2014 Lexus GX Reviews, Pricing & Specs

Need an ultra-luxurious midsize SUV to impress the neighbors, explore the lower forty, schlep the gang in to work or tote some bulky...

Need an ultra-luxurious midsize SUV to impress the neighbors, explore the lower forty, schlep the gang in to work or tote some bulky antiques? Check out the 2014 Lexus GX 460. Enhancements to last year's Lexus-specific "spindle" grille motif, as well as standard full-time 4-wheel drive (4WD), upgraded features and options, seating for 7 in 3 rows, 91.9 cubic feet of cargo space (with the rear seatbacks folded), a potent V8 engine and the usual ton of posh have this upscale ute giving the folks at Mercedes-Benz, Audi and BMW nightmares.

A new Luxury trim joins the traditional Base GX 460 and its up-featured Premium sibling for 2014, while stuff like standard LED running lights and fog lights, HD radio, genuine wood cabin accents, trailer sway control and an 8-inch color touchscreen display for infotainment and rear-view camera monitoring all debut this year.

The peppy 4.6-liter V8 powerplant remains standard aboard this Lexus gem and combines with the traditional 6-speed shiftable automatic transmission for 301 hp and 329 lb-ft of torque. Look for 6,500 pounds of trailer-toting capacity with the proper equipment installed, while variable-valve-timed (VVT) mileage is once more estimated at 15 mpg city/20 highway. Meanwhile the full-time 4WD system is bolstered by a just-introduced Adaptive Suspension System that features 3 driver-selectable damping modes, as well as low-range gearing for serious off-road capability. Furthermore, adaptive sway bars can be disengaged to facilitate off-road rock crawling.

Meanwhile, standard appearance goodies in the base GX 460 include 18-inch alloy wheels, a power sunroof, a rear spoiler and roof rack, heated power-adjustable outside mirrors, step running boards, trailer wiring and skid plates, with leather upholstery, heated power-adjustable front seats, reclining second-row seats and genuine wood, leather and simulated alloy cabin accents adorning the interior. Also gracing this entry-level trim are full power accessories, memory for driver's settings, cruise control, telescoping tilt-wheel steering, a rear-view camera, a remote garage door opener and an auto-dimming rear-view mirror. Standard entertainment, meantime, is offered via a 6-CD changer with 9 Surround Sound speakers and satellite radio bolstered by Enform infotainment (with the new 8-inch monitor) and Bluetooth hands-free calling.

The Premium trim adds premium leather upholstery, the new adaptive variable-setting suspension, auto-dimming outside mirrors, heated second-row seats, tri-zone climate control and standard hard-drive-based navigation, with the new-for-2014 Luxury trim tacking on aniline leather upholstery, power-folding rear seatbacks, a heated steering wheel and power-folding outside mirrors.

Options, depending on trim and mainly offered in package form, include rear-seat DVD entertainment, a simulated aerial-view camera and a Mark Levinson premium audio system with 17 speakers, 330 watts of power and 7.1 Surround Sound. Further available accessories include upgraded 18-inch wheels and remote engine start, not to mention upgraded chrome and body-color exterior bling.

Notable standard safety features, finally, include the usual 4-wheel antilock braking (ABS), traction and stability control, 3-row head airbags, front and second-row side-mounted airbags, and active front headrests. As mentioned LED running lights and foglights are now standard, while Enform emergency alerts and communications, a post-collision safety system and a remote antitheft alarm all return for 2014. The new Luxury trim is delivered with a blind-spot monitor that’s optional in other trims, while off-road-oriented CRAWL control, a pre-collision safety system, radar-interfaced cruise control, a driver awareness monitor, lane departure warning and auto hi/lo-beam headlights are also available, depending on the trim selected.