Starting at
Starting at
471 | Horsepower (hp) | 301 |
10,000 | Towing Capacity (lbs) | 6,500 |
23 | Speakers (qty) | 17 |
Luxury SUVs give you something special: a vehicle that has a tremendous amount of space inside for your passengers and cargo, with a sophisticated design that surrounds you in decadence. For many years, the Lexus GX has been one of the most popular options out there, but that is all about to change with the introduction of the Grand Wagoneer. Looking at the 2022 Grand Wagoneer vs 2021 Lexus GX, we can see that the Grand Wagoneer has so much more to offer that the Lexus model cannot come close to keeping up.
For example, while both of these vehicles have V8 engines, the Grand Wagoneer gives you 471 hp and up to 10,000 lbs of towing capacity, while the Lexus GX offers 301 hp and just 6,500 lbs of maximum towing. Similarly, while both of these models have some great features for heading out into the wilderness, the Grand Wagoneer has an available Quadra-Lift air suspension that gives you an incredibly smooth ride, 24 inches of water fording capability, and 10 inches of ground clearance. The Lexus has good off-road capability with four-wheel drive and multi-terrain settings, but compared to the innovative Quadra-Drive II 4x4 system available on the Grand Wagoneer, it falls short.
Inside each of these vehicles, you can find luxury features and options, but again, the Lexus GX gets left behind. While the Lexus has an 8-inch infotainment display and an available 17-speaker sound system, that feels pretty dated compared to a lot of other luxury SUVs. For example, the Grand Wagoneer has nearly 45 inches of total front panel display area, including a pair of central screens and a front-passenger display, not to mention an industry-first McIntosh 23-speaker premium audio system. Come visit us at Dan Cummins today to learn more about the Grand Wagoneer and the future of luxury SUVs.
When looking at any kind of vehicle, but especially a large and powerful SUV, the engine is always important. As the heart of the vehicle and many of its systems, a good engine can mean the difference between a fun and responsive driving experience and one that is weak and lackluster. Both the 2022 Grand Wagoneer and 2021 Lexus GX have a single engine available, so comparing them to see what they offer is quite simple.
The Lexus GX features a 4.6L V8 engine that offers 301 hp and 329 lb-ft of torque for decent overall performance. We say decent because that is just what it is – not particularly inspired or exhilarating, but certainly not awful. This comes paired with an older 6-speed automatic transmission that works well, but once again, it can feel rather lacking. Overall, the engine and performance of the Lexus GX really shows its age, especially when you compare it to a newer model.
Looking at the modern 2022 Grand Wagoneer, you get a 6.4L V8 engine that delivers 471 hp and 455 lb-ft of torque for a far more powerful and impressive driving experience. This is really a noticeable difference in performance, especially since the Grand Wagoneer pairs that engine with a TorqueFlite 8-speed automatic transmission. So the engine is more powerful and more responsive, which translates to a superior experience for you behind the wheel. Plus, all of that extra power gives you 3,500 lbs more towing capacity with the Grand Wagoneer compared to the Lexus model.
In terms of performance and the kind of experience you get while driving, the engine is not the only thing that matters. Whether you are solely planning on keeping your luxury SUV on the road, or you have a more adventurous mindset, you should consider the suspension and other features. While the Lexus GX has a great design for going off-road, it still comes up lacking in overall drivability compared to the Grand Wagoneer.
The 2021 Lexus GX comes with full-time all-wheel drive standard on every model, with a Torsen limited-slip center differential. It features an independent double-wishbone-style suspension in the front, with a standard four-link rear suspension. Overall, this makes for a pretty smooth right and impressive performance off-road, and while 18-inch wheels are standard, there are 19-inch wheels available on higher trims.
The Lexus has fine features on its own, but once again, they simply come up short compared to what you get with the 2022 Grand Wagoneer. The Grand Wagoneer features three different four-wheel drive systems available, starting with Quadra-Trac I 4x4 and culminating in Quadra-Drive II, which features a rear electronic limited-slip differential that instantly detects tire slip. Pair this with the available Quadra-Lift air suspension, and you get an incredibly smooth ride that can add up to 2 inches of ground clearance or lower automatically to boost performance on the road. The Grand Wagoneer comes with standard 20-inch wheels and has 22-inch wheels available for a really impressive look.
Along with great performance and a bold design, you expect a comfortable interior when you choose a luxury SUV. Since you are going to spend most of your time with your vehicle while inside of it, these kinds of features are really quite important. Although the Lexus GX has some fine luxury to offer, the Grand Wagoneer simply goes further.
Inside the Lexus GX, there are options for either six-person or seven-person seating, with 10-way power-adjustable front seats and NuLuxe interior detailing. The Lexus GX has dual-zone climate control, with heated and ventilated front seats available on the starting trim – though you have to look at the higher trims for heated second-row seats and three-zone automatic climate control. Only the highest trim has semi-aniline leather interior details, but a wood and leather heated steering wheel is available on most trims.
With the 2022 Grand Wagoneer, you get incredible luxury and comfort thanks to exquisite details like genuine handcrafted Satin American Walnut wood throughout the interior. Seating for up to eight people is available for the Grand Wagoneer, as are second-row captain’s chairs for greater comfort. You get a four-zone Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) system in the Grand Wagoneer, with premium Nappa leather seating - though Palermo leather-trimmed seating is also available. Up front, 24-way power seats are standard, featuring memory settings, massage functions, and power lumbar support to ensure you are incredibly comfortable.
Great tech features can make a big difference in terms of just how much you enjoy your time behind the wheel. This is arguably the area where the Lexus model feels the most dated, with features that simply fail to meet modern standards. The Lexus GX has pretty standard tech features, while the 2022 Grand Wagoneer shows off next-generation technology.
For example, the Lexus GX features an 8-inch infotainment display standard, with a multi-information display for the driver. It has voice command functionality with Bluetooth and USB smartphone connectivity, but it lacks any support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The Lexus GX does have support for Amazon Alexa, which is good, and the available 17-speaker sound system is nice, but this is a rather dated infotainment setup.
When you look at the 2022 Grand Wagoneer, “amazing” is exactly the word we would choose. For starters, you get nearly 45 inches of screens available in the front: a 12-inch frameless digital gauge cluster, a primary 12-inch infotainment display above a secondary 10-inch screen, and a 10-inch front-passenger display. Combine this with an available 10-inch head-up display on the windshield, a digital rearview display, and another 30 inches of available display screens for passengers in the back, and you have up to 75 inches of total screen area in the Grand Wagoneer.
You can see how this is an approach that is clearly designed for the future, plus support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard, with a faster infotainment system that supports over-the-air updates and even Amazon Fire TV for Auto integration. We have not even mentioned the industry-first McIntosh 1,375-watt premium audio system that includes no fewer than 23 speakers, including a 12-inch subwoofer. The experience inside the Grand Wagoneer is simply on another level that the Lexus GX cannot even approach.