Compare the2023 Jeep WranglerVS 2023 Lexus GX

Both the Wrangler and the GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, front seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, rearview cameras, available crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, blind spot warning systems, rear parking sensors and rear cross-path warning.

Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance (up to 3 oil changes) on the Wrangler for 2 years and -10,000 miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the GX (3/unlimited vs. 1/10,000).

There are almost 10 times as many Jeep dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Wrangler’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Wrangler’s engine. A rubber cam drive belt that needs periodic replacement drives the GX’s camshafts. If the GX’s belt breaks, the engine could be severely damaged when the pistons hit the opened valves.

The Wrangler has a solid front axle with a floating power axle for durability that the GX’s independent front suspension and exposed front driveshafts don’t offer.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Wrangler has a standard 180-amp alternator (240-amp - Wrangler optional). The GX’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

The Wrangler 4Xe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 74 more horsepower (375 vs. 301) and 141 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The Wrangler Rubicon 392’s optional 6.4 V8 produces 169 more horsepower (470 vs. 301) and 141 lbs.-ft. more torque (470 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

The Wrangler’s 3.0 turbo V6 diesel produces 113 lbs.-ft. more torque (442 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Jeep Wrangler turbo 4 cyl. is faster than the Lexus GX (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Wrangler 4Xe running on electricity gets better mileage than the GX (52 city/45 hwy MPGe vs. 15 city/19 hwy).

On the EPA test cycle the Wrangler 4-door running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the GX:

The Wrangler 4Xe can travel with zero emissions for 22 miles. The GX can’t move without running its internal combustion engine.

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Wrangler Rubicon 392’s fuel efficiency. The GX doesn’t offer a system that can shut down part of the engine.

Regenerative brakes improve the Wrangler 2.0 Turbo/3.6 eTorque/4Xe’s fuel efficiency by converting inertia back into energy instead of wasting it. The GX doesn’t offer a regenerative braking system.

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Wrangler (except Rubicon 392)’s engine automatically turns off when the vehicle is stopped, saving fuel and reducing pollution. The engine is automatically restarted when the driver gets ready to move again. If the conditions warrant or the driver wishes, the system can be manually disabled at any time for the duration of a trip. The GX doesn’t offer an automatic engine start/stop system.

The Wrangler offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The GX doesn’t offer a manual transmission.

An eight-speed automatic is available on the Jeep Wrangler, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GX.

The Wrangler Rubicon 392’s launch control uses engine electronics to hold engine RPM’s precisely in order to provide the most stable and rapid acceleration possible, using all of the available traction. The GX doesn’t offer launch control.

For better traction, the Wrangler’s optional tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (315/70R17 vs. 265/60R18).

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Wrangler Sahara 4Xe has standard 20-inch wheels. The GX’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

The Wrangler has a standard easy tire fill system. When inflating the tires, the vehicle’s integrated tire pressure sensors keep track of the pressure as the tires fill and tell the driver when the tires are inflated to the proper pressure. The GX doesn’t offer vehicle monitored tire inflation.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Wrangler 4-door 4x4’s wheelbase is 8.6 inches longer than on the GX (118.4 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Wrangler is 2.3 inches wider in the front and 2.3 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GX.

The Wrangler Rubicon 4Xe handles at .75 G’s, while the GX pulls only .73 G’s of cornering force in a Motor Trend skidpad test.

The Wrangler Rubicon 4Xe executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver quicker than the GX (27.8 seconds @ .61 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Wrangler 2-door’s turning circle is 6.6 feet tighter than the GX’s (34.5 feet vs. 41.1 feet). The Wrangler 4-door’s turning circle is .3 feet tighter than the GX’s (40.8 feet vs. 41.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Wrangler Sport 2-door has a 1.6 inches greater minimum ground clearance than the GX (9.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Wrangler to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Jeep Wrangler may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 1200 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

The Wrangler 4-door 4x4 is 3.7 inches shorter than the GX, making the Wrangler easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Wrangler Sport 4-door is quieter than the GX (41 vs. 43 dB).

The Wrangler 4-door has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GX with its rear seat up (31.7 vs. 11.6 cubic feet). The Wrangler 4-door has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GX with its rear seat folded (72.4 vs. 64.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Wrangler easier. The Wrangler’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 29.7 inches, while the GX’s liftover is 33.8 inches.

The Wrangler can be flat towed on all four wheels (dinghy towed), allowing recreational vehicle owners to bring it with them on the road. When they reach their destination, the Wrangler can be unhitched and driven around locally. The GX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Wrangler has a higher maximum payload capacity than the GX (1351 vs. 1295 lbs.).

The Wrangler’s instruments include an oil pressure gauge and a temperature gauge - which could save your engine! Often ‘idiot lights’ don’t warn you until damage has been done. The GX does not have an oil pressure gauge.

The Wrangler’s power window, power lock, power mirror and cruise control switches are lit from behind, making them plainly visible and easier to operate at night. The GX’s cruise control switches are unlit, making them difficult to find at night and operate safely.

The Wrangler’s speed-sensitive wipers speed up when the vehicle does, so that the driver doesn’t have to continually adjust the speed of the wipers. The GX’s standard manually variable intermittent wipers have to be constantly adjusted.

The Wrangler’s optional power mirror controls are mounted on the door for easy access. The GX’s power mirror controls are on the dash where they are possibly hidden by the steering wheel and are awkward to manipulate.

The Jeep Wrangler JL comes in four door and soft top bodystyles; the Lexus GX isn’t available as a soft top.

Insurance will cost less for the Wrangler owner. The Car Book by Jack Gillis rates the Wrangler with a number “3” insurance rate while the GX is rated higher at a number “10” rate.

The Wrangler will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Wrangler will retain 70.15% to 81.11% of its original price after five years, while the GX only retains 46.1% to 47.91%.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Wrangler is less expensive to operate than the GX because it costs $418 less to do the manufacturer’s suggested maintenance for 50,000 miles. Typical repairs cost much less on the Wrangler than the GX, including $95 less for a water pump, $385 less for a muffler, $565 less for a starter, $139 less for fuel injection, $30 less for a fuel pump, $503 less for a timing belt/chain and $1101 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Jeep Wrangler will be $15802 to $34336 less than for the Lexus GX.

Motor Trend selected the Wrangler as their 2019 Sport Utility of the Year. The GX has never been chosen.

The Jeep Wrangler outsold the Lexus GX by over six to one during the 2022 model year.