4 Things I Hope Lexus Keeps (and Changes) with the New Lexus GX
How is the redesigned Lexus GX going to measure up to its long-lived predecessor, the Lexus GX 460? Here are four things we hope they keep – and what they should change.
Sara Lacey
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The Lexus GX is a Storied Off-Roader that Pulls Family Duty, too.
I wonder if the new one will be able to do the same?
I was excited to drive the versatile 2023 Lexus GX 460. It has off-road chops but is also popular in the drop-off lanes at schools. The GX 460 is certainly flexible enough to do both those things and more. And it’s got fun details that I loved. And now that the GX has been redesigned for 2024, it will be fun to see what they’ve kept and what they’ve changed. Here are some of my favorite characteristics of the GX, and some things I hope they remedy. The 2023 Lexus GX 460 starts at $59,275.
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Related: 2024 Lexus GX Luxury 3-Row SUV: The Wait is Over, and It Was Worth It
The grille on the new 2023 Lexus GX gives a rugged first impression. Photo: Sara Lacey
1. Black Line Special Edition Package
The black wheels, grille, and trim made the green GX 460 look edgy and tough. But it also looks polished at the same time. How did they do that?
The black package emphasizes the ruggedness of the GX, something that might be otherwise easy to forget in the grocery store parking lot or the drop-off lane at school. The grille of the GX 460 is super cool looking. What looks like mesh is actually a plethora of small “L” letters (something Lexus is really good at incorporating into their designs).
The blacked-out details are distinctive, and I hope they continue to be available with the new GX. It would be cool to see them offered outside of a package, too. Also, I hope the Nori Green pearl paint color that is only available as a special package color with this GX460 is available in all trims in the new GX.
The Black Line Special Edition starts at $62,310.
Related: 2021 Lexus: All You Need To Know About The Upgraded Lexus LX, GX And ES
I loved the dual-tone upholstery in the 2023 Lexus GX. Photo: Sara Lacey
2. Interior Contrasts
The seats were super comfortable, and the light faux leather (Lexus calls theirs NuLuxe) paired with the dark dashboard and carpet kept the interior from feeling too dark. Combination interiors also feel more thoughtful. Speaking of seating, the GX 460’s seats are wide and flat, so car seats will likely be easy to install.
The only caveat is that the latch connectors are behind a leather flap and hidden behind a felt slot. This is something I hope Lexus changes. Lastly, the two seats in the third row of the Lexus GX 460 feel rugged and are structured more like jump seats. This is fun and novel, and they are actually pretty comfortable. But leaving them up provides little to no room for cargo.
I loved kicking it old style with the compact disc player in the 2023 Lexus GX 460. Photo: Sara Lacey
3. Old-School Details, Inside and Out
I loved that the Lexus GX 460 has a compact disc player. I might be in the minority, but I blissfully ran to my basement, dug out some CDs, and checked to see if the player worked. It was entertaining to play music in the GX the way I did years ago. Fear not; the GX has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto if you’re not into CDs.
The rear door is polarizing. It’s not a liftgate. It’s not a clamshell. It’s not a hatch. It’s a door that swings on a hinge on the passenger side. It looks very cool and almost retro, but it doesn’t function that great if you are unloading groceries on that side. If you live in a place where you parallel park, the door could become a nuisance. A helpful feature is the rear glass window that opens if you need to access something at the top of your pile of gear in the back. But you don’t have to worry about opening the big door to access something.
Retro details and a powerful V8 engine round out the charm of the 2023 Lexus GX. Photo: Sara Lacey
4. Capability
The GX460 had plenty of power, and my test car had a V8. The GX is a full-time 4-wheel drive vehicle, so it’s essential to consider that when discussing power versus speed. When I was off-pavement in mud and snow, I put the GX into low gear and enjoyed playing around a little. The power at low speeds was solid and predictably grippy and great. This is where the GX thrives.
On the other hand, it did feel like it lagged in some higher-speed situations, like merging onto the highway. It took some time and patience to get the GX up to speed, and it got most of its power at a higher rpm. I was reminded that the GX 460 is more like a powerlifter than a sprinter. The GX does have different off-road modes, and you can also put the gear selector into manual modes to figure out how to get more speed. And hey, the roar from the engine is a thrill, so one doesn’t mind putting the pedal to the medal.
I will keep waiting patiently for more details about the new Lexus GX. I hope to see some of my old-school favorites more seamlessly integrated into it. Keep checking back for more information on the 2024 Lexus GX.
Disclosure: Lexus provided the GX 460 Black Line Special Edition for me to test. All opinions are my own.
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