Overview
The 2020 Lexus GX is the brand’s aging mid-size luxury SUV that provides three rows of seating and seven-passenger capacity. It separates itself from others in this segment with its sturdy body-on-frame design and rugged off-road capability, and it can tackle steep trails and rocky ravines without breaking a sweat. This SUV offers many of the traits you’d expect from a Lexus: The cabin is quiet, the ride quality is reasonably smooth, and there’s a wealth of coddling amenities on board. The GX’s weaknesses include hard-bottomed second-row seats and poor fuel economy—and that it was last seriously updated for the 2010 model year. However, if you need a three-row SUV that blends luxury with genuine off-road chops, the GX remains impressively capable.
What’s New for 2020?
Lexus has given the GX a host of upgrades for the 2020 model year. Its sheetmetal benefits from a revised spindle grille, and its side-hinged back door, emblem, and license-garnish finish have been updated. Triple-beam LED headlights are now standard, and Atomic Silver joins the palette of exterior colors. Within its cabin, the GX gets new detailing on its steering wheel and shift knob, along with two new rear-seat USB ports. Additionally, the driver-assistance features in the Lexus Safety System+ suite of amenities are now standard on all models.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
- GX460: $54,025
- GX460 Premium: $56,815
- GX460 Luxury: $65,290
The base-model 2020 Lexus GX460 comes with enough standard features to please most buyers in this segment. This SUV rolls on standard 18-inch wheels, and all models are equipped with exterior amenities such as automatic LED headlights, daytime running lights, illuminated running boards, and heated power-adjustable side mirrors with integrated turn signals. Ten-way power-adjustable front seats and a power-adjustable tilt-and-telescoping steering column are on hand to help you find an ideal position behind the wheel. The cabin is also home to standard features such as keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone automatic air conditioning, faux-leather upholstery, and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. All GX SUVs comes with driver-assistance amenities such as blind-spot monitoring and lane-keeping assistance.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
The 2020 Lexus GX continues to offer just one engine: a 4.6-liter V-8 that generates 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant is teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Lexus’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System is standard, and this setup aims to boost traction during off-road adventures. During our testing, the GX cruised from zero to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. We’ve tested rival models that are much quicker, however. An Audi Q7 with the available V-6 made the sprint in 6.1 seconds, and a BMW X5 xDrive50i covered the same distance in a scant 4.2 seconds. The GX exhibits relatively smooth handling on paved streets, but it is in its element when taken off-road. Its sturdy underpinnings and 8.1 inches of ground clearance make this SUV an excellent choice for buyers who need a vehicle that’s at home in the great outdoors. A 6500-pound towing capacity bolsters its versatility.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The GX won’t win any awards for fuel economy. According to the EPA, this all-wheel-drive SUV achieves mileage of just 15/19 mpg city/highway. That puts it well behind rival luxury SUVs such as the Lincoln Aviator, which gets 17/24 mpg when equipped with all-wheel drive. During our time with the GX, we observed mileage of just 20 mpg during our 200-mile highway fuel economy test.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Lexus gave the GX its last full redesign all the way back in 2010, and this is perhaps one reason for the somewhat dated appearance of its cabin. The interior is home to wood and leather that looks appropriately deluxe, but there are also some hard plastics that seem out of place in a vehicle in this price range. Front-row passengers enjoy pleasant accommodations and a lofty seating position, but the second-row seats are surprisingly flat and hard, and the third row is a cramped space best left for kids. To its credit, the GX does a great job of keeping road noise out of the cabin, and the interior remains tranquil even when the vehicle is being driven at high speeds. This Lexus provides 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 46.7 cubic feet behind the second. With the second and third rows folded, cargo space jumps to 64.7 cubic feet. This is less room than you’ll get in rival models such as the Audi Q7 (14.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 35.7 cubic feet behind the second, and 69.6 cubic feet behind the first).
Infotainment and Connectivity
The GX offers an appealing range of tech amenities. Base models come with a nine-speaker audio setup and an infotainment system governed by an 8.0-inch touchscreen. Standard Bluetooth connectivity facilitates hands-free phone calls, and all models come with SiriusXM satellite radio. The selection of available tech features includes a dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system and integrated navigation. The options list also includes a 17-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The 2020 Lexus GX hasn’t been crash-tested by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) or the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). However, this SUV comes equipped with driver-assistance features that can help you avoid accidents. Key safety features include:
- Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Standard lane-departure warning
- Standard adaptive cruise control
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
When it comes to warranty coverage, Lexus outpaces rivals such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
- Limited warranty covers 4 years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain warranty covers 6 years or 70,000 miles
- Complimentary maintenance is covered for 1 years or 10,000 miles