Pavement Powerhouse

On-road finesse begins with the engine, and with their standard powertrains, the Range Rover Sport and the Lexus GX prove that they’ve come to play and will work hard to deliver what you need. The 3.0L Twin Turbocharged mild hybrid engine in the Range Rover Sport generates a standard 355 horsepower (HP), while the 3.4L twin-turbo V6 in the Lexus GX produces 349 HP.

In the case of the Lexus, that’s the only engine available. Meanwhile, the Range Rover Sport provides the power of choice with additional engines, including a PHEV (plug-in hybrid), which is unavailable for the Lexus GX.

Both models come equipped with All Wheel Drive to aid with traction in less-than-ideal conditions. However, only the Range Rover Sport includes optional All Wheel Steering, which helps with acceleration, offers agility when navigating tight parking spaces, increases stability when cornering or changing lanes, and more.

Off-Road Prowess

You’re a bit of a risk taker and always welcome a challenge to flex your resilience muscles. Which SUV has what it takes to help you tackle whatever comes your way? The Lexus GX offers its available Overtrail trim for drivers looking to venture farther off the beaten path.

However, when you take a closer look at the numbers, the Range Rover Sport stands out from the very beginning. Even with its standard SE trim, the Range Rover Sport delivers superior capability, offering greater maximum ground clearance and water-fording depth without requiring any upgrades.

In the Range Rover Sport, that extra clearance enables you to confidently sail over deep ruts, ford deeper streams, or transcend soft dunes. The Range Rover Sport starts with a higher level of off-road readiness than the Lexus GX’s specialized Overtrail model, reinforcing its advantage as the more capable choice right out of the gate.

Exterior Elegance

The Range Rover DNA is apparent in the Range Rover Sport with its sleek, modern profile with short overhangs, and distinctive grille. Its iconic silhouette offers a commanding presence, resonating with a confident attitude that matches your own. Alternatively, the Lexus GX presents a squared-off body. The question remains: Do you prefer contemporary and aerodynamics like the Range Rover Sport or more classic and boxier like the Lexus GX?

The Lexus GX offers up to nine exterior color options, while the Range Rover provides nearly three times as many, allowing you to further personalize your luxury SUV and make it truly your own. When comparing their respective dimensions and weight, these two midsize SUVs once again diverge.

Thanks to its leaner, streamlined frame, the Range Rover Sport is more agile, can accelerate more quickly, and carve through corners more precisely than the larger Lexus GX.

Interior Indulgence

From urban commutes to school drop-offs, you may feel like you’re caught in the relentless cycle of your daily routine. Stepping into the Range Rover Sport is like entering a calm mobile haven that helps quiet the “noise” of your often over-booked schedule.

Its standard sculpted heated and ventilated front seats with memory are wrapped in Windsor leather or available Semi-Aniline leather that welcomes you in an embrace. The Lexus GX is similar in that it is equipped with heated and ventilated front seats, but that's where the similarities end; the GX seats are covered in NuLuxe®, a synthetic material.

Other standard amenities in the Range Rover Sport that help ensure the comfort of everyone on board include:

• 20-way power-adjustable front seats
• Heated power recline rear seats
• Heated steering wheel

A Lexus upgrade or optional package is required to enjoy a heated steering wheel or heated rear seats. Meanwhile, the maximum number of available seating positions in the GX is limited to 10.

Connected Command Center

In either the Range Rover Sport or the Lexus GX, you’ll find a streamlined entertainment hub front and center, featuring a touchscreen of at least 13 inches. Connect your smartphone through wireless Apple CarPlay® or Android Auto™ to access all your digital features. Wireless charging enables you to keep your devices fully powered without cable clutter; while standard in the Range Rover, it’s only an available option in the Lexus.

Although both luxury SUVs include an onboard intelligent assistant, only the Range Rover Sport includes Amazon Alexa, which not only allows you to control most in-car functions but can also assist with your smart home devices.

Your commute is the perfect time to listen to your preferred playlist. Both models come standard with impressive audio systems, with 15 speakers in the Range Rover and 10 in the Lexus. True audiophiles will revel in the optional 29-speaker Meridian™ Signature Sound system with Trifield 3D technology in the Range Rover Sport. The Lexus also has a premium surround system, but it only has 21 speakers.

Smart Safety Shield

Of course, no in-vehicle technologies are more critical than those that help protect you and your passengers. With the aid of sophisticated monitoring technology, these safety systems serve as a vigilant copilot to detect obstacles and assist in vehicle control, helping avoid or mitigate collisions.

The Range Rover Sport and the Lexus GX are well equipped to add a layer of protection around your luxury SUV. Among their similarities in this area are brand-specific versions of:

• Emergency Braking
• Blind Spot Assist/Rear Traffic Monitor
• Adaptive Cruise Control
• Lane Keep Assist
• Front and Rear Parking Aid
• Traffic Sign Recognition

Once again, the Range Rover Sport goes a few steps further than the Lexus GX. Its standard Driver Condition Response monitors driving patterns and behaviors, alerting you if it detects drowsiness or distraction. It then will suggest you pull over to take a break until you’re refreshed.