Introduction

Seating up to seven passengers across three rows, the 2020 Lexus GX just might be the most capable off-road vehicle that looks at home parked in front of a swanky restaurant or upscale mall. Only a Land Rover Range Rover matches its rugged, yet plush, personality. For buyers who pay attention to image, the spacious luxury SUV could be an enticing choice ? even if they never take advantage of its prodigious off-pavement prowess. 

Mildly revised front-end styling, including the huge “spindle” grille, marks the 2020 model. Lexus has also streamlined the GX lineup. Some serious off-road components, previously standard on top trim levels, are now available in an extra-cost Off-Road package. 

Newly standard active safety technology includes automatic emergency braking and adaptive cruise control, as well as blind-spot monitors. A revised Sport Design appearance package includes taller wheels and snappy styling details, which seems to contrast with the GX's rugged nature. 

Each GX makes use of a 4.6-liter V-8 engine that generates 301 horsepower and a muscular 329 pound-feet of torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission works with a 2-speed transfer case in the standard four-wheel-drive layout. The GX is built with a separate body and frame, and a solid rear axle with coil springs. A load-leveling rear suspension is optional. 

Simply stated, the GX sucks up plenty of premium gasoline, though fuel consumption is slightly better for 2020. The EPA rates the GX at 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. 

Making more active safety technology standard finally brings the GX up to date for passenger safety. Previously, such features were limited to top trim levels. The GX includes forward-collision warnings, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, lane-departure warnings, active lane control, blind-spot monitors, automatic high-beam headlights, and adaptive cruise control. 

Neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has crash-tested the GX, but the latter agency did declare ease of child-seat use “Acceptable.”. 

Lineup

Lexus offers the GX in three trim levels: Base, Premium, and Luxury. Prices include a $1,025 destination charge. 

The base GX 460 starts at $54,025 and is equipped with 10-way power front seats, a nine-speaker audio system, synthetic leather upholstery, dual-zone climate control, an 8.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, four USB ports, 18-inch wheels, and a moonroof. 

Stepping up a notch, the $56,815 GX 460 Premium adds heated and cooled front seats, navigation, grey wood accents, LED fog lights, parking assist, heated second-row seats, and three-zone climate control, plus the option to select leather, second-row captain's chairs, and the Off-Road package. 

Heading the trio, the aptly-named GX 460 Luxury costs $65,290. It comes with soft semi-aniline leather seat upholstery, a heated steering wheel, a power-folding third row, grey machined 19-inch wheels, and an adaptive suspension with automatic rear-leveling air suspension. 

Walkaround

The 2020 Lexus GX revamp was somewhat adventurous, even risky in terms of sales. Modification of the massive grille gave it a new texture and design. The new grille looks more like those on Lexus sedans, contrasting with the GX's bulky profile and bulging fender flares. The low front bumper hampers actual off-road usage. 

Hinged at the passenger side of the vehicles, the tailgate suffers from awkward lines and a strange positioning of the Lexus badge. An optional Sport Design package includes 19-inch alloy wheels and dark exterior trim. 

Interior

Passenger space is satisfactory, but not exceptional for the GX's class. Chair-like front seats offer good support as well as comfort, with an abundance of power adjustments. Upper trim levels include heated and cooled seats up front, with second-row heating optional. Second-row riders get ample space, whether the standard three-place bench or separate captain's chairs are installed. 

Snug barely describes the third row, which is essentially for children only. They should be content, but anyone taller than 5 feet will find access challenging, too. 

Standard synthetic leather feels durable, while optional leather (standard in top Luxury trim) is pleasantly soft ? typical of Lexus vehicles. Otherwise, materials are ordinary, with nothing exotic evident. Still, glossy wood trim imparts an upscale appearance, appropriate for GX prices. 

Even though the GX body is fairly contemporary, its chunky dashboard looks like it was resurrected from an earlier era. Sitting quite close to the windshield, it's cluttered with buttons. In lower-trim models, many of those “buttons” are actually cheap-looking blanks, used in higher trims for switches. Glossy wood trim can be added to dress up the cabin a bit. 

Cargo capacity behind the back row is modest at only 11.6 cubic feet. This is worsened by an awkward rear door that's hinged on the curb side. Fold the second and third rows, and volume expands to 64.7 cubic feet, which is still less than many similar-size SUVs offer. Cargo space is wide and nicely arranged, though, and liftover is fairly low to ease loading. 

Driving Impression

Few are likely to complain about the GX's energy, compared to others in its category. With its strong V-8 humming away, the SUV accelerates smoothly and quietly. 

Soft and quite cushiony, the GX delivers a plusher ride than might be expected. Truck-like handling is a mix of good and not-so-welcome news, with decent body control at least partially offsetting the SUV's sloppy steering. Despite that demerit, the GX feels quite confident and stable. 

In the high-tech system, big hydraulically-controlled sway bars press down on the wheels during hard cornering. The objective is to reduce body lean on curvy roads, while permitting more wheel travel over undulating terrain. The setup might be outmoded, but it does a surprisingly good job of keeping the GX on course. 

A GX can haul a crew through some demanding terrain, helped by its separate-body construction and traditional four-wheel-drive configuration. The new Off-Road Package packs four-wheeling components that previously were standard on some trim packages into a single option group. Avid off-roaders are advised to opt for that collection of off-road traction control modes, low-speed crawl control, skid plates, and a surround-view camera system. Drivers who seldom leave the pavement can forget about it. Maximum towing capacity is 6,500 pounds. 

Summary

Measured against rival SUVs with similar dimensions, the 2020 Lexus GX relies more on off-road and towing capability than contemporary high-tech features. Passenger space is good, except in the third row. Cargo volume, not so much. The strong V-8 engine is a bonus point, but the GX suffers from subpar road manners ? especially through curves and corners ? and a unquenchable thirst for fuel. 

-by James M. Flammang, with driving impressions from The Car Connection.