2021 Lexus GX vs 2022 Hyundai Kona

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 was coherent and distinctive, appealing to SUV enthusiasts with its aggressive look. 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 The semi-aniline leather was a standard feature, but the overall interior quality felt outdated.

In contrast, the 2022 Hyundai Kona received a significant makeover, extending its length by 4 centimetres and featuring a revised grille, enhanced LED lighting, and new character lines for a sophisticated appearance. The interior saw improvements with a more horizontal layout, ambient lighting, and new trim levels like the sporty N Line and Kona N, which added unique styling elements and sportier features. The Kona's refreshed proportions and exclusive design elements, such as the N Line's 18-inch wheels, contributed to its streamlined and athletic look.

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 hefty weight of 2,349 kilograms affected its performance at higher speeds, requiring careful planning for overtaking and merging. 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 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 and a respectable ground clearance of 20.5 centimetres.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona offered a diverse range of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine producing 147 horsepower and 132 lb-ft of torque for the lower trims. The N Line trim featured a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine with 195 horsepower and 195 lb-ft of torque, paired with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The Kona N boasted a turbocharged 2.0-litre engine delivering 276 horsepower and 289 lb-ft of torque, coupled with an eight-speed wet DCT. The Kona's lightweight design, AWD, and low centre of gravity contributed to its agile handling and composed ride. The N Line's turbo engine provided spirited performance, making it enjoyable to drive in various settings.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics reflected its age, with limited legroom due to the upright dashboard and high centre console. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position added to the bus-like driving feel. While the dashboard shape and boxy profile offered excellent outward visibility, forward visibility was hindered by the tall hood. The GX featured three rows of seating, 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, significantly less than competitors.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona, despite its compact size, provided ample headroom and legroom for front-seat occupants. The N Line's front seats offered excellent support during spirited driving. However, rear-seat passengers faced challenges with small door openings and limited head- and legroom. Cargo space was tight, with 544 litres available with all seats up, expanding to 1,296 litres with the rear seats folded. The Kona's compact dimensions made it less suitable for carrying larger loads or accommodating rear passengers comfortably.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. The standard infotainment system featured outdated graphics and limited functionality. However, Lexus included analog controls for most functions, providing a straightforward interface. The GX came with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and two USB ports for the first two rows.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona saw tech upgrades, starting with an 8-inch display for the base trim, while higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation and traffic information. The Kona N featured an eight-speaker Harman Kardon audio system. Wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay were standard with the base screen, while the larger screen required wired connections. The Kona's infotainment system was user-friendly, and Hyundai BlueLink offered connected services for added convenience.

The 2021 Lexus GX lacked crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS but came with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including pre-collision detection, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. However, it missed some advanced safety features found in other Lexus models.

The 2022 Hyundai Kona received high safety ratings, earning five stars from NHTSA and "Good" ratings from IIHS in crashworthiness tests. It offered standard safety features like automatic emergency braking and lane-keeping assistance, with available technologies such as adaptive cruise control and blind-spot warning. The Kona's child-seat anchors received a "Marginal" rating, preventing it from achieving Top Safety Pick status.