2020 Lexus GX 460 Review

　　

2020 Lexus GX 460 Review

byMark TakahashiCorrespondent

　　Mark Takahashi has worked in the automotive industry since 2001. He has written thousands of car-related articles and tested and reviewed hundreds of vehicles over the course of his career. Mark has also contributed to Motor Trend, Auto Aficionado, Chevy High Performance and several motorcycle magazines in various roles. Mark is also a juror on the North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Awards and can be seen regularly on the zzdcar YouTube channel and sometimes representing the company in media interviews.

　　If you're looking to get off the beaten path in style, there are a handful of off-road-capable vehicles out there with a decent amount of luxury. The 2020 Lexus GX 460 checks both of those boxes with ease. But after a decade without a redesign, its age is showing. That last redesign coincides with the last redesign of the Toyota 4Runner, on which the Lexus GX is based.

　　

Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 2020 Lexus GX 460 4dr SUV 4WD (4.6L 8cyl 6A) and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.78 per gallon for premium unleaded in North Dakota.

Monthly estimates based on costs in North Dakota

　　$281/mo  for GX 460 Base

　　GX 460 Base

　　4dr SUV 4WD (4.6L 8cyl 6A) (Most Popular) - $53,000 MSRPLuxury 4dr SUV 4WD (4.6L 8cyl 6A) - $64,265 MSRP

　　vs

　　$183/mo

　　Avg. Midsize SUV

　　Thanks to the truck-like body-on-frame construction, the GX 460 can traverse the kind of challenging terrain that would damage or strand lesser vehicles, but this old architecture has some drawbacks too. The ride quality isn't as smooth as that of modern SUVs, and the added weight, combined with a powerful yet outdated V8 engine, hurts fuel economy. On the bright side, it does have a maximum tow rating of 6,500 pounds.

　　There are also some seat comfort issues to contend with. The third-row seats are better suited to children, and the cargo space's tall load floor and small capacity reduce practicality. It's best to think of the 2020 Lexus GX 460 as an off-roader first and a luxury-leaning SUV second. For a more inclusive blend, we suggest checking out alternatives from Land Rover.

　　zzdcar Expert Rating

　　Our VerdictThe zzdcar Vehicle Testing Team evaluates a fresh batch of vehicles every week, pairing objective assessments at our test track with real-world driving on city streets, freeways and winding roads. The data we gather results in our Expert Ratings. They’re based on 30-plus scores that cover every aspect of the automotive experience.

　　Below Average

　　6.8

　　out of 10

　　zzdcar TESTED

　　Rated for you by America's best test team.

　　

Performance

6.5/10

　　How does the GX 460 drive? The Lexus GX 460 has much going for it but stumbles in key areas. Braking distance from 60 mph is last in class with a disappointing 139-foot stop. The transmission and throttle calibration get in the way of a strong V8 — especially during hard acceleration when the Lexus seems reluctant to respond to the driver's commands. Thankfully, low-speed handling maneuvers are easy thanks to its tight turning circle and light steering effort.

　　The GX has decent on- and off-road handling, but its steering is lifeless and numb. There is hardware here for off-road capability, but Lexus partially negates it by fitting low-slung bodywork.

　　

Comfort

7.0/10

　　How comfortable is the GX 460? The Lexus GX 460 is about as comfortable as you'd expect. It's supremely quiet, and the ride won't initiate motion sickness thanks to its well-calibrated suspension. But make sure you test out those seats before you sign on the dotted line. Everyone is different, but our entire staff disliked the seats due to the plank-like seat bottoms in all seating positions.

　　The climate control is really dated, but to its credit, it works exceptionally well. The front seats are heated and ventilated, and the second-row seats are heated. All three rows have their own air vents, and those in the second row have their own climate controls.

　　

Interior

8.0/10

　　How’s the interior? The Lexus GX has a familiar if dated layout that functions well. There's generally a good deal of space, and a good driving position is easy to find. The high seating position gives a commanding view of the road, but it makes the step up a bit higher than in newer SUVs.

