By Mark Elias
Saturday, Dec 12th, 2009 @ 1:00 pm

The arid terrain of San Diego looks similar to that which racers encounter in the Baja 1000 south of the border on the Baja Peninsula. That is, save for the highways, city streets, and lush landscaping found around the more tony parts of town – those where you might find the Lexus GX.
The all-new 2010 Lexus GX 460 has finally rolled out, but despite its off-road capability, it will be more at home negotiating the parking lot of the local Nordstrom’s than on the course of the classic endurance race.

L-Finesse goes trucky
New for 2010, the GX 460 is the second generation of what Lexus calls a “Luxury Utility Vehicle” that sees as its competition the Land Rover LR4 , Acura MDX , BMW X5 and Audi Q7 . Within its own family, the GX slots between the brutish LX 570 and the futuristically shaped RX 350. The new GX carries forth with Lexus’ L-Finesse design language, this time evoking the feel of a “machined steel bar” concept to impart a feeling of strength and toughness, according to designers.

Sharing platforms with its corporate North American-specification Toyota 4Runner cousin, the GX 460 features softer edges and more generous proportions than its taut relative. Few owners are likely to realize that the GX 460 is nearly identical to the rest-of-the-world Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, a smaller companion to the Land Cruiser sold in North America.

To enter its second generation, the GX has become more stylistically refined (read: simplified). The grille is now the three-bar chrome affair that has become so prevalent these days. From Lexus’ own HS 250h to Ford ’s Fusion, this element is the current flavor of the month that everyone seems to want to emulate.

Two different trim levels exist in the GX range: Standard and Premium. So subtle are the differences that you truly have to be looking closely to be able to distinguish between the two. A chrome trim strip around the D-pillar and a body-colored rub strip located on the lower panel of the doors mark the Premium.

Exhibiting muscular shoulders over each of the wheel wells, the body shows a new wider stance. A split under-bumper grille houses the GX’s fog lamps, while the headlights house lenses that mimic the shape of eyes on a Transformers toy. Color-keyed running boards run the length of the side doors. They add visual strength to the look and, unlike many rivals, they actually aid ingress and egress.

Climb aboard
The rear seating area of this seven-seater is accessible through flip-forward and reclining middle row seats. Although they can accommodate adults, we don’t know many who would actually volunteer for seat time back there. On the other hand, the “way back” will be a popular place for the kids. The rear cargo door includes a flip-up glass panel and is hinged on the right side – unfortunately, that means it opens away from the curb. Lexus claims that drivers would rather open the door to the driver’s side and then continue forward to the driver’s seat, but to us it’s a clear carryover from the right-hand-drive Japanese market.

The GX 460’s dashboard, especially in its center stack, is designed to emulate a solid hunk of steel. Material quality marks a significant improvement from the rather Toyota -like outgoing model. Although the solid hunk of steel look is fabricated from plastic, most other surfaces are covered in leather – or at least a close imitator.

A leather-and-wood-wrapped shift lever and steering wheel set the luxury tone, while the heated and ventilated seats keep things cool, at least as far as forward occupants are concerned. As an added bonus, an available Mark Levinson audio system brings the concert hall to the inside of the GX.

First introduced in the LX 570 last year, the GX offers wide-view front and side monitors as an available option. Able to peer around parked cars or into driver blind spots, it allows drivers, through the in-dash monitor, to be aware of obstructions that are not visible within their sight lines. It’s an acknowledgment that the GX is a gargantuan beast, for sure, but if it keeps owners from trampling tricycles, we’re all for it.

Noise, vibration and harshness are kept well at bay in the GX – and that’s no slight feat considering this SUV is of the body on frame variety. The engineers muffled the outside world by adding substantial sound deadening insulation to make this things feel rather luxurious indeed. Once ensconced inside, and cruising with no aural interruptions, it becomes clear that this is a quiet cruiser, especially when running along grooved highways in San Diego or expansion jointed rural roads or the rutted paths along the back forty.

Getting going
The GX 460 is, like its name suggests, powered by a 4.6-liter V8. Replacing the 4.7-liter that was in the 2009 model, the new V8 produces 301-horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a six-speed transmission, it’s hardly a fuel miser, but it does sip a little less premium than before: 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway, a 13 percent improvement.

We are curious, though, as to why Lexus chose to continue with port fuel injection while many of its rivals have moved on to direct injection. Lexus appears hesitant about the advantage of more power and increased fuel efficiency.

The powertrain provides plenty of thrust for the bulky 5,300 lb. ‘ute – enough to motivate it to 60 mph in less than 8 seconds, according to Lexus. On-road handling is impressive given the GX’s off road ability and the big tires help take the harshness out of cobbled pavement.

Although we didn’t sample the GX’s ability to tow, we are a little dismayed with the 6,500 lb. rating. The LR4 can tow 7,700 lbs., for example.

To befuddle most users – but to please discriminating off roaders – Lexus has included with the GX 460 Premium a suspension and drive control panel to the right of the shift lever that allows user settings to be changed. Included are height adjustment, sport/comfort mode, a two-speed transfer case and hill climb mode.

All GXs leave the factory equipped with the advanced Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System that improves on road manners, and increases its off road capabilities. A Torsen brand torque-sensing center differential checks slippage and sends power forward or back depending on a particular axle’s needs. Although we weren’t able to give it such a workout in the arid SoCal climate, Lexus claims improved traction on wet and icy roads. The KDSS also aids in loosening or tightening the body roll stiffness, depending on input to the steering and yaw sensors.

We loved that Lexus outfitted the GX 460 with crawl control and downhill assist, which helps stay in the same category as Land Rover ’s LR4. The GX handled steep downhill maneuvers with aplomb and never suffered for traction.

Leftlane’s bottom line:
Lexus expects that their loyalists will continue to take up about 50 percent of the GX 460’s buyers. In a segment that has seen many buyers leaving the larger LX 570’s ranks, the company expects to move about 14,000 units for a 25-percent share of the mid-luxury market. The GX 460 is a competent contender that offers a classic take on this segment. Offering all the creature comforts of its rivals, it continues to meet the demands and needs of its core customer. An eco-friendly cruiser it is not, but for those who want serious capability with an added dose of refinement, the GX 460 delivers.

2010 Lexus GX 460 base price, $51,970.

Words and photos by Mark Elias.

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