Sales of body-on-frame SUVs have been on the decline over the last several months, but that won’t stop Lexus from launching a new version of its GX mid-size SUV. The current GX has been on the market since 2003 but will be replaced by an all-new model during the second half of the year.
According to Ward’s, a new version of the Lexus GX SUV will debut this fall. The new model will include all-new sheet metal as well as a revised interior. However, the mid-size â€ute will retain its body-on-frame construction.
“The largest SUVs have been hit the hardest, but there’s still a segment of the population that wants those vehicles,” Lexus General Manager Mark Templin told Ward’s.
The new GX will also receive a significant overhaul underhood. Whereas the current rig uses a 4.7L V8 rated at 263 horsepower, the new model will borrow the 310 horsepower 4.6L V8 from the 2010 Toyota Tundra .
Sales of the GX have been on the decline since 2004. In that year Lexus sold 35,420 units of the GX – exceeding Toyota ’s expectations of 20,000 annual sales – but sales have been on the decline ever since. Last month GX sales were down more than 66 percent, but Lexus is hopeful a new look GX will be just the ticket to bolster demand.
