2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer 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 and distinctive, appealing to SUV enthusiasts with its tough and 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 The semi-aniline leather was a standard feature, but the overall interior quality felt outdated.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 Jeep Grand Wagoneer shared its frame and body shell with the standard Wagoneer, offering traditional SUV styling with a tall hood and broad shoulders. It distinguished itself with a black roof, model-specific hood, and grille with laser-etched knurling. The Grand Wagoneer boasted a new body-on-frame architecture, independent suspension, and weight-saving materials like an aluminum hood and doors. Inside, it featured high-end materials, 24-way power front seats, and Nappa leather upholstery, with options for higher-grade Palermo leather and American Walnut wood trim.

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 capability, featuring a Torsen centre differential, standard 4WD with low range, and various off-road modes. It offered 20.5 centimetres of ground clearance and a towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer came equipped with a 6.4-litre Hemi V8 engine, producing 471 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque, mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Despite its 2,900-kilogram weight, the Grand Wagoneer could accelerate from zero to 100 km/h in about six seconds. It featured a standard Quadra-Drive II 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case and electronic limited-slip differential, along with a height-adjustable Quadra-Lift air suspension. The Grand Wagoneer offered 25.4 centimetres of ground clearance and a towing capacity of 4,472 kilograms. While it excelled in off-road capability, its size and weight made it less agile on the road.

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 featured standard three-row seating for seven, but accessing the third row was challenging. Cargo space was limited, with only 1,833 litres available with the second and third rows folded.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer provided seating for seven with standard captain's chairs or eight with an optional bench seat. It offered more third-row headroom and second-row legroom than its competitors, although front-row space was more limited. The Grand Wagoneer boasted 775 litres of cargo space with all rows in place and 2,007 litres with the third row stowed. With all rear seats folded, it offered 2,667 litres of cargo space. The Grand Wagoneer also featured a standard sunroof, four-zone climate control, and a 360-degree camera system.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It included a standard 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and two USB ports for the first two rows. The infotainment system's graphics appeared outdated, but analog controls provided a user-friendly interface.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer featured a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, dual touchscreens, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a McIntosh audio system. It offered a second-row touchscreen for climate control and an optional rear-seat entertainment system. The Uconnect 5 infotainment system, with an Android-based operating system, supported over-the-air updates. While the screen response was occasionally slow, the head-up display was clear and legible.

The 2021 Lexus GX came with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including a pre-collision system, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. However, it lacked some advanced safety features found in other Lexus models.

The 2022 Jeep Grand Wagoneer offered standard safety features like a 360-degree camera system, automatic emergency braking, and adaptive cruise control. Optional features included intersection collision assist, night vision, and driver-assistance systems. The Active Lane Management System combined adaptive cruise control with automated lane centring, with a hands-free version planned for future release.