If you’re into big, boxy 4WDs, you’ll know they’re a bit like Halley's Comet – as in, a new one only comes around once in a very, very, very long while.
Which makes this a bit of a golden era for these big brutes. Because not only are we getting new ones, we’re getting a whole bunch of them and at pretty much the same time.
There’s the new LandCruiser 300 Series, which arrived a couple of years back. There’s the new Prado, which is around the corner. Then there’s the new Y63 Nissan Patrol, which has just been revealed. And that’s without mentioning the litany of Chinese rivals, either already here, or set to arrive soon.
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But this one, the Lexus GX, is probably my favourite. Or at least it was when I first sampled it at its global launch, thanks to its thumping twin-turbo V6 engine, its tough, capable look, and its cabin swimming in clever tech. Sure, it drank like a sailor on shore leave, but you can’t win 'em all.
No surprise I’m dead-keen to unleash it on local roads here in Australia to see if those fond memories hold up.
Price and features – Does it represent good value for the price? What features does it come with? 8/10
8 / 10
Believe it or not, the shiny beast you see in this review is the entry-level Lexus GX, the 550 Luxury, which lists at $116,000, before on-road costs.
Now be warned, according to Toyota’s website, that translates into more like $128,000, drive-away (in NSW). It’s also a long way above the entry-level Toyota Prado, the GX, which lists at $72,500.
But something, something, something ‘premium’, I guess. And besides, you do get a whole lot of stuff — and a whole lot of engine — for your money.
The entry-level GX nabs 20-inch alloys with a full-size spare, LED lighting all around (including DRLs and fog lights), front and rear scuff plates, roof rails and a powered tailgate hinged at the top, rather than the side.
Inside, there’s seating for seven, wrapped in synthetic leather, heated and ventilated front seats, and heated window seats in the second row. There's also three-zone climate, a 14-inch central screen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 10-speaker stereo, a 12-3-inch driver screen, a head-up display and wireless device charging.
The Sports Luxury is the most expensive GX at $128,200, before on-roads, and it gets 22-inch wheels, adaptive suspension, better lighting and a fixed glass roof with a sun shade. Inside, there’s a 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo, leather seats with a massage function for the front row and a digital rear-view mirror amongst other added goodies.
Then smack-bang in the middle of the GX range is the Overtrail, which lists at $122,250, and is designed to be the most off-road-focused model of the lot.
It rides on 18-inch alloys, gets special 4WD-focused bumpers and provisional mounts should you want to install rock rails. There’s also an electronic rear diff lock and what Lexus calls its 'Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System', which automatically disconnects the front and rear sway bars for serious wheel articulation when off-roading.
Inside, it’s a five-seat-only deal, with a synthetic suede seat material and unique design treatment.
Design – Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10
8 / 10
I reckon Lexus has nailed the brief with this GX, especially in the deep 'Graphite Black' which makes it look even tougher.
It’s worth pointing out there are two distinct looks on offer with this Lexus, the Overtrail fitted with smaller wheels, off-road rubber, more aggressive arches and unique bumpers.
The Luxury and Sports Luxury are more street style, and I think the GX Overtrail looks ace. There’s no over-the-top grilles or design flourishes, just a big, blocky SUV that looks plenty tough.
Inside, it’s a high-tech and premium feeling space. The seats are lovely, the tech is big clear and easy to use, the cursed Lexus 'Remote Touch' track pad has been consigned to the history books in favour of a touchscreen and the lovely cabin materials extend to the back tows, too.
Practicality – How practical is its space and tech inside? 8/10
8 / 10
The GX is a big truck, though admittedly not Lexus’ biggest , stretching just over 5.0m in length, a little more than 2.1m in width, around 1.9m in height and riding on a 2.85m wheelbase.
Only the Overtrail is a five-seater, with the more road-focused trims providing seating for seven. It also means the Overtrail gets more boot space, while the seven-seaters gets 291 litres of room behind the third row, growing to 1138 litres and 2177 litres when you start lowering the seats.
