The 2021 Lexus GX Is an Expensive Toyota Land Cruiser Prado That we Can Actually Get in the States
After a week in the 2021 Lexus GX SUV, I haven’t found it nearly as abysmal as many other auto critics. Like similar Toyota SUV models, the Lexus GX is nice, solid, and handles off-road with composure. However, I can’t help but compare it to the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado we don’t get here in the States.
The 2021 Lexus GX 460 is a full-size SUV
While the 2021 Lexus GX 460 is nice, it’s much more expensive than a 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. Cars Guide shows pricing for the Prado in Australia, starting at $59,840 AU. This is significantly less in USD.
For example, according to the Currency Rate, $59,840 in Australian dollars is $45,729.73 in U.S. dollars. The 2021 Lexus GX 460 starts at $53,250. After testing a 2020 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado last year in Costa Rica, I’ve compared the two aptly. And my verdict is that the 2021 G.X. is an expensive Land Cruiser Prado.
My Luxury trim tester with an off-road package and upgraded wheels retails for $71,255. It’s pretty decadent for a capable off-road vehicle. The adjustable air suspension and different drive modes make this a formidable companion for various situations. A strong V8 engine powers the 2021 Lexus GX 460. This means it’s a little more thirsty than some luxury SUV competition.
Is the 2021 Lexus GX a good luxury SUV?
It’s probably not your luxury SUV if you don’t want to spend much time at the gas pump. In addition, while it’s composed and quiet, it’s still not exactly the urban carpooler I’d recommend to someone looking to haul passengers and gear primarily on city streets. It serves more purposes than looking great in a school pickup line.
The 301 horsepower V8 powers all four wheels, but the 2021 Lexus GX 460 doesn’t offer standard Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. I found the 2021 Lexus NX software to be far more advanced than what equips the GX 460. Overall, though, it’s an SUV I can appreciate. Car seats go in and out quickly, off-road capability adds some fun factor, and driving around feels a little posh.
Is the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado on the same platform?
The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado is one of Toyota’s global outgoing SUV models. It shares its platform with the 2021 Lexus GX 460, but we can’t get the Prado here in the States. I tasted the forbidden fruit while driving the Land Cruiser Prado in Costa Rica about a year ago. It’s far more utilitarian in style but offers upper-range trims with luxury appointments.
Two of the most excellent features of the 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado are its two-door model and diesel engine. Of course, neither option is available in America on the Lexus GX. The 2021 Toyota Land Cruiser is a workhorse SUV that handles the most challenging terrain and a heavy workload. It’s a bit more husky than the sophisticated Lexus off-roader. Still, these models are wildly similar and do share the same platform.
According to Automobile Magazine, the North American 2021 Toyota 4Runner SUV also shares underpinnings with both of these models. All are renowned off-roaders. However, the Land Cruiser Prado is the only one offering a sweet 2-door model and a diesel engine.
After testing both the Prado and the GX 460, I think it’s safe to say that this Lexus SUV is a more expensive version of the global Land Cruiser Prado. But we can get the Lexus GX in the U.S. Unless you travel abroad, it’s virtually the closest we North American drivers can get to driving the foreign Toyota SUV.
