2014 Lexus GX 460

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PRICE : For GX 460 $49,085

PRICE : For GX 460 Premium $53,795
PRICE : For GX 460 Luxury $60,715

With their superior fuel efficiency and refined on-road dynamics, car-based crossovers are the ride of choice for most luxury buyers seeking big cargo space and an elevated seating position. Though their numbers have rapidly diminished due to the popularity of the crossover, there still exist a few traditional, truck-like SUV models that can claw their way through treacherous trails and over steep hills - if that's the capability that you need, or would just feel safer knowing that you have, then you should give the GX 460 a close look.

This SUV packs the right gear for heading off the beaten path, including a two-speed transfer case for its four-wheel-drive system and a crawl control system that lets the driver set a speed from 1 to 3.7 mph that the vehicle will automatically maintain - even when traveling through ruts, clambering over rocks or traversing sandy inclines.

That isn't to say that the GX 460 is uncouth when it comes time to return to the pavement. It can't match the handling sophistication of crossovers, but it's more wieldy than its off-roading prowess would suggest due to an available adaptive suspension that with computer-controlled dampers that automatically adjust to road conditions for improved responsiveness and ride comfort. Also included are adaptive stabilizer bars that firm up to reduce body roll during daily driving and can disconnect for better wheel articulation in the rough stuff.

Inside, the GX 460 delivers what one would expect of a Lexus - fine leather upholstery, wood trim and elegant lines, albeit integrated into a more upright, truck-like design than most of the luxury brand's other models. New for the latest model year is upsized eight-inch touchscreen that controls Bluetooth connectivity functions as well as entertainment and navigation systems through Lexus' Enform infotainment system. Enform also includes an App Suite that lets users search the internet with Bing, make resturaunt reservations with OpenTable, get movie tickets via MovieTickets.com, look up reviews on Yelp, check in on Facebook places, and listen to Pandora and iHeartRadio internet radio.

The GX 460 provides seating for seven passengers across three rows of seats, although the rearmost row is most suitable children. When it comes time to carry cargo, folding down the 2nd and 3rd row seats results in a sizable 92 cubic inches of stowage space.

Exterior styling was revised for the latest model year, with Lexus' corporate "spindle" grille, new LED headlights and running lights as well as optional LED foglights being the major changes up front, At the rear, revisions include clear tail lamps and a revised bumper, while new wheels finish the look outside.

As its name implies, the GX 460 uses a 4.6-liter V8 that puts out 301 horsepower (up from 263) and 329 lb-ft. of torque (up from 323 lb-ft.). The motor is mated exclusively to a six-speed automatic transmission and an off road-oriented two-speed four-wheel-drive system. Towing capacity maxes out a 6,500 lbs.

As a technology and luxury packed SUV, the GX 460 is no lightweight. Its mass and thirsty V8 mean that fuel economy isn't pretty - officially, the EPA rates the SUV at just 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway.

EXTERIOR

Something strange happens in the Lexus and Toyota design studios when there is a big critical success like the 2012 Lexus LF-LC coupe concept that donated its nose to the IS sedan and RC coupe (the new IS coupe’s name). The design is instantly mimicked across the CAD-CAM studio, but often the end result is like a bad game of telephone. Someone describing the new Lexus spindle grille over Skype, perhaps?

Regardless, much of the grace from the original concept is long gone on the new GX’s nose. A tall and bluff face is always hard to style, but the look of those drooping lower bumper vents is quite unsettling.

The LED daytime running lights in the headlamp edges are far more successful. Lexus’s white LEDs are every bit as bright and helpful on the road for drivers as the Audi and BMW solution.

In addition to looking cool and using very little energy, LED lights are excellent for low visibility conditions like two-lane country roads. They provide an un-missable light graphic for road safety, without the loathed high beam DRL setup from the past GX. The light also illuminates reflective road signs to as clear as day.

Paired with the GX’s adaptive xenon projectors, the GX is all set for lighting the dusty trail in the Mojave or doing curbside pick-up outside LAX.

The clear taillights are really strange. While still popular in Japan, clear taillights are about as desirable as a totaled Mitsubishi Mitsubishi Eclipse everywhere else. The internal LED element does help with visibility and safety, but the clear reflectors will be unloved by Lexus’s fashion-aware buyers.

2014 Lexus GX 460 - Exterior Dimensions : 

► Wheelbase (In.) 109.8

► Length (In.) 189.2

► Width (In.) 74.2

► Height (In.) 74.2

► Curb Weight (Pounds) 5,128

► Tow Capacity (Pounds) 6,500

INTERIOR

The biggest news for the chunky and tough interior of the Lexus GX is the long-overdue arrival of an 8-inch touchscreen unit to control infotainment, navigation and backup camera duties.

