- Updated front grille, side moldings and rear Lexus badge
- Standard triple beam LED headlights and Safety System+
- Revised three-spoke steering wheel, new Gray Sapele wood trim
- New Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select improve off road performance
- On sale in fall of 2019 starting around $54,000
Combining the luxury of Lexus with the off-road capabilities of today’s best body-on-frame wilderness crawlers has always been the Lexus GX’s mission. The 2020 Lexus GX 460 carries on with this mission despite an aging platform and drivetrain. With a series of upgrades for the 2020 model year Lexus hopes to keep the GX 460 compelling in a sea of ever-improving off-road luxury SUVs.
How much will the 2020 Lexus GX 460 cost?
The starting price for the 2020 Lexus GX 460 will be around $54,000.
Driving It
Climbing up into the 2020 Lexus GX 460 confirms the dual-nature purpose of this luxury SUV. While it wears the same badge and grille as every other Lexus it clearly isn’t designed to be a plush, on-road conveyance. The GX 460’s body-on-frame chassis, 4-wheel independent suspension and somewhat numb steering system are tuned for off-road terrain, and its on-road ride reflects this through a somewhat bumpy ride quality on anything but smooth pavement.
This doesn’t mean the Lexus GX 460 is without its luxury charms. The refinement of the 4.6-liter V8 engine and 6-speed transmission live up to Lexus’ standards, as does effective body roll control around corners. With 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque the GX 460 can hit 60 mph in less than 8 seconds. Yet even without aggressive driving the EPA rates it at a meager 15 city mpg, 18 highway mpg and 16 combined mpg. For 2020 its tow rating stays the same at 6,500 pounds, with trailer sway control incorporated into the GX 460’s stability control to enhance straight-line tracking.
Taking the Lexus GX 460 off road quickly illustrates is penchant for climbing hill and dale. A full-time 4-wheel drive system with Torsen limited slip center differential and electronic differential lock suggest anything is possible. However, the GX 460’s sweeping bodywork, while consistent with Lexus’ styling language, also limits ground clearance and risks damage in serious off-road situations.
What’s new for the 2020 Lexus GX 460?
Nothing changes for the 2020 Lexus GX 460’s chassis or drivetrain, but a series of upgrades have improved the SUV’s safety and off-road capability. Exterior upgrades include standard triple beam LED headlights bracketing a new, more elaborate spindle grille. The GX’s side molding has been removed to clean up its appearance, with a similar update to its rear Lexus “L” badge and license plate surround meant to reduce visual clutter.
Off-road performance has also been upgraded with a new package that adds a 360-degree camera and Multi-Terrain Monitor, a fancy term for underbody cameras to help spot obstacles. There’s also a new fuel tank protector and transmission cooler, along with Crawl Control and Multi-Terrain Select technologies that can modulate the Lexus GX 460’s speed and traction during aggressive off-roading.
The Interior
The 2020 Lexus GX 460’s aging interior benefits from a revised 3-spoke steering wheel with new multifunction controls and a Multi-Information Display in the gauge cluster offering a range of vehicle info. A new USB charging port for second- or third-row passengers has been added, as has a new Dark Rose leather interior color. A new Gray Sapele wood trim with aluminum accents option also debuts for the 2020 model year.
New safety technology for the 2020 Lexus GX 460
Even an aging SUV like the GX 460 has to keep pace with Lexus’ safety goals, which means the 2020 GX 460 now features Lexus’ Safety System+ as standard equipment. Included in the new system are lane-departure warning, automatic high beams, pre-collision warning with pedestrian detection and adaptive cruise control. These features were included in the high-end “Luxury” trim for the 2019 GX 460, but now even the base GX 460 has them wrapped into the GX’s starting price of around $54,000.
When does the 2020 Lexus GX 460 go on sale?
The 2020 Lexus GX 460 is expected to go on sale in the U.S. in fall of 2019.
Can’t wait for the updated GX? Shop for a 2019 Lexus GX at a dealership near you.
