Lexus GX vs Hyundai Tucson Hybrid

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid arrived with a bold new design, featuring sharp, angular cues across its fascia and sides. It was longer and wider than its predecessor, making it unmistakably different from the 2021 model. The grille, shared with the Santa Cruz, blended seamlessly with the LED headlights, creating a dramatic, futuristic look. The interior was open and airy, with a bulkier center console but an unobstructed view at eye level due to the integrated infotainment display and hoodless driver information display.

In contrast, the 2023 Lexus GX showcased a massive spindle grille and 8.1 inches of ground clearance, giving it a commanding presence. The GX Black Line Special Edition returned with limited units and exclusive paint colors. Despite its luxury badge, the GX's interior had a disappointing amount of plastic, though it featured heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery. The GX's design leaned sleeker compared to Toyota's blocky designs, making it easier to maneuver in technical driving situations.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid impressed with its 1.6-liter turbo-four engine paired with an electric motor, delivering a combined 226 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission managed the power well, and the responsive steering and outstanding suspension provided a balanced and smooth ride. The Tucson Hybrid achieved good fuel economy, with an EPA rating of 37 mpg city, 36 highway, and 37 combined. The upcoming plug-in hybrid version promised even better efficiency with 80 MPGe and 33 miles of all-electric range.

The 2023 Lexus GX, powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine, produced 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed automatic transmission provided a linear power delivery, but the GX's performance lagged behind more modern SUVs. Its 6,500-pound towing capacity was respectable, but the fuel economy was poor, with an EPA rating of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The GX's weight made it roll through corners, but its predictable and controllable handling, strong brakes, and Torsen limited-slip differential made it capable off-road.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid offered impressive cargo space, with 38.8 cubic feet in the trunk and 74.5 cubic feet with the rear seats folded. It provided excellent front and rear legroom, and the dual-level cargo floor maximized space. The interior featured convenient storage options, including angled bottle holders, cupholders, and a fold-down center armrest in the rear seat. The Limited trim's ambient lighting added a touch of flair to the cabin.

The 2023 Lexus GX had ample cubby space, with a deep center console bin, a phone space ahead of the shifter, and side-by-side cupholders. The second row was comfortable, with captain's chairs or a three-across bench seat option. However, the third row was too tight for regular use. The GX's cargo space was limited, with only 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with both rows folded. The side-hinged, non-power-operated trunk door was also inconvenient.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid featured a 10.25-inch touchscreen in the Limited trim, but it only utilized about 8 inches for Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, requiring a wired connection. The touch-capacitive buttons for infotainment and HVAC controls were frustrating, but the steering-wheel controls helped mitigate this issue. The Tucson provided plenty of USB ports, a beautiful touchscreen display, and a Bose premium stereo.

The 2023 Lexus GX's 10.3-inch touchscreen was a significant improvement over the old system, with integrations like Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa. However, the graphics and responsiveness lagged behind newer Lexus models. The GX included three years of Lexus Enform Remote and a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo. Despite the dated infotainment, the GX excelled in off-road technology, with a real 4WD system, Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, and the Off-Road Package.

The 2022 Hyundai Tucson Hybrid came standard with a comprehensive suite of safety features, including automatic emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, blind-spot collision avoidance, rear cross-traffic alert, and more. The Limited trim added a surround-view monitor, highway-driving assist, and unique features like the blind-spot view monitor and remote smart park assist. The Tucson received a Top Safety Pick+ from the IIHS.

The 2023 Lexus GX, despite its older design, included advanced driver assistance systems like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. However, it lacked some top-end features found in newer models. Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS had crash-tested the 2023 GX.