The seating position for drivers is much more like the Toyota 4Runner with a high floor but great visibility and nicely vertical steering wheel. The wheel looks great, similar to the four-spoke unit on the Ford F-150 with styled creased and an industrial feel. Even the low dash of the GX is swathed in the full stitched leather treatment, with a few new wood and color choices on the menu for 2014.

Seating for seven gets quite tight in the back, as the dimensions below show. Access is also more difficult than for most minivans (or crossovers) thanks to a high ride height and tall seats.

2014 Lexus GX 460 - Interior Dimensions :

► Seating Capacity                                                         7
► Headroom (In.) - Front/Middle/Back              38 / 40.4 / 35.2
► Legroom (In.) - Front/Middle/Back                      41.7 / 34.1 / 29.3
► Shoulder Room (In.) - Front/Middle/Back      55.4 / 57.3 / 54.5
► Hip Room (In.) - Front/Middle/Back              56.5 / 55.2 / 43.1
► Trunk Capacity (Cubic-Feet)                                       64.7

SPECIFICATION

► Make:Lexus
► Model:GX
► Price:$49085
► Engine:V8
► Transmission:6-Speed Auto
► Horsepower @ RPM:301 @ 5500
► MPG(Cty):15
► MPG(Hwy):20
► Torque @ RPM:329 @ 3500
► Displacement:4.6 L
► 0-60 Time:7.8 sec.
► Quarter Mile Time:16.6 sec.
► Top Speed:110 mph
► Layout:Front-engine, Four-wheel-drive

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)

PERFORMANCE

The 2014 Lexus GX 460 is a conventional SUV–making it a hearty contender for rock-crawling and off-roading–but at the expensive of some of its agility on the highway.

It's powered by a 4.6-liter V-8 that produces 301 horsepower, and it accelerates willingly from 0-60 in only 7.8 seconds. That engine is mated to a smooth, quick-shifting six-speed automatic. Brakes are on the softer side of the spectrum, and its long-ratio steering is a constant reminder that the GX is more traditional SUV than nimble crossover.

Among the most noteworthy of the GX's electronic tools is the available Crawl Control, which micromanages momentum over the toughest terrain at crawl speeds between 1.0 and 3.7 mph, selectable in five increments. All the more impressive is the standard Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS), which hydraulically links the front and rear stabilizer bars. It serves two roles: Off-road it allows wheel articulation while helping press down on the opposing wheel to maintain contact, while on-road it aids ride quality and minimizes body roll.

Although most of the time we like the flat cornering that KDSS allows, it has a knack of leading you to believe you have more grip left than you actually do. In any case, the GX feels surprisingly comfortable on a twisty road at a moderate pace, although there's no road feel through the steering and an artificial weighting off center. The spongy brake-pedal feel is also one of the least appealing aspects.

Considering the low running boards, chrome trim all around, and what could be seen as a delicate interior, you might not expect the GX 460 to be a serious rock-crawler. It's not; but it's definitely more than another off-road poseur. The full-time four-wheel drive system includes a Torsen center differential and distributes power 60 percent to the rear wheels in normal driving, with more sent to the rear wheels during acceleration. There's also a low range for this tough body-on-frame ute, a host of electronic controls that will help you maintain control in various conditions, and a true center diff lock that you'd use for sand, mud, or snow.

DRIVETRAIN , SUSPENSION & BRAKES

No news for the buttery-smooth and potent Lexus V-8. This engine is still a dream and its programming is focused on delivering torque low in the rev range. The quad cams are something from a Ferrari Ferrari catalog, while the engine’s 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque make the big GX pretty brisk when driving hard.

The engine is a pure luxury car gem, which makes this American-spec GX a very desirable option versus the jumbo 3.0-liter four-cylinder diesel that serves on most other parts of the globe (in the Land Cruiser Prado).

A responsive six-speed auto is still one of Lexus’s best at reading your mood and responding appropriately, with either slushy and relaxed upshifts to make city driving comfy or hard kick downs for passing needs.

Sprint times stay at 7.8 seconds for the big Lexus, which tops out at an electronically limited 110 mph.

2014 Lexus GX 460 - Performance Details :

► Engine                       4.6-Liter 32-Valve V-8 With Quad Camshafts And Dual VVT-I
► Power                       301 Horsepower @ 5,500 Rpm
► Torque                       329 Pound-Feet @ 3,500 Rpm
► Transmission               6-Speed Automatic
► 0-60 Mph                       7.8 Seconds
► Top Speed              110 Mph, Limited

COMFORT & QUALITY

If you're looking for a crossover with car-like driving dynamics, the GX isn't for you–it's built for shopper who's owned (and enjoys) a old-style, truck-based SUV. It doesn't feel rugged inside, though–rather, it's supremely refined, with almost no road or wind noise, though you do hear the engine with strong acceleration. Ride quality is quite good, whether or not you get the Adaptive Variable Suspension that comes with Premium-grade models, but there's a bit more 'head-toss' on choppy roads.

