Review: 2011 Lexus GX 460

Despite the rise of the crossover, there is still a market for traditional SUVs. In addition, some buyers do not want to sacrifice luxury, get the capacity that a full-frame, truck, sport utility offerings. Lexus GX 460 does it for consumers who want to opulence and sure-footed, full frame-mix, block transfer case 4x4 architecture, which cautioned not to fear a significant followers and not yell loud enough to cause permanent hearing damage .
While the Lexus RX grabs the hearts of buyers looking for an L-Finesse crossover, the GX 460 is an alternative if you are considering an LR4 or Range Rover Sport, the most direct competitor in terms of architecture and market segment. In order to take into account price and a disparate field of competitors ranging from the BMW X5 and Audi Q7 at the GMC Yukon Denali or the Ford Expedition King Ranch. The GX-460S brings space and price it on the intersections between larger and still larger SUVs, maybe to be an unpleasant place, but the sales goals are modest.
So the GX 460 is touch of uniqueness can help them from the herd? Have the changes made since the potential instability knocked effective? 
The GX 460 is Lexus styled with common characteristics. Swept headlights and wide grille slats is ugly and shabby, a few others. Prominent blocky wheel arches are intended to provide robustness, although the effect may be clumsy on the relatively short wheelbase, the GX 460 shares with the Toyota 4Runner. Not unlikely that win beauty contests, the GX 460 styling not leave a lasting impression, although it instantly recognizable as a Lexus.
Tell that to a Lexus GX is on the outside, styling is tame and fits easily into the background. The Lexus-ness means a lot more when it comes to the interior. High quality materials and excellent build quality can be seen everywhere, even though the metallized plastic on the center console provides more than Scion Lexus. Soft stitched leather upholstery and door trim and even the dashboard. It looks and feels more refined and sends the right messages to the rugged luxo-roaders set.Shiny Bubinga wood accents on the door panels, dashboard and steering wheel, tinted rich, and ventilated perforated leather, means and heated electrically adjustable front seats. Outboard second-row seats are also heated and Lexus makes available much of its upgrade to semi-aniline leather, without saying much, why it is better. For the record semi-aniline leather is dyed all the way down and slathered with a protective layer, versus plebeian pigmented skins. The GX 460's seats could be upholstered in stinking banana leaves and they would still all day comfort.
There is not much in the GX 460 interior feels cheap. In fact, most of the switchgear feels dampened with liquid, and almost everything around you is padded or soft touch. do is with the button-heavy center, steering wheel and console stack make it a Whole Lotta Touchin 'Goin' On, too.Standard GXS, with a 4.5-inch LCD, but we had a big, bright eight-inch device. There are some over-reliance on the non-tactile touch-screen interface that can be maddening to figure out. There are also many buttons. Hardware switch for the three-zone automatic climate control, seat heaters, transfer case and pepper audio system of the center console and console. More checks populate the steering wheel where the driver can adjust the audio system, access the voice-recognition system in casual conversation and put it through the exchange of information between the teaching Optitron brands displayed in the instrument panel. Take a look, and there are a few keys for the large roof windows and traction control, and do not forget the eight keys that flank the large LCD, so you climate, audio and navigation menus. Find what you want sometimes takes a few seconds of reading.
There are nice ergonomic touches, such as sliding and reclining second row seats and a third line that the power folding. There are less interior space in this latest generation GX, after at least 17 cubic meters increased to 130. It was not spacious front and it is less so now, although it is usually a problem for the third seat driver and hold that if the last line is in use hidden. A 120-volt socket in the boot is a smart integration to support, taking into account the lifestyle of-doing-stuff the GX. Second-row heated seats and climate controls are part of the three-zone system that is included with the premium equipment levels. An optional Mark Levinson audio system is for audiophile recording, although we found little to complain about with the sound of the premium model standard audio setup. Families are likely to be interested in the rear-seat entertainment system can be wrapped in luxury too.The utility role, but the 4.6-liter V8 can tow 6500 pounds, though its 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque are more V6 -like figures in those days. The engine is smooth and well isolated from the cabin in typical Lexus fashion, although it makes its presence known when you are booting it. There are significant weight to the drive train to handle, and the speed is not the priority in the GX, though there is enough momentum to their customers Got Your Mother. The automatic transmission has six speeds and is almost undiscernable in its operation. Things change when you ask for a downshift, however. The exceptionally smooth transmission delay, which seems like an eternity, which means instead of a simple single gear kickdown, you have until then mashed the gas pedal, so as not crushed by passing traffic. Fuel consumption is at 15 miles per gallon in the city, 20 mpg on the highway sets, and Lexus premium fuel. Our combined drive returned 17.8 mpg, the right on the bubble, and better than we expected, although filling the 23-gallon tank is not a bargain buy.
The 5305-pound curb weight is perched on a fully-independent Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, which regulates itself, the stabilizers for more suspension travel off-road manners and good on asphalt. Premium trim GX 460S obtain self-adjusting air suspension at the rear axle as standard equipment, too. The driving experience has notes of flavor truck, shaking his head and some high-waisted body movement. A longer wheelbase would smooth some of the hobby-horse movements, but the GX 460 is not attempting a crossover, and the movements are controlled and the frame is strong and wobble-free. Steering feedback is not something we need to discuss, other than to say, is to support the level of performance is exactly right and there is no inaccuracy of GXS reactions. The ridges were deliberately buffed out of the GX 460 driving experience. Controls work with an uncanny smoothness that surprising when you consider how hard it is to pull is to be stopped. Steering, throttle and brakes show no surprises, and the drive train does its best to avoid detection. It is a pity that in unobtrusive, the motor does not generate the power or torque we now expect from modern V8 and the automatic transmission is to avoid kick downs mars an otherwise quiet ride. Despite the lack of performance momentum from the otherwise great engine and transmission, the acceleration is much more than most owners require. There are real off-road capability here, and no matter where you go, the interior, the serene atmosphere Lexus. And what is equally important given the recent round of negative press to get any time ever exceed the GX 460 or feel unstable.
Granted, we did not try the evasive maneuvers that Lexus got into trouble with the Consumer Reports in the first place, but not the GX display any bad tendencies. In snow, on standard stability control steps in the early and effective net.It maximum security 's like a car guy hard to admit that you like a Lexus, but the GX 460 has to offer in 2011 a lot. It is luxurious without sterile, and the beautifully-trimmed cabin feels more expensive than the price of entry. In a class of expensive competitors, the GX commands more money than many, but makes the cabin, you feel rewarded for your spending. The most annoying features are the reliance on the touch screen controls for even every day, and a tailgate swings open that on the right side instead of opening like a hatch. The less than practical hatch shows the true lack of space when all three rows of seats in use, as well.
The GX 460 has to fend off a lot of competition over, under and beside him with luxury and crossover SUV, and it can not stack up on paper. With impeccable build quality inside and out, premium materials and brand reputation for reliability and dealer, the spoiled, it is another story on the road. Or is it from, for that matter.