2020 Jeep Wrangler vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was instantly recognizable on the road with its circular headlights, seven-slat grille, and boxy styling. Its industrial look was accentuated by exposed hinges and bolts, and the removable top added to its rugged persona. Inside, Jeep maintained a retro look with circular climate vents and gauges, focusing on utility over luxury. The Wrangler Unlimited came in various trims, from the basic Sport with manual windows and locks to the off-road king, the Rubicon, which featured a lifted suspension and mud-terrain tires.

In contrast, the 2021 Lexus GX retained the same basic body shell from a decade ago, with updates like the spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The GX's styling was aggressive and distinctive, appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior felt dated, with wood trim that resembled plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Despite standard leather upholstery, the GX's interior did not meet modern luxury SUV standards. The Premium trim added a heated wood-trimmed steering wheel, but the heating elements did not cover the entire wheel.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited offered a base 3.6-liter V6 engine producing 285 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed automatic transmission. A turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque was also available. New for 2020 was a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine, delivering 260 hp and an impressive 442 lb-ft of torque. The diesel engine provided excellent low-speed performance and fuel economy of 22 mpg city, 29 highway, and 25 combined. However, the Wrangler's on-road experience was noisy and rough, with unique blind spots and a tendency to wander on the highway. Off-road, the Wrangler excelled with features like locking differentials and a disconnecting front sway bar.

The 2021 Lexus GX featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's 5,130-pound weight was noticeable at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. However, the GX's off-road capabilities were impressive, with a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and driver aids like hill-descent control. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler and Crawl Control. The GX had a towing capacity of 6,500 pounds and decent ground clearance, but the Land Rover Discovery outperformed it in off-road metrics.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler was available in two-door and four-door Unlimited versions. The four-door Unlimited was more popular, offering features like removable doors, a fold-down windshield, and a droppable roof. The base soft top could retract partially or fully, while the hardtop provided more protection from the elements. The Wrangler Unlimited had 72 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear bench folded flat, less than other SUVs like the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. However, the Wrangler's unique features and off-road capabilities made it stand out.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics felt outdated, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position were reminiscent of driving a bus. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. The GX had three rows of seating, with the third row best suited for children. Cargo space was limited, with only 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded. The GX's third row eliminated most cargo space when in use, making it more practical as a two-row SUV.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler's Sport and Sport S trims featured a basic 5-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Bluetooth and USB connectivity. The Rubicon and Sahara trims came with a 7-inch touchscreen with Uconnect, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto. An optional 8.4-inch Uconnect system added navigation, HD Radio, real-time traffic and weather updates, a 4G LTE WiFi hotspot, and an Alpine premium audio system with a subwoofer.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a user-friendly interface. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was available, but the overall tech offering was lacking for a luxury SUV.

The 2020 Jeep Wrangler came with standard safety features like airbags, electronic roll mitigation, and a backup camera. Optional safety packages included rear parking sensors, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-path detection, adaptive cruise control, and full-speed forward-collision warning. These features were helpful given the Wrangler's awkward sightlines.

The 2021 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS. It came standard with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.