Both the Wrangler and the GX have standard driver and passenger frontal airbags, front side-impact airbags, side-impact head airbags, front and rear seatbelt pretensioners, height adjustable front shoulder belts, 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.
Compare the2025 Jeep WranglerVS 2024 Lexus GX
Safety
Warranty
Jeep pays for scheduled maintenance (up to 2 visits) on the Wrangler for 1 year and unlimited miles longer than Lexus pays for maintenance for the GX (2/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.
Reliability
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.
Engine
The Wrangler 4xe’s standard 2.0 turbo 4-cylinder hybrid produces 26 more horsepower (375 vs. 349) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6. The Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition’s standard 6.4 V8 produces 121 more horsepower (470 vs. 349) than the GX’s 3.4 turbo V6.
As tested in Car and Driver the Jeep Wrangler is faster than the Lexus GX (automatics tested):
|
Wrangler 4xe |
Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition |
GX |
Zero to 60 MPH |
5.2 sec |
4 sec |
6.3 sec |
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start |
6 sec |
5.1 sec |
6.9 sec |
Passing 30 to 50 MPH |
3.2 sec |
2.8 sec |
3.5 sec |
Passing 50 to 70 MPH |
4.1 sec |
3.5 sec |
4.6 sec |
Quarter Mile |
14.1 sec |
12.8 sec |
14.8 sec |
Speed in 1/4 Mile |
96 MPH |
104 MPH |
94 MPH |
As tested in Car and Driver the Wrangler Rubicon 392 Final Edition 6.4 V8 is faster than the Lexus GX (base engine) (automatics tested):
|
Wrangler |
GX |
Zero to 60 MPH |
4 sec |
6.3 sec |
Zero to 100 MPH |
11.7 sec |
17 sec |
5 to 60 MPH Rolling Start |
5.1 sec |
6.9 sec |
Passing 30 to 50 MPH |
2.8 sec |
3.5 sec |
Passing 50 to 70 MPH |
3.5 sec |
4.6 sec |
Quarter Mile |
12.8 sec |
14.8 sec |
Speed in 1/4 Mile |
104 MPH |
94 MPH |
Top Speed |
109 MPH |
109 MPH |
Fuel Economy and Range
On the EPA test cycle the Wrangler 4xe 8-speed Auto running on electricity gets better mileage than the GX (52 city/45 hwy MPGe vs. 15 city/21 hwy).
On the EPA test cycle the Wrangler 4-door running its gasoline engine gets better mileage than the GX:
|
|
|
MPG |
Wrangler 4-door |
|||
AWD |
Manual |
3.6 DOHC V6 |
16 city/22 hwy |
|
Auto |
2.0 turbo 4-cyl. |
20 city/22 hwy |
|
|
2.0 turbo 4-cyl. Hybrid |
20 city/20 hwy |
GX |
|||
AWD |
Auto |
3.4 turbo V6 |
15 city/21 hwy |
The Wrangler 4xe 8-speed Auto can travel with zero emissions for 21 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/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.
Transmission
The Wrangler offers a manual transmission for better acceleration, control and sportiness. The GX doesn’t offer a manual transmission.
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.
Tires and Wheels
For better traction, the Wrangler 4-door Rubicon 392/Xteme 35’s tires are larger than the largest tires available on the GX (315/70R17 vs. 265/55R20).
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.
Suspension and Handling
For a smoother ride and more stable handling, the Wrangler 4-door’s wheelbase is 6.2 inches longer than on the GX (118.4 inches vs. 112.2 inches).
The Wrangler Rubicon 4-door handles at .72 G’s, while the GX Overtrail+ pulls only .71 G’s of cornering force in a Car and Driver skidpad test.
For better maneuverability, the Wrangler 2-door’s turning circle is 6.7 feet tighter than the GX’s (32.7 feet vs. 39.4 feet). The Wrangler 4-door 4Xe’s turning circle is .5 feet tighter than the GX’s (38.9 feet vs. 39.4 feet).
For greater off-road capability the Wrangler 2-door has a greater minimum ground clearance than the GX Premium (9.7 vs. 8.7 inches), allowing the Wrangler to travel over rougher terrain without being stopped or damaged. The Wrangler Rubicon 4-door Xtreme 35’s minimum ground clearance is 4 inches higher than on the GX Overtrail (12.9 vs. 8.9 inches).
Chassis
The Jeep Wrangler may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 1550 pounds less than the Lexus GX.
The Wrangler 4-door is 8.7 inches shorter than the GX, making the Wrangler easier to handle, maneuver and park in tight spaces.
Passenger Space
The Wrangler 4-door has 1.4 inches more front headroom, 1.6 inches more rear legroom and .3 inches more rear hip room than the GX.
Cargo Capacity
The Wrangler 4-door has a much larger cargo volume than the GX with its rear seat up (31.7 vs. 10.3 cubic feet).
Towing
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.
Model Availability
The Jeep Wrangler JL comes in four door and soft top bodystyles; the Lexus GX isn’t available as a soft top.
Recommendations
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 almost five to one during 2023.