2024 Lexus GX vs 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe

The 2024 Lexus GX 550 dramatically departed from its predecessor, the GX 470, by embracing a more geometric design throughout its exterior. The notable spindle grille of Lexus became less pronounced, flanked by striking triple-beam LED headlights. The new front fascia stood more vertically than its predecessor, enhancing the SUV’s aggressive stance. Each front wheel was noticeably positioned under a raised hump on the flat hood, aiding positional awareness during off-roading. The side profile of the GX was almost monolithic, with minimal character lines and a low window beltline for better visibility. The C-pillar area saw a subtle rise in the window frame, continuing horizontally to the rear. Standard running boards adorned the lower edge, with powered versions available in the Luxury+ trim levels.

The GX was offered in six distinct trims: Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, Overtrail, and Overtrail+. The Premium+ trim was projected to be the best-seller, but it was the Luxury+ and Overtrail+ that showcased the SUV’s prime features. Luxury models boasted 22-inch wheels, illuminated doorsills, and ambient interior lighting, while the Overtrail trims were optimized for off-roading with 18-inch wheels and larger 33-inch all-terrain tires. The interiors featured eco-friendly Nuluxe leatherette upholstery for Overtrail models and semi-aniline leather for luxury trims. All models featured a blend of luxurious and utilitarian materials with a large 14-inch touchscreen at the center of the dashboard, complemented by various physical off-road controls and climate control knobs.

Contrastingly, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe marked a profound aesthetic shift for the brand. Where vehicles like the Ioniq 5 and Ioniq 6 spotlighted Hyundai’s tech-savvy future, the Santa Fe adopted a more angular and squared design. This departure was purposeful, emphasizing storage capacity with its boxy shape, which Hyundai aimed to make elegant and premium. This design appealed to bystanders, with notable admiration from rural store staff in Tennessee.

A sophisticated color palette, including several matte choices and anodized finish badging, promoted an upscale look. Different trims featured unique wheel sizes, with 18-inch alloys standard and higher trims receiving 20 and 21-inch options. Inside, the Santa Fe exuded premium styling, with the finer Calligraphy and XRT trims offering excellent materials and comfort. Despite some hard plastics in less-visible areas, the headliner fabric was posh and cozy. The result was a luxurious feel at odds with the Santa Fe’s rugged exterior.

The 2024 Lexus GX retired its naturally aspirated V8 in favor of a more advanced twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine. This new powertrain delivered 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, capitalizing on the torque available early in the rev range for optimal off-road performance. The GA-F truck platform, shared with various Toyota and Lexus vehicles, underpinned the GX, granting it a stiffer and more stable chassis for both on-road and off-road conditions. Matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission, the GX handled assertively without gear-hunting issues.

The Lexus GX came standard with full-time 4WD and a locking Torsen limited-slip center differential, with Overtrail trims adding a locking rear differential and the advanced Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) for enhanced wheel articulation and stability on uneven terrain. The GX performed seamlessly during test drives, showcasing strong acceleration and effective braking despite its over-5,000-pound weight. It also demonstrated unexpected composure through twists and turns, a notable improvement from previous models. However, a full off-road assessment was hampered by weather conditions, curtailing a complete evaluation of its traction and control systems.

In comparison, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe offered a 2.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, producing 277 horsepower and 311 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive was standard on most trims, with optional AWD, except for the off-road-focused XRT trim which came with AWD as standard. The Santa Fe featured Normal, Sport, and Snow driving modes, with the XRT adding off-road modes.

Later in the year, a hybrid version provided a 1.6-liter turbocharged engine paired with a six-speed automatic transmission, offering 231 horsepower and 271 pound-feet of torque. Fuel economy ratings varied by drivetrain, with the FWD base models achieving 20/29/24 mpg city/highway/combined, while AWD models slightly reduced these figures. The XRT model’s figures dipped further due to its enhanced off-road capabilities but benefited from increased towing capacity.

The Santa Fe showcased smooth and stable driving dynamics with limited body roll through turns, except in the XRT trim, which excelled in off-road conditions. The off-road settings were user-friendly, and the hill-descent-control feature inspired confidence on steep slopes, making it capable for moderately rugged terrain excursions.

The 2024 Lexus GX’s interior adopted a minimalist, sophisticated style with fewer physical buttons. Essential controls, like rotary knobs for climate and physical buttons for off-road features, remained. The GX provided ample space for six-foot-tall adults in the first two rows, offering 41.2 inches of legroom in the front and 36.7 inches in the second row. However, its third-row seating was uncomfortable for adults, suitable only for children with 31.7 inches of legroom.

Compared to its closest rival, the Land Rover Defender 110, the GX offered slightly better front and second-row space but was roomier when the third row and cargo were considered. The GX shone in cargo space with 10.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 40.2 cubic feet with it folded, and a total of 76.9 cubic feet. Overtrail models, with no third row, offered an impressive 45.6 cubic feet behind the second row and a total cargo space of 90.5 cubic feet.

In contrast, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe, with its elongated wheelbase and taller body, dramatically improved cargo space to cater to "chabak" – a term signifying car camping. The cargo area featured an extra-wide tailgate and ample storage, akin to a terrace, enhancing car camping experiences. Despite focusing on cargo space, the Santa Fe didn’t compromise on passenger comfort. The first and second-row seats were spacious and offered luxurious materials across trims, ranging from stain-resistant cloth in base models to plush Nappa leather in the highest trims.

The Santa Fe offered 14.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, 40.5 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 79.6 cubic feet with the second row down. Innovative roof rails supporting 220 pounds and a flush grab handle for ease of loading were additional highlights. Higher trims introduced conveniences like UV sanitization compartments in the glovebox, showcasing forward-thinking features.

In the 2024 Lexus GX, a central 14-inch touchscreen housed the Lexus Interface system, featuring Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Drive Connect and Remote Connect were available with free three-year trial subscriptions, providing services like navigation, vehicle diagnostics, and remote functionalities. The GX also included various USB-C ports for ample charging options and a 120-volt outlet in the trunk. A 10-speaker audio system was standard, but higher trims offered a premium 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo system. However, the reliance on subscription services post the initial trial might be a consideration for cost-conscious buyers.

The 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe boasted a curved panoramic display on XRT, Limited, and Calligraphy trims, connecting the digital instrument cluster and infotainment screen. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard with a 12-speaker Bose stereo system and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Lower trims had a 12.3-inch display with essential features, and wireless charging was available except for the base trim. The Santa Fe leveraged Hyundai’s BlueLink system for comprehensive vehicle access and included Hyundai Pay for secure in-car payments. Additionally, a biometric fingerprint scanner for valet mode represented Hyundai’s cutting-edge technology approach.

The 2024 Lexus GX made significant strides in safety with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including features like pre-collision detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assist, and road-sign recognition. The new proactive driving assist enhanced highway safety, although official safety ratings from IIHS and NHTSA were still pending due to the model's newness. The GA-F platform's introduction also suggested improved overall safety.

Similarly, the 2024 Hyundai Santa Fe had not been crash-tested, but historically Hyundai models performed well. The Santa Fe came with numerous standard safety features, such as adaptive cruise control, forward collision-avoidance assist, blind-spot monitoring, and lane-keep assist. Higher trims added advanced features like a 360-degree camera system, rain-sensing wipers, and remote parking assist. A driver monitoring system with both infrared and capacitive sensors was standard across the lineup, ensuring heightened attention to driver alertness and safety.