2020 Honda CR-V vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Honda CR-V, part of Honda's fifth generation of compact crossovers, had a design that was both familiar and enjoyable. Its exterior styling was characterized by soft, curvy lines that resembled Honda's sedan lineup, giving it a station wagon-like appearance rather than a traditional SUV look. This design approach made the CR-V a modern family transportation staple. However, the interior told a different story, with a mix of textures and materials that didn't always harmonize. While higher trims featured upscale touches like wood-look trim and leather upholstery, these clashed with the lower-quality plastics, reminding drivers that even the pricier CR-V models were essentially upgraded versions of a commodity car.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX retained its decade-old body shell with minor updates over the years, including the signature spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The GX's styling was coherent despite not being originally designed around the spindle grille, and its tough, aggressive look appealed to SUV shoppers. However, the interior didn't meet modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Despite these shortcomings, the GX offered standard semi-aniline leather, providing a touch of luxury.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was equipped with a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine across all trims, producing 190 horsepower and 179 lb-ft of torque, paired with a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). This powertrain delivered a responsive driving experience, especially in Sport mode, and the CVT mimicked a conventional automatic transmission well. The CR-V's car-like handling, nimble steering, and minimal body roll contributed to its excellent road manners. Its lightweight design, with a curb weight ranging from 1,521 kg to 1,641 kg, enhanced acceleration, handling, and fuel efficiency. The CR-V achieved impressive fuel economy ratings, with FWD models rated at 7.7 L/100 km combined and AWD models at 8.1 L/100 km.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX featured a 4.6-litre V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. While the V8 provided ample power for initial acceleration, the GX's substantial weight of 2,349 kg affected its performance at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The GX's body-on-frame construction resulted in a less refined ride quality, with noticeable body roll and low grip in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, featuring a Torsen centre differential, a low-range 4WD system, and various off-road modes. It offered a maximum towing capacity of 2,948 kg and impressive ground clearance and approach angles.

The 2020 Honda CR-V was praised for its masterful packaging, offering a spacious cabin comparable to the Volkswagen Tiguan without feeling oversized. It provided excellent head- and legroom for both front and rear passengers, thanks to its well-designed seating position and low cowl. The cargo compartment was roomy, with a two-position load floor allowing for flexible storage options. Clever storage solutions, such as the deep centre console and large door pockets, made the CR-V easy to live with, accommodating various items with ease.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics reflected its age, with limited legroom due to the upright dashboard and high centre console. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position contributed to a bus-like driving feel. While the GX offered excellent outward visibility, forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. Storage options were limited, with small centre-console bins and cupholders. The GX came standard with three rows of seating, but the third row was best suited for children, and accessing it was challenging. Cargo space was limited, with only 1,833 litres available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2020 Honda CR-V's infotainment system showed its age, featuring a standard 7-inch touchscreen with Bluetooth but lacking the sophistication of competitors like the Volkswagen Tiguan. The system's lack of hard buttons made it challenging to operate, and while Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, they felt tacked on. However, the CR-V offered ample USB ports, including high-powered ones in the backseat, and higher trims featured a wireless phone charger.

The 2021 Lexus GX, being a decade-old design, was light on tech features. While Bluetooth was standard, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The infotainment system's graphics were outdated, and the touchscreen offered limited functions. However, the GX featured analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was standard, delivering high-quality sound.

The 2020 Honda CR-V came equipped with the "Honda Sensing" suite of safety features as standard, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also featured automatic high beams and, on higher trims, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic monitoring. The CR-V earned a five-star rating from the NHTSA and a Top Safety Pick designation from the IIHS, with some caveats for lower trims due to headlight performance.

The 2021 Lexus GX featured the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. It also offered blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.