Pro: Well-built and spacious cabin Comfortable seats in the front and second rows Strong acceleration, especially in the XC90 T8 Cons: Third-row seats are only good for small adults or kids One USB port in a luxury family crossover is unacceptable
Pros Sharp new look and style; spacious second- and third-row seating; many standard safety technology features; confident handling; available hybrid model.
Cons Overly busy and firm ride quality; base engine comes up short on performance and real-world fuel economy; some touchscreen controls are hard to use.
Endnote: The XC90's suspension tuning is another mixed bag. On smooth pavement, the XC90 feels calm and controlled on its available air suspension. But over ruts, bumps and broken pavement, the vehicle delivers too many impacts and jitters to the occupants for a luxury SUV. We've only driven the XC90 with the big 21-inch wheels, but based on that experience, we recommend going with smaller wheels if possible to help smooth out the ride. Around turns, there's better news, as the XC90 inspires confidence with its planted character, feeling smaller and lighter than it really is.
The 2016 XC90 is raising the design bar in the premium three-row large crossover segment. And with a long roster of standard equipment that includes leather seating, navigation, a panoramic sunroof, a smartphone-like infotainment system and state-of-the-art safety gear, the XC90 provides an intriguing alternative to the German-branded competition.
The 2018 Lexus GX ranked #21 in Luxury Midsize SUVs. Currently the Lexus GX has a score of 7.3 out of 10 which is based on our evaluation of 40 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
Pros Outstanding off-road capability Good towing capacity
Cons Poor fuel economy Unexceptional cabin comfort and features Small, inconvenient cargo area Weak acceleration
There are only a few minor changes in available features for the 2018 Lexus GX 460.If you're seriously considering the GX 460, you probably want to venture off-road in it. But if that's the case, you'll want the added ground clearance the Luxury trim's adaptive air suspension provides. Without it, the GX 460's ground clearance is worse than some crossovers.
PROS Impressive off-road capability in a segment largely without it High view out Easy-to-use interior controls
CONS Rough ride on broken pavement Poor fuel economy and acceleration Seats are uncomfortable Compromised cargo space and third-row seat
The Lexus GX 460 pairs scads of off-road hardware with lots of luxury trim, but most drivers will be better off with a crossover.
Pros Solid truck feel Strong, smooth V-8 Smothering ride Comfortable cabin Lots of off-road tech
Cons Tailgate opens sideways Light steering Poor fuel economy Brake feel Shallow, narrow cargo area
