Compare the2026 Jeep WranglerVS 2026 Lexus GX

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.

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.

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.

J.D. Power and Associates rated the Wrangler second among compact suvs in their 2025 Initial Quality Study. The GX isn’t in the top three in its category.

The Wrangler Moab 392’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 Wrangler Moab 392 6.4 V8 is faster than the Lexus GX (automatics tested):

On the EPA test cycle the Wrangler 4-door gets better mileage than the GX:

An engine control system that can shut down some of the engine’s cylinders helps improve the Wrangler 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’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 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.

In its Green Vehicle Guide, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) rates the Jeep Wrangler higher (6 out of 10) than the Lexus GX (5). This means the Wrangler produces up to 6.9 pounds less smog-producing pollutants than the GX every 15,000 miles.

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

The Wrangler 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 4-door Moab 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.

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).

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 550 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 3.1 inches higher than on the GX 550 Overtrail (12.9 vs. 9.8 inches).

The Jeep Wrangler may be more efficient, handle and accelerate better because it weighs about 450 to 1600 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.

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.

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).

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

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 2024.