Is The Affordable Lexus GX Without The Added 4x4 Goodies Any Good Off-Road? 

GX460 is the best automobile I have ever owned. I've owned LS400, LS430 and LS460 which I love but I have settled with this GX tank. The only takeaway is that it's thirsty... very thirsty.

The GX is a somewhat overlooked amazing 4x4 platform, I have an 04 GX470 and it has basically the exact same drivetrain. I bought it in March for $5k, did the timing belt service added a 2.5" lift (air suspension delete) and put used all terrains on it from craigslist. My wife and I did an 4000 mile overland trip out west this summer and it performed flawlessly. Did parts of the Alpine loop etc. it never missed a beat, barely spun a tire, even in rain and hail storms while on the trail. I easily kept up with rigs 10x the price. Oh and this truck currently has 262,000 miles on it. If I had the money, I would just buy another GX, they are so good, and so comfortable...

I think most Americans would be shocked what Toyota has in other Markets. I watch a lot of Australian off-road videos, and I recommend you do the same. They have a beautiful country and fantastic off-road trails. Toyota makes some damn good off-roaders that Americans never see.

I've got a completely stock GX470 and I am really impressed with what it can do with zero mods aside from AT3W tires. I thought the side steps and "limited" clearance would be an issue, but honestly it never has been. Im not doing crazy stuff, but its more than dirt roads. I think its such a good all-rounder.

Bought a GX460 brand new 2015 and it has been top knotch we Love it...........

Each video I see the more I love my '22 GX Premium - it's built like a tank and so refined. I just wish I had more off road courses here in NJ.

Gx series no lockers still performs great. With my Rubi locked I've gone through some tough terrain... my brother with highway tires then proceeded to go through the same trail as me in his 2003 Gx470 no lockers with his left pinky 😑 up while sipping some tea.

I've got a 2018 just like this with around 30k miles. I love it, it can do anything I'd ever consider doing with a vehicle, and with any luck it'll last the rest of my life.

I love my 2019 GX460. Yes some of it feels a bit dated but it all works together so good. My kids like the second row captains seats and my dogs appreciate the rear AC.

I had a 2011 GX460 that I drove to 180,000 with no issues. Traded it for a 2022 GX460 when they upgraded the electronics. Plan on keeping it a long time .

I loved this video!! This is one of the most popular off-road suvs right now let’s keep the GX videos coming in!

The GX460 is a beast. On a scale of 1-10, 10 impassable, I didn’t see more than a 3 on this video. I live in Colorado and get into the back country occasionally and you wouldn’t believe what you can do if you get rid of the low hanging bumper and running board plastic! On my GX460 a hybrid front (trunorth) bumper, a rear swing out bumper (exhibition 1), slider steel plate running boards and skid plates (victory) and 33” WP3 tires everything else stock and it’s just amazing! Nice to see someone else enjoying the GX460! Cheers!

Bought a 2022 back in Feb and it's been awesome. Yes it's a little long in the tooth, but it has proven reliability which was its biggest selling point for me. Haven't really gotten to take it off road, but it did go through a trail without breaking a sweat on the way to a canoe trip that other people were struggling with.

Maybe you guys should do a long term test on the GX to see how durable and capable it is, this thing is unstoppable in the winter/snow!!!

Bought a 22’ GX luxury. The addition of the touchscreen with Apple CarPlay brings it up to date just enough without losing the old school charm and reliability. Amazing vehicle!

Those taillights in Red look so much better than altezza style.

Showing LOVE for the channel thank you for another great video once again man. Have a blessed day everyone

I bought a new premium plus last July. Really happy with it so far. For 61k plus tax I feel that I got my money’s worth….especially in today’s market. It’s reliable, capable and comfortable …a true SUV.

There’s no such a thing called a Basic Lexus GX 460. Great video!

Glad to see the non luxury model put through the paces. You helped me expand my search range and save some $. Great video!

