2022 Lexus GX vs 2021 Kia Sportage

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured a distinctive design with its tiger-nose grille and bulbous headlights, which some might describe as frog-like. Kia, however, marketed the Sportage’s styling as “Euro-focused.” This two-row crossover SUV had a relatively short wheelbase and short overhangs, making it ideal for city driving. The headlights carried over from the 2020 model, and the Sportage could be equipped with 17-, 18-, or 19-inch wheels. Inside, an 8-inch touchscreen display served as a stylish centerpiece, flanked by air vents and physical buttons for tuning and volume. The interior, while not the most tech-forward, was still a pleasant place to sit.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition was a vehicle for those who loved black-on-black aesthetics, despite the challenges of keeping it clean. The Black Line treatment eradicated almost all chrome from the GX’s exterior, transforming it into a rolling black hole. However, it took less than 24 hours for a layer of brown dust to coat the Lexus, making it look drab and old. The GX’s design, apart from the signature Lexus spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights, looked dated. Inside, the cabin quality was high, with smooth, silky refinement and a quiet atmosphere, save for the faint roar of the V8 engine.

The 2021 Kia Sportage offered three trims: LX, EX, and SX Turbo, with either front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD). The LX and EX trims were powered by a 2.4-liter inline four-cylinder engine, producing 181 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque. The SX Turbo trim featured a 2.0-liter turbocharged GDI four-cylinder engine, delivering 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque. All Sportages had a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy for the FWD Sportage with the 2.4-liter engine was 23 mpg city, 30 highway, and 26 combined, while AWD models saw a slight dip. The turbocharged models had lower fuel economy, with the FWD version at 20/28/23 and the AWD at 19/24/21. The Sportage’s suspension provided a smooth ride, though the steering and tire grip left something to be desired.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, was equipped with a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds and achieve a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system, distributing power 40% to the front wheels and 60% to the rear under normal conditions. The GX’s drag coefficient was 0.35, contributing to its low fuel economy of 16 mpg combined. The Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) improved stability and off-road capability. Despite its age, the GX remained agreeable to drive, though the steering and brake pedal required extra effort.

The 2021 Kia Sportage, though on the smaller side of the compact crossover segment, offered good interior space. The SX Turbo trim featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat and an 8-way power-adjustable passenger seat, with heated and ventilated options. Rear legroom and headroom were adequate, but cargo space was limited to 30.7 cubic feet behind the second row and 60.1 cubic feet with the rear seat folded.

The 2022 Lexus GX provided an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear visibility. The GX’s tall, narrow, and short design made it easy to maneuver. The Black Line Special Edition featured NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the back seats were heated. However, the rear door openings were narrow, making entry difficult. The third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space. With the third row in use, cargo space was 11.6 cubic feet, expanding to 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row down.

The 2021 Kia Sportage featured an 8-inch touchscreen interface with Bluetooth connectivity, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and USB ports as standard. Most trims also included Kia’s UVO Link connected services. The SX Turbo trim added wireless charging and an eight-speaker Harman Kardon premium audio system. The technology was user-friendly, with logical menus and physical buttons.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 boasted a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, standard Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The GX also had a CD player, a Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services, including a WiFi hotspot. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system was available. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. However, the placement of the stereo controls below the off-roading controls was counterintuitive.

The 2021 Kia Sportage excelled in safety, with standard advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) including forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane-keeping assist, automatic high beams, and a driver-monitoring system. The SX Turbo trim added adaptive cruise control. The Sportage received Top Safety Pick status from the IIHS and performed well in NHTSA crash tests.

The 2022 Lexus GX, despite its age, included Lexus Safety System+ with adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. It also had blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, it lacked some modern safety technologies found in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and active blind-spot intervention. There were no crash-test ratings available for the GX.