Toyota Axed Its V8, But You Can Still Get a V8 Lexus SUV
Toyota SUV fans looking for a new model with a V8 are out of luck, as the automaker ditched V8 SUVs last year with the 2022 Sequoia. But there’s still a Toyota V8 SUV loophole – it’s just a Lexus.
Which Lexus SUV still has a V8?
If you want a Toyota SUV with a V8, you’ll have to go upmarket to the new 2023 Lexus GX 460 with its 4.6-liter V8 engine.
The 2023 GX 460 is the last remaining SUV under the Toyota umbrella that uses V8 power – and it’s a decade-old SUV. The Sequoia, 4Runner, and LX have all dropped the V8, and the Land Cruiser has left American shores altogether. Alas, the LEX 460 is the last bastion of eight-cylinder power.
The GX 460 is significantly different from most other Lexus SUVs – and it isn’t just the V8 engine. While every other Lexus SUV (aside from the LX 600) is a car-based crossover, the LX 460 is a truck underneath. Its body-on-frame platform shares DNA with the Toyota 4Runner and the Land Cruiser Prado of the international market. This rugged design has made the LX 460 an unlikely hit among off-road enthusiasts and overlanders.
How much power does the Lexus GX 460 have?
According to Car and Driver, the 4.6-liter V8 in the Lexus GX 460 generates 310 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque.
That’s a bit down on power compared to the outgoing 5.7-liter V8 used in the Sequoia, Land Cruiser, and LX 570. But it outpaces the 4Runner’s current 4.0-liter V6 by more than 30 horsepower.
Car and Driver says the GX 460 can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds and has a maximum towing capacity of 6,500 pounds.
Does the LX600 have a V8?
No – Lexus dropped the V8 for its flagship LX SUV after the 2021 model year. In 2022, the LX 600 got a new twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain. It’s the same power unit that Toyota uses in the redesigned Sequoia and Tundra. Toyota also announced that the upcoming redesigned Tacoma will offer the twin-turbo V6 hybrid powertrain as an option.
Is the Lexus GX 460 V8 worth it?
The Lexus GX 460 is worth it if you want a traditional SUV with a V8 engine. It’s among the last of its kind, offering a large-displacement engine, ladder-frame construction, and genuine four-wheel drive. The uncomplicated design of the LX 460 has also earned it a reputation for reliability. While it won’t win any fuel efficiency contests, the last V8 Lexus SUV is a winner through its durability and capability.