Yes base model, add some KO2’s and I bet you would be blown away by just how good its 4WD system is. Nice review Tommy👍 Thanks. Sleeper Overlander and then some! Most folks that don’t know Toyota’s overlook these.

i have a gx470 and i like it more in the sense that there wasnt many spec options through the 03-09 other than kdss or interior things so no matter which one you get all have v8s with a center locker and low range

Love the GX. They just need to take the plastic off around the front and the bottom and add a second fuel tank like they do in the Prado. In fact, if they just offered the Prado with that same V8 powertrain, I'd say they'd have it perfect!

I have a 2016 with no lift, just 33’s, chopped the front and put rock sliders and skid loader plates. I love that thing.

The downhill section you did could be a great place to test out different vehicles hill descent controls. Great work!

Got a 2023 GX love it this is my 3rd one extremely reliable and sporty looking too

We love our GX460. We’ve done several iconic offroad tracks in entirety with it stock with zero problems but are slowly building it up to take it to the next level.

The downhill section you did could be a great place to test out different vehicles hill descent controls

Nice review Tommy....you were engaging the A-Trac system when you were climbing the hill,A-Trac is an awesome traction assist which requires a bit of throttle to engage.

I mean a LC100 just has a solid rear with IFS, full time 4wd and center locking diff just like this GX. But it doesn't have DAC and it's still one of the best offroad/ overlanders ever made. All this thing needs is a lift, AT tires, sliders and a new front bumper for better approach angle and this thing can hang with the rubicons

This thing is completely bullet proof!! Love it

I hope folks do their research on the air suspension for the Lexus GX470/460. It is only on the rear suspension and only raise/lower the rear not the the entire vehicle. It is more suited for load leveling when towing. There are other vehicles that have full air/hydraulic suspensions that raise/lower the entire vehicle as well as provide load leveling. Examples include the new Land Rover Defender, Range Rover, LR3/LR4, Lexus LX470/570, etc...

Just picked up a 2023 GX black line edition in nori green. Absolutely loving it. 😁😁

I got the same as this but 2014 w/ tow and rear A/C. Indestructible truck monster

A GX offroad just feels like it belongs there, it's at home. It just feels different than newer vehicles. On road it is still very very nice.

I've never been a Lexus fan, but this. This is different. I like it.

@TFLOffRoad: Perfect timing! Cannot wait for my 2023 Black Line Special Edition GX to arrive…

The new 2024 GX is being revealed on June 8th, should be a pretty good look at what the next 4runner may have as well. The Tacoma reveal also gave a lot of hints for the 4runner as well.

My 2022 Nori Green Blackline drives like a dream. I've got an Icon Stage 2 lift, 33" Toyo AT3s and Rotiforms. Plan to keep it a very, very long time.

@3:25 Yes it is true that GX has almost same ground clearance as a Highlander (8.1in) but with its KDSS system is has limitations on lifting. Accutune has a nice Tech article only to lift 1in rear for KDSS else you get in to problems like panhard bar hitting KDSS ram. When KDSS leaks its a dealer only fix which is concerning too. Also KDSS seem to have less articulation in rear. At the time I look at GX for my wife it doesn't have standard fuel tank skid either. Having small fuel tank for the v8 was a concern too. End up with a 4Runner Limited with 3rd row for my wife. With trouble free lift (right now having Ironman FCP) and 285/70R17 tires on stock 4Runner wheels look OEM look yet fun to play. If I were to get sliders no need to cut anything, bolts right up.

My 18 has served me well. This video shows Im probably good leaving mine stock...even the notorious clearance issue would take alot to derail her.

Beautiful machine!

I like the GX has a little bit more headroom when built to sleep in for Overlanding

I have a GX470 with just a 2in lift and 33s. It constantly shocks the hell out of people on the trails. And as demonstrated in the video, the way it makes short work out of most obstacles.

This is the video I needed!

