Compare the2024 Subaru AscentVS 2023 Lexus GX

Over 200 people are killed each year when backed over by motor vehicles. The Ascent (except Base) offers optional Reverse Automatic Braking that use rear sensors to monitor for objects to the rear and automatically apply the brakes to prevent a collision. The GX doesn’t offer backup collision prevention brakes.

For better protection of the passenger compartment, the Ascent uses safety cell construction with a three-dimensional high-strength frame that surrounds the passenger compartment. It provides extra impact protection and a sturdy mounting location for door hardware and side impact beams. The GX uses a body-on-frame design, which has no frame members above the floor of the vehicle.

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

The Subaru Ascent has achieved the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) highest rating of “Top Safety Pick Plus” for the 2024 model year. This distinction is based on its exceptional performance in IIHS’ rigorous battery of safety tests. Specifically, it earned an “Acceptable” rating in the latest, more stringent moderate overlap front crash test, a “Good” result in the updated side impact test, and a “Good” score in the revised pedestrian crash prevention test. The GX has not yet been evaluated by the IIHS for 2024.

There are almost 3 times as many Subaru dealers as there are Lexus dealers, which makes it much easier should you ever need service under the Ascent’s warranty.

A hardened steel chain, with no maintenance needs, drives the camshafts in the Ascent’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.

To reliably power the ignition and other systems and to recharge the battery, the Ascent has a standard 190-amp alternator. The GX’s 130-amp alternator isn’t as powerful.

As tested in Car and Driver the Subaru Ascent is faster than the Lexus GX:

The flat cylinder configuration of the boxer engine in the Ascent lowers its center of gravity, enhancing handling stability without compromising ground clearance. The GX doesn’t offer a boxer engine configuration.

On the EPA test cycle the Ascent gets better mileage than the GX:

To lower fuel costs and make buying fuel easier, the Subaru Ascent uses regular unleaded gasoline. The GX requires premium, which can cost on average about 82.8 cents more per gallon.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Subaru Ascent higher (5 out of 10) than the Lexus GX (3). This means the Ascent produces up to 16.5 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GX every 15,000 miles.

The Ascent has a standard continuously variable transmission (CVT). With no “steps” between gears, it can keep the engine at the most efficient speed for fuel economy, or keep it at its peak horsepower indefinitely for maximum acceleration. The GX doesn’t offer a CVT.

The Ascent stops shorter than the GX:

The Ascent Onyx/Limited/Touring’s tires provide better handling because they have a lower 50 series profile (height to width ratio) that provides a stiffer sidewall than the GX’s optional 55 series tires.

For better ride, handling and brake cooling the Ascent Onyx/Limited/Touring has standard 20-inch wheels. The GX’s largest wheels are only 19-inches.

For superior ride and handling, the Subaru Ascent has fully independent front and rear suspensions. An independent suspension allows the wheels to follow the road at the best angle for gripping the pavement, without compromising ride comfort. The Lexus GX has a solid rear axle, with a non-independent rear suspension.

For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Ascent’s wheelbase is 4 inches longer than on the GX (113.8 inches vs. 109.8 inches).

For better handling and stability, the track (width between the wheels) on the Ascent is 2 inches wider in the front and 1.8 inches wider in the rear than on the GX.

The Ascent Touring handles at .80 G’s, while the GX pulls only .74 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.

The Ascent Touring executes Motor Trend’s “Figure Eight” maneuver 1.1 seconds quicker than the GX (27.2 seconds @ .64 average G’s vs. 28.3 seconds @ .58 average G’s).

For better maneuverability, the Ascent’s turning circle is 3.1 feet tighter than the GX’s (38 feet vs. 41.1 feet).

For greater off-road capability the Ascent has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GX (8.7 vs. 8.1 inches), allowing the Ascent to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged.

The Subaru Ascent may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 600 to 700 pounds less than the Lexus GX.

Unibody construction lowers the Ascent’s center of gravity significantly without reducing ground clearance. This contributes to better on the road handling and better off-road performance and stability. In addition, unibody construction makes the chassis stiffer, improving handling and reducing squeaks and rattles. The GX doesn’t use unibody construction, but a body-on-frame design.

As tested by Car and Driver, the interior of the Ascent Limited is quieter than the GX:

The Ascent has standard seating for 8 passengers; the GX can only carry 7.

The Ascent has 23.5 cubic feet more passenger volume than the GX (153.2 vs. 129.7).

The Ascent has 3.2 inches more front headroom, .5 inches more front legroom, 1.3 inches more front hip room, 5.7 inches more front shoulder room, 4.5 inches more rear legroom, 2 inches more rear hip room, 3 inches more rear shoulder room, 1 inch more third row headroom, 2.4 inches more third row legroom, 2.8 inches more third row hip room and 2.7 inches more third row shoulder room than the GX.

The front step up height for the Ascent is 4 inches lower than the GX (17.7” vs. 21.7”). The Ascent’s rear step up height is 3.9 inches lower than the GX’s (18.1” vs. 22”).

The Ascent’s cargo area provides more volume than the GX.

A low lift-over cargo hatch design makes loading and unloading the Ascent easier. The Ascent’s cargo hatch lift-over height is 32 inches, while the GX’s liftover is 34.4 inches.

The Ascent’s cargo area is larger than the GX’s in almost every dimension:

The Ascent’s liftgate lifts up in one piece, completely out of the way of loading and unloading, while sheltering the cargo loading area. The GX’s swing out door blocks loading from the passenger’s side.

To make loading and unloading groceries and cargo easier, especially for short adults, the Ascent (except Base) offers an optional power liftgate, which opens and closes automatically by pressing a button. The GX doesn’t offer a power cargo door.

The Ascent’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 Ascent’s available exterior PIN entry system (not available on Ascent Base). The GX doesn’t offer an exterior PIN entry system.

The Ascent’s power window 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.

Manual rear side window sunshades are available in the Ascent to help block heat and glare for the rear passengers. The GX doesn’t offer rear side window sunshades.

The Ascent’s power mirror controls are mounted on the armrest 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 Subaru Ascent offers an optional wireless phone charging system (Qi) in the center console. The GX doesn’t offer wireless personal charging.

Insurance will cost less for the Ascent owner. The Complete Car Cost Guide estimates that insurance for the Ascent will cost $330 to $1370 less than the GX over a five-year period.

According to The Car Book by Jack Gillis, the Ascent is less expensive to operate than the GX because typical repairs cost much less on the Ascent than the GX, including $13 less for a water pump, $444 less for a muffler, $219 less for a starter, $206 less for fuel injection, $145 less for a fuel pump, $969 less for a timing belt/chain and $893 less for a power steering pump.

IntelliChoice estimates that five-year ownership costs (depreciation, financing, insurance, fuel, fees, repairs and maintenance) for the Subaru Ascent will be $18266 to $20600 less than for the Lexus GX.

Consumer Reports® recommends both the Subaru Ascent and the Lexus GX, based on reliability, safety and performance.

The Subaru Ascent outsold the Lexus GX by 90% during 2023.