2024 Chevrolet Trax vs 2023 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX presented an imposing visual presence, accentuated by its vast spindle grille and impressive 8.1 inches of ground clearance. Standing tall at a height of 74.2 inches (or slightly less in its Luxury trim), it showcased a design that demanded attention. The front end seemed eager to devour the road, framed elegantly by sizeable headlights that defined the vehicle's distinct face. The GX Black Line Special Edition, which debuted the year prior, made a return, limited to 3,000 units and available in hues like Obsidian, Eminent White Pearl, and Nori Green Pearl.

Down the side, the Lexus GX's compact dimensions became apparent. With a wheelbase of just 109.8 inches—shorter even than a two-door Jeep Wrangler's 118.4 inches—the vehicle managed to shrink visually. Its minimal front and rear overhangs hinted at an engineering focus on off-road capabilities. Despite its luxury badge, the GX appeared genuinely built for tackling obstacles rather than just cruising city streets. The flared fenders contributed to its rugged motif, yet its overall aesthetic leaned towards a sleeker design, contrasting with the blocky trends seen in Toyota's current lineup. From the driver's seat, the hood dropped away from sight faster than in a Toyota 4Runner or Tundra, aiding in precise maneuvers on challenging terrains.

Inside, the GX fell short of luxury expectations due to an abundance of plastic materials, a trade-off reflective of its low sales numbers and the economic considerations of manufacturing such a model. However, it did offer luxury touches like heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and high-quality leather upholstery.

In contrast, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax underwent such an extensive transformation that it barely resembled its predecessor. The new design adopted a "longer, lower, wider" philosophy, extending the vehicle by 11 inches, lowering it by four inches, and widening it by two inches compared to the outgoing model. Drawing design elements from the midsize Chevy Blazer, such as a prominent grille and a stepped rear body, the Trax managed to exude a surprising amount of presence for its size. Base models featured 17-inch steelies, with higher trims opting for 18-inch and 19-inch aluminum wheels. The Trax RS trim added sporty blacked-out elements, while the Activ trim aimed for a rugged look with faux skid plates.

The interior of the base Trax LS was predominantly plastic, typical for entry-level models, yet it offered intriguing design features. The dashboard design left the touchscreen and air vents freestanding, and controls were housed in a practical pod below. Higher trims boasted Evotex upholstery, designed to mimic leather, with contrasting yellow stitching in Activ models and piano-black accents in RS models.

The 2023 Lexus GX was powered by a V8 engine that defined its character. Unlike the familiar roar of a 4Runner’s V6, the GX 460’s 4.6-liter V8 produced a linear swell of noise and power, with 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque channeled through a six-speed automatic transmission. Despite being less potent on paper compared to modern engines like Toyota’s 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid, the GX’s V8 offered a satisfying driving experience, especially for those who appreciated its sound and feel.

However, the GX’s performance wasn’t without drawbacks. Although it could tow up to 6,500 pounds—more than most three-row crossovers—it lagged behind other SUVs in this regard. Furthermore, its fuel economy was unimpressive, with EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The heavy weight of the GX made it prone to rolling in corners, though its handling remained predictable and controllable. The vehicle's Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential improved traction by adjusting the 4WD system's distribution based on wheel slip, making it more user-friendly in adverse conditions.

On the other hand, the 2024 Chevrolet Trax had a single engine option: a new 1.2-liter turbocharged three-cylinder engine. This engine produced 137 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque, a slight decrease from the previous 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Despite this, Chevy claimed the new Trax could accelerate to 60 mph a second faster than its predecessor. The three-cylinder engine delivered a surprisingly strong performance, with minimal turbo lag and responsive power delivery, making highway overtakes easy.

The six-speed automatic transmission carried over from the previous generation, and the 2024 Trax was available exclusively with front-wheel drive (FWD). Its handling was tuned for a more car-like experience, differentiated from its stablemate, the Trailblazer, which retained an all-wheel-drive option. This redesign aimed to appeal to customers desiring a crossover with the nimbleness and predictability of a small car.

