Lexus GX vs Toyota bZ

The 2025 Lexus GX underwent a significant redesign, presenting a striking new exterior that drew comparisons to classic Land Rover models. Its boxy shape, accented by LED headlights and a well-proportioned grille, gave it a robust yet refined appearance. The Overtrail+ model, with its 33-inch tires and elevated ride height, further emphasized its adventurous spirit. Inside, the GX maintained a luxurious atmosphere with high-quality switchgear and a chic dashboard design. The spacious interior offered ample headroom and legroom, with comfortable seats featuring heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The head-up display was a notable feature, enhancing the driving experience by providing essential information without distraction.

In contrast, the 2026 Toyota bZ showcased a more modern and streamlined design, with body-color trim enhancing its appeal. The interior featured a cleaner dashboard and center console, with a focus on quality and organization. The fabric seats in the XLE trim had an upscale pattern, and the 14-inch center touchscreen integrated climate controls effectively. However, the digital driver display was criticized for its placement and readability. Despite these drawbacks, the bZ offered a comfortable ride with standard features like heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, making it a practical choice for everyday driving.

The 2025 Lexus GX was powered by a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 engine, delivering 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. This engine, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive, allowed the GX to accelerate from 0-60 mph in 6.5 seconds. Despite its hefty 5,666-pound curb weight, the GX offered impressive performance both on and off the road. Its adaptive dampers and all-terrain tires contributed to a smooth ride, while its off-road capabilities were enhanced by features like a locking center differential and downhill assist control. However, its fuel economy was less impressive, with an EPA rating of 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined.

The 2026 Toyota bZ offered a different driving experience with its electric powertrain. The XLE FWD model, equipped with a 57.7-kWh battery, produced 165 horsepower and had an EPA-estimated range of 236 miles. Upgrading to the larger 74.7-kWh battery increased power to 224 horsepower and extended the range to 314 miles. The dual-motor AWD version delivered 338 horsepower, with a range of 288 miles. The bZ's regenerative braking system and paddles for brake regeneration adjustment added to its efficiency, though it lacked one-pedal driving capability. While the bZ excelled in urban environments, its performance on winding roads was hindered by its tires and steering response.

The 2025 Lexus GX offered a spacious interior, accommodating tall passengers with headroom ranging from 39 to 41 inches in the front and 43 inches in the back. Legroom was generous, with 41 inches in the front and nearly 37 inches in the second row. The GX's cargo space was a standout feature, with up to 90.5 cubic feet available in the Overtrail trim. Its towing capacity of 9,063 pounds further emphasized its versatility. Despite its size, the GX was relatively easy to maneuver and park, making it a practical choice for urban environments.

The 2026 Toyota bZ, built on a skateboard-style EV platform, offered easy access with its 8.1 inches of ground clearance. The front seats featured eight-way power adjustment, providing comfort for a variety of drivers. The bZ's interior storage solutions included a large bin under the center armrest and a sizable tray beneath the center console. Rear-seat passengers enjoyed ample legroom, though foot space was limited. The bZ's cargo space measured 27.7 cubic feet, expanding to 56.9 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. However, the rakish rear window design limited maximum cargo capacity.

The 2025 Lexus GX featured a user-friendly infotainment system with a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and a 14-inch touchscreen. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth, providing seamless connectivity. The optional Mark Levinson Premium Audio system delivered good sound quality, though it required higher volume levels at highway speeds. The GX also offered multiple USB-C ports for connectivity and charging, with ample storage space in the armrest.

The 2026 Toyota bZ came equipped with a 7-inch digital driver display and a new 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system. While the driver display was criticized for its placement and readability, the infotainment system was generally easy to use. However, it lacked a home screen for simultaneous data display and had low-contrast colors in daytime mode. The system supported wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with several connected service plans. The Drive Connect feature powered the navigation system and voice assistant, which performed well in testing.

The 2025 Lexus GX was equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which included adaptive cruise control, lane-centering assistance, and pedestrian detection. The system operated smoothly and was not intrusive during testing. Additional safety features included road sign assist, lane-departure alert, and blind-spot monitoring. The GX also featured a 360-degree camera system and trail-viewing cameras for enhanced visibility. Although it had not been rated by safety organizations, the GX was equipped with 10 airbags for occupant protection.

The 2026 Toyota bZ featured Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, which included forward-collision warning, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. The Proactive Driving Assist system provided subtle braking and steering inputs for added safety. The bZ also offered blind-spot monitors, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking sensors. The Limited trim added Traffic Jam Assist and Advanced Park Assist. While the bZ's front-crash avoidance tech received a Good rating from the IIHS, its headlights were rated Poor, and its frontal-impact crash-tests earned Acceptable ratings.