2022 Lexus GX 460 Review: A Little More Than a Fancy 4Runner
2022 Lexus GX 460 review highlights:
- 2022 Lexus GX 460 ($57,575 – $62,310)
- Pros: Impressive off-road capability, good safety tech, and standard AWD
- Cons: A stiff ride, poor fuel economy, and an old design
The Lexus GX 460 fills a small niche in the luxury SUV segment. Its superior off-road capability makes it an exceptional choice if crawling over rocks is part of your weekend roster. But its comfort and luxurious amenities make its quality on par with rivals like the Lincoln Aviator, Acura MDX, and Genesis GV80. It’s also easy to compare the Lexus GX with its corporate cousin, the Toyota 4Runner. However, it’s a little more than just a fancy version of that rugged SUV.
What’s new for 2022?
For the 2022 model year, a Black Line Special Edition joins the Lexus GX lineup. This exclusive trim includes blacked-out exterior trim pieces, black 18-inch wheels, a black interior headliner, and black NuLuxe leather. The GX also received new tech features, including a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment display with Apple Carplay and Android Auto connectivity.
There are also new parking sensors, an onboard navigation system, and power-folding exterior mirrors. Additionally, the highly desired Nori Green Pearl paint joins the exterior paint palette.
Which 2022 Lexus GX 460 is best?
- GX 460: $57,575
- GX 460 Premium: $58,910
- GX 460 Luxury: $68,230
- GX 460 Black Line: $62,310
Considering the base 2022 GX 460 model comes standard with 18-inch wheels, LED headlights, a 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, dual-zone climate control, and a plethora of driver-assist features, it’s a solid choice in the lineup.
Our tester for the week was a GX 460 Black Line Special Edition model equipped with crossbars. The price as tested was $61,305.
How does the 2022 GX 460 drive?
The 2022 Lexus GX 460 isn’t as refined as other rivals in the segment. Its body-on-frame chassis makes it feel more like a truck when going over speed bumps and road imperfections. And while its standard V8 engine is strong in the mid-range part of the powerband, it’s a little slow to accelerate off the line. That being said, although the GX 460’s ride isn’t cloud-like, it can be adjusted via the Adaptive Variable Suspension that uses electronically controlled dampers to adjust to the road conditions.
Otherwise, the GX 460’s V8 engine power the large three-row SUV easily up hills and onto the freeway without too much drama once you get past the tip-in point. It’s also relatively easy to handle thanks to good visibility out of all four corners and the aid of front and rear parking sensors.
However, its steering effort is a little stiff, which can take some getting used to at first. But overall, the GX 460 does exude luxury SUV-like ride and handling characteristics with a bit of ruggedness thrown in.
As for fuel economy, the EPA estimates that the 2022 GX 460 can achieve up to 15 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway. We averaged 17 mpg over our week of testing.
What is the GX 460 powered by?
The 2022 Lexus GX 460 comes with one engine choice: a 4.6-liter V8 engine. This large engine produces 301 hp and 329 lb-ft of torque. Are you surprised to find a V8 in a three-row SUV when almost every other SUV in this category is using a turbo V6 or smaller? Don’t worry, we were too.
However, it can’t be too surprising since Lexus has used this same V8 engine since 2005 with little to no changes. We can’t blame them, considering the engine does well in off-road situations and allows the SUV to tow up to 6,500 pounds.
Is the Lexus GX 460 worth the extra money over a Toyota 4Runner?
If you value the luxurious Lexus badge, a more upscale interior, and a V8 engine, then we think the GX 460 could be worth the nearly $20,000 upgrade. While both SUVs share the same chassis, the GX comes standard with a lot of the tech and off-road features that Toyota 4Runner enthusiasts would enjoy. It also has a nifty swing-out rear tailgate as opposed to the 4Runners normal tailgate.
MotorBiscuit gives the 2022 Lexus GX 460 an expert rating of 7.5 out of 10
The editors at MotorBiscuit award the 2022 Lexus GX 460 an overall rating of 7.5 out of 10. While we enjoyed the Lexus GX 460’s luxurious amenities and blacked-out look, it still feels dated compared to the competition. That being said, it’s worth noting that anyone looking for a luxury three-row SUV that can handle nearly any off-road course will find great value in the aging GX 460.
