2020 Lexus RX vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2020 Lexus RX received a significant refresh, enhancing both its interior and exterior to maintain its competitive edge in the luxury SUV market. The updates were more than just minor tweaks; they included styling changes that allowed the RX to stand out in a crowded field. Despite its age, the RX remained a stylish option, surpassing anything with a Toyota badge. The exterior featured standard 18-inch wheels, slimmer headlights, and L-shaped taillights, with optional triple-beam LED headlamps. The grille was redesigned to align with the Lexus car lineup, and a new paint colour, Moonbeam Beige Metallic, was introduced. The rear of the vehicle was refreshed with a new shape, dual exhaust, rear diffuser, and updated reflectors, along with an available hands-free tailgate.

Inside, the RX continued to impress with its well-appointed cabin. Standard features included heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, and heated exterior mirrors. The interior offered various colour and material combinations, with leather seats and a leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard. Wood and satin-brushed aluminum trim were available through equipment packages. The F Sport appearance packages added unique features like a distinctive steering wheel, shift knob, aluminum pedals, and 20-inch wheels. The RX's interior was luxurious yet practical, with leather-wrapped surfaces and a hardy design suitable for family life. However, the centre stack's dated appearance was a drawback as the industry moved towards more modern designs.

The 2021 Lexus GX, on the other hand, retained its long-standing design, with the same basic body shell from a decade ago. While the GX received the Lexus spindle grille in 2014, updated in 2020 with a textured insert, the 2021 model saw no further styling changes. Standard silver 18-inch wheels and optional 19-inch wheels were available with the Executive package. Despite not being originally designed for the spindle grille, the GX's styling remained coherent, with a tough and aggressive look that appealed to SUV shoppers. However, the interior did not meet modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim that felt like molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. The GX offered standard semi-aniline leather, but the overall interior quality lagged behind its competitors.

The 2020 Lexus RX was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. It delivered 295 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque, with the three-row RX 350 L models slightly reduced to 290 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. The hybrid RX 450h combined the V6 with an electric motor, achieving 308 horsepower and 247 pound-feet of torque. The RX 450h L used the same setup, with a 165-horsepower electric motor and a 37-kilowatt-hour battery pack. The RX hybrid models featured an electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (CVT) and offered impressive fuel efficiency, with the RX 450h using 7.9 L/100 km combined. The RX 350 achieved 10.8 L/100 km combined, while the RX 350 L was rated at 11.1 L/100 km combined. The RX's performance was smooth, with standard adaptive variable suspension and 20-inch wheels on F Sport models enhancing agility. The RX offered various drive modes, including Normal, Eco, Sport, and EV mode for hybrids, with Sport S+ mode available on F Sport models.

The 2021 Lexus GX featured a 4.6-litre V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's performance was reminiscent of older SUVs, with the V8 providing ample power at low speeds but struggling at higher speeds due to the vehicle's weight of 2,349 kilograms. Merging and overtaking required careful planning, and braking was less responsive than modern vehicles. The GX's ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. However, the GX excelled in off-road capability, with a Torsen centre differential, standard 4WD system with low range, and features like Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select. The GX offered 20.5 centimetres of ground clearance and respectable approach, departure, and break-over angles. It had a maximum towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms, with stability control including a trailer-sway control function.

The 2020 Lexus RX's interior was functional but not as stylish as its German competitors. The two-row RX model comfortably accommodated four adults, while the three-row RX-L's third row was best suited for small children or pets. The cabin was spacious in its two-row configuration, with comfortable front seats and good visibility, though the A-pillar could obstruct the driver's view. The RX's cargo area was smaller than its rivals, with a high load floor limiting space. The RX 350 L and 450h L also had less cargo space compared to competitors like the Lincoln Aviator. A hands-free liftgate was available on RX 350, 450h, and 350 L models, and standard on the 450h L.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high centre console limiting legroom. The steering wheel was positioned at an odd angle, and the tall seating position felt bus-like. The dashboard shape and boxy profile provided excellent outward visibility, but forward visibility was limited by the tall hood. The centre-console storage bin, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders were small, and the second-row cupholders took up space in the armrest. The GX featured analog controls for climate and seat heaters, with second-row climate controls. The GX offered three rows and seating for seven, but the third row was best for children, and accessing it was challenging. The GX had more first-row legroom on paper but felt cramped, and the Discovery offered more second-row legroom. The GX's cargo space was limited, with 1,833 litres available with the second and third rows folded, less than the Discovery's 1,997 litres. With the third row up, cargo space was minimal.

The 2020 Lexus RX's infotainment system was often criticized, but improvements were made for 2020, including moving the display closer to the driver. The 12.3-inch touchscreen was difficult to navigate, but Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity were standard, along with Bluetooth. The RX offered Amazon Alexa, Google Assistant, Spotify, Pandora, Google Maps, Waze, Apple Music, Apple Maps, SiriusXM satellite radio, and WhatsApp compatibility. The centre console touchpad system was improved, and the RX had six USB ports. The standard 12-speaker audio system was adequate, with a 15-speaker Mark Levinson system available in the 450h L.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. Two USB ports were available for the first two rows, but not the third. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions, with a digital clock-style display for time and temperature. The GX featured analog controls for most functions, providing a straightforward interface. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system was standard.

The 2020 Lexus RX came with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.0, including adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a backup camera. The 2020 enhancements added daytime bicyclist detection, low-light pedestrian detection, road-sign assist, and lane-tracing assist. The RX included a three-year subscription to Lexus Enform Safety Connect and a 10-year subscription to Enform Service Connect. The RX received good safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, though not as high as newer models.

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