2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX had a commanding presence with its massive spindle grille, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and an overall height of 74.2 inches. The front end appeared ready to dominate the road, framed by large headlights that accentuated its distinctive face. The GX Black Line Special Edition, limited to 3,000 units, returned with three paint options: Obsidian, Eminent White Pearl, and Nori Green Pearl.

Despite its luxury badge, the GX's dimensions seemed to shrink when viewed from the side, with a short 109.8-inch wheelbase and minimal overhangs. The design leaned sleeker compared to Toyota's blocky aesthetics, making it easier to navigate technical driving scenarios. However, the interior was marred by an abundance of plastic, which detracted from its luxury appeal. Nevertheless, features like heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery added some luxury touches.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid, starting at $33,700, offered a more affordable electrified option with sporty black 18-inch wheels and blacked-out exterior trim. The Sport-L Hybrid, priced at $36,700, provided an interior upgrade, while the Sport Touring Hybrid topped the lineup at $39,850. Our test vehicle, a Sport Touring Hybrid in Canyon River Blue, had an MSRP of $41,175, including destination charges.

The CR-V's conservative styling, with a technical face resembling an angry robot, was expected to age well, though it carried too much visual weight over the front wheels. The best viewing angle was from the rear quarter, where Volvo-adjacent taillights and a tidy design gave it an upscale appearance. Inside, the Sport Touring featured leather seats with orange contrast stitching and numerous quality details, such as soft-touch materials and metal mesh hiding the dashboard air vents, contributing to a sophisticated cabin.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its V8 engine, which delivered a linear rise in power and noise as the accelerator was depressed. The 4.6-liter V8 produced 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. Despite its power, the GX's V8 lagged behind more modern engines like Toyota's 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid. The GX's towing capacity of 6,500 pounds was respectable but not class-leading, and its fuel economy was a drawback, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The GX's weight affected its handling, causing it to roll through corners, though the roll was predictable and controllable. The steering was vague off-center, but the brakes were strong and reliable. The GX featured a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential, distributing the 4WD system into a 40:60 front:rear split, adjustable based on wheel slip, enhancing its off-road capability.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a fourth-generation two-motor hybrid drive system, combining a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with two electric motors. This setup delivered 204 horsepower to the front or all four wheels. The hybrid system worked transparently, though it produced a low-speed electric vehicle acoustic warning noise and steady-state engine droning when driving uphill. The EPA estimated 37 mpg in combined driving for the CR-V Sport Touring, but our test vehicle returned 32.4 mpg on a mountainous route.

The CR-V Hybrid provided a quiet and compliant ride with predictable handling traits. The brakes performed well under heavy use, and the steering, though heavy, was manageable. Overall, the CR-V was easy to drive, offering hints of fun typical of Honda vehicles, though it wasn't designed for off-road adventures or spirited driving.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered ample cubby space, with a deep center console bin, a handy space ahead of the shifter, and conveniently placed cupholders. However, it lacked modern USB-C ports, featuring only USB-A ports. The GX's physical controls, with hard buttons, were a blessing for those who preferred tactile interfaces over touchscreens. The center console lid's sliding mechanisms allowed for adjustable armrests, and the second row was comfortable, with options for captain's chairs or a three-across bench seat.

The third row was too tight for regular use, even for children, making the GX more of a two-row SUV with emergency seats. The side-hinged, non-power-operated trunk door was cumbersome, and the cargo space was limited, offering 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 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid excelled in form and function, with quality materials, intuitive controls, and comfortable seats. All CR-V Hybrids featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat, with the Sport Touring trim adding power operation for the front passenger seat. Heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, and dual-zone climate control enhanced comfort.

The CR-V's wide rear doors made it easy to install child safety seats, and the roomy back seat was comfortable for adults, with adjustable backrest angles, generous legroom, and USB-C charging ports. The Sport Touring's hands-free power rear liftgate revealed a 34.7 cubic foot cargo area, expandable to 76.5 cubic feet with the back seat folded, making it one of the most spacious in its class.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment system, revamped in 2022, already felt dated. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was an improvement, offering Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa integrations. However, the system lagged, and the graphics were not as crisp as those in competing models. The GX included a CD player, a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo, and three years of Lexus Enform Remote.

The GX's off-road technology was more impressive, with a real 4WD system, a two-speed transfer case, low range, and a locking center differential. Additional features included downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, stability control, and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS). The Off-Road Package added a multi-terrain monitor, transmission cooler, fuel-tank protection, crawl control, and a multi-terrain select system.

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid featured a 7-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an available 9-inch display. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless smartphone charging, and a decent sound system were reserved for higher trims. The Sport Touring trim included navigation and a 12-speaker Bose premium audio system.

The CR-V's voice recognition system was basic, working reasonably well with prompts but faltering with conversational commands. The CR-V Hybrid also featured a walk-away automatic locking system, providing peace of mind by locking the doors as you walked away with the key fob.

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

The 2024 Honda CR-V Hybrid came with Honda Sensing, a comprehensive suite of ADAS. This included forward collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, lane-keeping assist, lane-centering assist, adaptive cruise control, traffic jam assist, and a driver monitoring system. Additional features included a rear-seat reminder, automatic high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, and low-speed automatic braking control.

The CR-V Hybrid's safety systems performed well during testing, with only minor issues in specific scenarios. The 2024 CR-V had not been rated by the NHTSA at the time of writing, but the 2023 model received a Top Safety Pick+ award from the IIHS, indicating high safety standards.