Base price: $43,000 (est)
Vehicle type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive; 5-door 5–8-passenger wagon
Interior volume, F/M/R (cu ft) 56–57/49/30
Cargo volume, seats up/maximum (cu ft) 13/78
Wheelbase 109.8 in
Length/width/height 188.2/74.0/73.0–74.6 in
Turning circle 37.4 ft
Curb weight 4700 lb
EPA city/highway mpg 15/18
Fuel-tank capacity/range 23.0 gal/345 mi
Passive restraints driver and passenger front, side, and head airbags; rear head airbags
POWERTRAIN
4.7-liter DOHC 32-valve V-8, 235 hp; 5-sp auto
SUSPENSION
F ind, unequal-length control arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar
R rigid axle, air springs, anti-roll bar
BRAKES
F/R vented disc/vented disc
ABS standard
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LEXUS GX470
The GX470, a Lexus mid-size SUV making its debut this year, is an extensively gussied-up and gilded version of the Toyota 4Runner. Though it has body-on-frame construction, it seems more like a Lexus on tippy-toes than a truck. Headroom is generous—its roofline is three inches higher than the 4Runner’s—and a third-row seat is optional, but only young kids could sit back there for long stretches without having blood flow restricted.
Cabin noise is significantly reduced by the inclusion of a thicker windshield and side glass, and 44 extra pounds of sound deadener. Some ruffle from the wind and a little tire-tread singing is all that filters through.
The GX470 gets its power from the same 4.7-liter V-8 in the Tundra pickup, retuned for 2003 to produce 235 horsepower. Its partner is an all-new five-speed automatic transmission driving through a high/low transfer case with a Torsen center differential to open diffs at each end. The Torsen directs more torque to the end with traction, and a traction-control system automatically brakes any spinning wheel, with a noticeable clunk when it kicks in. For extremely slippery situations the center differential can also be locked.
To further bolster the GX470’s stability and maneuverability, it comes standard with automatic self-leveling, driver-selectable rear height control, automatic hill holder to limit rollback when stopped on a steep slope, and a driver-selectable automatic speed limiter for control when descending a steep slope.
Towing capacity is 5000 pounds when equipped with an optional tow package.
Standard comfort-and-convenience features are as numerous as one would expect from the Lexus luxury brand, including power everything and a premium sound system with an in-dash six-disc CD changer. A Mark Levinson audio system is optional, and vehicles with the optional navigation system have their CD changer mounted in the glove box. The navigation system includes a voice-control button on the steering wheel.
An optional rear-seat entertainment system has its DVD player in the center console and a ceiling-mounted fold-down screen. It includes a remote-control unit but no headphones.
Although the Lexus GX470 is a highly capable off-road performer, with 8.3 inches of ground clearance, a maximum approach angle of 31 degrees and departure angle of 29 degrees, its standard flood-lit running boards and fancy-dan interior have “highway” written all over them. But whatever adverse conditions might exist on that highway, the GX470 can handle them beautifully.
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