2023 LAND ROVER DISCOVERY VS. 2023 LEXUS GX

The Lexus GX 460, like its Japanese counterpart the Land Cruiser Prado, is an elegant and reliable SUV with a well-established name. The Land Rover Discovery has the heritage, the capability, and the highly sophisticated looks. Both of these SUVs have their own character and set of features while indulging the same customer base, people who are looking for mid-sized luxury SUVs. While these SUVs spend most of their miles being driven on the pavement, they are quite capable on rough terrain as well.

The GX shares its ladder-on-frame platform with the Toyota LC Prado and the 4Runner, which means it has old-school off-road capability in its bones. The Land Rover Discovery comes from a legacy of off-road excellence, has two engine options to choose from, and copious amounts of flair. Clearly, both these SUVs have got what it takes when it comes to off-road performance, but which one is better at it though?

RELATED: 10 Reasons Why Off-Road Enthusiasts Should Buy A Land Rover Discovery

What Is Under the Hood?

In the GX, the 460 stands for its naturally aspirated 4.6-liter aluminum block V-8 making 301 horsepower, 329 pound-feet of torque which paired to a 6-speed automatic which is dated at this point but still reliable and AWD comes standard across all the trims. This engine has also remained mostly unchanged since 2010 but should offers smooth and refined performance.

It is plausible that this will be the final model which will have this engine, with the next generation more likely to feature a hybrid V-6 from the new Tundra. On the tarmac, the GX accelerates from 0-60 mph in 7.1 seconds, which is relatively slower than its German rivals. As per the EPA, the GX returns a gas mileage of 15 MPG in the city and 19 MPG on the highway, with a combined mileage of 16 MPG. The inefficiency of the GX can be attributed to the V-8 and the aged six-Speed automatic.

Meanwhile, the Land Rover comes with 2 turbocharged engine options depending on the trim - a 2.0-L four-cylinder outputting 296 horsepower with 295 pound-feet of torque or a 3.0-L six-cylinder H355 horsepower with 369 pound-feet of torque, featuring 48V hybrid technology. The only transmission option is an eight-Speed automatic. All four Discovery variants come with AWD standard, with ample power for the highway and the great outdoors.

The turbocharged six-cylinder has a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. The Land Rover Discovery has better mileage than the GX with the 2.0-L trim returning a combined mileage of 20 MPG with 19 MPG in the city and 23 on the highway. Similarly, the 3.0-L is more efficient due to the hybrid system returning a combined mileage of 22 MPG, with 19 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway.

On the road, the GX and the Discovery should handle like the heavy SUVs that they are, with nimble enough steering, but you are not going to be doing any slaloms. The GX has Adaptive Variable Suspension and three suspension modes for the road - Normal, Comfort, and Sport. These modes help the driver change the driving characteristics. The Land Rover Discovery comes standard with air suspension and has options for adaptive dynamic suspension and electric air suspension based on trim. However, off-road is where these two SUVs truly shine, with both of them having enough features to go further than any of their contemporaries.

RELATED: 2023 Land Rover Discovery: Costs, Facts, And Figures

Which SUV Is Better Equipped To Go Off-Road?

The GX has 8.1 inches of ground clearance, which is not great for dirt tracks, especially with the extra large grille up front reducing the approach angle further. However, the GX also features Toyota’s advanced Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which is designed to dynamically limit suspension travel on uneven terrain to reduce body roll angle, thereby improving maneuverability while off-roading.

There are the standard off-road goodies like a low-range gearbox, electronic locking differential, and the A-TRAC system which is the automatic traction control system that, when on, diverts power to different wheels depending on traction. Additionally, the GX Luxury trim also comes with an optional off-road package which costs $1,570, which consists of a 360-degree panoramic view monitor, four multi-terrain cameras to check your surroundings, a transmission cooler, five multi-terrain modes, and a crawl mode. The GX also has an impressive towing power of 6,500 pounds for all hauling requirements.

The Land Rover Discovery is all-terrain prowess in a refined package, equally adept in urban environments as well as off the beaten path. Some of its standard off-road features include full-time four-wheel drive, hill-descent control, electronic rear-locking differential, and a two-speed transfer case. The Discovery also has Land Rover’s patented Terrain Response 2 system, which automatically senses the terrain and switches traction, suspension, and even transmission settings as required. The Discovery has a ground clearance that varies from 8.0 inches - 11.1 inches depending on the trim. The Land Rover also has a higher towing capacity compared to the GX with 8,200 pounds.

RELATED: 10 Reasons To Buy The 2023 Lexus GX

Interior Technology And Features

The GX's interior feels dated since the last real update Lexus gave it was back in 2010. There is some tiny wooden trim and leather on the dashboard, along with numerous buttons which offer great tactile feedback and a heated steering wheel on higher trims. The GX is a three-row SUV with options for a bench or captain seats in the back, with enough head and shoulder space for 4–5 adults. The third row is cramped and is only suitable for children. The interior, true to its Lexus heritage, keeps road noise down while on the highway.

The GX also features four-zone climate control for the front and back. There is also a 10.3-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support, however, it does not get wireless charging. The Luxury trim comes with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. With the third-row seats pushed forward, the trunk space increases substantially to 46.7 cubic feet.

The Land Rover Discovery’s interior actually got an overhaul in 2021 to compete with modern competitor SUVs, which made them suave and sophisticated. The instrument cluster consists of a 12.3-inch digital display and a heads-up display. The interiors are comfortable and quiet with four or three-zone climate control depending on the variant, making them ideal for long drives.

The Discovery is also a three-row SUV with a cramped third row suitable for children. There are also trim-specific features like power-adjustable leather seats with heating, massage, and a heated steering wheel. For infotainment and navigation, there is an 11.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto support and wireless charging. There is also the option for a Wi-Fi hotspot with 4G-LTE data connectivity and a premium Meridian sound system for every trim.

RELATED: Why Now Is The Perfect Time To Buy The 2023 Lexus GX460

Which One Is Priced Just Right?

The GX comes in four variants, with a starting price of $57,575 for the base variant, with the next Premium trim coming in at $58,910. The Black Line Special Edition, which made its first appearance in 2022 as a limited-release model, is back in 2023 with a new color option of Eminent White Pearl. Only 3000 versions of this trim will be sold, one of which will set you back $62,310. The top-of-the-line Luxury trim costs $68,230.

The Land Rover Discovery also comes in four trims, with a starting price of $56,600 for the base 2.0-L S trim. The next variant in the line-up is R-Dynamic, available with both engine options, the four-cylinder model costing $59,700 and the six-cylinder costing $65,300. The HSE R Dynamic trim comes only with the six-cylinder engine and costs $71,500. The top-of-the-line Metropolitan trim is a new option for 2023 and costs $75,300.

When it comes to versatile SUVs that will effortlessly help you conquer off-road trails and smoothly navigate urban environments - the Discovery and the GX are rugged and capable, with a rich array of luxurious features to boot. Hopefully, we have given you all the information to help you choose the off-roader that resonates with your adventurous spirit.

2023-05-28T18:36:06Z dg43tfdfdgfd