Peter Palmer: 2015 Lexus GX 460 Luxury Review

2015 Lexus GX 460 Luxury

4.0 Our Score

Pros

Smooth Driving
Abundant Luxury
Off-Road Capability

Cons

Fuel Economy
Second Row Comfort

“Wow, this vehicle is big … ”

That’s what my passengers said this week after first getting into the cabin of the 2015 Lexus GX 460. Big, luxurious, and comfortable describes this SUV from Lexus. It’s a place people will enjoy spending time hauling passengers or cargo around. Families who lead active lifestyles can also use this big SUV for weekend recreation pursuits.

This Lexus is beautiful on the outside and tough underneath.

What’s New

The 2015 Lexus GX 460 remains unchanged except for some new features that include Siri Eyes Free and the optional Lexus Enform App Suite. It’s been upgraded for additional smartphone app integration.

Options & Features

The 2015 GX 460 Luxury ($60,715) comes with tri-zone air conditioning, power-retracting outside mirrors, heated steering wheel and rear seats, Adaptive Variable Suspension, LED foglamps, Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Intuitive Parking Assist, and 18-inch split six-spoke wheels with Liquid Graphite finish.

An optional driver support package was added ($4,340) that included the Mark Levinson audio system, the off-road-oriented Crawl Control feature, automatic high beam control, adaptive cruise control (includes a pre-collision warning system), lane departure warning, and additional front and side parking cameras.

Total MSRP: $65,980

Interior Highlights

GX 460’s cabin is attractive and nicely put together and what you would expect from Toyota’s luxury division. The leather is soft, the Mahogany wood trim is genuine, and the fit and finish is first class. Front seats are very comfortable, but the hard and flat second row bench is much less so. Our passengers liked the leg, hip, and headroom in the back, but felt the backseat in a luxury SUV should be a bit cushier than it is.

The third row seats are suitable for kids and very short rides for adults.

This Luxury model gets all the goodies like heated/cooled 10-way power front seats, heated second row seats, and windshield deicer. Where the GX 460 shines is in its cargo carrying ability. There’s 64.7 cubic feet of space with the second and third row seats folded flat.

Lexus GX 460 is so big, that it’s difficult to access all that cargo room from outside.

Engine & Fuel Mileage

The 2015 Lexus GX 460 is powered by a 4.6-liter V8 engine that develops 301 horespower and 329 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission is standard, as is a full-time 4WD system, with a dual-range transfer case.

EPA estimated fuel mileage comes in at 15/20 city/highway mpg and 17 combined mpg.

Driving Dynamics

The Lexus GX 460 gets its underpinnings from the rugged Toyota 4Runner and can take on any trails owners would need to tackle. Most owners will never take their GX 460 off the pavement, but it’s a good choice for active families who do. We didn’t take it off-road this week but gave it a good test on the road instead.

For an SUV built on a body-on-frame chassis, the Lexus GX 460 rides smoother and more comfortable than you would think. Our GX tester came with Adaptive Variable Suspension, where the driver can dial up one of three modes for a softer or firmer ride.

We tried all three and found it to be an effective feature.

In the mountain corners, the GX 460 feels big and bulky and has a fair amount of body lean. On the open road, it gives the driver confidence as it feels substantial and truck-like. In city commuting, the driver has a commanding view of the road and the luxury SUV has good visibility. The V8 has plenty of power for most drivers unless you are loaded with passengers and cargo and headed up the mountain at altitude.

We thought the SUV’s 4.6-liter V8 could use a bit more power and torque, but we were testing the GX 460 at 8,500 feet elevation. Most buyers will find it has adequate performance.

If you want to leave the pavement, this is where the GX 460 outshines the competition. It’s full-time 4WD and available Crawl Control feature will get you far away from civilization and it will deliver you there, bathed in comfort.

Conclusion

For those needing a luxury SUV, with all the comforts, and the ability to cover rugged terrain, the Lexus GX 460 is a good pick. The truck-based architecture will deliver. It’s also luxurious, quiet, and tranquil.

The 4.6-liter V8 delivers good power and the six-speed automatic transmission is smooth.