Compare the2023 Ford BroncoVS 2023 Lexus GX

The Bronco has standard Post Collision Braking, which automatically apply the brakes in the event of a crash to help prevent secondary collisions and prevent further injuries. The GX doesn’t offer a post collision braking system: in the event of a collision that triggers the airbags, more collisions are possible without the protection of airbags that may have already deployed.

Both the Bronco and the GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, plastic fuel tanks, four-wheel antilock brakes, traction control, electronic stability systems to prevent skidding, crash mitigating brakes, daytime running lights, rearview cameras, available lane departure warning systems, blind spot warning systems, around view monitors, rear cross-path warning and driver alert monitors.

There are over 12 times as many Ford dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Bronco’s warranty.

The Bronco has a standard “limp home system” to keep drivers from being stranded if most or all of the engine’s coolant is lost. The engine will run on only half of its cylinders at a time, reduce its power and light a warning lamp on the dashboard so the driver can get to a service station for repairs. The GX doesn’t offer a lost coolant limp home mode, so a coolant leak could strand you or seriously damage the truck’s engine.

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

The Bronco’s optional 2.7 turbo V6 produces 29 more horsepower (330 vs. 301) and 86 lbs.-ft. more torque (415 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8. The Bronco Raptor’s standard 3.0 turbo V6 produces 117 more horsepower (418 vs. 301) and 111 lbs.-ft. more torque (440 vs. 329) than the GX’s 4.6 DOHC V8.

As tested in Car and Driver the Ford Bronco is faster than the Lexus GX (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Bronco 4-Door gets better mileage than the GX:

In heavy traffic or at stoplights the Bronco’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.

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Ford Bronco uses regular unleaded gasoline (premium recommended for maximum performance). The GX requires premium, which can cost 20 to 55 cents more per gallon.

The Bronco has a standard cap-less fueling system. The fuel filler is automatically opened when the fuel nozzle is inserted and automatically closed when it’s removed. This eliminates the need to unscrew and replace the cap and it reduces fuel evaporation, which causes pollution. The GX doesn’t offer a cap-less fueling system.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Ford Bronco higher (5 to 6 out of 10) than the Lexus GX (3). This means the Bronco produces up to 23.4 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GX every 15,000 miles.

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

A 10-speed automatic is available on the Ford Bronco, for better acceleration and lower engine speed on the highway. Only a six-speed automatic is available for the GX.

For better stopping power the Bronco Raptor’s front brake rotors are larger than those on the GX:

For better traction, the Bronco Raptor’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (37 x 12.5R17 vs. 265/60R18).

The Bronco’s drift compensation steering can automatically compensate for road conditions which would cause the vehicle to drift from side to side, helping the driver to keep the vehicle straight more easily. The GX doesn’t offer drift compensation steering.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Bronco 4-Door’s wheelbase is 6.3 inches longer than on the GX (116.1 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the average track (width between the wheels) on the Bronco is 6 inches wider in the front and 6.1 inches wider in the rear than the track on the GX.

The Bronco Outer Banks 4-Door handles at .75 G’s, while the GX pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

For better maneuverability, the Bronco 2-Door’s turning circle is 5.6 feet tighter than the GX’s (35.5 feet vs. 41.1 feet). The Bronco 4-Door Sasquatch’s turning circle is 1.2 feet tighter than the GX’s (39.9 feet vs. 41.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Bronco 4-Door has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GX (8.3 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Bronco to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Ford Bronco may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs up to about 850 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

The Bronco 2-Door is 1 foot, 6.4 inches shorter than the GX, making the Bronco easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.

The front grille of the Bronco uses electronically controlled shutters to close off airflow and reduce drag when less engine cooling is needed. This helps improve highway fuel economy. The GX doesn’t offer active grille shutters.

As tested by Car and Driver while at idle, the interior of the Bronco Outer Banks 4-Door is quieter than the GX (41 vs. 43 dB).

The Bronco 4-Door has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat up than the GX with its rear seat up (38.3 vs. 11.6 cubic feet). The Bronco 4-Door has a much larger cargo volume with its rear seat folded than the GX with its rear seat folded (77.6 vs. 64.7 cubic feet).

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Bronco easier. The Bronco’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 31 inches, while the GX’s liftover is 33.8 inches.

The Bronco 4-Door’s optional sliding cargo floor makes loading and unloading cargo easier and safer. The GX doesn’t offer a sliding load floor.

The Bronco 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 Bronco can be unhitched and driven around locally. The GX can’t be towed flat on the ground.

The Bronco has a higher maximum payload capacity than the GX (1452 vs. 1295 lbs.).

The Bronco’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 Bronco’s power parking brake sets with one touch and releases with one touch or automatically. The GX’s parking brake has to be released manually.

In case you lock your keys in your vehicle, or don’t have them with you, you can let yourself in using the Bronco’s available exterior PIN entry system. The GX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Bronco’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 Bronco’s power mirror controls are mounted on the center console 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.

To quickly and conveniently keep personal devices charged without cables tangling and wearing out, the Ford Bronco Outer Banks/Badlands/Wildtrak/Raptor offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

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

The Bronco will cost the buyer less in the long run because of its superior resale value. The IntelliChoice estimates that the Bronco will retain 55.78% to 58.62% of its original price after five years, while the GX only retains 46.1% to 47.91%.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Ford Bronco will be $18965 to $26392 less than for the Lexus GX.

The Bronco was chosen as one of Car and Driver’s “Top Ten” in 2022. The GX has never been a Car and Driver “Top Ten” pick.

The Ford Bronco outsold the Lexus GX by almost four to one during the 2022 model year.