The 2022 Lexus GX is a dinosaur among luxury SUVs, though a tech upgrade this year at least brings it up to par. The GX 460 is a three-row SUV with a traditional body-on-frame construction that places it in the same category as the GMC Yukon and Infiniti QX80, not to mention its close relative, the Toyota 4Runner. The GX has seen limited updates since 2010, though this year’s upgraded screen and dashboard houses a 10.3-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, are long-overdue updates. Other tweaks include a few optional styling packages and new color hues.
The 2022 Lexus GX is far more rugged looking that your typical luxury SUV. Ironically, this is a fast-selling SUV, so that means some shoppers must like the an aggressive look grafted onto its two-box SUV shape. Underneath its brash styling, the GX is a Toyota 4Runner with a V-8 engine, and both models are well over a decade old now. Being a traditional SUV, the GX comes with standard four-wheel drive including a two-speed transfer case. An optional Off-Road package, only available on the range-topping Luxury trim, adds crawl control and various traction control modes for four-wheeling.
The GX makes use of a fairly large 4.6-liter V-8 that pushes 301 hp to the wheels through a 6-speed automatic transmission. Though not particularly power-dense, the V-8 is smooth and refined, and its gearbox works well. Ride quality is soft and handling on the ponderous side, though steering heft builds better than the top-heavy proportions might suggest, but only with optional tech. Credit is due to the GX’s optional trick suspension found on the range-topping Luxury trim, which uses hydraulic fluid to push down on oversize anti-sway bars in hard cornering to quell body lean. That version also includes a height-adjustable air suspension. Those two features also aid off-road performance by increasing suspension articulation and ground clearance.
The 2022 Lexus GX is rated to tow 6,500 lb. The Lexus GX is one of the thirstiest new vehicles on the road today with its mere 15 mpg city, 19 highway, 16 combined rating. The GX has not been tested by the IIHS or the NHTSA. However, standard tech includes automatic emergency braking and blind-spot monitors. That’s all tech we expect to see at this price point, though Lexus does one-up most rivals by including adaptive cruise control. Just don’t look for any hands-free tech or features that might nudge a drifting GX back into its road lane.
The 2022 Lexus GX has a decidedly old-school luxury vibe inside. The GX is spacious and well-equipped, if not fitted with convenience features found in many rivals, but has a traditional quality feel, good front seats, and good cargo space. Front- and second-row passengers will find plush, supportive seats once they climb aboard. Third-row passengers will need to be limber and fairly small to wedge themselves back there. The third-row jump seats block rearward visibility and take up a good deal of space, though the GX can still swallow 65 cubic feet of suitcases and whatever else life may throw at it.
The 2022 Lexus GX is reasonably well equipped. Its new 10.3-inch touchscreen includes Apple CarPlay and even includes a 4-year/50,000-mile warranty and free maintenance for its first two scheduled stops. The lineup starts at about $56,500, which buys that new touchscreen, power-adjustable and heated front seats, a sunroof, and 17-inch alloy wheels. A well-spent $1,200 buys the Premium trim level with its cooled front seats, an additional climate control zone, and access to additional packages that might be worthwhile to some shoppers, The Premium Plus package adds power-folding third-row seats and the option to swap in second-row captain’s chairs.
At about $66,000 to start, the GX 460 Luxury is the only version with leather seats and it also includes adaptive dampers as well as height-adjustable suspension and a hydraulically-controlled sway bar system that reduces body lean. These features have a big impact on the way the GX drives, which unfortunately makes the costliest GX the most desirable version. A $1,570 Off-Road package adds various four-wheeling bits including Crawl Control, additional traction control modes, and extra skid plates. If that’s your thing, though, a Toyota 4Runner TRD Off-Road will save you about $25,000.
Regardless of trim, the 2022 Lexus GX 460 makes no excuses for its old school approach to modern SUV-dom. It’s one of the few luxury SUV’s remaining that actually can go off-road if you so choose. At the same time it retains all of the Lexus hallmark’s you’ve come to expect; a refined driving demeanor, impeccable fit and finish, and stellar reliability. The GX is a rarity that deserves to be admired for its no-nonsense approach that Lexus continues to update and keep current with new technology.
