Lexus GX 470Highs*Solid and nimble feel*Manually-shifted transfer case*Pw drives oneLows*Still looks ugly*The Lexus-owner stigma*High price
VerdictWhere high-brow and low-range meet
Last year we feared we had gone soft when we voted the luxo-cruiser GX 470 into the top spot. But after a year's worth of reflection and continuously driving the '03 version, we have been able to confirm that we haven't wussed out. Lexus has just stepped it up. In fact, with every off-road mile we put on this year's '04 GX 470 we felt better and better about declaring it the winner last year. The 4.7L engine is still silky-smooth and an acceleration monster at the same time. The steering retains a quick ratio, but never feels touchy on the road. Heck, we've even started to figure out the complex HVAC/stereo/GPS controls!
Though we prefer traditional mechanical off-road gear such as the lockers and low gearing of other competitors, the high-tech Lexus off-road equipment that you get with the GX 470 package does work. We can't deny the effectiveness of the Torsen differential-equipped, manually shifted full-time transfer case, the Active TRAC traction control system that applies the vehicle's brakes individually to modulate power to the tires with traction, and the ABS that also functions as a Downhill Assist Control (DAC) to squeeze the brakes for you during off-road descent without locking up a tire. Add to that the new Kinetic sway-bar suspension system, which uses hydraulic sway bar mounts and permits even more suspension travel at slow speed, and you have a vehicle that finished in the top three ranking of every off-road portion of the test. If only Lexus had given the GX 470 a more mainstream look-something fiercer and less soccer mom-or just added a selectable locker, this may have been our winner yet again. But Volkswagen's Touareg was a huge factor in preventing the back-to-back Lexus wins. In the categories that the Lexus dominated last year (ride, quality, interior appointments) the Touareg was able to match and often best the incumbent.
| Specifications |
| General |
| Manufacturer | Lexus |
| Model | GX 470 |
| Base Price | $44,925 |
| Price as Tested | $54,360 |
| Options as Tested | Mark Levison
navigation system, third-row seat, rear air conditioning,
Lexus link, rear-seat DVD, KDSS sway-bar system |
| Engine |
| Type | DOHC 32-valve V-8 |
| Displacement (liters/cubic inches) | 4.7/284 |
| Bore & Stroke (inches) | 3.70x3.31 |
| Compression Ratio | 9.6:1 |
| Induction Type | Sequential, multiport fuel injection |
| Fuel Req. (octane)/Capacity (gal.) | 87/23 |
| SAE Peak Horsepower | 235 @ 4,800 rpm |
| SAE Peak Torque (lb-ft) | 320 @ 3,400 rpm |
| Transmission |
| Type | Five-speed automatic overdrive |
| Model | A750F |
| Ratios | First: 3.52:1; Second: 2.04:1;
Third: 1.40:1; Fourth: 1.00:1;
Fifth: 0.71:1; Reverse: 3.22:1 |
| Transfer Case |
| Type | Two-speed, full-time , with manual locking Torsen center differential |
| Model | Toyota |
| Low-Range Ratio | 2.57:1 |
| Axles |
| Front Type | IFS |
| Rear Type | Solid axle |
| Hubs | N/A |
| Ratio | 3.73:1 |
| Suspension |
| Front | IFS with upper and lower A-arms, coil springs |
| Rear | Live axle, with four-link, track bar, and air springs |
| Steering |
| Type | Power rack-and-pinion |
| Turns Lock-to-Lock/Ratio | 3.125/15.7:1 |
| Turning Radius (feet) | 37.4 |
| Wheels |
| Size (inches) | 17x7.5 |
| Material | Aluminum |
| Tires |
| Size | P265/65-17 |
| Brand | Bridgestone Dueler HT |
| Brake System |
| Front | 13.3-inch discs with ABS |
| Rear | 12.3-inch discs with ABS |
| Weight (pounds) |
| Curb Weight | 4,740 |
| Advertised GVWR | 6,100 |
| Mileage |
| EPA Estimate (city/hwy. mpg) | 15/18 |
| As Tested (mpg) | 11.66 |
| Acceleration |
| Standing 1¼4-mile (seconds @ mph) | 18.03 @ 74.70 |
| Braking |
| 60-0 mph (feet) | 140.46 |
| Dimensions (inches) |
| Wheelbase | 109.75 |
| Overall Length | 187.75 |
| Overall Width | 83.25 |
| Overall Height | 77.5 |
| Front/Rear Track | 62.25/62.5 |
| Front/Rear Overhang | 34.5/41.75 |
| Min. Front Ground Clearance | 8.25 |