The 2015 Lexus GX can go where few others can.A decade ago, 'tough-truck' luxury was all the rage. But the Lexus GX 460 is strictly a niche product today.
For the U.S. the GX 460 has become an increasingly hard sell. Even as gas prices have continued to trend down, Americans continue to gravitate to more road-bound crossovers with better fuel economy. That said, it offers a luxurious cabin for family-hauling, as well as a full-fledged off-roading four-wheel-drive system for weekend warriors.
Likes Towing ability Good front seats, driving position Useful off-road electronics Powerful V-8
Dislikes Side-opening hatch opens away from the curb Too-light steering Poor gas mileage Spongy brake pedal feel Disappointing, high cargo floor
The 2015 Lexus GX 460 has a personality that makes it stand apart from most 3-row luxury SUVs. Actually it's more like a split personality that embodies the plush accommodations associated with every Lexus, and the 4-wheel-drive capability to venture where few of its peers would dare. While rivals such as the BMW X5, Acura MDX, Infiniti QX60 and Audi Q7 are tailored for sedan-like on-road performance, the V8-powered Lexus GX has truck-like construction for excellent off-road performance. That makes the GX somewhat of a compromise in the city, where its ride is less forgiving. But for adventure seekers looking for a 7-passenger SUV that's luxurious and rugged – not to mention reliable and a resale champ – the Lexus GX is among the last and best of its kind.
Likes If you want to crawl over rocks, scale treacherous slopes and tow heavy loads in your 3-row luxury SUV – or at least give the impression you do – nothing outside a Land Rover LR4 will do it better in the $50,000-$60,000 price range. Moreover, the Lexus has excellent resale value.
Dislikes If the terms "low-range gearing," "locking center differential" and "crawl control" sound like foreign language, you likely won't be using the Lexus GX 460 for serious off-roading. In that case, you'll appreciate the more refined on-road manners and better fuel efficiency of one of its luxury crossover SUV rivals.
Merging a sturdy chassis and typical Lexus luxury, the GX is a mountain climber in a three-piece suit. A 301-hp 4.6-liter V-8, a six-speed automatic, and a four-wheel-drive system with a locking center differential are all standard and provide the GX its off-road credentials. Inside, plush seats, an 8.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, and a power-adjustable steering wheel are standard; adaptive cruise control and automated emergency braking are optional on the top Luxury trim. GX460 was the Lexus brand’s third-best-selling SUV (even though the Lexus lineup had only four SUVs). In calendar year 2015, it gathered more buyers than the Audi Q7, Volvo XC90, Infiniti QX80, Land Rover LR4, and Range Rover Sport, and it nearly kept pace with the Mercedes-Benz GL. However, the Acura MDX, BMW X5, and the combined Mercedes-Benz M-class/GLE all outsold the Lexus by a ratio of more than two to one. It has certainly outlasted just about all of its mid-size, truck-based peers. Add in booming sales of other examples of the larger breed—Escalades, Navigators, and such—and the expected demise of the traditional body-on-frame SUV has been slower than anticipated. Blame cheap gasoline.
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.
