Skip to main content

If you’re looking to live life in the lap of luxury, you’ve probably given a hard look at Lexus SUVs like the RX and GX. Both SUVs blend the Lexus reputation for reliability with upscale comfort and features. But with its new redesign for the 2023 model year, the RX has a few compelling advantages over the aging Lexus GX.

Unibody design means better ride quality

Ride quality is one of the primary criteria for any luxury SUV on the market. If a model doesn’t have a comfortable ride, it’s difficult to call it luxury. Unfortunately, the Lexus GX architecture does not lend itself well to premium ride quality. That’s mainly due to the fact that the GX rides on the same truck-based platform as the Toyota 4Runner. The body-on-frame design and solid rear axle recall a more rugged age for SUVs. That’s not to say that the GX has a brutally uncomfortable ride quality – but it isn’t as smooth as the Lexus RX. 

You won’t catch it going on rugged trails – the 2023 Lexus RX is an SUV designed specifically for street use. Its very design shows that intent. On this front, the Lexus RX fairs much better than the GX. The RX uses a car-based, unibody architecture that provides better on-road stability and ride comfort.

Lexus RX has a lower starting price than Lexus GX

2023 Lexus GX in mist with green forest in the background.
2023 Lexus GX | Lexus

Despite being a newer model, the Lexus RX offers a lower starting price than the GX. While the RX just received a facelift this year, the GX hasn’t had a complete redesign in over a decade. That’s partly by design – the GX leans on its proven technology for reliability. Still, some drivers may find its higher starting MSRP of $56,700 hard to justify. Meanwhile, the new 2023 Lexus RX starts at $49,000. 

Superior fuel economy from RX Crossover 

A silver Lexus RX sits on a pebble driveway in front of a home in midday sun.
Lexus RX | Lexus

Luxury SUVs are becoming ever more fuel efficient as technology develops. The Lexus RX follows this trend, offering hybrid powertrain options to balance power and fuel economy. According to Car and Driver, the RX 350h offers fuel efficiency rated at 37 mpg city and 34 mpg highway, while the RX 500h manages 28 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.  

The new Lexus GX falls far behind these marks. Its standard V8 engine offers plenty of power but paltry fuel economy. Car and Driver says the GX manages only 16 mpg combined. 

Is the Lexus RX better than the Lexus GX?

Based on its design and performance numbers, the Lexus RX is better for drivers who want a more traditional luxury experience. Its smooth ride quality and recently updated styling play in its favor. But that doesn’t mean the RX is an inherently better SUV than the Lexus GX – just that it serves a different purpose. If you’re looking for a capable and durable truck-based SUV with some luxury amenities, then the Lexus GX might be a better choice. It’s right at home careening along off-road trails and other locations that RX owners wouldn’t dare attempt. 

Related

5 2023 Luxury SUVs Rated for Excellent Resale Value

Best in Trucks & SUVs
Staff Writer, Producer - SUVs

Scott Prewitt

Scott Prewitt joined the MotorBiscuit team in 2023 as a Staff Writer for the SUV section. During college, he began his career in journalism as Editor in Chief of The Creightonian. After graduating from Creighton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism, News and Public Relations, Scott spent time in a local newsroom. He soon found his way to the world of automotive journalism and has been writing about cars since 2017.

A passion for all things automotive began at a young age. Playing Gran Turismo racing games in the early 2000s sparked an interest in cars and Scott began devouring Car and Driver stories when he was in the fourth grade. Since then, Scott’s enthusiasm for autos has grown to become the focal point of his career as a journalist.

By combining the skills that earned him the News Graduate of the Year 2016 and the Omaha Press Club Recognition & Academic Scholarship with a craving for knowledge of automotive industry, Scott covers a wide range of content from breaking news about the latest SUV models to designated off-road and overlanding rigs. His reporting is informed by personal experiences like road trips, intriguing automotive history, and time spent poring over various outlets and YouTube channels. Scott is drawn to car culture because, in his own words,  “these vehicles are a combination of purpose-built engineering and emotive, expressive design.”

The personal aspects of the autos world are of particular interest to Scott, and he is fascinated by the relationship between humans and cars. Years of writing for dealerships across the country and time in the corporate communications world lend to his expertise as a writer here at MotorBiscuit.