2021 Lexus GX 460

On the inside, the cabin looks neat and well-appointed but isn’t the most creative layout in the competition. It looks outdated and badly needs a revamp. On the plus side, all the trims have the 4WD system which is the best quality of this SUV. It competes head-on with cars like Mercedes-Benz GLS 450, Land Rover Discovery, and BMW X7.

The Lexus GX comes with two different trim levels. The features they offer are the differentiating factors. Priced at $53,450 for its base variant, it comes with quite an extensive list of features and the top of its line gets all features of a premium car and it is priced at $64,715. Some of the standout features include Keyless entry and ignition, Leather Gear Shifter Material, NuLuxe Synthetic Leather Seat Trim, Leather Steering Wheel, 10-way power front seats, and Compass. Some other notable features are listed in the table.

Which Trim should you buy?

Out of the two trims available, the Base trim seems to be the trim that gives a great run for its money. It is priced at $10,000 cheaper than the Luxury trim and the features it offers are on point. Moreover, it offers all the best bits you get from the top trim without compromising anything. The Base trim is more than sufficient for people who want a premium family car. If it doesn’t satisfy your needs, you could opt for the Luxury trim where things get a bit more luxurious and exciting.

The 2021 Lexus GX460 is equipped with a colossal 4.6-liter V8 engine is capable of churning out 301 hp of power and 329 lb-ft of torque which is linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission and all the power is sent to the All-wheel-drive which gives it a refined performance and great traction on road. This engine provides an instantaneous throttle response that allows the car to hit high speed with comfort and ease but its rivals are even more punchy and powerful. 

When it comes to performance, the Lexus GX propels from 0-60 mph in 7.2 seconds and clocks a quarter-mile run in 15.6 seconds, and goes all the way up to a maximum speed of 111 mph. The performance figures are not satisfactory in comparison and we hope Lexus brings an even more strong powertrain in its future versions.

In comparison, the core of all the three competitors of the Lexus comes with an inline 6 engine and is channeled as All wheel drive versions. The Mercedes Benz GLS 450 uses a 9-speed automatic transmission, while the Land Rover Discovery and BMW X7 use an 8-speed automatic transmission. In the acceleration test, the BMW X7 takes 5.6 seconds to hit the 60 MPH mark, while the Mercedes Benz takes 5.5 seconds to achieve a similar mark which is the fastest car in the segment. In the top speed run, Both Land Rover and BMW took the victory. The Lexus takes a huge hit and also hits the lowest top speed of 111 mph.

2021 Lexus GX 460 Braking performance:

The braking performance matters a lot when it comes to the overall performance of the vehicle because a car with good braking capabilities could save you from accidents. The 2021 Lexus GX460 comes with a 13.3 inches rotor in the front and 12.3 inches in the rear. All 4 wheels get disc brakes with four-channel ABS for better braking performance in any sort of terrain. In the deceleration test, the Lexus GX460 stops from 70-0 mph in 188 feet which is a bit of a disappointment as its rivals offer a spot on braking performance. Moreover, it weighs 5192 lbs which is one of the lightest in its class.

Among the competition, the BMW X7 offers the largest brakes measuring a size of 15.5 inches in the front and 15.7 inches in the rear. The BMW delivers impeccable braking performance, it stops from 70-0 mph in 152 feet which is the segment-leading performance. The Mercedes Benz GLS comes second in the leaderboard and stops at the same speed at 154 ft. It pegs back by a very little gap. The Discovery on the other hand delivers mediocre braking performance. As you can see, the Lexus loses to its bitter rivals in the braking part as well.

The Lexus GX460 again underperforms in the fuel economy aspect due to its tremendous engine capacity as it guzzles the highest amount of fuel and happens to be the least fuel-efficient car. The fuel estimates include 15 mpg in the city and 19 mpg while cruising on the highway. Combined, its fuel efficiency of 16 mpg is clearly the lowest in the segment. As standard, the GX460 comes with a 23-gallon fuel tank that lets the car cover a total distance of 345 and 437 in the city and on the highway respectively. The fuel economy figures are also subpar in its class.

In comparison, The Mercedes Benz GLS 450 edges over its rivals by offering 20 mpg in the city. The BMW X7 finds a sweet spot and delivers a mileage of 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highways. While the Lexus GX460 gets defeated by its opponents with the least mileage of 15 mpg and 19 mpg in the city and highways respectively. Nevertheless, the Mercedes Benz, with its 23.8-gallon fuel tank covers the highest range of 476 miles in the city. While the LandRover Discovery offers the highest range on the highway measuring 576 miles.

The interior of the 2021 GX 460 is clearly outdated when compared to its rivals. It has the same old boxy design with the center infotainment display integrated into the center console but the screen looks old school. Apart from that, the materials used inside are very rich and premium. Everything is covered in luxury inside the cabin. Moreover, the interior offers three color variations as Black, bisque, and cashmere which adorn the opulence inside the SUV. 

