The big question wasn’t whether the GX was due for a redesign, but whether Toyota would continue to offer it in its Lexus luxury line at all, with all of the new crossover utility vehicles taking the place of traditional SUVs these days.
Here’s the answer: Lexus has rolled out the second generation of the GX for 2010. It now is known as the GX 460, and it replaces the model originally known as the GX 470.
Apparently, Toyota believes there’s still a market for both the 4Runner and the GX as consumers move en masse toward crossovers.
These two vehicles continue as body-on-frame, truck-style SUVs, rather than migrating to the unibody construction of the crossovers, where body and frame are integrated into a single unit — the typical arrangement of today’s passenger cars.
In the Lexus lineup, the GX 460 fits between the RX 350 crossover and the LX 570 SUV, which are based on the architecture of the Toyota Highlander crossover and the high-end Toyota Land Cruiser sport utility, respectively.
Unveiled at the recent Los Angeles auto show, the new GX 460 begins at $51,970 (plus $875 freight) for the base model; a second version, the Premium model, starts at $56,765.
That compares with a starting price of $37,250 for the RX 350 and $76,405 for the LX 570.
For 2010, the 4Runner comes only with a choice of four- or six-cylinder engines. To get a V-8, a consumer would have to choose the Lexus model.
Even with the increased horsepower versus the 4.7-liter engine in the 2009 model, the new GX has 13 percent better fuel economy, Toyota says.
The combined city-highway EPA rating is 17 mpg, compared with 15 mpg for the 2009 model. The 2010 model is rated at 15 city/20 highway.
That’s better than other luxury SUVs with V-8 engines and “competitive with some six-cylinder models,” Toyota said.
The GX 460’s new engine is paired with a new six-speed automatic transmission, replacing last year’s five-speed. It also comes with full-time four-wheel drive.
Standard safety features include electronic stability control; antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist; and 10 airbags, including driver and front-passenger knee and seat-mounted side airbags, as well roof-mounted side-curtain airbags for all three rows.
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