Classic Reviews - 2014 Lexus GX 460

Categories: American Classic Cars | Classic Trucks | Import Classic Cars

First, I'd like to ask our readers to please put down their pitchforks and extinguish their torches. Yes, this is a review of a modern luxury SUV. And yes, this is still AutoTrader Classics. If you hear us out you may just agree with what we learned after spending a week with the GX 460.

The luxury SUV segment is not new. Some may argue that Jeep invented the category way back in the 1960s with the Super Wagoneer. The recipe was simple: take a highly capable offroad vehicle and make it as well apportioned as as luxury car. It worked so well that Land Rover created a whole new product line around the idea (Range Rover). It wasn't until the 80s and 90s that the luxury SUV segment really exploded. Now it seems that every manufacturer offers some sort of decked-out offroader.

But why do these vehicles appeal even more so to today's buyers? We have a theory: the lack of a classic American luxury car in the market. Back in the 60s and 70s a good luxury car had presence on the road. The driver was in command of a grand motor vehicle. There was power. There was responsibility. There was enough separation from the world to feel special, but not so much as to feel detached. And most importantly the driver could enjoy the drive itself and not feel like they were simply in a mobile waiting room. That feeling can be found in the GX 460.

As one would expect from a $55k luxury vehicle the GX 460 is loaded. There are heated/cooled seats, automatic climate control, satellite radio, acres of leather, amazing headlights, giant sunroof, navigation, and a touch screen to control almost the entire vehicle. You also get four wheel drive but unfortunately that feature was not tested this time around. The interior is almost bank vault quiet due to what must be a copious amount of sound deadening. The seats are quite comfortable and the heat/cool function makes long haul driving much more pleasant. As a bonus the rear passengers get their own climate control system.

Power from the 4.6L V8 is adequate at 301 hp and 329 lb./ft. of torque. It is no dragster but it will get out of its own way quite nicely (once again, much like a classic American luxury car). Gas mileage averaged 18 mpg with mixed city/highway driving. Honestly though if gas mileage is a concern, go buy a Prius. This is a full size, decked out, four wheel drive vehicle with a V8; fuel mileage should not be a surprise (or frankly a concern at this price level). The ride is quiet and smooth but not floaty. There is still some SUV left under there but honestly that is part of the charm. Somehow Lexus managed to make the GX 460 corner quiet well with very little lean, which was quite surprising at first but felt natural by the end of the week. 

The full frame American luxury car is dead. Some may say this is a good thing and that we have moved on to better things. But what if you liked the feeling you got while driving one of those cars? What do you do now? The answer seems to be right in front of us, it's just a little taller now.


2014 Lexus GX 460 Specifications:

Dimensions
Type: Seven-passenger luxury utility vehicle
Construction: Body-on-frame
Overall Length: 189.2 in (4,805 mm)
Width: 74.2 in (1,885 mm)
Height: 74.2 in (1,885 mm)
Wheelbase: 109.8 in (2,790 mm)
Ground Clearance: 8.1 in (205 mm)
Approach Angle: 28°
Departure Angle: 25°
Cargo Capacity: 64.7 cu ft (1,833 L) (max) [*]
Tow Capacity: 6,500 lb (2,948 kg) (with available tow hitch) [*]
Curb Weight: 5,128 lb (2,326 kg)
Fuel-Tank Capacity: 23.0 gal (87 L)
Headroom (front/outboard middle/third row): 38.0/40.4/35.2 in (965/1,025/895 mm)
Legroom (front/middle/third row): 41.7/34.1/29.3 in (1,058/868/743 mm)
Shoulder Room (front/middle/third row): 55.4/57.3/54.5 in (1,408/1,455/1,384 mm)
Hip Room (front/middle/third row): 56.5/55.2/43.1 in (1,435/1,401/1,096 mm)

Engine
Type: 90° V8, aluminum block and heads
Displacement: 4.6 liters (281 cubic inches)
Valvetrain: Four cam, four valves per cylinder, with dual Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i)
Compression Ratio: 10.2:1
Horsepower: 301 hp @ 5,500 RPM [*]
Torque: 329 lb-ft @ 3,500 RPM [*]
Emissions: Certified Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV II)

Performance
0-60 MPH Acceleration: 7.8 seconds [*]
1/4-Mile Acceleration: 16.6 seconds  [*]
Top Track Speed (electronically limited): 110 mph  [*]
EPA Fuel Economy Ratings (city/highway/combined): 15/20/17 mpg [*]
Aerodynamic Drag Coefficient: 0.35
Turning Circle: 38.1 ft

Drivetrain
Transmission: Six-speed sequential-shift automatic Electronically Controlled Transmission with intelligence (ECT-i)
Drive Wheels: Full-time four-wheel drive with TORSEN® limited-slip center differential [*] with electronic differential lock
Final Drive Ratio: 3.909:1

Chassis
Suspension (front): Independent, double-wishbone with coil springs, gas-pressurized shock absorbers and stabilizer bar
Suspension (rear): Four-link with coil springs, gas-pressurized shock absorbers and stabilizer bar
Adjustable Suspension: Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) with automatic, electronically adjustable front and rear stabilizer bars
Steering: Power-assisted rack-and-pinion steering. 3.0 turns, lock to lock
Braking System: Four-wheel power-assisted discs, with four-sensor, four-channel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist [*]
Brakes: 13.3-in ventilated front discs, 12.3-in ventilated rear discs
Wheels and Tires: 18 x 7.5-in six-spoke alloy wheels with 265/60R18 mud- and snow-rated tires [*]. Full-size spare tire