2021 Lexus GX vs 2022 Chevrolet Equinox

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. Despite its age, the GX's styling remained coherent, with a massive grille that was distinctive yet aggressive, appealing to SUV enthusiasts. However, the interior did not match the modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim resembling plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. The semi-aniline leather was a standard feature, but the overall interior feel was not up to par with its exterior updates.

In contrast, the 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received a refreshed look with a new grille, LED headlights, and subtle rear fascia changes. The design was sleeker, with trim pieces bisecting the headlights and large fake air intakes flanking the grille. The Equinox maintained a car-based crossover appearance, avoiding the rugged styling of some competitors. The interior featured a creative dashboard design with a touchscreen and large air vents, offering decent materials and fit for its price range. The RS model added black exterior trim and darkened wheels, giving it a bit more personality, although the black interior felt subdued.

The 2021 Lexus GX was powered by a 4.6-litre V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While the V8 provided ample power for initial acceleration, the GX's weight of 2,349 kilograms made higher-speed maneuvers challenging. The SUV'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 capabilities, featuring a Torsen centre differential, a standard 4WD system with a low range, and various off-road modes. It offered a towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms, but its ground clearance and approach angles were outmatched by competitors like the Land Rover Discovery.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox came with a 1.5-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine, producing 170 horsepower and 203 lb-ft of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. While it had more torque than some rivals, the Equinox's horsepower was lower. The engine performed well in city driving, with peak torque available at lower RPMs, but felt coarse and unresponsive at higher speeds. The Equinox's handling was not sporty, lacking the refinement of competitors like the Honda CR-V. Despite this, it offered a comfortable ride on rough roads, making it a practical choice for everyday driving.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high centre console limiting legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position were reminiscent of driving a bus. Visibility was generally good, thanks to the boxy profile, but forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. Storage options were limited, with small centre-console bins and cupholders. The GX offered three rows of seating, but the third row was cramped and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited, with only 1,833 litres available with the seats folded, making it more suitable as a two-row SUV.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox provided seating for five, with decent headroom and second-row legroom. However, front seat legroom was slightly lacking, and the absence of a telescoping steering wheel made finding a comfortable driving position challenging. The Equinox offered a tall seating position with good forward visibility, though rear visibility was hampered by the small rear window. The climate control buttons were conveniently placed, and keyless entry and start were standard. Cargo space was limited, with 847 litres available with the rear seats up and 1,809 litres with them folded, lacking features like a sliding second-row seat.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, with standard Bluetooth but no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto compatibility. It included two USB ports for the first two rows and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. The infotainment system was outdated, with graphics reminiscent of the 1990s and limited functionality. However, analog controls were available for most functions, providing a straightforward interface.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox featured a 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, Bluetooth, SiriusXM, and a built-in WiFi hotspot. Higher trims offered an 8-inch touchscreen and a Bose audio system. The MyLink infotainment system was user-friendly, with smartphone-like menu icons and good screen graphics. The addition of wireless connectivity was a significant advantage, and the Equinox offered multiple USB ports and power outlets, though the centre-console slot for phones was too small.

The 2021 Lexus GX lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS but included the Lexus Safety System+ as standard, featuring a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and a 360-degree camera were also standard, but the GX missed some features available in other Lexus models, such as traffic-sign recognition.

The 2022 Chevrolet Equinox received top scores in most IIHS crash tests and a five-star overall safety rating from NHTSA. It included standard safety features like automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane keep assist, and Chevy’s Teen Driver system. Optional features included adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, and a surround-view camera system, though some competitors offered these as standard.