　　The available parking assist makes maneuvering this vehicle in tight parking areas a breeze, as does the vehicle's excellent sight lines. The exterior mirrors are appropriately sized and welcome in both on- and off-road situations.

　　

Technology

6.0/10

　　How’s the tech? The GX's infotainment is a mix of capable and infuriating. While the sound system is strong, the audio screen won't stay put and constantly defaults to a summary screen. The GX also feels like a time capsule, with clunky voice controls, old navigation graphics, and no Apple CarPlay or Android Auto support. That's difficult to accept considering the GX's price.

　　

Storage

7.0/10

　　How’s the storage? The second and third rows of seats may fold flat into the floor, but cargo capacity isn't class-leading. The load deck of this traditional body-on-frame SUV is somewhat high, so anyone of smaller stature will struggle to load heavier objects. The swing-out rear door is also hinged on the wrong side, which blocks curbside access.

　　It has a decent tow rating of 6,500 pounds, but the tow hitch and wiring are dealer-installed accessories, not factory-integrated.

　　

Fuel Economy

5.0/10

　　How’s the fuel economy? In this day and age, even larger SUVs can be somewhat fuel-efficient. The GX's rating of 16 mpg combined (15 city/19 highway) is not good, and our GX 460 test vehicle hovered around those figures, which makes it pretty terrible.

　　

Value

7.0/10

　　Is the GX 460 a good value? The GX 460 oozes quality in terms of materials and workmanship. But the interior looks the better part of a decade old. While the simplicity and layout might appeal to some buyers, most everyone else will likely be put off by the lack of modernity.

　　

Wildcard

6.0/10

　　It's about as fun to drive as a boxy truck-based SUV can be, which isn't saying much. It's also far more sophisticated and quiet than you'd expect. But it feels a bit straight-laced, stodgy and as old as the hills, too. Its time has passed.

　　

Which GX 460 does zzdcar recommend?

One of the main reasons to get a GX 460 is for its off-road abilities. To make the most of those abilities, we suggest upgrading to the Luxury trim to get the auto-leveling adaptive suspension. It's also eligible for the optional Off-Road package that adds plenty of all-terrain hardware.

　　

2020 Lexus GX 460 models

The 2020 Lexus GX 460 is a traditional three-row SUV with seating for seven people. Available second-row captain's chairs reduce seating capacity to six. There are base and Luxury trim levels available. Both come with a 4.6-liter V8 engine (301 horsepower, 329 lb-ft of torque), a six-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.

　　Standard equipment highlights on the base trim include LED headlights, Lexus' Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (which improves off-road traction), keyless ignition and entry, and a full suite of advanced driver safety features. Inside, you'll find simulated leather upholstery, an 8-inch touchscreen and a nine-speaker sound system, among other features.

　　An optional Navigation package comes with Enform infotainment system apps and an upgraded display. The optional Premium package can be added to the Navigation package and includes extras such as parking sensors, heated and ventilated front seats, and three-zone automatic climate control. You can also add the second-row captain's chairs to the Premium package.

　　The GX 460 Luxury comes with all of the above as standard plus extras such as an auto-leveling adaptive suspension, a heated wood-trimmed steering wheel, power-reclining and folding third-row seats, and leather upholstery.

　　The Luxury model can be enhanced with a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, a two-screen rear-seat entertainment system, and the Off-Road package that adds a Multi-Terrain Select system, a low-speed cruise control system (Crawl Control), a multiview surround monitor, a transmission oil cooler, and underbody skid plates.

　　

2020 GX 460 Highlights

Trim: BaseLuxuryBase

　　

Base MSRP	$53,000
Engine Type	Gas
Combined MPG	16 MPG
Cost to Drive	$281/month
Seating	7 seats
Cargo Capacity All Seats In Place	11.6 cu.ft.
Drivetrain	four wheel drive
Warranty	4 years / 50,000 miles