2024 Toyota Grand Highlander vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX was a vehicle that commanded attention with its massive spindle grille and 206 millimetres of ground clearance, standing tall at 1,885 millimetres. Its front end appeared ready to conquer the road, framed by large headlights that accentuated its distinctive face. The GX Black Line Special Edition, limited to 3,000 units, returned with new paint options, including Eminent White Pearl and the exclusive Nori Green Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's design leaned towards a sleeker aesthetic compared to Toyota's blockier designs, making it easier to navigate technical driving scenarios. However, the interior's excessive plastic materials detracted from its luxury appeal, though it still offered features like heated and cooled front seats and impressive leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander was a true crossover built on the TNGA-K platform, sharing its underpinnings with the regular Highlander and other Toyota models. It was a spacious vehicle, stretching 5,115 millimetres in length with a 2,950 mm wheelbase, offering more room than competitors like the Kia Telluride. While its design was more conservative, it drew inspiration from rugged vehicles, featuring a trapezoidal grille and narrow headlights reminiscent of the Toyota 4Runner. The Grand Highlander was available in three trims, with interior options ranging from black Softex synthetic leather to real leather in higher trims. It boasted a comfortable and well-built interior, making it an excellent choice for road trips.

The 2023 Lexus GX was defined by its V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque through a 6-speed automatic transmission. While it didn't excel on paper compared to more modern engines, the GX's V8 offered a satisfying sound and linear power delivery. However, its fuel economy was less appealing, with estimates of 16.2 litres per 100 kilometres in the city and 12.3 on the highway. The GX's towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms was respectable, but it lagged behind some competitors. Despite its weight, the GX's driving dynamics were surprisingly communicative, with strong brakes and a Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential for improved traction.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander offered three engine options, including a 2.4-litre turbo four-cylinder with 265 horsepower, a 2.5-litre hybrid with 245 combined net horsepower, and the Hybrid Max powertrain with 362 horsepower. All powertrains came with all-wheel drive in Canada. While not a sports car, the Hybrid Max delivered impressive acceleration, achieving zero-to-60 in 6.3 seconds. The Grand Highlander's size made it less maneuverable than its smaller counterpart, but its brakes were solid, and acceleration was adequate. It featured three drive modes—Sport, Eco, and Normal—with additional off-road modes for gas-only and Hybrid Max models.

The 2023 Lexus GX offered ample cubby space, with a deep centre console bin and convenient cupholders. However, it lacked USB-C ports, relying on older USB-A ports. The GX retained physical controls, which some drivers preferred over touchscreens. The second row was comfortable, but the third row was too tight for regular use. The side-hinged trunk door required effort to open, and cargo space was limited, with only 328 litres behind the rear seats and 1,832 litres with all seats folded.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander excelled in interior space, offering 2,761 litres of total cargo capacity, surpassing competitors like the Kia Telluride. With 1,640 litres behind the second row and 583 litres with all seats up, it provided ample storage. The Grand Highlander was comfortable, with good visibility and plenty of room in every row, accommodating even six-foot adults in the third row.

The 2023 Lexus GX featured a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, an improvement over its predecessor, with standard integrations like SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. However, the system felt dated compared to newer Lexus models, with lagging graphics. The GX's strength lay in its off-road capabilities, with a real 4WD system, downhill assist, and a multi-terrain monitor.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander came with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, offering a visually stunning interface. An intelligent assistant and cloud-based navigation were available through a subscription. Standard features included dual-device Bluetooth connectivity and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Grand Highlander Limited and Platinum trims featured an 11-speaker JBL stereo, providing a balanced audio experience.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it included the Lexus Safety System+ with features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, and blind spot monitoring. Despite its older design, it offered modern safety technology.

The 2024 Toyota Grand Highlander, also untested by NHTSA and IIHS, came with Toyota Safety Sense 3.0, featuring automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert with steering assist, lane-tracing assist, and more. The Platinum grade offered additional features like traffic jam assist and a head-up display. Adaptive cruise control with four following-distance settings was standard.