[ĐÁNH GIÁ XE] Lexus GX 460 2020 - still deserves to be Lexus' fourth best-selling model

Launched in 2014, after 5 years, this is the first time the second generation of the luxury mid-size SUV Lexus GX has been upgraded. The appearance and off-road characteristics of the GX are factors that the Lexus team paid special attention to in this update.

Performance of Lexus GX 460 2020

While most other luxury automakers have eliminated body-on-frame SUVs from their product lines to focus on developing unibody mid-size crossovers, Lexus continues to follow the opposite path with the GX. In fact, the Lexus GX 460 is the only SUV in the segment that still uses a body-on-frame structure like today’s truck models.

The newly updated Lexus GX uses a 4.6-liter V8 gasoline engine, giving a maximum capacity of 301 horsepower and maximum torque of 446Nm. Comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The car is also equipped with Torsen anti-slip differential lock, 2-speed auxiliary transmission and 4-wheel drive system, thanks to which the vehicle’s towing capacity reaches 2,948 kg.

For 2020, the GX 460 emphasizes the off-road benefits of body-on-frame construction with the new optional Off-Road Package. This upgrade is only for the Luxury version, with additional equipment such as a surround-view camera system with multiple viewing modes, a Multi-Terrain Select terrain-appropriate driving mode selection system, a Crawl Control off-road speed selection system, transmission cooling and fuel tank protection will be applied on the vehicle. Thanks to that, the car has the ability to pass through all terrains smoothly and smoothly.

Among them, Crawl Control acts as a low-speed cruise control system, which can maintain and flexibly change one of five speed settings by automatically adjusting the accelerator and brake. However, this function is only available with the two-speed auxiliary transmission at low speeds.

Regarding Multi-Terrain Select, this system provides a number of off-road driving modes designed to optimize power flow to suit the Lexus GX 460 2020 in each specific terrain situation such as on rocks, mud, sand or snow.

To test the off-road capabilities of the new Lexus GX 460, Motor1’s team drove this luxury SUV along the asphalt roads of Costa Rica. Those are Routes 253 and 254 located in eastern Costa Rica covered by the clear blue waters of the Gulf of Papagayo.

On winding asphalt roads, the Lexus GX 460 2020 runs extremely smoothly, and the cabin is also especially quiet. It’s easy to understand that the GX 460 is Lexus’ fourth best-selling model in the US market.

High-class interior but also has shortcomings

With high-quality cabin space, a supportive driving position and a standard 301-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 engine, the GX 460 offers impressive luxury and capability from the driver’s seat. To increase competitiveness with heavyweights in the same segment such as BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz ML400 AMG or Audi Q7, the Japanese automaker has also upgraded the Lexus GX 2020 cockpit with elegant gray Sapele wood paneling and aluminum trim (for Premium and Luxury versions), three-spoke steering wheel and revised gauge cluster. Comes with completely new Black, Sepia, Ecru and Rioja Red interior color options.

Even though it’s premium and sophisticated, the GX 460 still makes a few ergonomic mistakes in the center stack. Lexus used an outdated touch-screen infotainment system for the GX, which provides sluggish responses and low-quality graphics, making it difficult to select simple car functions. For example, changing the air conditioning fan speed requires the user to delve into the on-screen menu even though nearly all other temperature adjustment functions are provided via physical buttons mounted on the dashboard.

The exterior is the highlight of the Lexus GX 460 2020

Instead of investing in a new infotainment system and improved air conditioning system, Lexus chose to spend money to improve the appearance of its mid-size luxury SUV. Thanks to that, the new GX overall looks significantly more aggressive and attractive, most notably the huge spindle grille at the front.

Specifically, to impress viewers, the Japanese automaker increased the size of the grille at the front of the Lexus GX. At the same time, the long horizontal chrome bars on the old versions have been removed, instead the mesh system is painted black. In addition, Toyota has also adjusted the lighting system with a new 3-bulb LED headlight cluster.

If you want to increase the appeal of the GX, customers can choose to purchase the Sport Design Package (for Premium and Luxury) exterior upgrades. With this option, this luxury SUV will have a sportier appearance with a grille border, rearview mirror covers, rear diffuser, matte black exhaust tips, gray 19-inch alloy wheels, larger tires, red taillights and a pair of separate business seats in the second row.

Besides helping the GX become more masculine and more beautiful, the Sport Design package with larger rims and tires does not help improve the off-road capabilities of the GX 2020. On the contrary, it brings a few “side effects” such as a poorly responsive steering system, and the 6-speed automatic transmission also reacts slowly when the car needs to slow down on difficult roads.

Conclude

No matter what, the 2020 Lexus GX 460 is still a mid-sized luxury SUV worth buying. The car’s appeal is further strengthened by possessing a series of new advanced safety and convenience features such as lane departure warning system, smart lighting system, early collision warning with pedestrian detection, high-speed cruise control with radar…

In the US market, the Lexus GX 2020 will include 7 exterior colors: Starfire Pearl, Atomic Silver, Nebula Gray Pearl, Nightfall Mica, Fire Agate Pearl, Black Onyx and Claret Mica. Currently, the selling price of the GX 2020 facelift version has not been announced, but with additional optional equipment, the selling price is expected to be higher than 52,505 USD (equivalent to 1.2 billion VND) of the Lexus GX 2019.

Nhuoc Hi (Tuoitrethudo)

According to: Motor1