I’ve always been fairly straightforward in admitting my love of the Lexus brand. When it comes to their vehicles, my affection tend to be toward their cars, so when the folks at DriveShop delivered one of their bigger rides to Rock Father HQ on-loan from Lexus USA, I was excited to see what an SUV under the Lexus nameplate had to offer. As the name implies, the 2017 Lexus GX460 Luxury is just that – a luxurious option for some big hauling and power.
The GX460 looks good, but it’s not exactly sleek. It’s tall and takes a boxier stance than you’d generally associate with a Lexus. That powerful build paired with the robust 301hp V8 engine and full-time all-wheel drive (which would be awesome in Midwest snow) mean that this ride could do some solid off-road action… but that’s something I’d likely never do. As always, I like the Lexus handling options and mostly prefer the “Sport” mode for my own taste.
The interior is spacious and roomy – we made use of it while hauling things to-and-from our youngest daughter’s birthday party at a local bounce-house emporium. Fold-flat third-row seating makes this one officially “seat 7,” while the cargo capacity is ample, though we’ve seen bigger. One interesting feature with the GX460 is that the rear door swings to the right as opposed to being a lift gate. I’m honestly indifferent on that, although it could pose a loading challenge in certain parking situations. I do love the placement of the included tool kit and first aid kit.
If you’re gonna spend the money, the optional Driver Support Package and Sport Design Package are an absolute must. This will add about $6K to the price, but are completely worth it for style, function, safety and tech.
One of the most important factors for me is how much the family likes a new ride, and this was a winner across the board. The kids loved it, and my wife loved it. What I don’t love is the high fuel cost, which comes with the territory of larger vehicles such as this one. With a combined estimated MPG of just 16 (15 city/18 highway), it is estimated that you’d spend $6K more in fuel costs over the next five years when compared to the average new vehicle. In fact, they estimate an annual fuel cost of $2,600 – which would actually be significantly higher for our family based on driving habits. Certainly something to consider.
Overall: It’s a great family ride that’s a comfortable mix of size and power, but the high initial cost to own might be too pricey for some. On the flipside, a well-maintained Lexus will last and perform for many years, making this a very reliable consideration.
The 2017 Lexus GX460 starts at $51,855. GX460 Luxury as-driven: $69,920.
Build and price yours at http://www.lexus.com/models/GX
