2022 Land Rover Defender vs 2022 Lexus GX

The 2022 Land Rover Defender retained its distinctive design, echoing the original model with its boxy profile, tailgate-mounted spare wheel, and flat hood. Despite these retro elements, the Defender boasted a modern design with rounded corners for improved aerodynamics and recessed LED headlights that added a unique personality. The larger size of the modern Defender translated into more interior space and better ergonomics, offering a comfortable driving position with ample headroom and legroom. The interior design emphasized ruggedness with bare metal and exposed screws, complemented by a mix of leather and suede upholstery, making it suitable for off-road adventures without worrying about interior damage.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX maintained a design reminiscent of its first-generation model, with the signature spindle grille and LED headlights being the main distinguishing features. The cabin quality was impeccable, showcasing the smooth refinement Lexus is known for, and providing a quiet ride with minimal engine noise. The GX offered a range of trims, including the Black Line Special Edition, which featured NuLuxe upholstery and black ash wood trim. Despite its dated design, the GX's interior was comfortable, with heated and ventilated front seats and triple-zone climate control, although accessing the rear seats was challenging due to narrow door openings.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered a range of powertrains, starting with a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine producing 296 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The mid-level option was a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six mild-hybrid powertrain rated at 395 hp and 406 lb-ft. For those seeking more power, the new V8 engine delivered 518 hp and 461 lb-ft of torque, propelling the Defender 90 from zero to 100 km/h in 5.2 seconds, with a top speed of 240 km/h. All models featured a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case. The Defender excelled in off-road capabilities, with features like the Terrain Response 2 system and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500 kilograms.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 2,325 kilograms, was equipped with a 4.6-litre V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain allowed the GX to reach 60 mph in 7.8 seconds and offered a towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms. The GX featured a six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system, distributing power 40/60 between the front and rear wheels. Despite its high drag coefficient of 0.35, the GX managed a fuel consumption estimate of 14.5 litres per 100 kilometres. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System enhanced stability and off-road capability, although the steering was slow and heavy, making parking a challenge.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender offered versatility with its seating configurations. The two-door Defender 90 had 40/20/40 split-folding rear seats, providing limited cargo space but maintaining classic styling and off-road agility. The four-door Defender 110 was available in two-row, five-seat, and three-row, seven-seat configurations, with cargo space ranging from 160 litres to 1,875 litres, depending on the seat arrangement. The interior design focused on functionality, with easy-to-reach controls and ample storage options, including a large centre-console storage bin that could be equipped with refrigeration.

The 2022 Lexus GX provided an elevated driving position with a 10-way power-adjustable seat and clear visibility. The interior featured comfortable seating and physical controls, although some switchgear was outdated. The Black Line Special Edition offered NuLuxe upholstery and black ash wood trim. The GX's third-row seat was challenging to access and offered limited space, impacting cargo capacity. With the third-row seat stowed, the GX provided 1,322 litres of cargo space, but the side-opening tailgate made loading difficult, especially in tight spaces.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender came equipped with the Pivi Pro infotainment system, featuring a 10-inch central touchscreen and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto connectivity. A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster was standard on all trims except the base model, with an optional 11.4-inch touchscreen available. The system offered a user-friendly interface with distinctive graphics, although the touchscreen required a firm touch. Additional features included a surround-view camera system, a 14-speaker Meridian audio system, and a head-up display.

The 2022 Lexus GX introduced a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, replacing the outdated Remote Touch Interface. The system included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Bluetooth, and navigation, along with a CD player and Lexus Enform connected services. The stereo controls were awkwardly placed below the off-roading controls, making them difficult to use. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was praised for its accuracy. Standard Intuitive Parking Assist and optional surround-view cameras enhanced the GX's technology offerings.

The 2022 Land Rover Defender featured standard driver-assist technologies, including lane-keep assist, automatic emergency braking, traffic-sign recognition, and blind-spot monitoring. Adaptive cruise control was optional. However, the Defender lacked safety ratings from the IIHS and NHTSA, which was not uncommon for luxury vehicles.

The 2022 Lexus GX, despite its age, offered the Lexus Safety System+ as standard, including adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. Additional features included blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety technologies found in competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and semi-autonomous driving systems.