Lexus GX test bench | Threesome in the segment
Return to your seats
On paper, the Defender 130 can accommodate eight people under its roof. This is one more than the GX and the Grand Cherokee L. In fact, the British utility vehicle does not perform any miracles with its third row of seats. The eighth person had better make themselves very small. At the very rear, the Lexus provides more space than the Land Rover and the Grand Cherokee L. The latter, however, takes its revenge with a significantly more convincing utility volume (behind the third row).
Everyone is well settled. Look around you and it will become very clear to you that the presentation of the Land Rover is the warmest and most in line with the idea we have of a luxury utility vehicle. The Grand Cherokee is not unworthy, but the GX disappoints in this regard. We expected more creativity, more refinement, given the asking price.
Where does the adventure end?
PHOTO PROVIDED BY STELLANTIS
Jeep Grand Cherokee L
We know by heart (well, almost) the feats that Jeep and Land Rover are capable of off the beaten track. Lexus' reputation, a little less. What does it matter, really? The first owners of these vehicles will set their wheels on arduous paths, perhaps, but always perfectly marked.
That said, there still has to be a winner, and it's the Defender that wins due to its more sophisticated parameters, its superior ground clearance and crossing abilities.
The Jeep ranks a close second. The Lexus brings up the rear, but immediately takes the lead when it comes to towing capacity.
We go to the checkout
At first glance, the Grand Cherokee L (starting at $58,392) seems like a bargain compared to the Lexus ($83,500) and Land Rover ($97,100). Equip the American utility as well as the other two and the gap isn't as big.
Therefore, other factors come into play. Jeep and Land Rover trail the GX in terms of quality of after-sales service and alleged reliability. And to top it all off, they unfortunately consume more.