Man that sound track really adds to the action. 👍

Great review like most Toyota SUVs and trucks very capable. Currently have a 2019 Sequoia would love to see a review on them . Living in Montana I put mine to use all the time and it’s not afraid. Thanks for the video

Ive watched this video a couple of times and it really is very good at describing the capabilities of this truck AND this model, the Black Line Edition. I'm fairly outdoorsy but I don't think I will ever take it out in those situations, 1 because I'm nowhere near terrain like that and 2 not really my thing. However, I do head out to snow country in the winter and for that reason I have a set of dedicated snow tires. As far as value I got mine in Sept of 2021 and it's the 22 Blackline Edition, green. Right now there are a few that you can find, that is 2022's and most of them with miles on them (15,000 to 30,000) are going for 5,000 or MORE ABOVE MSRP! So much for used car prices going down. Having paid MSRP for mine brand new I guess I should consider myself lucky! As far as all the extra goodies honestly I would have paid for them if they had offered those packages in the Nori Green color, but that color is exclusive to the Black line edition. I also would havee prefered the captains seats in the second row, since I still consider this truck to be a 4 passenger vehicle. The 3rd row is useless or extremely limited and you would't want to use it for more than a short drive to take a couple of kids to the movies, but I would NOT put anyone back there for a long drive. For me it's the perfect size truck. If you have more than 2 kids I think you will find yourself wanting more usable space when traveling, but you could resolve some of that by using a cartop carrier. I added a rear compartment shelf made by Victory 4 X $ and absolutely love it to stash a few goodies tools etc I like to have on hand.

I remember when 1-2 of these a year were showing up at FJ Summit in Ouray, then the secret got out and the last year (2019) there were about 50. The bargain on these is when they're about 3 years old (i.e. just coming off lease for the wife) and have 20-30K miles. You can get them for ~$20-25K off new if you search far and wide enough. CarGurus has ~104 of them under $40K / 40K miles. I can't count the number of times I was helping someone look at an FJ and then they ask 'what do you think about the Lexus GX". 99% of the time that person buys the GX. Great review!

Just got mine today because I want the V8 and can’t wait to take mine off road

Thank you for this review. Just purchased the 2022 GX Premium Plus and was concerned with the off road capability without the special off roading options.

Have it, love it. I feel like every video I watch just reinforces it more.

GX is the platform I'm looking to move to. I love my modified XJ for the trails in Colorado and camping but now that I have a kid, it's time for something a little more comfortable, safe and roomy. I would say reliable as well but the i6 in the Jeep has been bulletproof for me.

That GX sold as Prado with the 500nm torque Diesel engine with rear lock diff is just a dream. Hope you guys come to Costa Rica and try it.

Telephone poles come from logs Tommy!!!! Have a good one. Thanks for the videos tfl folks!!

I have a lifted GX460 and it is unstoppable. 282,000 miles and it's fine.

I put some larger AT tires on my GX460 on a stock suspension and it's an absolute beast off road. Especially in deep snow!

I have a stock gx470 I really like it it will handle anything I throw at it

Good review:)!

I've found sidesteps like those to just get in the way when I'm entering and exiting the vehicle.

Starting with 21 model, nothing about this is 'aging'. All we need is for someone to come out with a viable transmission swap, and this is the PERFECT d2d / overlanding vehicle!

I'd love to see what a stock 4Runner Limited would do on a course like this.

I have a 2005 GX47- .. with 210k miles … the car still run great.. the engine still purrr like a kitty

If any other GX owners are looking for validation check out what they drive in Iceland- just got back from a trip there and the Land Cruiser Prada equivalent was easily the most common 4x4 I saw

Tommy, Other markets offer GX/Prado with a locking rear diff. I don't know why you can't get it here.Those sidesteps are an abomination! Carry a small plastic stepstool to help elderly passengers into your 4X4.

My 2023 Premium Plus should be hitting the Oregon port any day now.

The 2023 Lexus GX Black Line comes STANDARD with 360 camera panoramic view monitor system. They also have A-TRAC, but it has automatic engagement in low range.

