Although dinosaurs no longer roam the Earth, some vehicles look and feel like they belong in some prehistoric eras. The Lexus GX is one of these vehicles. This luxury SUV might seem like it’s aging gracefully, or it could strike you as a vehicle that offers too many old-school qualities. The last redesign for the GX was 12 years ago, which is a lifetime in the automotive world.

What is the 2022 Lexus GX?

The GX is a full-size luxury SUV that offers comfortable seating, impressive off-road capabilities, and upscale qualities that allow it to wear the Lexus name. There’s no denying this big vehicle’s old-school look and feel, but those items are part of the charm and what you might admire most about this SUV.

Let’s look at some pros and cons of this Lexus SUV to understand more.

Pro: Off-road capabilities in a full-size luxury SUV

Cars.com gives us a strong list of qualities to consider in the Lexus GX. The features that aid this SUV in handling off-road challenges are:

• 8 inches of ground clearance
• Full-time 4WD
• Torque-vectoring limited-slip differential
• Two-speed transfer case
• Electronically controlled locking center differential

There’s also an optional Off-Road Package which adds:

• Terrain management system
• Added underbody protection
• Upgraded camera system
• Crawl Control

Pro: The Lexus GX has intuitive old-school controls

The throwback design and build offer you the benefits of knobs and switches where other luxury SUVs have turned to touchscreen controls. This does make a difference and gives you an easy way to enjoy a high-quality ride in this Lexus SUV.

Pro: A smooth ride with the standard suspension

You don’t have to move up to the adaptive suspension to have a smooth and comfortable ride in the Lexus GX. If you upgrade to the adaptive model, you’ll have Normal, Sport, and Comfort settings to offer a better ride.

Pro: Modern Safety in the Lexus GX

It might be a dinosaur, but it has modern tech inside. The Lexus Safety System Plus offers a complete package of advanced safety equipment, including:

• Adaptive cruise control
• Forward collision warning
• Automatic emergency braking
• Pedestrian detection
• Lane departure warning
• Front and rear parking sensors
• Automatic high beams

Con: This luxury SUV has an antiquated powertrain

Where other luxury vehicles moved to more dynamic powertrains, the Lexus GX continues to soldiers on with an old-school system. Kelley Blue Book tells us the 4.6-liter naturally aspirated V8 engine offers 301 horsepower. This isn’t so bad, but the GX uses a six-speed automatic transmission which is seriously outdated. Fuel mileage only reaches 15 city/19 hwy, and towing is decent at 6,500 pounds. This is one area of the GX that needs a serious upgrade.

Con: Towing is a challenge with this luxury SUV

The Lexus GX can pull 6,500 pounds, which is great, but it’s missing something. This SUV needs an integrated trailer brake controller to help drivers control the trailer from inside the cabin. You do have standard trailer sway control, but that’s not enough.

Con: A tight third-row seat is part of the Lexus GX

The first and second rows of seats are amply comfortable in this luxury SUV, but the third row isn’t large enough for teens or adults. This row is only big enough for small children.

Con: Where’s the cargo room?

You’ll likely never put a person in the third row because you need the added cargo space. Behind the third-row seat, U. S. News and World Report tells us you’ll find 11.6 cubic feet, which is tiny. Fold this row down, and you’ve got 46.7 cubic feet, which is pretty small for a full-size SUV.

Con: Why does this luxury SUV have a side-hinged tailgate?

In true old-school fashion, the Lexus GX has a side-hinged tailgate making access awkward and difficult compared to a liftgate. The flip-up rear window helps, but it’s not the solution you need.

What does GX mean in Lexus?

In the Lexus language, something every automaker has, the GX name means Grand Crossover. This luxury SUV is solid in North America, Europe, and Asia using the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado platform.  

Is the Lexus GX 460 the same as the Land Cruiser?

These two full-size SUVs share a platform, but they are not the same. We no longer have the Land Cruiser in North America, leaving only the Lexus GX on this platform. The GX is a luxury SUV, and it uses a six-speed automatic transmission. The Land Cruiser has an eight-speed transmission and is not as luxurious as the Lexus SUV.

How much does a Lexus GX 460 cost?

The GX 460 luxury SUV starts at $56,700 and ranges to $66,210.

Is this luxury SUV any good?

If you want a safe, reliable, off-road luxury SUV that comes at a relatively affordable price, the 2022 Lexus GX is a pretty good option. On the other hand, if you’re looking for an advanced powertrain, better cargo room, a liftgate in the rear, and more advanced tech, look to other models for modern features and leave this dinosaur in the prehistoric era.