Things are a little rocky for Toyota of late, prompting among other things company president Akio Toyoda to announce plans to review and possibly trim the line-up of full-frame trucks. Meanwhile, Lexus has just revealed the next generation of its "midsize" sport-utility vehicle: The all-new 2010 Lexus GX460--named for the displacement of its V-8 engine--replaces the GX470 with an all-new engine, both more efficient and more powerful than the 4.7-liter it replaces--while keeping the stout body-on-frame construction.
Although the 4.6-liter V-8 produces 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, the Lexus GX460 is about more than just power. There's also standard seven-passenger capacity and full-time four-wheel drive, and the GX460 has active suspension that changes the degree of roll stiffness with an adjustable anti-roll bar. Lexus says the system, which it calls Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, or KDSS, can reduce lean in corners by up to fifty percent while still maintaining the suspension flexibility needed for off road use. Stability control, brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution are all standard as well.
Beyond that, Lexus offers as an option Adaptive Variable Suspension which allows suspension to be set in three different modes, Normal, Sport and Comfort. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard on the 2010 Lexus GS460 compared to the seventeen-inch wheels of last year's GS470.
New for 2010 is a six-speed automatic transmission, replacing the five-speed trans of the '09 GS470, and has a higher top gear ratio for quieter cruising and improved fuel economy without sacrificing responsiveness around town. An option for the GX460 is Crawl Control which automatically adjusts brakes and throttle to maintain a preset slow speed over rough terrain adn uphills and down.
On the other hand, the 2010 Lexus GX460 is still a Lexus, and that means standard equipment includes eight-way power adjustable heated front seats, with leather on all seven seats. Sunroof, rain-sensing wipers, wood-and-leather steering wheel are also standard, as is a back-up camera projecting on the standard 4.2-inch multi-information screen or the optional navigation system's LCD screen.
Scroll down for full 2010 Lexus GX 460 photo gallery.
One will not want for airbags in the 2010 Lexus GX460. It has ten of 'em: front and front side, driver and front passenger knee bags, second-row seat-mounted side airbags, and roll-sensing side-curtain airbags for two or three rows (deployed by severe tilt, roll or lateral G-force).
The Lexus has two optional advanced safety features. The Pre-Collision System which, using millimeter-wave radar and other input, can determine when a collision in unavoidable, at which time it will snug down the front belts and "pre-initialize" the brake assist for a quicker response when the driver finally gets around to applying the brakes. Above that one can add a "driver attention monitor" that uses a steering wheel column mounted camera that can determine if the driver is not looking directly ahead for "a few seconds or more." If that happens, a chime and then a flashing light alerts the driver., and if the vehicle is approaching an object, the system can "begin to gently apply the brakes on its own." Steering is also tightened to help the driver steer around the object. It's sort of like driving with your mother-in-law in your lap.
This all comes at a price, of course, and not just the mother-in-law bit. Actually, the 2010 Lexus GX 460 has two prices. The base 2010 Lexus GX460 lists for $51,970 and the 2010 Lexus GX460 Premium starts out at $56,765. Options will add to that, and Lexus tacks on $875 for delivery.
The EPA fuel economy estimate for the 2010 Lexus GX460 is 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway. Lexus notes that it's a thirteen percent improvement over the outgoing GX470, but it's still difficult in absolute terms to call this Lexus thrifty.
Lexus spokesman Bill Kwong notes however that Toyota--including Scion and Lexus divisions--is a full-line car company, with models from the Toyota Yaris to the Lexus GX460's big brother, the Lexus LX570 full-size SUV. Within that range, he says, there's room for the Lexus GX460. Kwong says that customers tell Lexus they use the GX for towing--the old and new Lexus GX models can tow up to 6,500 lbs--and medium off-roading, and those customers also appreciate the luxury of a Lexus and the capabilities of the Lexus GX. Lexus expects to sell a smidge less than 15,000 of the Lexus GX460 during the 2010 calendar year, with production actually slated for 14,800 units.
The 2010 Lexus GX460, which had its international debut at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition in China today, will be on display for the first time in North America at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show in December.
Illustration: 2010 Lexus GX 460. Photo credit: Toyota Motor Sales USA.
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Comments
I am very disappointed in the 2010 GX. The interior is nice but the exterior is downright ugly. I have had 2 GX's and when it is time to trade my current GX, it will not be for another one. Too bad, I really love that car.
i think your wrong there girl it pretty on the outside you have to admit that their are other cars out there that are pretty ugly.
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