2020 Lexus GX vs 2021 Volkswagen ID.4

The 2020 Lexus GX, despite its updated front end and headlights, was a decade-old vehicle. It featured the garish hourglass grille design that had become a staple in the Lexus lineup, but it wore it better than the larger LX. The GX shared a platform with the Toyota 4Runner, making it a rugged and capable SUV that didn't need to innovate much to stay relevant. Inside, the GX's cabin looked unchanged from a decade ago, with a large, chunky center console and big buttons, which worked well for a rough-and-tumble SUV.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4, designed from the ground up as an EV, showcased a distinctive look with a streamlined profile and wheels pushed out to the corners. It was based on VW’s EV-specific MEB platform and followed the European-market ID.3 hatchback. The ID.4's interior blended Volkswagen’s trademark minimalism with a smartphone aesthetic, featuring piano black and matte plastic. The base ID.4 Pro came with a leather-wrapped steering wheel and cloth seats, while the Pro S and 1st Edition models had leatherette upholstery.

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 was powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a 6-speed automatic transmission and standard 4-wheel drive. Despite its light steering, the GX was direct and responsive on the road. The self-leveling air suspension provided a smooth yet composed ride, and the GX excelled in off-road conditions. It could tow up to 6,500 pounds and had a tight turning radius of 19 feet. However, its fuel economy was unimpressive, with estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 launched with a single rear-mounted electric motor, producing 201 horsepower and 229 pound-feet of torque, powered by an 82-kilowatt-hour battery pack. An all-wheel-drive version with a second electric motor arrived later in 2021, boosting power to 295 horsepower and 339 pound-feet of torque. The ID.4 was tuned for comfort rather than handling, with a smooth ride over bumps and potholes. It did not offer aggressive regenerative braking, relying on friction brakes like a regular car. The ID.4's performance was adequate for daily driving, but it wasn't sporty.

The 2020 Lexus GX offered second-row captain's chairs on the Premium and Luxury trims, with power-folding third-row seats standard on the Luxury trim. The GX provided 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space with all rear seats folded, which was less than some competitors. It featured a unique side-opening rear hatch and a separately opening rear window/hatch for easy access to the cargo area.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 felt spacious from the driver’s seat, with good forward visibility but substandard rearward visibility due to thick rear pillars and a small back window. It offered 30.3 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats in place and 64.2 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. The ID.4 did not have a "frunk" for extra cargo storage, but it made up for it with a spacious cabin. The console was narrow and close to the floor, providing limited storage space for larger items.

The 2020 Lexus GX's infotainment system was outdated but user-friendly, featuring a true touchscreen flanked by large buttons for audio, navigation, and climate controls. However, it lacked Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, which might be a dealbreaker for some.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 came with a standard 10-inch touchscreen (a 12-inch screen was optional) with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It featured a 5.3-inch display screen as the instrument cluster and haptic touchpads for controls. The ID.4 also included a natural-language voice-control system and ID.Light, a light strip at the base of the windshield for communicating information to the driver. While some features seemed gimmicky, the touchscreen was well-positioned with smart-looking graphics and easy-to-navigate menus.

The 2020 Lexus GX came standard with the Lexus Safety System+, which included forward-collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high beams. It also featured blind-spot monitoring and an available surround-view camera. The GX's great visibility added to its safety.

The 2021 Volkswagen ID.4 received the highest-level Top Safety Pick+ designation from the IIHS and a five-star rating from the NHTSA for the RWD model. It came standard with forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, lane-keep assist, park distance control, automatic high beams, and adaptive cruise control. New features included Travel Assist and Emergency Assist, enhancing highway driving and safety.