A Closer Look at the 2021 Lexus GX 460 SUV
Off-road ability and luxury in one package.
Lexus Front View
Shopping for a Lexus SUV that has the capability for serious off-road use? The LX-570 is often presented as the better choice. But it is large, very thirsty (12/17 mpg), and expensive. The last one we drove was a hefty $108K. But there is another excellent choice from Lexus, and it's the GX-460 seen here. It has all the styling, luxury, build quality, and off-road ability of the LX-570, but in a smaller size. It also has a smaller price tag.
Text and photos by Chad Haire
Price
The base price of a GX starts at about $53K. This one is loaded up with goodies so hit a tidy $71,890. This is not cheap, but still far less than the $108K tab of the larger LX we drove last week.
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Engine
The GX is powered by a proven 4.6 liter V-8 rated at 301 horsepower if premium gas is used. It is hooked to a 6-speed manual gearbox. While a bit dated, this tranny is super reliable and should last the life of the vehicle if proper service is completed. The fuel economy of this combo is listed at 15/19 mpg. This is what we observed in easy driving, but a heavy foot on the throttle can drop these numbers in a hurry.
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4x4 Controls
For serious drives in the dirt, we have all the features needed. The four-wheel-drive is full time, so can be used on the pavement. There is four-wheel low, locking differential, crawl control, and a suspension that can be raised for better ground clearance.
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Side steps
The side steps assist entry into the cabin. They are tucked in well, so will not interfere with off-road driving.
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Off-Road
With its adjustable suspension, the GX is very comfortable to drive on rough trails, as it absorbs impacts with ease.
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Off-Road II
The GX is small enough to fit on narrow mule trails but has enough cabin room to fit plenty of camping gear or other cargo. Add to that a high ground clearance with a locking differential, and this SUV is ready for serious use.
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Wheels
These 19-inch dark grey metallic alloy wheels look nice and are part of the Sport package. The Dunlop AT23 tires are made for a variety of conditions, on and off the road.
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Spare Tire
The spare tire is full size which will come in handy if you get a flat on a dirt trail. But it is located under the frame, so will take some effort to reach.
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Rear Door
The rear door assembly is one piece and swings out the right. This can be a great advantage if loading gear from the left, not so much if doing so from the right!
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Headlights
The triple beam headlights are standard on the luxury model and do a great job of illuminating the road.
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POV Street Driving
For long highway trips, this is a comfortable SUV, smooth and very quiet. The fuel economy of 19 mpg will require frequent stops at the gas station, but this is a small price to pay.
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Rear
Overall, like its bigger brother the LX570, the GX460 is a true "does anything" vehicle, but with a smaller price point. This explains why it is a good seller for the Lexus dealers.
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