In Our Opinion:
For the 2020 mannequin 12 months, the Lexus GX 460 obtained an upgraded off-road bundle with crawl management, a brand new spindle grille, and some luxurious inside tweaks. That mentioned, there’s little new for 2021, except for Amazon Alexa compatibility and acoustic entrance aspect glass. Good as these updates are, we might look first for a pleasant pre-owned mannequin. The Lexus GX 460 is sort of luxurious inside and many succesful off-road, however the 4.6-liter V8 is exhibiting its age and the fuel mileage is lower than stellar.
Security & Tech Options
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Professionals
Inside House
Off-Highway Functionality
Security & Tech Options
Cons
Engine Energy
Gasoline Financial system
The 2021 Lexus GX 460 is a succesful SUV if you’re going stir loopy and need to take a street journey. Given the luxurious inside, it’s simple to maintain proper on driving. With a V8 beneath the hood, the GX 460 can tow a small camper or a trailer stuffed with bikes or snowmobiles for a weekend getaway. It’s additionally the best luxurious SUV for a household who lives outdoors the town and must journey unpaved roads to get residence.
This week, we drove the 2021 Lexus GX 460 within the Luxurious trim. Right here is how our check drive went.
Lexus GX 460: What’s New For 2021?
For the 2021 mannequin 12 months, the Lexus GX 460 receives acoustic entrance aspect glass on all fashions and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Silver 18-inch wheels and a heated, wood-trimmed steering wheel are actually out there on the Premium and Premium Plus packages. In any other case, the GX 460 is usually unchanged for 2021. There have been no updates by way of engine efficiency or towing capability.
With that in thoughts, we would suggest searching for a gently used mannequin*. Given there are so few updates for 2021, we might try to save the cash versus shopping for a model new GX 460.
The brand new Lexus GX 460 is available in six colours: Starfire Pearl, Atomic Silver, Nebula Grey Pearl, Dusk Mica, Black Onyx, and Claret Mica. Inside colours embrace Black, Sepia, Ecru, and Rioja Pink with a black headliner. There are three trim ranges for the 2021 Lexus GX 460: the bottom GX mannequin, Premium, and Luxurious.
2021 Lexus GX 460 Luxurious Options
Our 2021 Lexus GX 460 Luxurious got here normal with LED headlights, operating boards, dual-zone computerized local weather management, power-adjustable entrance seats, driver’s seat reminiscence settings, power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors, and a power-adjustable steering column.
Infotainment options included Lexus Enform emergency and distant automobile providers, a customizable touchscreen show, 4 USB ports (two entrance/two rear), Bluetooth functionality, and satellite tv for pc and HD radio. Different niceties for the GX Luxurious embrace a sunroof, rearview digicam, and headlamp washers.
On the efficiency aspect, our GX 460 Luxurious got here with trailer sway management, Adaptive Variable Suspension with three modes (Regular, Consolation, and Sport), auto-leveling rear air suspension, a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a torque-sensing limited-slip heart differential, and the Lexus Security System+ bundle.
Non-compulsory Packages
Our tester additionally got here with the Sport Design Bundle, which included 19-inch wheels, second-row captain’s chairs, darkish grey entrance fascia, satin chrome decrease grille encompass, and a gunmetal metallic exhaust tip.
Our 2021 Lexus GX 460 Luxurious was additionally geared up with the Off-Highway bundle. That bundle consists of multi-terrain and panoramic view displays, a transmission cooler, a gasoline tank protector, crawl management, and a muti-terrain choose system.
2021 Lexus GX 460 Pricing
The beginning MSRP for base fashions is $53,100, whereas the Premium and Luxurious begin at $55,890 and $64,365. With the entire choices listed above, anticipate the MSRP to be simply north of $70,000.
Inside Highlights
The Lexus GX 460 is large on the within and can match a rising household with its three rows of seating. Nevertheless, the GX 460 can seat seven for those who go for a second-row bench. Both method, stepping inside reveals an enormous snug cabin with 10-way power-adjustable, heated, and cooled entrance seats. The match and end and high quality of supplies are what we might anticipate from Toyota’s luxurious division.
The second-row is roomy even for taller adults with heated captains chairs that additionally tilt and slide. The third row folds flat on the push of a button to supply much more cargo-carrying potential for these weekend excursions. The inside is cavernous because the max cargo quantity is available in at 64.7 cubic ft.
Engine & Gasoline Mileage Specs
The 2021 Lexus GX 460 is normal with a 4.6-liter V8 that produces 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft. of torque. It comes mated to a six-speed computerized. Max towing capability is 6,500 lbs.
EPA rankings are available at 15/19 metropolis/freeway and 16 mixed. The GX 460 additionally takes premium gasoline, so visits to the fuel pump to replenish the 23-gallon tank gained’t be low-cost.
How Does The 2021 Lexus GX 460 Drive?
The Lexus GX 460 likes to cruise on the open freeway, and it felt easy on our 200 mile journey to the Painted Mines Park east of Colorado Springs. The Adaptive Variable Suspension eats up the pace bumps and potholes with out jarring you or your passengers. It had loads of energy to get across the slower vans on the flat concrete, however going up I-70 at 7,500 ft elevation, the V8 appeared to battle to get us up the steep incline.
When you have a full load of passengers or are pulling a trailer, the brand new GX 460 might battle to deal with the load. Regardless of the luxurious inside, Lexus hasn’t upgraded the horsepower or torque output of the 4.6-liter V8 in a decade.
Driving Dynamics: Rugged & Succesful
The GX 460 comes with a body-on-frame building, full-time four-wheel-drive, and a limited-slip differential. Our tester got here with the optionally available Off-Highway bundle that now consists of multi-terrain and panoramic view displays and a multi-terrain choose system. You possibly can regulate the traction relying on the terrain. There may be Rock, Rock and Grime, Mogul, Free Rock, or Mud and Sand settings.
You can even choose Crawl Management to navigate steep terrain when the GX 460 is switched into low vary. Lexus says the system regulates wheel spin by robotically adjusting the engine throttle and brakes, serving to enhance traction.
Conclusion: Older However Nonetheless Purposeful
The 2021 Lexus GX 460 might use a transform, but it surely’s nonetheless probably the most succesful three-row SUVs. The truck-like platform and four-wheel-drive system will provide peace of thoughts when you need to drive on snowy and icy roads. And the heated leather-based seats will probably be good when it does get chilly. Whereas the Lexus GX 460 might use an engine improve, for many on a regular basis driving conditions, the 4.6-liter V8 will suffice.
In case you are out there for a brand new Lexus GX, check out the shape under. Relying on native incentives and stock availability, you might be able to buy under MSRP. We additionally suggest acquiring the bill value (typically known as vendor value) to see how a lot the vendor paid. The bill value is typically out there by trim stage and is a superb place to begin when negotiating.
Denis Flierl has invested over 25 years within the automotive business in a wide range of roles. All of his firsthand opinions are archived on our check drives web page. Observe Denis on Twitter: @CarReviewGuy
Images: Lexus.
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