Oh to be a legend. What pressure there must be to get it right. When it comes to the all-new Lexus GX - designers, engineers and everyone who helped make it reality - did just that. They got it right. The GX has an off-road cult following - one that thanks to the new GX is sure to continue in its latest generation. Fun fact: The first-generation GX entered the North American market way back in 2002.
The new GX has new looks, a new interior and it's also undergone quite a transformation under the sheet metal. Still body-on-frame it rides on a new platform shared with the next-generation LX 600. It also has a newly developed double-wishbone front suspension paired with a multi-link rear suspension for enhanced driving both on and off-road. I can attest to how well it handles - having driven the GX both on, and recently off-road, but I'll save the off-road for another post when I can also bring the Overtrail to the party.
First I am definitely a fan of the GX's new boxy looks that grab your attention in all the right way. It looks tough, rugged, while refined all at the same time - everything Lexus was going for. It's wider than the old-generation and the Luxury+ rides on 22-inch alloy wheels that look sharp without being flashy. They're a great contrast with a GX-first Incognito exterior hue.
The GX lineup is equipped with Triple Beam headlights, LED tail lamps and power outer-folding mirrors. The Luxury+ adds LED fog lights. The seamless grille and headlamp integration gives it a great look from the front. A squared off tail end sports an L-shaped light bar with Lexus update logo.
And I won't make you read down to share this big news: The GX's liftgate no longer swings out from the side. It features its FIRST-EVER power rear LIFT door with a pop-out window. Lexus says it made this design change based on customer feedback. A well integrated button to the left of the window pops the window open.
The GX will be available with a hybrid powertrain at a later date. But for now, the lineup is powered 3.4-liter V6 turbo with 349 horsepower and a wonderful 479 pound-feet of torque. It's mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and is equipped with full-time AWD along with Torsen limited-slip center locking differential.
And YES! It can off-road like a champ! The GX lineup's off-roading beast is the Overtrail, but I recently drove both at the Texas Auto Writers Association Texas Truck Rodeo and the Luxury+ is designed to tackle the course without Crawl Control and other off-road goodies. I'll share more about my GX off-roading experience with both models in an upcoming, separate story.
Interior
One look inside GX cabin and you know you're going to like it in there. True to form, it blends modern refinement with a degree of ruggedness. It's not plush, but it's Lexus luxurious. It's well laid out and easy to find things, with plenty of soft touch materials from the dash to the door panels.
A two-tone Saddle Tan semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior compliments the Incognito exterior hue perfectly. The 10-way power driver's seat is exceedingly comfortable - and yes! I can report the GX now has its first-ever massaging seats!
The driver is treated to a door grab handle, heated and leather-trimmed steering wheel along with a nice 12.3-inch multi-information display that can display navigation.
The center console is uniquely designed as it slants up vertically to an area dedicated to drive modes, tow controls and such. On the main part of the center console you find a large gear shifter with a nice leather boot, along with off-road controls, boxy, ruggedly-styled cupholders, an available wireless charger and a few other things you'd expect to see there.
The Luxury+ is the only trim in the lineup to get a standard center console Coolbox -which is fab. I used it to keep my revered Blue Bottle Iced Coffees cool on the trip home from the grocery store.
The new GX has all of Lexus' latest tech, the main event being a 14-inch touchscreen running Lexus' latest multimedia system. It's compatible with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The display also gives you off-road info. While you get a volume knob and knobs for the AC control, you control three-way heated and ventilated seats from the touchscreen.
Connectivity wise you get a total of 6 USB-C ports and an available AT&T WiFi Hotspot. Plus, a new to the GX 120 volt outlet.
The GX seats 6 or 7 depending on seat configuration. This Luxury+ is equipped with available heated captain's chairs instead of a bench 2nd-row, so it seats 6. Super comfortable, roomy, and heated second row captain's chairs feature adjustable armrests. Passengers get cupholders, AC controls, USB -C ports and manual rear sunshades. I was bit surprised to see plastic seat back pockets.
The adult-friendly third row has airplane-like jump seats that, despite the description, are actually comfortable. They recline, too.
Admittedly it took me a second to figure out access to the third row, but once I did I discovered it was not in fact rocket science. A new feature to the GX, one-motion seats, tumble down to allow access.
Along with its leather -trimmed interior, the Luxury+ trim includes a ton of amazing goodies that I don't think I could live without. An incredible 21-speaker Mark Levinson Sound system that is music to my ears. It also has a cool Dynamic Sky Panoramic Sunroof that transforms from transparent to opaque with the press of a button.
Other Luxury+ features in her include thematic ambient illumination, illuminated door sills and a digital review mirror.
A power-folding third row seat easily gives your more cargo space when you need it. Speaking of storage space, the new-generation model gets more of it in the center console, door pockets and even under the cargo area. Lexus also says luggage space is improved and that you can now fit up to 5 suitcases with the third -row down, although I didn't put it to the test.
The GX Luxury+ equipped with Adaptive Variable Suspension gives you exactly the kind of ride you signed on for. It's such an enjoyable SUV to drive with a comfortable ride. It's a truck-like ride - as opposed to a SUV car-based ride - and I like it. This is a heavy SUV - which I also like. But it moves thanks to the 349 hp's. Brakes are excellent, too. It's also quiet in the cabin, but you knew that already - it is a Lexus after all. Fuel economy is also what you'd probably expect - given this is a 5,000+ pound SUV, at 17 MPG combined.
The new GX is equipped with Lexus' latest safety tech, Lexus Safety System 3.0+. Its advanced features are great. Additionally the lineup gets Blind Spot monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert. Rear Seat Monitor is new to the lineup.
The Luxury+ is also equipped with Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking and Rear Pedestrian Detection and a Panoramic View Monitor. For a Multi-Terrain Monitor you'll need one of the two new Overtrail models.
Options on this vehicle include a nice Head Up Display ($900), Digital Key ($375), Cold Area Package ($200), Tonneau Cover ($110), the heated second row captain's chairs ($440), Traffic Jam Assist ($620), Roof Rail Cross Bars ($440), Carpet Cargo mat ($150), Ball mount ($80), Cargo Net ($75) and Key Glove ($25).
Total MSRP as equipped will run you just shy of a well-priced $85,000.
The new off-road ready GX is poised for another generation of success.