EDMUNDS.COM 2004 LEXUS GX 470
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 Summary
What Edmunds.com Says
A luxurious sport-ute that offers a near-perfect blend of on- and off-road capability. You won''t miss the LX 470.
Pros
Luxurious cabin furnishings, plush ride quality, fine road manners, smooth drivetrain, plenty of off-road ability should you need it.
Cons
Very tight quarters in optional third-row seat, limited rearward visibility, modest top-end horsepower.
What''s New for 2004
The GX has a number of safety upgrades this year that include a roll-sensing feature for the side-curtain airbags, a tire-pressure monitoring system and an optional rear backup camera system (for those vehicles with the navigation system installed). An optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System will be available as a late-year addition.
Overview
Introduction:
The GX 470, introduced just last year, is Lexus'' third SUV and is bracketed in size and price by the entry-level RX 330 and premium LX 470. Thanks to its luxurious cabin and fine road manners, this is a fine luxury SUV and certainly one of the best available.As with most Lexus products, the GX shares a platform with a Toyota product. In this case, the cousin happens to be the Toyota 4Runner. That Lexus chose the 4Runner to base its GX on is your first clue about this vehicle''s intended mission. This is a traditional body-on-frame truck design, not a car-based unibody, thereby implying that that the GX can be quite jingoistic in its ventures off the beaten path. The implication is backed up by a full-time four-wheel-drive system and a host of electronic aids. Luxury accruements haven''t been forgotten, however. Standard features include leather seating, genuine bird''s eye maple wood trim, power-heated front seats, automatic climate control, a moonroof, rain-sensing wipers, one-touch up-down side windows and a power tilt and telescope steering wheel with integrated audio and cruise control buttons. The standard audio system has an in-dash six-disc CD changer and 11 speakers. Once you''ve got everyone and their belongings assembled for an adventure, you can twist the key to awaken the GX 470''s 4.7-liter V8. The sole V8 in Toyota''s truck lineup, this engine provides the midsize GX with sufficient if not earthshaking vigor. It''s rated at 235 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. This isn''t an impressive horsepower figure for this price bracket, compared with the Lincoln Aviator''s 302-hp V8 or even the MDX''s 265-hp V6, and the GX offers no high-rpm rush. Still, the GX''s V8 offers unmatched refinement, above-average fuel economy for a truck-based SUV and enough low-end thrust for a fair amount of towing. It is hard to find fault with the GX. Among luxury midsize SUVs, this newcomer''s strengths are many while its shortcomings are few. Certainly, it will cost you plenty to buy and, like all truck-based SUVs, it will cost you plenty at the gas station -- money that might be difficult to justify if you don''t need all of its capability. But for those of you who have spent the last couple years scouring the classifieds for used LX 470s and Land Cruisers with low miles, here''s your vehicle.
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For Pricing information, see Edmunds'' Pricing page. |
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options:
The Lexus GX 470 is a midsize, four-door luxury SUV. With the optional third-row seat, it can accommodate up to eight passengers. Standard features include 17-inch wheels, heated outside mirrors, illuminated running boards, leather seating, bird''s eye maple wood trim, heated front seats, power front seats, automatic climate control, a moonroof, one-touch up-and-down side windows and a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel with integrated audio and cruise control buttons. The standard audio system has an in-dash six-disc CD changer; you can also upgrade to the 240-watt Mark Levinson premium audio system. Other optional items of note are the aforementioned removable third-row seat with an additional separate air conditioner, a DVD-based navigation system (bundled with the Mark Levinson system), a DVD entertainment system for rear passengers and Lexus Link, the emergency and convenience communications system. New for 2004 (late availability) is an optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System for improved suspension performance and a rear backup camera system tied into the navigation system''s LCD screen.
Powertrains and Performance:
The only available engine is a 4.7-liter V8. As on the larger LX 470, it makes 235 horsepower and 320 pound-feet of torque. It''s connected to a five-speed automatic that applies continuous power to all four wheels. Should a tire start to slip, the GX automatically redirects torque to the wheels with the most grip. A number of features, such as a two-speed transfer case and a hill descent feature, ensure that the GX can take on off-road trails without much difficulty. Properly equipped, the GX can tow up to 6,500 pounds.
Safety:
The GX 470 comes standard with four-wheel antilock disc brakes with BrakeAssist and Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD). It also has traction control, a stability control system and a tire-pressure monitoring system. Should an accident be unavoidable, the GX counters with a full complement of airbags for the driver and front passenger. As of yet, neither the NHTSA nor the IIHS has crash tested the GX 470.
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For more Safety information, see Edmunds'' Safety page. |
Interior Design and Special Features:
As with most other Lexus products, the interior design is quite warm and luxurious. The materials used are of high quality, and the optional wood-trimmed steering wheel adds to the luxury experience. While seat comfort is fine for first- and second-row passengers, the small third row is for children only. We''ve also found that the rearward view isn''t particularly good; while the side mirrors do tilt down in reverse gear, the GX 470''s high stance leaves plenty of guesswork regarding objects directly behind the vehicle. Add a couple of third-row passengers and parking lot visibility is pretty much wiped out, making the rear backup camera a worthy option.
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For more Interior Features information, see Edmunds'' Specifications page. |
Driving Impressions:
Thanks to a rear air suspension and an Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), the GX 470 rides and handles competently. Setting the AVS to its different modes -- ranging from "comfort" to "sport" -- makes a noticeable difference. Under full throttle, acceleration isn''t breathtaking, but it''s enough to handle most day-to-day driving situations.
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For more Driving Impressions, Recent Articles and Car Awards from Edmunds'' editors, see Edmunds'' Road Tests page. |
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