2023 Volvo XC60 vs 2023 Lexus GX

When shopping for a new 2023 Volvo XC60, buyers had to choose between three powertrains. The XC60 B5 featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, while the XC60 B6 employed a turbocharged, supercharged, and mild-hybrid engine. Both models came with standard all-wheel drive (AWD). The upgrade model, the XC60 Recharge, boasted a turbocharged PHEV powertrain, combining a 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder gas engine with an 18.8-kilowatt-hour (kWh) battery pack, providing an estimated 35 miles of electric driving before switching to traditional hybrid operation. Prices ranged from just under $46,000 to over $76,000, with trim levels including Core, Plus, Ultimate, and the PHEV-only Polestar Engineered.

Our test vehicle arrived in Recharge spec with the Ultimate package and the Dark exterior theme, featuring extra-cost Thunder Grey paint, a Climate Package, air suspension, and a Bowers & Wilkins sound system, bringing the MSRP to $74,690. Sitting on 20-inch wheels, the XC60 Recharge looked terrific, showcasing Volvo's timeless style and design. Inside, the classic Scandinavian minimalism, combined with luxurious materials and features like a panoramic sunroof and Orrefors crystal gear selector knob, made the cabin feel opulent. Despite the black leather, the interior was brightened by handsome wood trim, metal accents, and ambient lighting.

The 2023 Lexus GX, with its huge spindle grille, 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and a total height of 74.2 inches, had a commanding visual presence. The front end, framed by massive headlights, looked ready to conquer the road. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, limited to 3,000 units and available in three paint colors: Obsidian, Eminent White Pearl, and Nori Green Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's short 109.8-inch wheelbase and minimal overhangs suggested it was engineered for off-road adventures.

The interior, however, was a mix of luxury and disappointment. While it featured heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery, the abundance of plastic materials belied its luxury status. The GX's low sales volume meant Lexus had to keep manufacturing costs low, resulting in a dated design. Despite this, the GX's driving dynamics were surprisingly good, with strong brakes and a communicative road feel, although the steering was vague off-center.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 Recharge featured a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine driving the front wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission, while an electric motor powered the rear wheels. This setup, combined with a battery pack providing an estimated 35 miles of electric driving range, produced 455 horsepower and 423 pound-feet of torque. The XC60 Recharge had a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 pounds. Several driving modes, including Hybrid, Power, Pure, Off-road, and Constant AWD, were accessible through the 9-inch touchscreen display.

The XC60 Recharge was exceptionally quick, with Volvo claiming a 0-60 mph time of 4.5 seconds. The drivetrain refresh in mid-2022 made the XC60 Recharge the most powerful in Volvo's history. The more powerful electric motor and torque-vectoring effect in Hybrid mode made the XC60 fun to drive. During our evaluation, the XC60 Recharge averaged 54.6 mpg over a 65-mile route. The one-pedal driving function and regenerative brakes helped maximize battery pack regeneration. In Charge mode, the XC60 operated solely on the gas engine and recharged the battery, adding 20 miles of battery range on a 50.8-mile trip but achieving only 19.7 mpg.

The 2023 Lexus GX's defining characteristic was its V8 engine. The 4.6-liter V8 produced 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, sent through a six-speed automatic transmission. While not impressive on paper, the V8's linear power delivery and satisfying sound set it apart. The GX had a 6,500-pound towing capacity but lagged behind other SUVs in fuel economy, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The GX's weight made it roll through corners, but the roll felt predictable and controllable. The brakes were strong and solid, though stopping from 60 mph required significant effort. The Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential distributed the standard four-wheel drive (4WD) system into a 40:60 front:rear split, adjusting based on wheel slip. This made the GX user-friendly in various driving conditions. Despite its age, Lexus continued to improve the GX's driving dynamics, making it a manageable and capable off-road vehicle.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, a compact crossover SUV, was best for carrying four people, though it could accommodate five if necessary. The front seats provided outstanding comfort, wrapped in soft Nappa leather with heating, ventilation, and power cushion extensions. The back seats were also comfortable but offered limited legroom for taller passengers. The large panoramic sunroof and supportive seat cushions added to the sense of space. Storage space was decent, with practical spots in the center console, door panel bins, and glovebox. The power liftgate revealed 25.8 cubic feet of cargo space, expanding to 63.3 cubic feet with the back seat folded.

The 2023 Lexus GX retained plenty of cubby space for small items, with a deep center console bin, a handy space ahead of the shifter, and conveniently placed cupholders. The door pockets were small, and the GX lacked USB-C ports. The physical controls, including hard buttons, were a blessing for those put off by touchscreens. The center console lid's sliding mechanisms allowed for adjustable armrests. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs or a three-across bench seat option. However, the third row was too tight for regular use, even for children. The side-hinged trunk door required muscle to open, and the GX offered only 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, expanding to 64.7 cubic feet with both rows folded.

The 2023 Volvo XC60 came with a 12-inch digital instrumentation panel and a 9-inch Google Built-in infotainment system. The system included four years of complimentary access to Google Assistant, Google Maps, and Google Play, supporting both Android and Apple CarPlay. The 9-inch touchscreen, though small, had excellent graphics and an intuitive interface. The voice-recognition system impressed, handling various commands effectively. Our test vehicle featured the optional Bowers & Wilkins sound system, which was sensationally good but expensive at $3,200.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment technology, revamped for 2022, already looked dated. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was a significant improvement, sitting high on the dash and including Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface (RTI) was still present but unnecessary due to the improved touchscreen. The GX included 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 competing models. The GX's off-road capability was more impressive, with a real 4WD system, Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), and an Off-Road Package.

The 2023 Volvo XC60, synonymous with safety, came with all available safety features in the Ultimate trim. This included Pilot Assist, combining adaptive cruise control with lane-centering capability. Pilot Assist excelled on multi-lane freeways, proving smooth and accurate. The XC60 also featured Oncoming Lane Mitigation to avoid collisions with oncoming vehicles. The XC60 B5 and B6 mild-hybrids earned top marks from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS).

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it was originally engineered for the 2010 model year. Despite this, the GX included advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. While missing some top-end features, the GX's safety technology was significantly newer than its body.