loading, and a handy contraption with integrated straps to secure smaller items.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX offered a less luxurious interior dominated by hard buttons and old USB-A ports. However, it emphasized practical storage with a deep center console bin, a space ahead of the shifter for phones, and convenient side-by-side cupholders.

The second row offered decent legroom and headroom, with captain’s chairs or a standard three-across bench seat option. However, the third row was too tight for regular use, making it suitable only for occasional passengers.

Opening the GX’s side-hinged trunk door required effort and clear space behind the vehicle. Cargo space was limited to 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 46.7 cubic feet with it folded and 64.7 cubic feet with both rows down—less than a Toyota RAV4’s capacity.

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport came with impressive technology, including a 13.7-inch digital instrumentation display and a 13.1-inch touchscreen infotainment system with haptic feedback. Standard features included wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, Amazon Alexa compatibility, SiriusXM, and an Online Pack with connected services. However, accessing Wi-Fi necessitated an extra-cost data plan.

Despite the impressive displays and features, the Pivi Pro infotainment system frustrated our testing, proving to be confusing and difficult to navigate. Voice commands were particularly unsuccessful, failing to direct us to simple destinations like Starbucks.

The Range Rover Sport featured powerful Meridian audio systems with up to 29 speakers and 1,430 watts, enhancing the driving experience. It also offered a wireless charging pad, though placement made it hard to retrieve devices.

For the 2023 Lexus GX, the 10.3-inch infotainment touchscreen introduced in the 2022 model was an improvement, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and an optional Mark Levinson premium stereo. However, the system already felt dated, lacking the crisp graphics and responsiveness of other Lexus models.

The GX also provided a CD player, emphasizing its dated tech orientation. However, its strength lay in off-road technology, including a real 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case, low range, locking differential, downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, stability control, and the sophisticated Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS).

The 2023 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offered an extensive suite of advanced driving assistance systems, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-departure warning, and lane-keeping assist. Additional features included automatic high-beam headlights, a driver monitoring system, front and rear parking sensors, and a surround-view camera system. Optional Remote Park Assist allowed for autonomous parking via a smartphone app.

However, adaptive cruise control and steering assist had their issues. Adaptive cruise control was slow to respond, while steering assist was unreliable, particularly around freeway bends.

The 2023 Lexus GX lacked updated crash test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS but came with essential safety features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. Although structurally older, Lexus equipped the GX with newer safety technologies to remain competitive.