2023 Lexus GX

The GX 460 is Lexus’ second-largest SUV (it’s smaller than the LX) and seats six or seven, depending on the configuration with or without captain’s chairs in the second row. The third row folds down in a 50-50 offset for more flexibility. It’s boxy, it’s hulking and it floats like a waterbed on wheels. It’s also one of the best vehicles you can drive from the dealer’s lot to an off-roading adventure. That’s where the GX shines, and that’s the direct line to satisfaction for owners of this vehicle.

Model year 2023 is more of the same from 2022 save for a few cosmetic options. The Black Line Special Edition (limited to only 3,000 units) now gets a 360-degree camera and the Luxury trim for 2023 gets a spectacular Mark Levinson audio system, which brings that variant up a notch. The GX is available in three trim levels: base, Premium and Luxury, and while the base trim is equipped with a decent driver-assist suite and dynamic suspension system, most will be happier with the top two variants. The GX is now in its second generation (which started in 2010) and the long stay makes it ancient by current standards. Like the Toyota 4Runner, which attracts a similar demographic, the GX has not been updated in a long time and its loyal fans don’t seem to care much.

Competitors for the GX in the luxury three-row SUV segment include the sumptuous Lincoln Aviator, modern luxury upstart Genesis GV80 and the elegant off-road-ready Land Rover Discovery. In this set, the GX lags behind in technology updates, efficiency and road manners. However, the Lexus still has a level of class and a handsome exterior that has carried it all of these years and that makes it feel familiar, like a warm blanket.

With four-wheel drive, a powerful V8 engine under the hood, and a suspension designed to take some punishment, the GX makes an impression. It includes 6,500 pounds of towing capability and could reasonably be expected to stand the test of time and hundreds of thousands of miles without breaking a sweat. Rivals like the GV80 and Aviator have smaller engines that crank out more horsepower and torque, but they’re pavement-only beasts. 

If you have your heart set on a GX (the base starts at $56,425, plus a $1,150 destination fee), you might as well go all the way and get the Luxury trim ($67,080) with the Off-Road package. As such, the GX can do its job as a dirt-bashing SUV that still allows its passengers to enjoy a plush interior that delivers an enjoyable experience. However, if you don’t see yourself venturing off the pavement much, if at all, there are a baker’s dozen or more alternatives. The GV80, for example, is snugger inside but also impressively designed with modern niceties. 

Lexus is generous with its safety technology, including a suite that includes blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic alerts, lane keeping assistance and more. Its warranty stands up against its competitors with limited coverage for four years or 50,000 miles and a powertrain warranty that covers six years or 70,000 miles. Plus, the GX comes with one year of complimentary maintenance. Lexus typically does a fantastic job creating welcoming dealerships, so you won’t even mind stopping in when necessary.

Performance: 13/15

Every GX is equipped with four-wheel drive (the better to veer off the main paths, my dear) and a burly 4.6-liter V8 engine good for 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission turns the wheels and an enhanced suspension is standard. Choosing the top-line Luxury trim comes with a self-leveling adaptive suspension and 19-inch wheels that absorb the bumps in the road even better. Families looking for a vehicle that can handle mid-size campers and boats should be satisfied with a maximum 6,500-pound tow rating. Note that the tow hitch and wiring setup require dealer installation and don’t come straight from the factory.

Say what you will about the efficiency of this SUV, but what it lacks in modernity it shines in pure power and capability. Straight from the factory with 8.1 inches of ground clearance, the GX could benefit from a lift kit if you’re so inclined. Compared to the Discovery, which comes with 11.1 inches of ground clearance, the GX may suffer on paper but it’s truly quite good as is.

Fuel Economy: 8/15

Well, yikes. The GX gets an EPA-estimated 15 mpg in the city and 19 mpg on the highway (16 mpg combined), which is significantly less than other SUVs in this segment. The Disco is estimated at 19 mpg in the city, 22 on the highway and  21 mpg combined while the Lincoln Aviator gets 24 mpg combined when equipped with all-wheel drive. Even the larger Lexus LX 600 gets better efficiency with more power and a smaller six-cylinder engine. 

Note that the GX and Discovery require premium fuel, while 91 octane is just a gentle recommendation for the GV80 and Aviator. 

Safety & Driver Assistance Tech: 10/15

All GX models are outfitted with forward collision mitigation, lane departure alert, adaptive cruise control, blind-spot warning with rear cross-traffic warning, parking sensors and automatic high-beam headlights part of the standard Lexus Safety System+. Choose the Premium trim for an included 360-degree camera system that enables a top-down view of the vehicle or go all the way with the Luxury model for a surround-view camera setup.

Neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) nor the National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTSA) have evaluated the Lexus GX 460. Unfortunately for the GX, that affects its overall safety scores in our evaluation.

