The Lexus GX 460 is a “right sized” SUV with classic Lexus luxury ladled in. The time-tested body-on-frame ruggedness is a fully modern execution and the 2011 GX 460 receives upgrades to deliver comfort, convenience and performance.
The “just right” sizing of the 2011 GX 460 ($53,045) fits three comfortable rows of seating into a manageable footprint. The second-row seat has 4.1 inches of fore/aft adjustment to strike the optimal balance between passenger and cargo capacity. The quiet cabin is swathed in exceptional luxury, with leather seating as standard equipment, along with heated and ventilated front seats. The third-row seat power folds, and the quiet cabin has standard Bluetooth for hands-free communication.
Families are kept safe by the addition of new Smart Stop Technology that automatically reduces engine power when both the brake and accelerator pedals are pressed at the same time. Other safety equipment includes class leading 10 standard airbags, an optional Pre-Collision System that includes Dynamic Radar Cruise Control to help sense and predict potential impacts and preemptively tighten the front seatbelts and prime the Brake Assist system.
The GX 460 uses a 4.6 liter V8 engine that produces 301 hp and 329 lb/ft of torque in a strong, silent way. The engine is made of aluminum alloy to keep weight in check, and also features dual Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i) to adjust the valve timing for the best power, fuel economy and emissions performance. A six-speed automatic with a manual shift control is the engine’s partner in smooth, and this combination can tow up to 6,500 pounds.
Four wheel drive is part of the identity of a Sport Utility Vehicle, and the GX 460 uses a standard full-time system with an electronically controlled transfer case and TORSEN® limited-slip center differential. Real off-roading is possible with this system, which offers an electronic locking function for the center differential and a low range.
Despite the on- and off-road capability, substantial tow rating and strong engine, the GX 460 offers better fuel economy than other V8 luxury SUVs with an EPA estimated 15 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.
Keeping it all buttoned down is an exceptionally strong chassis and dynamic suspension. The standard Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) reduces body roll and enhances handling both on- and off-road. The system uses hydraulic cylinders to act on the stabilizer bars and adjust the roll stiffness of the suspension, stiffer for on-road cornering, while allowing a larger range of movement when off-road.
Available Crawl Control and Downhill Assist Control also bolster the GX 460s abilities in the wilderness by automatically maintaining speed on grades and while traversing rough terrain to allow the driver to concentrate pointing the vehicle, instead of trying to manage forward momentum. Hill start Assist Control keeps the GX 460 from rolling backward on inclines as well.
The standard luxury outfitting of the GX 460s interior; 10-way power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, automatic climate control with two zones, leather upholstery, automatic windshield wipers, power moonroof and a Lexus Premium nine-speaker audio system with iPod and USB functions and Bluetooth® hands-free communication; can be upgraded easily thanks to the way Lexus bundles its options packages.
The Convenience Package adds features like self-dimming, power-retracting mirrors and Intuitive Parking Assist while the Comfort Plus Package adds softer leather seats, heated second-row seats and wood trimmed steering wheel and shift knob. Three-zone climate control is also part of the Comfort Plus Package, enhancing the comfort of third-row passengers.
The Lexus Enform® telematics system with Safety Connect® is included with a complimentary one-year trial subscription to its suite of services like XM NavTraffic®, NavWeather™, and Sports and Stocks services. Lexus Safety Connect® is standard on all Lexus vehicles and enhances safety by putting a responsive driver-assistance center at your fingertips. Safety Connect will also alert the authorities in the case of an emergency situation.
A hard-disc based Navigation System can be ordered as a standalone option, and it can be controlled by an innovative Voice Command system that understand casual language. The Premium Audio system is also an available option that includes 17 speakers and this Mark Levinson® designed system sets the standard for high-end car audio. Rear seat passengers can be kept happy with the available Rear Seat Entertainment system that puts two LCD screens in the front seat backrests, another way the Lexus GX 460 makes itself a valued member of your family by helping keep the peace on long excursions.
Like all Lexus vehicles, the GX 460 defines what it means to be luxurious, fastidiously well-made and capable. There’s not an area of this right-sized Sport Utility that doesn’t ooze attention to detail and extreme quality. That’s how Lexus made its name, and that’s how the 2011 GX 460 continues to roll.
