We tested drive the new '17 GX460 on Friday and while I like the car much, I find that from around 50mph on up, even when I pressed hard on the gas pedal, the car is having hard time speeding up. The car does not really have much of a load other than three people of 150lbs each.

Is this normal for you or the car i tested is having issues. I did not want to mention to the sale person (not want to make him feel bad).

Please give me your insight as we really like the car and willing to test drive again and buy if this problem is just an isolated incident. Thanks

 

Yea, The transmission shifting is a flaw on the GX (in my opinion). Try this,

https://www.clublexus.com/forums/gx-...abilities.html

 

Way cool. Please show me how to do this and switch back to normal gear after having some fun. thanks.

Also will the air ride in luxury model provide a smoother ride. I find the base and premium model is a little bumpy even on smooth road. I may not be able to afford to purchase luxury model but if it's that much better, i may just have to go for it.

 

Best way is to test drive a luxury model with air suspension since every ones definitions on smooth might be dfferent.

You can try and manumatic the gearbox to see if that improves things. What type of 50+ acceleration are you comparing it would be more of a desirable question? If your accustomed to FI motors and their power delivery, its hard to do with the NA V8 with about 301 hp and 329 tqs with 5.5k lbs to move.

 

During my test drive, I changed lane and just wanted to speed up a little to pass and it did not realy move much with gas pedal on the floor hence the question. My wife rx350 does not have that issue but it's a much lighter car. If gx is known to have acceleration like that at high speeds, i may have to reconsider.

 

I went back to the dealer to learn manual shifting. What a different. Love it and will put in an order soon after figure out what trim to get.
Are you happy with the NuLuxe on your GX instead of leather. It would save me $6000 comparing to the premium trim. I don't really need/want the extra stuff that come with the premium trim other than leather seating (just like the smell of leather.)

 

Yea, you need to be in the GX to figure out how it works

 

When you place the shifter in the manual position, besides being able to manually shift, will the trans shift automatically (maybe hold a gear a little longer) if you just place the shifter in the manual position?

If this makes sense..

 

I find acceleration to be pretty good at highway speeds. The weight and quietness makes the speed a little deceptive, but the speedometer moves well enough.

 

Hey JT4, yes, it will shift automatically. When you first slide it into manual, it automatically "identifies" the highest gear to be in as 4th gear. So if you're at a stop and do it, you'll see "4" in the dashboard. You can start normally and it will start in 1st gear and progress upward until hitting 4th. If you want to go any higher, just toggle the gear up. When you slow down, it will downshift normally.

I think you are right though in that it will hold a gear longer - eliminating it's default setting of trying to get you into the highest gear for the most efficiency.

 

EDIT:
*2,I haven't really noticed the gears holding longer

 

Thanks tecman - you're probably right. I think it might be totally in my head but for some reason I feel like it holds the gear longer. Or maybe I'm just not realizing that it's me holding the gear longer by not upshifting. I know, totally not helpful!

 

If your use to say BMWs where Manumatic is direct control, Lexus is more of gear limiting.

For instance if you shift into M/S BMWs hold individual gears longer indicated. Shift up and down, and the indicated gear number shifts with you.

In Lexus, at least non F sport models, the Manual shifting is more of reducing the gear range. Think like going from a 6 speed to a 4 speed to reduce the upshifting caused with style programming (eco standards or smoothness)

 

Thanks for the info everyone..