Big Ol’ V-8 Engine Is Indeed Big and Old

Under the hood of the GX is an engine that feels like it’s always been under the hood: a 4.6-liter naturally aspirated V-8. Despite being a V-8, its power figures are relatively modest — 301 horsepower and 329 pounds-feet of torque — and it moves the GX’s 5,100-plus pounds with deliberation. The V-8’s responsiveness is welcome, and its six-speed automatic transmission shifts smartly. With Lexus and parent automaker Toyota moving increasingly to forced-induction engines, however, a big naturally aspirated V-8 like this one doesn’t feel long for this world.

Also not long for this world is how many miles the GX can travel on a single tank of (premium) gas: The GX has a less-than-stellar 15/19/16 mpg city/highway/combined EPA fuel-economy rating. Even with a 23-gallon fuel tank, that translates to a maximum range of less than 450 miles. Those numbers are, however, par for the course in this class, as both the V-8-powered Jeep Grand Cherokee L and Land Rover Defender 110 are rated similarly, at 17 and 16 mpg combined, respectively.

That said, both of those SUVs are more powerful than the GX. The GX’s V-8 may just be one of the least powerful V-8s still being sold today. The LX 600 got a turbocharged V-6 in its recent redesign, and it seems high time the GX go the forced-induction route, too.

The GX 460’s maximum towing capacity is 6,500 pounds, and it comes with built-in trailer sway control. With that towing capacity, a trailer brake controller is probably a good idea (really, if you’re towing and your trailer has its own brakes, it’s always a good idea), but the GX has no integrated controller. If you want one, you’ll have to go the aftermarket route.

Well-Cushioned Ride

The GX may not be especially powerful, but it makes up for that with stellar off-road potential. An optional Off-Road Package adds extra underbody protection, an improved camera system, a terrain management system and Crawl Control (essentially low-speed off-road cruise control).

Yet even without all of that, the GX still has a lot going for it, including excellent outward visibility, more than 8 inches of ground clearance, full-time four-wheel drive, a torque-sensing limit ed-slip differential, a two-speed transfer case and an electronically locking center differential. Despite not having the Off-Road Package, our test vehicle made short work of heavy snow during our drive, and the standard suspension was nicely cushioned; bumps and potholes never bothered it. Pricier GX models can have an adaptive suspension allowing drivers to choose among Normal, Sport and Comfort settings.