We have a ‘14 “base” GX & it’s been fantastic. Trying to talk the Mrs. into buying a new one before the redesign & v8 going away.

Have this car. You can add crawl control and multi terrain select for well under $1k. Added a 2 inch lift, all terrains, and it’s a champ

Thats the black line edition, which is what I have. Thank you for showing me what I can do 😅😅😅

Is laminated glass all around available, perhaps as an option, for the Lexus GX? (It isn't for Toyota versions on the same platform).

hi Tommy, would you recommend buying a 2020 GX with 50K km (top trim) for along term purchase? Appreciate this awesome video from TFL!

I real like this Lexus. I was truly surprised.

I was wondering how well this GX would do in this type of offroading if you don't rock crawl. I'm interested now especially because all I do is camping, logging roads and so on.

Hope y’all will do some more videos with this one.

When you mentioned that GX460 feels like Crawl Control (around 08:10) that's because in 4Lo it has Toyota ATRAC turned on by default and it works like lockers.

From Australia here. I've been lucky enough to have owned a GXL 150 (standard pack, only DAC) and currently own a Kakadu 150 (crawl control, kdss, air bags, mts, etc.). I'm definitely not calling the traction control offerings in the Kakadu a gimmick (far from it, that's why I wanted one). The traction control in the Toyota (I think the US commonly calls it ATRAC) which all models have, is absolutely brilliant, and will take you 98% of the places crawl control/mts will take you.

I'll be interested to see the new US Land Cruiser, allegedly based on this platform. I hope it leans more toward a Defender competitor. Upscale & smooth on the road, but still very capable off-road.

We have a 21 GX460 with the executive pack which has the offroad package. With a set of proper tires, I'm pretty sure it would be as good offroad as a Jeep/Gwagen. I love it, and it will keep running when the fancy german stuff is long in the junkyard

7:08 how does that center diff lock work? It was in 4Lo from the beginning, so I was expecting the transfer case to already be mechanically locked.

A dueling tree at 12:40..... Nice..

Did you not film the bronco sport tap out because the one I watched the bronco sport did all the courses. Just asking?

Great video Tommy!

its a solid 12.5 combined in real world application lol. That's what I get in my 22 GX

Thanks!

All of these comments make me feel like I made the right decision by getting a 2023 GX 460 which I love inside out 🙌🏽

No real lockers but doesn't at least have atrac. Atrac can get a lot of the jobs done I mean it's nothing like having a real locker but it really helps

This is a amazing truck, love my GX, only problem is 15mpg, but its a tank and love it

I think I will bring my 1950 Chevy 5 window truck up there and with its grannie gears would probably make it thru your course. I enjoy your videos though.

You can actually upgrade this model with crawl control and multi-terrain select, even if it didnt come with it from the factory.

This is the vehicle one need to survive the zombie apocalypse

Would be nice if you showed the interior. When the back seat folds down is it flat like a 4Runner? Stuff like that. Oh well I’ll go look at one.

Does the Lexus GX have KDSS? If so, what model year did it become available? All GXs for all years = kdss? ................... Never mind, I see that it has comes standard on all models since 2009.

I thought only the LX came with the air suspension to raise the vehicle?

This is the dream truck I wouldn't want that air suspension

When did these start being offered with air suspension?? I am familiar with the AHC hydraulic but I didn’t know about an air suspension option

Love it been looking to get one for a while to take off road tips with my family.

I like my 470 better. I put some stock size ko2s on it and it does great both freeways and off roading

As old as it is I’d still take it. Old school smooth v8 and relatively luxurious and it now has CarPlay and android auto I hope Lexus keeps it around and just changes the interior and the transmission and nothing else

Tommy really forgot this has A-Trac? I guess that’s what he meant by traction control. 10:30 that is A-trac working not the car getting “hung up”! The sound of it working sounds terrible but it’s doing what it’s supposed to in lieu of real front and rear lockers.