2021 Lexus GX vs 2022 Hyundai Tucson

The 2021 Lexus GX retained its decade-old body shell, with minor updates over the years. It featured the Lexus spindle grille, updated in 2020 with a textured insert, and triple-beam LED headlights. The styling remained aggressive and distinctive, appealing to SUV enthusiasts. However, the interior lagged behind modern luxury standards, with wood trim resembling plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Despite standard semi-aniline leather, the interior felt outdated.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson, built on a new platform, offered a long-wheelbase version in North America. Its design included a parametric grille with hidden LED lights, creating a unique Aztec Spirit Bird shape when illuminated. The Tucson's side profile mirrored the Hyundai Elantra, with a floating roof design. The rear featured LED taillights, and the SUV rode on 17- or 19-inch alloy wheels, depending on the trim. High-end models boasted premium fascias, a panoramic sunroof, and gloss black pillars, while the interior was well-appointed with stain-resistant cloth seats and upscale finishes.

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. Despite its power, the GX's 2,349 kg weight affected its performance, requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking. The ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle, with low grip and body roll in corners. However, its off-road capabilities were impressive, featuring a Torsen centre differential, 4WD system with low range, and Multi-Terrain Select. It offered a towing capacity of 2,948 kg.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson came with two powertrain options: a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with 187 horsepower and a hybrid powertrain with a turbocharged 1.6-litre engine and electric motor, delivering 226 horsepower. The hybrid was more powerful and efficient, with AWD available. The Tucson Hybrid excelled in fuel efficiency, using 6.4 L/100 km combined. A plug-in hybrid version was also introduced, offering 261 horsepower. The Tucson's AWD system performed well in off-road testing, similar to Subaru's reactive system.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior showed its age with limited legroom and an awkward steering wheel position. Visibility was good due to the boxy profile, but storage space was limited. The GX offered three rows of seating for seven, but the third row was cramped and difficult to access. Cargo space was limited with the third row up, offering 1,833 litres with seats folded.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson provided a spacious interior with a six-way power-adjustable driver's seat and available upgrades. The new platform increased passenger and cargo space, offering 1,095 litres of cargo capacity. The rear seats provided ample legroom, and the cabin comfortably accommodated a family of four. The Tucson's interior was well-appointed, comparable to other compact SUVs.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It included a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, but the infotainment system felt outdated with basic graphics and limited functionality. Analog controls were a plus for those preferring traditional interfaces.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson boasted an 8-inch infotainment touchscreen, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 10.25-inch touchscreen with navigation. The tech interface was modern, though touchpoints on the centre console required attention. The Tucson's tech features were comprehensive, enhancing the driving experience.

The 2021 Lexus GX included the Lexus Safety System+ with features like a pre-collision system, adaptive cruise control, and blind-spot monitoring. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus models.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson offered the Hyundai SmartSense Safety Feature suite, including forward collision-avoidance assist, lane-keeping assist, and rear occupant alert. Additional features like blind-spot warning and adaptive cruise control were available, providing a comprehensive safety package.