2023 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE) was based on the SR5 Premium trim level and added $4,505 to its price. This included a standard four-wheel-drive system, retro body stripes, a heritage grille design, bronze 17-inch wheels, and various bronze badges and stitching. The 40 ASE was available in black, white, or red paint with a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner lineup included several trims, with prices ranging from $39,555 to $54,020, plus a $1,335 destination charge. The 40 ASE test vehicle had no options and an MSRP of $48,455. The 4Runner's design evoked a nostalgic 1970s vibe with its colorful stripes and bronze wheels, appealing to those who appreciated a retro aesthetic. Its truck-based SUV stance and solid interior with easy-to-use controls made it a practical choice for many.

The 2023 Lexus GX featured a prominent spindle grille, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and a height of 74.2 inches, giving it a commanding presence. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, limited to 3,000 units and available in three paint colors. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's dimensions, including a short 109.8-inch wheelbase and minimal overhangs, made it look ready for off-road adventures. The GX's design leaned sleeker compared to Toyota's blocky designs, and its hood fell away from sight sooner, aiding in technical driving. The interior, however, had a disappointing amount of plastic, reflecting its low sales and cost-saving measures. Despite this, the GX offered luxury touches like heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-liter V6 engine producing 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm. A five-speed automatic transmission sent power to the rear wheels, with an optional 4WD system available. The 4Runner had a towing capacity of 5,000 pounds and an EPA fuel economy rating of 17 mpg combined. During testing, it averaged 16.9 mpg. The 4Runner offered two 4WD systems: a part-time 4WD system and a full-time 4WD system available on the Limited trim. It had a minimum ground clearance of nine inches and various off-roading technologies, including Hill-Start Assist Control, Downhill Assist Control, and Active Traction Control. The TRD Sport and Limited trims had suspensions designed for on-road performance, while the TRD Off-Road and TRD Pro trims focused on off-road capabilities. The 4Runner excelled in off-roading, handling thick mud and standing water with ease, but its on-road performance was less impressive, with slow acceleration, heavy steering, and a bumpy ride.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with 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 had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds but lagged behind other SUVs in fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's weight affected its handling, causing it to roll through corners, but it remained predictable and controllable. The brakes were strong and solid, capable of handling the vehicle's weight. The GX featured a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential, distributing power in a 40:60 front-to-rear split, adjustable based on wheel slip. This made the GX user-friendly in various driving conditions. Despite its age, the GX's driving dynamics had been improved, offering a communicative road feel and strong brakes.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured a unique power-down rear window, providing excellent ventilation when combined with the sunroof and automatic windows. The 4Runner's interior offered comfortable seats, with heated and ventilated leather seats available on the Limited trim. The 40 ASE test vehicle had SofTex artificial leather and heated front seats. Storage options were plentiful but lacked rubber liners, causing items to slide and rattle. The second-row seating area was spacious, with good legroom, headroom, air conditioning vents, and USB charging ports. A third-row seat was available but uncomfortable and reduced cargo space. The tailgate doubled as a seat, and the cargo area had several storage cubbies and a 120-volt AC power outlet. Without the third-row seat, the 4Runner offered 46.3 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 89.7 cubic feet with the second-row seats folded.

The 2023 Lexus GX provided ample cubby space, including a deep center console bin, a phone space ahead of the shifter, and conveniently placed cupholders. However, it lacked USB-C ports, offering only USB-A ports. The GX retained physical controls, which were appreciated by those who preferred hard buttons over touchscreens. The center console lid had sliding mechanisms for adjustable armrests. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs or a three-across bench seat option. Legroom and headroom were adequate, but the third row was too tight for regular use. The GX's side-hinged, non-power-operated trunk door required effort to open and offered limited cargo space. With the third row folded, the GX provided 46.7 cubic feet of cargo space, expandable to 64.7 cubic feet with both the second and third rows folded.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment display. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, SiriusXM satellite radio, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Connected services plans were available, and the 4Runner could be transformed into a Wi-Fi hotspot. Upgrades included a navigation system, additional connected services, and a JBL premium sound system. The infotainment system's home screen displayed multiple functions simultaneously, and the voice recognition performed well, handling most commands accurately. The 4Runner's technology was straightforward and user-friendly, with real knobs and buttons that were easy to use even with gloves.

The 2023 Lexus GX received a 10.3-inch touchscreen in 2022, which was a significant improvement over the previous system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was still present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX came with three years of Lexus Enform Remote and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo. However, the touchscreen lagged, and the graphics were not as crisp as those in newer Lexus models. The GX's infotainment technology felt outdated compared to competitors. The GX excelled in off-road capability, with a real 4WD system, 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 2023 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, automatic high-beam headlights, and a rear-seat reminder system. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard on all trims. The adaptive cruise control performed well, but the lane-departure warning could be irritating. The 4Runner received a four-star overall rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), with three-star ratings for front passenger protection and rollover resistance. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gave it a Marginal rating for driver protection in the small overlap frontal-impact test.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, but it was originally engineered for the 2010 model year. Despite its age, the GX included advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. While it lacked some top-end features, the GX's safety technology was relatively modern compared to its structural design.