2021 Jeep Renegade vs 2021 Lexus GX

The 2021 Jeep Renegade, introduced in 2015, was inspired by the iconic Wrangler SUV, featuring a boxy profile, circular headlights, and an upright seven-slat grille. It shared its underpinnings with the Jeep Compass but maintained a distinct design identity. The Renegade received a subtle refresh in 2019, and for 2021, these design changes continued, with some previously optional features becoming standard. Inside, the Renegade offered a modern, functional cabin with an upright center stack reminiscent of the Wrangler, making controls easily accessible. It came in various trims and special editions, including Sport, Jeepster, Latitude, Upland, 80th Anniversary, Islander, Limited, and Trailhawk, each offering unique features and equipment.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 retained its long-standing body shell with updates over the years, including the signature spindle grille and triple-beam LED headlights. The 2021 model didn't see any styling changes, but silver 18-inch wheels became standard on the Premium trim. Despite its age, the GX's styling remained coherent, with a tough, aggressive look appealing to SUV shoppers. However, the interior didn't meet modern luxury SUV standards, with wood trim resembling molded plastic and an abundance of actual plastic. Standard leather upholstery was a plus, with semi-aniline leather available on the Luxury trim.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered two engine options: a base 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 180 horsepower and 175 pound-feet of torque, and an upgraded turbocharged 1.3-liter four-cylinder with 177 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque. Both engines were paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission, available in front-wheel drive (FWD) or four-wheel drive (4WD). While neither engine was particularly spirited, the turbocharged option provided more refined performance. The Renegade's ride quality was solid, with impressive cornering stability and maneuverability in tight spaces. It featured a terrain management system with various drive modes, and the Trailhawk trim excelled off-road with its 8.7 inches of ground clearance and upgraded 4WD system.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 featured a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque, paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. The GX's performance was reminiscent of older SUVs, with ample power from a stop but requiring careful planning for merging and overtaking due to its 5,130-pound weight. Stopping also required advanced planning, and the ride quality was typical of a body-on-frame vehicle. Despite its traditional SUV driving experience, the GX excelled off-road with a Torsen center differential, low-range 4WD, and various driver aids. The optional Off-Road Package added features like a transmission cooler and multi-view camera system, enhancing its off-road capabilities.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade offered 50.8 cubic feet of cargo space with the rear seats folded and 18.5 cubic feet with them in use, above average for the subcompact SUV segment. Its tall, boxy design provided ample headroom in both rows, with great front legroom and suitable rear seating for adults. The Renegade featured numerous storage solutions, including small cubbies and trays, and the front passenger seat could fold forward for added space.

The 2021 Lexus GX's interior ergonomics reflected its age, with an upright dashboard and high center console limiting legroom. The steering wheel's odd angle and tall seating position felt bus-like. Despite these drawbacks, the GX offered excellent outward visibility, aided by its boxy profile. The center-console storage bin and cupholders were small, but analog controls for various functions were user-friendly. The GX came standard with three rows, seating seven, but the third row was best for children due to limited space. Cargo space was limited, with 64.7 cubic feet available with the second and third rows folded, significantly less than competitors.

The 2021 Jeep Renegade featured a standard 7-inch touchscreen infotainment system, with an optional 8.4-inch screen on mid-tier trims and standard on higher trims. Both screens ran the intuitive Uconnect system, offering a logical menu layout, easy-to-read graphics, and standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. A Kenwood premium audio system was available.

The 2021 Lexus GX was light on tech features, lacking Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility. It offered Bluetooth, Amazon Alexa, and Google Assistant connectivity, with two USB ports for the first two rows. The standard infotainment system had outdated graphics and limited functions, but analog controls for most functions provided a refreshing alternative to screen-centric interfaces.

For 2021, the Jeep Renegade made previously optional safety features standard, including automatic emergency braking, forward collision warning, lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, blind-spot monitoring, and rear cross-path detection. However, the Trailhawk trim lacked emergency braking. Despite these additions, the Renegade received a four-star rating from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The 2021 Lexus GX 460 came with the Lexus Safety System+ bundle, including forward-collision warning, automatic emergency braking, automatic high beams, lane-departure warning, and adaptive cruise control. Blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert were also standard. However, it lacked some features found in other Lexus and Toyota models, such as traffic-sign recognition and Lane Tracing Assist.