The Lexus GX Ranks in Last Place as a Luxury SUV
The results are in, and they are not looking favorable for the Lexus GX as it lands in last place when competing against rival midsize SUVs. Lexus is supposed to be one of the most reliable luxury brands, so what is going wrong for the 2020 Lexus GX? Why is it the luxury SUV that’s in last place?
Is the Lexus GX a Good SUV?
Car and Driver ranked the Lexus GX in 25th place on a list of the best midsize luxury crossovers. It was ranked against competitors such as the Maserati Levante, Land Rover Discovery, and the Audi Q7, which snagged first place.
However, they didn’t include anything positive or negative about these vehicles. When discussing the 2020 Lexus GX, they mentioned that it comes ready for off-roading and that it was a starting price of around $53k. So, we took it upon ourselves to dig in on the specs.
Lexus GX Performance
While the 2020 Lexus GX starts around $53k, the highest trim option raises the price to about $64k. Also, the Lexus GX only gets 15 mpg in the city and up to 19 mpg on the highway. That’s an insanely lousy fuel economy, but if you can afford a luxury vehicle, you can probably afford gas.
Under the hood of the Lexus GX, you’ll find a 4.6-liter V8 engine that offers 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque. It can only tow up to 6,800 lb, which makes it weaker than it’s rivals. For example, the 2020 Porsche Cayenne can tow up to 7,716 lb. Also, the Lexus GX takes 7.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph. A luxury vehicle should be able to hit 60 mph a little faster than that.
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The Lexus GX comes with a full-time four-wheel-drive, so that could explain why it lacks an efficient fuel economy. With the off-road package, you’ll also get the Multi-Terrain Select driving modes for gravel and other slippery conditions. The camera allows you to see the terrain, and there are five rock crawling modes. However, it says it comes with a fuel tank protector instead of a skid-plate.
It has an electronically locking center differential that will help you climb over obstacles and a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension to adjust to road conditions to provide a smooth ride automatically. There is no mention of sound-absorbing or blocking materials for a quiet ride.
Lexus GX Features
Apparently, the 2020 Lexus GX just had an interior redesign, but things aren’t looking good. The semi-leather seats look small and plain. The dashboard is filled with large, chunky dials, and has a mix of cheap plastic materials. Power seats with lumbar support come with the higher trim options.
We’re shocked by the lack of technology in this SUV. The Lexus GX doesn’t have a heads up display and can’t connect to Apple CarPlay or Android Auto. You can start your Lexus GX from your smartwatch, but you can also do that with a Jeep for a fraction of the price.
Plus, basic safety features such as lane-keeping assistance, and forward collision prevention aren’t available with the Lexus GX. So, we’re inclined to agree with it being a last-place luxury SUV. It lacks comfort, tech, and power compared to its rivals. Perhaps a test drive could sway our opinion.
