2022 Toyota Highlander vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2022 Toyota Highlander boasted a modern and somewhat aggressive front-end design, with flared fender arches and a distinctive third-row window that gave it a compact appearance despite its spacious interior. Inside, the Highlander offered ample cabin space and clever storage solutions, making it ideal for families. The XSE trim, in particular, stood out with its bold red leather interior, unique exterior styling, ambient lighting, and sport-tuned suspension. The Highlander lineup in Canada included trims like LE, XLE, XSE, Limited, and Platinum, each offering a range of features from standard all-wheel drive and an 8-inch touchscreen to premium audio systems and panoramic moonroofs.

The 2023 Lexus GX, with its imposing spindle grille and significant ground clearance, presented a commanding visual presence. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's design leaned towards a sleeker aesthetic compared to Toyota's blockier designs. The interior, however, was a mix of luxury and practicality, with some plastic materials betraying its high price tag. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned for 2023, offering exclusive paint colours and limited production. While the GX's interior featured some luxury touches like heated and cooled seats, it also retained a more traditional approach with hard buttons and a deep centre console bin. The third row was tight, making the GX more of a two-row SUV with extra seats for emergencies.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was powered by a 3.5-litre V6 engine, delivering 295 horsepower and 263 pound-feet of torque. This engine was paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission and standard all-wheel drive in Canada. The Highlander offered a smooth driving experience with drive modes like Sport, Normal, and Eco, and an AWD system with Mud/Sand, Rock, and Normal modes. Its towing capacity reached up to 2,268 kilograms, and it handled well in various driving scenarios, thanks to its sport-tuned suspension in the XSE trim.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX featured a 4.6-litre V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. While the GX's V8 provided a satisfying sound and linear power delivery, it lagged behind in fuel efficiency and towing capacity compared to more modern engines. The GX could tow up to 2,948 kilograms, but its fuel economy was less appealing, with estimates of 16.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the city. Despite its weight, the GX offered predictable handling and strong brakes, with a Torsen limited-slip differential enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander offered impressive cargo space, with up to 2,387 litres available when the second and third rows were folded. With all seats in use, it provided 453 litres behind the third row. The interior was designed for practicality, featuring deep cargo pockets, multiple storage compartments, and second-row captain’s chairs for added comfort. While the third row was tight for adults, it was manageable for short trips.

The 2023 Lexus GX, on the other hand, had a more limited cargo capacity, with 328 litres behind the third row and 1,832 litres with both rear rows folded. The interior featured a deep centre console bin and practical hard buttons for controls. The second row was comfortable, but the third row was too tight for regular use. The GX's side-hinged trunk door required effort to open and limited cargo access.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander came with an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system, supporting Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM. It featured a straightforward layout with hard buttons for ease of use. The XSE trim included a wireless charging pad and a combination of USB and USB-C ports. A larger 12.3-inch touchscreen and premium audio system were available on higher trims.

The 2023 Lexus GX's infotainment system, updated in 2022, featured a 10.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. While an improvement, it lagged behind newer Lexus models in terms of graphics and responsiveness. The GX included a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and off-road-focused technology like a real 4WD system, KDSS, and multi-terrain select system.

The 2022 Toyota Highlander was equipped with the Toyota Safety Sense suite, including forward collision avoidance, automatic emergency braking, and lane-departure warning. It also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and eight airbags. The Highlander received a Top Safety Pick+ rating from the IIHS.

The 2023 Lexus GX, while not crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, included the Lexus Safety System+ with features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, and adaptive cruise control. Despite its older design, the GX offered modern safety technology, enhancing its overall safety profile.