The look and feel of the interior appointments in the GX 460 is also top-notch. The GX has more unique interior pieces (compared to the related 4Runner) than ever before, and the controls felt better designed and less cluttered than those in Lexus cars, and we loved the redesigned steering-wheel controls and nice, legible gauge layout and cleanly laid-out center-stack for audio, climate, and nav functions.

The seating position is high relative to the beltline, at least compared to other new vehicles, so there's great outward visibility. Front seats are nicely padded, with excellent support as well as good headroom and legroom. The second row is very roomy, too, and it's not only split but it slides fore and aft to adjust legroom and aid entry to the third row.

That back row itself doesn't make a lot of sense and will leave adults--or even teenagers--with their knees mashed into the seatback, with tight headroom to boot. Unfortunately, the seat can't be removed, and the power-folding mechanism that's mandatory occupies some of the space behind, keeping the cargo floor from being flat and low. What's more, the side-opening hatch opens on the wrong side for easy curb loading.

SAFETY

The GX is closely related to the Toyota 4Runner, which earns excellent safety ratings with the IIHS, so despite the Lexus SUV's lack of recent crash test ratings by the agencies who conduct those assessments, we've rated the GX well. It also comes with a slew of active and passive safety and crash avoidance features that should help in the event of an emergency.

Unfortunately, with the beltline brought even higher than before and a thicker back pillar, the blind spots have grown, leaving you to double- and triple-check when changing lanes. A back-up camera is now standard, but a wide-view front and side monitor system that helps a lot more is optional and requires the navigation system.

In addition to the usual stability control and anti-lock brakes, Lexus claims that the GX 460 has a best-in-class ten airbags, including front side, rear seat side, and three-row side-curtain bags, plus knee bags for both front occupants. Active front head restraints also enhance rear impact safety.

Safety Connect—a GPS-based roadside assistance system—is included with all GX models. And the GX 460 has a few features that might actually help avoid an accident. The Pre-Collision System primes the braking system for emergency braking and employs a driver monitor system; it's packaged together with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and Lane Departure Alert, sounds a buzzer to warn the driver if the vehicle strays out of lane markings.

FEATURES

The 2014 Lexus GX comes with all of the expected luxury and convenience features you'd want on an upscale SUV, and stepping it up to the Premium model adds some of the most current technology and infotainment goodies, too.

The navigation system in the GX is packaged with Enform, which offers a suite of services delivering weather, stock quotes, and sports scores, among other things, plus a Destination Assist service that allows a remote operator to input program your nav system.

Option-list highlights include a safety-tech package, 330-watt Mark Levinson surround sound, a rear-seat entertainment system, and Intuitive Park Assist.

About the only conventional luxury-SUV feature that's not included in the GX 460 is a power hatch—the GX has a manual, side-opening rear door instead.

FUEL CONSUMPTION

The 2014 Lexus GX is thirsty, but only a little more so than other traditional SUVs on the market. It's rated at 15-mpg city, 20-mpg highway by the EPA, but keep in mind that it requires premium gasoline when it's time to refuel.

To put this in a positive light, in real-world driving we've managed to meet or beat those ratings across a couple of drives--a feat we can't claim in many new vehicles.

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

► Electric-Drive Motor : N/A

► Horsepower : 301 hp @ 5,500 RPM [*]

► Torque : 329 lb-ft @ 3,500 RPM [*]

► Emission Rating : Certified Ultra-Low Emission Vehicle (ULEV II)

OFFROAD (SPECIFICATION)

► Full-time four-wheel drive with TORSEN limited-slip center differential with electronic differential lock

► 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

► 18 x 7.5-in six-spoke alloy wheels with high-gloss finish and 265/60R18 mud- and snow-rated tires and Full-size spare tire

► Adjustable Suspension: Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) with automatic, electronically adjustable front and rear stabilizer bars

► Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS): Electronically Modulated Rear Air Suspension with air springs, automatic load-leveling and three-position manual height control (GX 460 Luxury Only)

► Suspension (rear): Four-link with air springs, gas-pressurized shock absorbers and stabilizer bar (GX 460 Luxury Only)

2014 LEXUS GX 460 ( VIDEO )

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By : Automotive News & Super Modified Sports Cars