Moreover, it boasts a panoramic sunroof which adds to the driving experience of the car. Moreover, it comes with an off-road suspension that works to provide the best comfort even in rough terrains. There is no issue when it comes to comfort. The Lexus has a roomy cabin but not as generous as its competitors. The cargo capacity is a bit restricted measuring 11.6 cubic feet only.

In comparison, all three cars have similar space for front-seat passengers, while the rear-seat passengers will find themselves a bit cramped in Lexus. When considering cargo capacity, the Mercedes Benz GLS 450, with its 17.4 cubic cargo capacity does take over the Lexus. While the size of the other two cars is not officially released. Some standout interior features include:

• Leather/Genuine Wood Gear Shifter Material
• Seats w/Leatherette Back Material
• Heated & Ventilated Front Bucket Seats -inc: 10-way power front seats
• Front Cigar Lighter(s)
• Voice Activated Dual Zone Front Automatic Air Conditioning
• Memory Settings -inc: Door Mirrors and Steering Wheel

How intuitive is the 2021 Lexus GX 460 ’s infotainment system?

The infotainment system features a large 8-inch multimedia touch screen that shows a wide range of information such as navigation, music, and vehicle settings. As standard, it incorporates sophisticated features like Bluetooth connectivity, a navigation system, steering wheel controls to the infotainment system, and a 9 speakers sound system. Some other infotainment features include:

• Lexus' Enform communications system
• Amazon Alexa integration
• 17 speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system
• Voice command

 The Exterior of the car is surprisingly on the plus side. The Lexus to improvise the looks of the car since its facelift in 2013. The way styled the LED headlights and DRL’s makes it a good-looking car. Its upright stance gives and the huge grille in the front gives a beefy look. It looks like a beauty and a beast at the same time. Despite having muscular looks and a huge body. Its rivals are even bigger.

The Lexus GC460 has a length of 192.1 inches, a width of 74.2 inches, and 73.8 inches which makes it a bit more driveable in the city than its rivals. However, it has a good ground clearance of 8.1 inches which makes it easy to maneuver while off-roading. Ultimately, it is made for off-road driving at its best. On the plus side, it is one of the lightest cars weighing only 5192 lbs.

In comparison, the Lexus GX 460 is considerably the shortest car with a length of 192.1 inches and the widest car is the Discovery measuring a width of 81.6 inches. Moreover, the Mercedes Benz GLS 450 has the lowest ground clearance of 7.9 inches which ends up as a problem during off-roading. However, the Mercedes Benz has the highest wheelbase with a length of 123.4 inches. While the BMW X7 is in the same ballpark but a tad lower. comparatively. Some of the exterior features include

• LED fog lights
• Automatic windshield wipers
• LED Brakelights
• Lip Spoiler
• Laminated Glass
• Black Grille w/Chrome Surround

Safety is on par with its other praiseworthy counterparts. It comes with an extensive suite of safety features. It has not been rated yet by the NHTSA and IIHS as it is too expensive to do a crash test. It is equipped with 4 wheel antilock brakes and Electronic Stability Control. Some other standout safety features include:

• Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) 
• Lexus Safety System+
• Surround-view camera 
• Low Tire Pressure Warning
• Lane Keep Assist
• Side Impact Beams
• Dual Stage Driver And Passenger Front Airbags

2021 Lexus GX460 vs 2021 Land Rover Discovery

The 2021 Land Rover Discovery is a very competitive car and is slightly better than the Lexus when it comes to off-roading. It looks better than the Lexus, it offers better engine performance, it offers an unblemished cabin, and one of the best in class in terms of fuel economy. The base price also starts at $53,900 which is a lot cheaper than the Lexus. Land Rover is an all-rounded package and it is Value for Money, perhaps even more.

2021 Lexus GX460 vs 2021 Mercedes Benz GLS450:

The Mercedes-Benz dominates Lexus GX460 on most fronts. It uses state-of-the-art technology. It offers a cabin that looks like the interior of a yacht in many aspects. It also delivers impeccable engine performance and stays on the top of the table in terms of acceleration and top speed figures. The only place where it lacks behind the Lexus GX460 is when it comes to off-roading capabilities. In comparison, the Lexus turns out to be a better off-roader and offers a great towing capacity and it is around $12,000 cheaper than the GLS450. In keeping with the fact, the Lexus seems to be a decent package.

2021 Lexus GX460 vs 2021 BMW X7:

The BMW X7 is hands down the best-looking SUV in its class. Everything about this car is at its finest. The cabin offers maximum opulence possible and all the materials used inside are absolutely top-notch. The engine performance is on point and offers better mileage than the Lexus GX460. However, the base model costs $74,900 which is around $20,000 more expensive than Lexus. The Lexus also offers better off-road abilities.

The Lexus GX 460 has more negatives than plus points as it has become old school by today’s standards. All the other cars in its class are better in most aspects. The Lexus pegs back in engine performance, fuel efficiency, interior, and exterior design. On the plus side, it is the best off-roader in its segment. Also, it offers a great towing capacity and reliability. Apart from that, it is not as good as its rivals. It would be better if it gets a revamp for 2022. If you want a premium family car that also turns out to be a good off-roader then Lexus would be a good option.