Description
Built on the same platform as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, the Lexus GX was a much better-equipped vehicle that offered more luxury than its better-known sibling.
After Mercedes-Benz introduced the ML in 1997, the premium SUV segment started to be more crowded. Toyota didn't stand aside and, being one of the best off-road manufacturers globally, used the Land Cruiser/Prado 120 platform to create a new Lexus, the GX.
With its color-body front bumper and the three-slats chromed grille, the GX showed a commanding view on the road. Its flared arches and plastic molds on the sides were carried over from the Land Cruiser/Prado. The carmaker offered an option for side steps, which decreased the ground clearance but eased the ingress and egress from the vehicle.
Inside, the GX offered room for up to seven people, with two jump-seats in the trunk. The designers made a car-inspired dashboard with curved lines and a center stack adorned by wood-trims on the sides, on the center console, and on the door panels. Lexus installed a standard automatic transmission on the GX470 and moved the gear selector closer to the front center armrest.
Under the hood, the only engine option was a 4.7-liter V-8. Toyota paired it with a five-speed automatic transmission that sent the power to all four wheels through a transfer case with low-range gear.
Press Release
The Lexus GX 470 is a mid-size SUV built in Tahara plant in Japan and sold only on the North American markets by Toyota's luxury division Lexus. It was introduced in November 2002 as a 2003 model as Lexus's true answer to the BMW X5, Acura MDX, Land Rover LR3 and Porsche Cayenne. It is the US market version of the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. It was released at the same time as the Infiniti FX, its competitor.
The 2005 GX 470s are powered by a 4.7 L, 32-valve, four-cam V8 engine with 270 hp (201 kW) at 5,400 rpm and 330 ft·lbf (447 N·m) of torque at 3,400 rpm. This is also the largest engine that has ever been put into a Lexus.
The GX 470 has a welded steel body, an electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission, a 4 wheel drive system, and its interior offers a place for up to eight passengers.
This vehicle is a competent contender for serious off-roading while civilized enough for everyday driving. The MSRP is averaged at about US $50,000. It has won various awards including 4-Wheeler of the Year from 4X4 Magazine.
In the Lexus lineup, it is situated between the premium LX 470 and the entry-level luxury RX 350.