While limited grip and noticeable body roll were reminders of its econobox nature, the Trax offered commendable refinement for its class. Standard active noise cancellation helped reduce road noise, although tire noise was noticeable in the 2RS test vehicle. The ride quality leaned toward the firmer side, but this was a fair compromise for the vehicle's above-average handling capabilities.

The 2023 Lexus GX excelled in providing ample cubby space for small items, featuring a deep center console bin, a convenient phone slot ahead of the shifter, and side-by-side cupholders between the front seats. However, it only featured USB-A ports, lacking the modern USB-C ports. The door pockets were also small, limiting their utility.

Lexus chose to retain hard physical buttons, which was a blessing for those who preferred tangible controls over touch-sensitive interfaces. However, the GX was laden with numerous buttons, necessitating a learning curve for new owners. The center console lid could slide to accommodate different-sized front occupants more comfortably, and the second row, equipped with captain’s chairs, provided good legroom and excellent headroom. Unfortunately, the third-row seats were too cramped for comfort, best reserved for occasional use.

Additionally, the GX's cargo space was limited. Accessing the trunk was cumbersome due to its side-hinged door, which wasn’t power-operated and required manual effort. With the third row in place, the GX offered a mere 11.6 cubic feet of storage. Folding the third row increased capacity to 46.7 cubic feet, and with both rows folded, it offered up to 64.7 cubic feet—less than the Toyota RAV4’s 69.8 cubic feet.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax, despite its overall larger size, did not uniformly translate this increase into interior space. It provided an additional three inches of rear-seat legroom and a slight increase in front-seat legroom. However, first-row headroom remained the same, and second-row headroom decreased by 0.7 inches. Both rows experienced reduced shoulder room, indicating a snugger fit. Nevertheless, the Trax offered the most rear-seat legroom in its class compared to the Nissan Kicks and Hyundai Venue, and front and back seats were comfortable for the price range.

Cargo space was more generous in the Trax, with 25.6 cubic feet available with the rear seats up, and 54.1 cubic feet when folded—slightly better than the Kicks but significantly more than the Venue.

Lexus had revamped the GX's infotainment system for the 2022 model year, but by 2023, it already appeared outdated. The 10.3-inch touchscreen was an improvement, high on the dash with integrations like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. However, the inclusion of a CD player underscored the outdated feel. The system's graphics lagged behind newer Lexus models, and the user interface wasn’t as intuitive compared to competitors.

Conversely, the GX was equipped with advanced off-road technology, including a real 4WD system with a two-speed transfer case, a locking center differential, downhill assist, hill-start assist, traction control, and stability control. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) adjusted suspension for better on- and off-road driving. The Off-Road Package also added a multi-terrain monitor, transmission cooler, fuel-tank protection, crawl control, and a multi-terrain select system.

The 2024 Chevrolet Trax saw significant technological upgrades. LS and 1RS trims featured an 8-inch touchscreen, while LT, 2RS, and Activ trims boasted an 11-inch touchscreen paired with an 8-inch digital instrument cluster. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, wireless phone charging, and Wi-Fi connectivity were new additions, enhancing the Trax's modernity. These features, along with the intuitive infotainment system, made the Trax's technology suite more impressive compared to the Lexus GX.

Both front and rear passengers benefited from USB-A and USB-C ports, and higher trims offered the convenience of wireless phone charging. The digital instrument cluster provided a modern and easy-to-read interface, enhancing the overall tech experience in the Trax.

The 2023 Lexus GX hadn’t been crash-tested by either NHTSA or IIHS, leaving some uncertainty about its safety credentials. Despite being based on a 2010 platform with potential structural limitations, it included essential advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS). Features such as automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams contributed to its safety profile, although some top-end features were missing.

For the 2024 Chevrolet Trax, crash-test ratings from NHTSA and IIHS were also unavailable at the time of publication. However, it boasted a comprehensive suite of standard and optional driver-assist features. Standard equipment included automatic emergency braking, front pedestrian braking, lane-keep assist, lane-departure warning, forward collision warning, automatic high beams, and a following distance indicator. Optional features like adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and rear park assist enhanced the Trax’s safety offerings. Additionally, the Teen Driver system, standard across most Chevy models, provided additional safety measures and monitoring for young drivers.