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Monday, May 23, 2011
Based heavily on the smaller of Toyota's two world market Land Cruisers, the latest Lexus GX 460 has arrived to replace the outgoing GX 470. The GX 460 is Lexus' answer for those seeking a luxury SUV that can still truly perform off-road when necessary.
Significantly upgraded from its predecessor, including a lower displacement but more powerful V8, the GX 460 slots in above the RX 350 but below the hulking LX 570.
Building a luxury SUV with considerable off-road chops has to be an automotive engineer's nightmare assignment. You're tasked with crafting metal, fluids, wires and hoses into something soft and pliable on-road, but unbreakable in the wild. The 2011 Lexus GX 460 is one of a handful of vehicles that excel within that considerable compromise. Like Land Rover vehicles, the Lexus benefits from proven existing DNA, notably the Toyota Land Cruiser, FJ and 4Runner legacies.
Beneath its luxury veneer, the GX 460 is still a top-class off-road truck, which is either an asset or a liability depending on your wants. Lexus engineers have taken great pains to soften the ride quality on pavement. Large adaptive stabilizer bars help minimize body roll when rounding corners and can be disengaged off-road to allow maximum suspension travel. Likewise, an adaptive suspension features three driver-selectable modes of suspension firmness.
Inside, the GX 460 ups the previous model's luxury content by a nine-speaker, 6-CD audio system with Bluetooth and iPod integration, available heated and cooled seats, power-folding third row seats and an optional rear seat entertainment system with dual monitors. A 17-speaker premium system is on the options list.
The interior of the GX 460 is upscale and assembled with precision, though the overall opulence factor isn't quite as high as we've come to expect from other Lexus vehicles. The lengthy features list translates into a somewhat busy-looking control panel, but these controls are easy to use, thanks to intuitive placement. The gauges are easily read, as is the optional navigation system.
The 60/40-split-folding rear seats and power-folding third-row seats help add convenience for most everyday suburban affairs, though we've found the second-row seats are hard, flat and not particularly comfortable. Cargo space with both rear rows lowered measures a useful 92 cubic feet. Rather than having a typical liftgate, the GX 460 comes with a swinging rear cargo door hinged on the passenger side. The design complicates curbside loading, though a flip-up rear window allows for stowing of smaller and lighter packages. The GX adds more rear passenger space for the new model, but the cargo bay shrinks by 13 cubic feet.
Seven-passenger seating in three rows is standard. The second-row bench seat can slide forward and backward for optimal legroom, and the seat's backrest also reclines. When more cargo room is needed, the standard power-folding third row folds flat with the floor. There are a few minor interior trim changes for 2011.
The cabin features a symmetrical dashboard design with a large center control panel finished in silver-colored trim. Interior features include:
*Standard leather seat trim
*Standard heated and ventilated power front seats
*Standard moonroof
*Optional navigation system
*Optional Mark Levinson audio system
*Optional backseat entertainment system
The GX 460 Premium adds adaptive variable suspension (with rear adjustable height control), additional chrome trim, auto-dimming sideview mirrors, adaptive xenon headlights, upgraded leather upholstery, a heated wood-trimmed steering wheel, heated second-row seats and rear air-conditioning.
The GX 460 has a tall stance. The GX has smooth body sides accented by large front and rear fender flares, and its face has an uncanny resemblance to Subaru's Outback wagon, thanks to similar headlights. Exterior features include:
*18-inch wheels standard
*Rear window can be opened independently of the gate
Significantly upgraded from its predecessor, including a lower displacement but more powerful V8, the GX 460 slots in above the RX 350 but below the hulking LX 570.
As its name implies, the GX 460 uses a 4.6-liter V8 that puts out 301 horsepower (up from 263) and 329 lb-ft. of torque (up from 323 lb-ft.). The sole V8 is mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission and an off road-oriented two-speed four-wheel-drive system.
Fuel economy is up to 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway compared to the outgoing model's rather dismal 14/18.
Although the GX 460 is based on one of the most rugged SUV platforms produced today, its positioning as a Lexus makes it a decidedly luxury-oriented SUV. Standard 18 inch wheels (up from 17 inchers) add to its on-road presence, as do standard illuminated running boards and a Lexus family waterfall-like horizontal grille.
The 2011 Lexus GX 460 comes standard with antilock brakes, traction and stability control, hill descent control, hill start assist, front- and rear-seat side airbags, driver and front passenger knee airbags and roll-sensing side curtain airbags spanning all three rows. A collision mitigation system is included with the optional adaptive cruise control, and lane departure and distracted driver alerts are also optional features.
In brake testing, the GX 460 slowed from 60 mph to zero in 127 feet, average for its class.
Driving Impressions
Because the 2011 Lexus GX 460 carries on as a body-on-frame SUV, it drives more like a truck than car-based crossovers. Still, the GX manages to impress with a refined, smooth ride and respectable handling. Those who take their corners with spirit will notice ample body roll and intervention from the stability control system.
The Premium trim's adaptive variable suspension and rear adjustable height control enhance versatility and convenience by allowing the driver to select a stiffer or softer suspension tuning for various conditions. These features also adjust the rear height by more than an inch for added off-road ground clearance for easier cargo loading.
Acceleration from the V8 is fine around town, but with about 5,300 pounds to lug around, the GX 460 can feel winded during highway passing maneuvers. The transmission shifts smoothly, though it can occasionally be hesitant to downshift.
reference:www.leftlanenews.com,www.cars.com,www.edmunds.com
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