2022 Ford Bronco vs 2021 Lexus GX

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 The semi-aniline leather was a standard feature, but the overall interior felt outdated.

In contrast, the 2022 Ford Bronco boasted retro styling with a go-anywhere attitude, making it highly sought after. The Bronco lineup expanded with the Everglades and Raptor models, offering eight distinct trims with varying off-road capabilities. The Bronco's design was utilitarian, featuring short overhangs, low-profile bumpers, and a tall ride height for enhanced off-road performance. Inside, the Bronco continued its rugged theme with marine-grade vinyl upholstery, sealed switches, and drain plugs, allowing for easy cleaning after off-road adventures. Despite its ruggedness, the Bronco offered modern technology, including G.O.A.T. modes, a digital instrument panel, and a large infotainment touchscreen.

The 2021 Lexus GX was powered by a 4.6-litre V8 engine producing 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 high-speed maneuvers challenging. The 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 standard 4WD system with a low range, and Multi-Terrain Select with various drive modes. The GX offered a ground clearance of 20.5 centimetres and a towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered two engine options: a turbocharged 2.3-litre four-cylinder with 300 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque, and an optional 2.7-litre V6 with 330 horsepower and 415 lb-ft of torque. The Bronco's off-road prowess was evident across its lineup, with even the base model capable of tackling challenging terrain. The Everglades model excelled in difficult conditions, with a water fording capability of 92.5 centimetres. On-road, the Bronco provided a smoother ride than its rival, the Jeep Wrangler, with better steering and reduced driver fatigue. The Bronco's performance was complemented by its advanced off-road features, making it a versatile choice for both off-road and on-road adventures.

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 contributed to a bus-like driving feel. Despite these drawbacks, the GX offered excellent outward visibility due to its boxy profile. The interior storage was limited, with small centre-console storage, cupholders, and in-door bottle holders. The GX came standard with three rows, 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 2022 Ford Bronco's squared-off styling contributed to its spacious interior, offering ample headroom and legroom. Accessing the rear seats in the two-door model required some effort, but the four-door model provided easier access. Cargo capacity varied depending on the model and roof type, with the two-door hard top offering up to 1,481 litres with seats folded, and the four-door hard top providing up to 2,197 litres. The Bronco featured clever storage solutions, including netted door pockets and accessory rails. Its utility was further enhanced with external hard mounting points and removable fender flares.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system was outdated, with graphics reminiscent of the 1990s. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces. The GX featured a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and standard Bluetooth, but the overall tech offering was limited for a luxury SUV.

The 2022 Ford Bronco smartly integrated technology to enhance its off-road capabilities. The G.O.A.T. modes provided confidence for novice drivers, while seasoned off-roaders could manually select their preferred setups. The forward-looking trail camera and Trail Turn Assist were valuable features for navigating challenging terrain. The Bronco's Sync 4 infotainment system offered quick responses, sharp graphics, and off-road apps. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto were standard, along with Bluetooth and an available wireless charging pad.

The 2021 Lexus GX came with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and a 360-degree camera were also standard. However, the GX lacked some safety features available in other Lexus models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist. The GX had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS.

The 2022 Ford Bronco offered a comprehensive suite of safety features, including hill-start assist, hill descent control, and trailer sway control. Optional packages added features like frontal collision warning, blind-spot monitoring, and adaptive cruise control. The Bronco received a four-star frontal crash protection rating from NHTSA and a three-star rollover protection rating. IIHS awarded the Bronco its best score of "Good" in several tests. Standard safety features included dual-stage front and side airbags, side-curtain airbags, and a rollover sensor.