2020 Lexus GX 460 Review by Mark Fulmer
A Combination of Luxury and Off Road Toughness
By Mark Fulmer
The Auto Channel
People who venture off paved roads know about the Lexus GX 460 and its decade-long reputation for handling rough terrain. The 2020 version features Toyota's Off-Road package that includes a multi camera display that gives you an overhead surround view that not only lets you see those boulders you're trying to miss on the trail, but also the in-town curbs and parking spaces in too tightly designed mall parking lots.
There is also a new crawl control which can adjust throttle and brakes for tricky inclines, a transmission cooler, and additional shielding for the fuel tank. In this era of presets and macros, a Multi-Terrain selector dials in all the needed settings for dirt, sand, mud, rocks, and moguls (and if you're on moguls, you might be on a ski run). The selector also activates the Multi-Terrain Monitor to let you see a variety of distinct camera views, including a under-vehicle view.
Power. No turbocharged engine under this hood. The GX has a 301-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 engine creating 329 pound-feet of torque coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission that's as smooth as silk. Lexus's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System increases the traction so crucial to off-roading. However setting the adaptive dampers to Comfort mode allows the GX to glide over cracks and bumps in our woefully under-maintained streets and highways.
Luxury. Gray Sapele wood with aluminum trim for Premium and Luxury models, a three-spoke steering wheel, and a revised gauge cluster, new triple-beam LED headlights and a revised spindle grille are new. The available Sport Design package adds a special lower-grille treatment, rear valence, side mirrors, 19-inch wheels and tires, red taillights, and a black exhaust tip. The package also replaces the standard three-across second-row bench seat with a pair of bucket seats.
So if you need a three-row SUV with strong and getting stronger off-road track record, you should test drive the elegant GX.