2024 Kia Seltos vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX presented a commanding presence with its large spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance, standing tall at 74.2 inches. Its front end appeared ready to conquer the road, with massive headlights framing its distinctive face. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, limited to 3,000 units and available in three paint colors, including the new Eminent White 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 driving situations. However, the interior was marred by an abundance of plastic, which detracted from its luxury appeal, though it did offer features like heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2024 Kia Seltos underwent a mid-cycle refresh, featuring updated headlight and grille designs, and a light strip connecting the smaller taillight assemblies. These changes gave the Seltos a fresh appearance without significant developmental costs. The interior introduced new colors, with our test model showcasing a standard black interior. The most noticeable update was the large digital panel spanning two-thirds of the dash, combining a fully digital instrument panel and a larger touchscreen infotainment system. The Seltos offered a range of trims, each with varying features, from the base LX with 17-inch alloy wheels and an 8-inch touchscreen to the top-tier SX with 18-inch alloy wheels, LED headlights, and a Bose premium stereo system.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its 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 naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V8 provided a satisfying linear power delivery. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's 6,500-pound towing capacity was notable, though it lagged behind some competitors. Despite its weight, the GX offered predictable handling, with a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential enhancing its 4WD capabilities.

The 2024 Kia Seltos featured a base 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine producing 146 horsepower and 132 pound-feet of torque, paired with an Intelligent Variable Transmission. The X-Line and SX trims boasted a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine with 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, mated to a new eight-speed automatic transmission. This setup provided noticeable acceleration improvements, especially in 40-to-60 mph scenarios. The Seltos handled various road conditions well, with responsive steering and minimal body roll. Its 7.3 inches of ground clearance made it suitable for light off-road adventures.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered ample cubby space, with a deep center console bin and convenient cupholders. However, it lacked modern USB-C ports, featuring only USB-A. The GX retained physical controls, which some users appreciated over touchscreens. The second row was comfortable, but the third row was cramped, limiting its practicality. 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 2024 Kia Seltos provided up to 62.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 26.6 cubic feet with them in use. It featured an upright seating position, offering good visibility and rear legroom. The front seating area included decently sized in-door cupholders and cubbies. The SX trim added a removable cargo cover, enhancing storage versatility.

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. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX's tech offerings lagged behind newer Lexus models, though it excelled in off-road capabilities with a real 4WD system and various driving-focused technologies.

The 2024 Kia Seltos offered a consistent infotainment display across trims, with screen sizes varying. The base system included an 8-inch touchscreen, while higher trims featured a 10.25-inch fully digital instrument panel and touchscreen. The system was responsive, with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. The SX trim upgraded to an eight-speaker Bose stereo system and offered Digital Key 2 Touch for smartphone access.

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, it featured modern safety technology.

The 2024 Kia Seltos came with standard driver assistance features, including forward collision avoidance, lane-departure warning, and driver attention warning. Higher trims added blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and smart cruise control. The SX trim offered additional features like traffic sign recognition and highway driving assist.