All models weigh in excess of 2.5 tonnes, by the way, and will tow a 3.5-tonne braked trailer. And for reasons known only to Lexus, there are 12 cupholders included, which means each passenger can bring 1.7 drinks.
The big question with seven-seaters is how much room you have in the back, and the GX is pretty generous. I enjoy plenty of room for my 175cm frame behind the driver’s seat, and climbing into the back is relatively easy, too.
The middle-row seats collapse and fold right away, meaning you can climb into the third row without too much grunting. And once there, you’ll find room for adults along with two of the five USB connection points dotted around the cabin.
Under the bonnet – What are the key stats for its engine and transmission? 9/10
9 / 10
This is a pretty straightforward choice, as you get to choose from exactly one engine option. Every GX scores a very punchy 3.5-litre, twin-turbo V6 engine, along with a 10-speed automatic that feeds the power to all four wheels.
The engine produces 260kW and 650Nm and it feels sprightly.
Efficiency – What is its fuel consumption? What is its driving range? 6/10
6 / 10
It is thirsty, the GX. It has a big 80-litre fuel tank and the official fuel consumption figure for the combined (urban/extra-urban) cycle is 12.3L/100km.
That translates to a theoretical range of 650km. But I don’t love your chances. We were using more like 20 litres per hundred kays (though that was in the city) which drops the range figure to more like 400km.
Driving – What's it like to drive? 8/10
8 / 10
Piloting a big 4WD with genuine off-road aspirations in the city is always a lucky dip, but the Lexus GX falls on the more car-like side of that equation.
Sure, it never feels quite as tight as a true road-focused SUV, but nor does it feel overly floaty and hard to manoeuvre. In fact, should you never venture off the tarmac — which I suspect is a category many of its owners will fall into — you can pretty easily forget you’re driving a Prado-based 4WD.
The steering feels a little vague, and the manoeuvrability isn’t terrific, but the tech on board makes navigating tight spaces pretty breezy, and I found it easy enough to drive and park in town.
That engine, by the way, is a gem. Sure, you can feel your child’s trust fund evaporating every time you flatten the accelerator, but the GX doesn’t want for grunt, and you’ll have no problem getting going and up to speed.
The transmission is seamless in the way it goes about its business, and while not particularly quiet, the drivetrain feels like it perfectly suits the nature, and size, of the GX.
In short, it's an off-roader that won't sap your will to live should you never venture off the tarmac, and it looks damn good doing it, too.
Safety – What safety equipment is fitted? What is its safety rating? 8/10
8 / 10
The GX features a long safety list (think AEB, lane keeping assist, rear cross-traffic alert, etc), and while not yet ANCAP tested, I’d be surprised if it didn’t nab a strong rating.
But I want to call out one feature you’ll love, especially if you’re nervous about driving a bigger vehicle.
It’s technically an off-road camera, which fills the 14.0-inch central screen with exactly what's happening beneath the tyres, but it also comes in plenty handy when parking.
Basically, the GX disappears from the 360-degree bird's-eye view, meaning you can see exactly where the parking lines or lane markings are.
The airbag count runs to nine, including full-length side curtains and there are three top tethers and two ISOFIX anchors across the second row for securing child seats and/or baby capsules.
Ownership – What warranty is offered? What are its service intervals? What are its running costs? 7/10
7 / 10
The GX is covered by Lexus' five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty, which is good. And there’s five years capped-price servicing, which is also good.
But less good is the fact service intervals are every six months, which is annoying, and they cost $595 a pop, which means you’re looking at almost $1200 a year to keep this on the road - or almost six grand over the first five years.
Verdict
Talk about nailing the brief. If you can live with the fuel bill, the Lexus GX won’t just drag you up from a Prado, but sideways from an LC300. I still think the Overtrail looks the best, but if yours is a city life, you can’t go past the entry-level model for its value proposition.
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