2023 Toyota 4Runner vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner, particularly the 40th Anniversary Special Edition (40 ASE), was a nostalgic nod to the past with its retro body stripes and heritage grille design. This special edition, based on the SR5 trim, added a unique flair with bronze 17-inch wheels and badges, along with a numbered plaque on the dashboard. Available in black, white, or red paint, the 40 ASE featured a black artificial leather interior. The 4Runner's design was reminiscent of truck-based SUVs from previous decades, offering a rugged and enduring appeal. Inside, the cabin was practical, with solid materials and easy-to-use controls, even when wearing gloves.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX exuded a strong visual presence with its massive spindle grille and towering height. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned with limited availability, offering exclusive paint colours like Nori Green Pearl. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's design leaned towards a sleeker aesthetic compared to Toyota's blocky designs. The interior, however, was a mix of luxury and practicality, with some plastic materials betraying its premium status. The GX's driving dynamics were improved over the years, offering a communicative road feel and strong brakes, although the steering was somewhat vague off-centre.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner was powered by a 4.0-litre V6 engine, delivering 270 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 278 lb-ft of torque at 4,400 rpm. It featured a five-speed automatic transmission and standard four-wheel drive, with a towing capacity of 2,268 kilograms. The 4Runner offered two 4WD systems: a part-time system and a full-time system on the Limited trim. Its fuel economy was rated at 13.8 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving, with our test averaging 13.9 L/100 km. The 4Runner excelled off-road with 24.4 centimetres of ground clearance and technologies like Active Traction Control, a locking rear differential, and Multi-Terrain Select. However, on-road performance was less impressive, with leisurely acceleration and heavy steering.

The 2023 Lexus GX featured a 4.6-litre V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. While not the most powerful on paper, the V8 offered a satisfying linear power delivery. The GX had a towing capacity of 2,948 kilograms but lagged behind in fuel economy, with ratings of 16.2 L/100 km in the city and 14.5 combined. The GX's weight affected its handling, but its roll was predictable and controllable. The Torsen limited-slip differential and standard 4WD system enhanced its off-road capabilities, making it user-friendly in challenging conditions.

The Toyota 4Runner's interior was practical, with features like a power-down rear window and dual-zone climate control. The second-row seating was spacious, offering good legroom and comfort, while the optional third-row seat was cramped and reduced cargo space. Without the third row, the 4Runner provided 1,337 litres of cargo space, making it a versatile midsize SUV. The tailgate doubled as a seat, adding to its practicality for outdoor adventures.

The Lexus GX offered ample cubby space and a deep centre console bin. The physical controls were a blessing, with hard buttons instead of touch interfaces. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs and good legroom, while the third row was too tight for regular use. The side-hinged trunk door required effort to open, and cargo space was limited to 328 litres with all seats up. Folding the third row increased capacity to 1,322 litres, while folding both rows provided 1,832 litres, still less than a Toyota RAV4.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner featured traditional analog gauges and an 8-inch touchscreen infotainment system. It included Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and SiriusXM satellite radio, with options for navigation and a JBL premium sound system. The infotainment system was user-friendly, with real knobs and buttons, and the voice recognition performed well, despite some limitations.

The Lexus GX's 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system was an improvement but already felt dated. It included SiriusXM, Bluetooth, and smartphone compatibility. The Lexus Remote Touch Interface was unnecessary due to the touchscreen. The GX also offered a 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system and a CD player. While the infotainment technology lagged behind newer Lexus models, the GX excelled in off-road capabilities with features like a two-speed transfer case and Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System.

The 2023 Toyota 4Runner came equipped with Toyota Safety Sense, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, and automatic high beams. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were standard. However, the 4Runner's crash-test ratings were less impressive, with a four-star overall rating from NHTSA and a Marginal rating from IIHS for driver protection.

The 2023 Lexus GX had not been crash-tested by NHTSA or IIHS, but it featured the Lexus Safety System+ with automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, blind spot monitoring, and more. Despite its older design, the GX's safety features were up-to-date, providing a modern level of protection.