Comfort & Room: 11/15

Passengers will enjoy plenty of room in the GX due to its right-angle design. This widebody feels quite spacious, as opposed to the smaller GV70 and Discovery. Simulated leather upholstery is supple and smooth, though the upgraded leather seats in the Luxury trim are noticeably softer. Power-adjustable and heated and ventilated seats are standard up front, even the second row gets heat.

At 192.1 inches long, the GX is shorter than the Discovery, GV80 and the Aviator. However, the Lexus SUV is taller by 5 inches or more than the Genesis and Lincoln and provides more head room in the second row (40.4 inches over 39). In this competitive set, the Aviator offers the most front legroom at 43 inches, and the GX is still roomier than the Discovery (39.1 inches). In the second row the GX lags at 34.1 inches. The Discovery offers 37.4, while the Aviator 40.1.

As is the case in most three-row SUVs, the third row is best left for small children with only 29.3 inches (tighter than the Discovery’s 33.5 back there). That said, those two extra seats come in handy in a variety of situations and can accommodate adults for short trips. 

Infotainment: 9/15

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard fare in the GX along with a 10.3-inch touchscreen. That blasted Lexus touchpad is still present in this model. Since other Lexus models have dispatched the quirky controller, we have hope that the next GX will get rid of it forever. Customers in the domestic Japanese market and other parts of the world love the touchpad, but in the U.S. it’s a sore point.

A nine-speaker sound system is standard fare. Audiophiles are going to crave the sweet sounds of the 17-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, and it’s available on the Premium trim and standard on the Luxury option.

Cargo Space & Storage: 12/15

Boasting 11.6 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the third row and 46.7 cubic-feet behind the second row, total cargo space is 64.7 cubic-feet with the second and third rows folded in the GX. Genesis’ handsome GV80 starts off with the same 11.6 cubes behind the third row but it expands beautifully to 84 cubic-feet with the second row folded. 

Lexus did a nice job on small storage inside the GX. The glove box is generous, and the door pockets hold more than a single-use plastic water bottle. We appreciate that Lexus made the door pockets tall enough for soft drinks and bottles with a handy divider between in the second row. 

The GX features a swing-out tailgate instead of a traditional fold-out tailgate. It hinges out from the passenger side, a legacy of its right-hand drive sister, the Prado. This makes sense if the driver is the only person in the car. However, if the GX is parked parallel to the curb the open tailgate blocks access, especially if parking is tight. It does, at least, have a glass hatch on the top half that opens separately.

Style & Design: 8/10

Lexus is known for high-quality materials and streamlined design, and the GX fits into that mold. The SUV is curved in all the right places and the fit and finish is impressively fine. On the outside, its signature spindle grille takes up a large swath of the front end of the GX, leading the eye to its flanks and wide stance. Doors open and close with a solid thunk, including the side-opening back gate. 

The cabin, while not particularly imaginative, is pleasant. Standard materials include semi-aniline leather, wood and leather trims. We approve of the large door pockets in the second row that allow more than a single-use plastic bottle. That comes in handy when ferrying around a carful of teens who carry a water bottle in one hand and a latte in the other. 

In the competitive set, the GX is just as handsome on the outside as any of its rivals. Inside, though, there is room for improvement. 

Is the 2023 Lexus GX Worth it? Which GX is the Best Value?

The Lexus GX 460 is a big mid-size SUV that feels and projects a more imposing figure than it might seem from its measurements. While it might not be the most modern SUV on the market, it encompasses a pleasing package for those looking for a vehicle that has both an upscale interior and the chops for adventuring. 

In the base model, the GX starts at $58,525 and includes simulated leather, dual-zone climate control, a sunroof and a 10.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity. Heated and ventilated seats as well as headlight washers are optional in the base model and standard in the Premium trim, which starts at $59,860. 

However, it’s the Luxury trim ($69,180) that gets our nod. Adventurous GX buyers will want to opt for the Off-Road package ($1,570), which augments the vehicle with crawl control, off-road drive modes, fuel tank protection, a transmission oil cooler and a camera system that could be quite helpful to extract the vehicle from a tight situation. If you’re going to get a GX, you might as well get it in a form designed to show off its best attributes. Meanwhile, we’re holding onto hope that the GX will get a big update in the near future and if we had to guess, it’s going to be a hybrid. 

How Much Does it Cost to Insure the 2023 Lexus GX?

The 2023 Lexus GX costs as much to insure as most of its peers. According to our data, a typical 30-year-old female driver with a clean record can expect an average annual premium starting at $2,385, though this averages all 50 states. A Land Rover Discovery owner might pay $2,578 per year, while the Lincoln Aviator is $2,455 and the Genesis GV80 starts around $2,456. For a more accurate picture of your potential insurance expenses, visit our car insurance calculator.