2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX presented a commanding presence with its massive spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance, standing tall at 74.2 inches. Its front end appeared ready to dominate the road, with large headlights framing its distinctive face. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned with limited availability, offering exclusive paint colors like Nori Green Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's design leaned towards a sleeker aesthetic compared to Toyota's blocky designs, making it easier to navigate technical terrains. However, the interior was marred by an abundance of plastic, which detracted from its luxury appeal, though it did feature some high-end touches like heated and cooled seats and impressive leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E shocked traditionalists by adopting Mustang styling cues for a five-door electric crossover. This bold move paid off, as the Mach-E became popular, with over 150,000 units built since its debut. The Mach-E GT, with its Cyber Orange paint and aggressive styling, stood out with unique bumpers and 20-inch wheels. Inside, it felt like a luxury car, with sport-bolstered seats wrapped in artificial leather and synthetic suede, and a high-tech ambiance created by metallic and gloss-black trim. The Mach-E GT successfully blended past, present, and future design elements, making it a visually appealing electric vehicle.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. While it didn't excel on paper compared to more modern engines, the GX's V8 offered a satisfying sound and linear power delivery. Its towing capacity of 6,500 pounds was respectable, but its fuel economy was less impressive, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's weight contributed to its predictable but controllable roll through corners, and its Torsen limited-slip differential enhanced its 4WD capabilities.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E offered a range of power and efficiency options, with the GT model boasting 480 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque. It accelerated to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds, with an EPA-estimated range of 270 miles. The GT Performance Edition increased torque to 634 lb-ft and reduced the range to 260 miles, while adding adaptive damping suspension and larger brakes. The Mach-E GT featured various driving modes, including an exclusive Unbridled Extend mode for track use. Despite its firm suspension, the Mach-E GT delivered impressive driving dynamics and efficiency, achieving 37 kWh per 100 miles during testing.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered ample cubby space, with a deep center console bin and convenient cupholders. However, it lacked modern USB-C ports, relying on older USB-A ports. The GX's interior featured numerous hard buttons, which some might find overwhelming but practical. The second row provided good legroom and headroom, while the third row was cramped and best suited for emergencies. The GX's cargo space was limited, with only 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 64.7 cubic feet with all seats folded.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E, as a crossover SUV, prioritized function alongside form. It accommodated up to five passengers and offered 34.1 cubic feet of cargo space, including a front trunk. The Mach-E GT featured eight-way power-adjustable and heated front seats, wrapped in black ActiveX artificial leather. The rear seats provided a snug but supportive environment, enhanced by a panoramic glass roof. The Mach-E's cargo space expanded to 59.7 cubic feet with the rear seats folded, and its frunk added an additional 4.7 cubic feet of storage.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment system, updated in 2022, already felt dated. It featured a 10.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integration. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX included a 17-speaker Mark Levinson stereo and a CD player, but its tech offerings lagged behind newer Lexus models. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E boasted a 15.5-inch touchscreen running on Ford's Sync 4A platform, offering wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, navigation, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Sync 4A learned user habits and provided predictive suggestions. The Mach-E's Bang & Olufsen sound system delivered excellent audio quality, and the digital instrumentation display provided essential data. The Mach-E also featured Phone As A Key technology, allowing smartphone-based vehicle access and operation.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Despite its older design, the GX's safety features were commendable.

The 2023 Ford Mustang Mach-E came standard with Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist 2.0 and BlueCruise hands-free highway driving. BlueCruise 1.2 added features like lane-change and predictive speed assist. While impressive, BlueCruise required constant monitoring. The Mach-E received top safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA, though frontal-impact results were pending.