2021 Ford Explorer vs 2022 Lexus GX

Ford's approach to SUV production in 2021 was reminiscent of a bygone era, with a lineup that included the Escape, Edge, Explorer, and Expedition, all bearing a family resemblance and starting with the letter "E." The Explorer, in particular, stood out with its sporty, raked belt lines and distinctive visages, although it could be challenging to differentiate from the Edge at a quick glance. Depending on the trim, the Explorer featured various grille designs, ranging from black to full chrome, and offered six trim levels, from the base model to the luxurious Platinum. Inside, the Explorer provided three rows of seating as standard, with cloth upholstery on the base model and leather available on higher trims. The dash was clean and user-friendly, dominated by an 8-inch LCD touchscreen and large knobs and buttons for audio and climate controls. The XLT trim, the most popular among consumers, offered better equipment and finishes, while leather upholstery became standard on higher trims like the ST, Platinum, Timberline, and King Ranch.

In contrast, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 Black Line Special Edition, evaluated in Black Onyx, aimed to appeal to those who loved black-on-black vehicles. The Black Line treatment eradicated almost all chrome from the GX's exterior, giving it a sleek, modern look. However, the GX's design, both inside and out, appeared dated, reminiscent of the first-generation 2002 GX 470. Despite this, the cabin's quality was undeniable, with smooth, silky refinement and a quiet interior. The GX 460 was available in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, with prices ranging from $56,700 to $66,210. The Black Line Special Edition, based on the Premium trim, started at $60,535. The GX's interior featured comfortable seats, physical controls, and a tall seating position, although accessing the rear seats was challenging, and the third-row seat was cramped and eliminated cargo space when in use.

The 2021 Ford Explorer, at its lightest, weighed 4,345 pounds and featured a base 2.3-liter EcoBoost turbocharged four-cylinder engine that delivered 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. This powertrain outperformed the Kia Telluride's V6 engine, although the Telluride was lighter. All Explorer trims came with a 10-speed automatic transmission with SelectShift capability. The Explorer Limited Hybrid offered a V6 hybrid drivetrain with 310 horsepower and 331 pound-feet of torque. Higher trims featured a 3.0-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V6 engine, delivering 365 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque, while the sport-oriented Explorer ST offered 400 horsepower and 415 pound-feet of torque. The Explorer's towing capacity ranged from 5,000 to 5,600 pounds, depending on the trim and engine, making it suitable for towing an 18-foot dual axle Airstream.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460, with a base curb weight of 5,126 pounds, was equipped with a 4.6-liter V8 engine that produced 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. This powertrain allowed the GX to tow up to 6,500 pounds and achieved a 0-60 mph time of 7.8 seconds. The GX featured a six-speed automatic transmission paired with a full-time 4WD system with a limited-slip differential and electronic differential lock. The 4WD system sent 40 percent of the engine's power to the front wheels and 60 percent to the rear wheels in normal driving conditions. The GX's drag coefficient was 0.35, contributing to its EPA fuel economy estimate of 16 mpg in combined driving. The GX's Kinetic Dynamics Suspension System (KDSS) helped maximize wheel articulation off-road while reducing excessive body motions on pavement. Despite its age, the GX remained agreeable to drive, with Lexus refining its ride and handling. However, the slow, heavy steering and touchy brake pedal detracted from the overall driving experience.

The 2021 Ford Explorer offered seating for seven in the base model, while other trims featured captain's chairs in the second row, reducing seating capacity to six. The Explorer provided 39 inches of legroom for second-row passengers, which was competitive within its segment. With the third row deployed, the Explorer offered 21 cubic feet of cargo space, and with the rear seats folded, it provided a total of 81 cubic feet of cargo room.

The 2022 Lexus GX featured a 10-way power-adjustable driver's seat and clear outward visibility. The GX's tall height, narrow width, and short length made it easy to maneuver in various environments. The Black Line Special Edition model included NuLuxe upholstery, black ash wood trim, and a black headliner. The front seats were heated and ventilated, and the back seats were heated. However, accessing the rear seats was challenging, and the third-row seat was cramped and eliminated cargo space when in use. The GX's cargo capacity was limited, with 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with the second row folded.

The 2021 Ford Explorer's base trim featured an 8-inch touchscreen with AM/FM radio, SiriusXM satellite radio, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 4G WiFi hotspot, Ford's Sync 3 infotainment system, and a six-speaker audio system. Higher trims offered a 12-speaker Bang & Olufsen audio system, HD radio, a 10.1-inch touchscreen, and up to 14 speakers. The Explorer provided multiple charging options, including two USB ports in the center console, five 12-volt power points, and a 110-volt AC power outlet on the ST trim.

The 2022 Lexus GX 460 introduced a new 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, featuring Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, Amazon Alexa, and navigation. The GX also included a CD player, a Lexus app, and Lexus Enform connected services with a WiFi hotspot. A 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium surround-sound audio system was available but not included in the test vehicle. The infotainment display offered a dual-screen view, and the voice recognition technology was quick and accurate. The GX also featured Intuitive Parking Assist, surround-view and terrain-view cameras, and standard front and rear parking sensors.

The 2021 Ford Explorer was rated as a Top Safety Pick+ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), achieving top "Good" scores on all crash tests and an "Acceptable" rating for adaptive headlights. The Explorer's base trim included the Ford Co-Pilot360 suite of safety features, such as auto high-beam headlights, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, lane keeping assist, forward-collision warning, pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, and dynamic brake support. Higher trims offered additional driver-assistance features through the Ford Co-Pilot360 Assist+ suite, including adaptive cruise control, evasive steering assist, and speed sign recognition.

The 2022 Lexus GX, lacking crash-test ratings, relied on its standard Lexus Safety System+ for safety. This suite included adaptive cruise control, forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection, automatic emergency braking, lane-departure warning, and automatic high-beam headlights. The GX also featured blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and Safety Connect services with automatic collision notification and emergency calling. However, the GX lacked some advanced safety technologies found in its competitors, such as lane-keeping assist and active blind-spot intervention.