2025 Lexus GX vs 2025 Jeep Wrangler

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler Sport S, with its black-on-black-on-black colour scheme, was not the ideal choice for a tropical climate, leaving our crew less than thrilled. Despite the uninspired wheel design and all-season tires, the Wrangler's design, rooted in a World War II military vehicle, remained fundamentally appealing. The Wrangler offered a range of trims in Canada, from Sport to Rubicon X, with prices spanning from $42,995 to $80,085. Our rental, equipped with a turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a few options, had an MSRP of $66,070. Inside, the Wrangler focused on function over form, with a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system and a rugged interior designed to withstand dirt and mud.

The 2025 Lexus GX, redesigned for the 2024 model year, boasted a striking exterior with a boxy shape reminiscent of old-school Land Rovers. Its brawny facial expression, LED headlights, and large grille added to its appeal. The GX 550 Overtrail+ test vehicle featured 33-inch tires, matte grey 18-inch wheels, and a fitting brown colour called Earth. Inside, the GX exuded luxury with clean and elegant design elements, quality switchgear, and a chic dashboard layout. The seats, upholstered in stitched black and tan faux leather, offered heating, ventilation, and massaging functions. The GX provided ample headroom and excellent visibility, making it a comfortable and luxurious choice.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler offered two engine options: a 3.6-litre V6 with a six-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The four-cylinder engine produced 270 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque, offering a lively performance, especially at higher elevations. The Wrangler's fuel economy was rated at 11.0 litres per 100 kilometres in combined driving for the four-cylinder engine. During our test, we averaged 12.3 L/100 km. The Wrangler's standard four-wheel drive, high ground clearance, and generous approach and departure angles made it capable off-road, though its ride was rough, and steering was slow.

The 2025 Lexus GX featured a twin-turbo 3.4-litre V6 engine producing 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. The GX accelerated from 0-100 km/h in approximately 6.5 seconds, a second faster than its V8 predecessor. Despite its weight, the GX felt quick and responsive, with ample power for highway merges. However, its fuel economy was rated at 15.3 L/100 km in the city and 13.5 combined, with our test averaging 19.0 L/100 km. The GX's adaptive dampers and all-terrain tires provided a comfortable ride, and its off-road capabilities were impressive, with features like crawl control and downhill assist.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler's high ground clearance and narrow door openings made entry and exit challenging. Inside, the front seats were comfortable, with cloth upholstery and optional heated features. Rear-seat legroom was adequate, but taller passengers needed to be cautious of plastic hooks. Storage space was limited, with small bins and flimsy nets. Cargo access was cumbersome, requiring the tailgate and rear window to be opened separately. The four-door model offered 897 litres of cargo space, expandable to 2,050 litres with the rear seats folded.

The 2025 Lexus GX offered generous interior dimensions, with ample headroom and legroom for front and rear passengers. The GX's cargo space was impressive, with up to 2,563 litres available in the Overtrail packages. The GX's overall dimensions made it easy to manoeuvre and park, despite its size. Its towing capacity of 4,111 kilograms added to its versatility, making it suitable for adventure and camping excursions.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler featured the Uconnect 5 infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an optional nine-speaker Alpine sound system. The Convenience Group pack added a 7-inch digital display and remote engine starting. The Wrangler's infotainment system was user-friendly, with minimal glare even with the roof panels removed.

The 2025 Lexus GX boasted a 12.3-inch gauge cluster and a 14-inch infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Bluetooth. The Mark Levinson Premium Audio system, included in higher packages, offered good audio quality. Six USB-C ports provided connectivity and charging options. The GX's tech was intuitive and easy to use, with smooth operation and a pleasing design.

The 2025 Jeep Wrangler included side curtain airbags as standard, with optional advanced driver assistance systems. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were available on most trims, while forward collision warning required the Sahara trim. The Wrangler received a four-star frontal-impact rating and a three-star rollover resistance rating from the NHTSA, with a Good rating for side-impact protection from the IIHS.

The 2025 Lexus GX came with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, featuring adaptive cruise control, lane-centring assistance, road sign assist, and more. The Overtrail+ package included pedestrian detection. A 360-degree camera system and trail-viewing cameras enhanced visibility. The GX had not been rated by the IIHS or NHTSA but featured 10 airbags for occupant protection.