2006 Lexus GX 470 Full Review - Consumer Guide Automotive

This is Lexus's midsize truck-type SUV. GX 470 has a 263-hp V8 and a 5-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive with low-range gearing is standard, as is ABS and traction/antiskid control. A 3rd-row bench seat is available for up to eight-passenger capacity. The GX comes with front torso side airbags and curtain side airbags that cover the 1st and 2nd seating rows and include rollover deployment. Also standard is hill ascent/descent control. The suspension is self-leveling and adjustable for height. The GX has automatic shock absorber control with four driver-selectable modes. Optional is Lexus's Kinetic Dynamic Suspension, which can temporarily "release" the antiroll bars as needed to improve off-road suspension travel. Among other options are DVD entertainment and a navigation system with rearview camera. New for 2006 is optional Digital Lexus Link assistance/concierge service.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 17 classes based on size, price, and market position. Premium Midsize SUVs are similar in size and construction to Midsize SUVs. Most, in fact, are gilded versions of Midsize SUVs; though a few are exclusive upscale designs.

Our Best Buys include Acura MDX, Cadillac SRX, and Lexus RX. Our Recommended picks are Mercedes-Benz R-Class and Volvo XC90.

New or significantly redesigned models include Land Rover Range Rover Sport, Mercedes-Benz M-Class, and Saab 9-7X.

News

A solid "plus business" asset for Lexus, the GX 470 won't get any major near-term changes, say our sources. A cosmetic freshening is possible for 2007 or '08.

2006 Lexus GX 470 Road Test

Pros	Cons

Passenger and cargo room	Fuel economy

Build quality

Consumer Guide® Road Test Ratings

Acceleration

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	6.2

Strong and exceptionally smooth. Transmission downshifts promptly for good passing punch. Towing capacity is 4500 lb.

Fuel Economy

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
3	3.4

Test GX 470 averaged 15.2 mpg. Lexus recommends 91-octane fuel.

Ride Quality

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
4	5.5

Truck-based roots evident in slight bounce and occasional wobble on blemished surfaces. Driver-adjustable suspension feels too floaty set to Comfort, too jittery in Sport, and just adequately absorbent in Semi-Comfort and Semi-Sport modes.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
4	5.7

Marked cornering lean, but no tippy feel. Steering nicely weighted, accurate, but lacks road feel. Hill ascent/descent assists useful off-road. Fine braking, despite fairly heavy nosedive in simulated panic stops.

Quietness

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	6.6

Muted growl in full acceleration. Wind buffeting over 55 mph. Coarse-surface tire noise evident.

Controls

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	6.6

Big electroluminescent gauges easy to read. Climate controls a stretch for some test drivers. Navigation system easier to use than most, though screen can wash out in bright sunlight. Excellent fit and finish. Mostly top-notch materials, though some cabin plastics disappoint at these prices.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	7.5

High, commanding seating. Standard power tilt/telescope steering wheel and power seats provide range of comfortable positions. Plenty of room for all but tallest occupants. Wide rear roof pillars hamper visibility; optional 3rd-row seats stow against sides, obscuring even more. Steep step-in, and running boards can hinder more than help entry/exit.

Room/Comfort (rear)

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	6.3

Plenty of leg, head, toe room in 2nd row, though seat too low for best thigh support. Middle rider sits on hard cushion over driveshaft hump. Children best match for cramped, hard to access 3rd row. As in front, running boards can make for awkward entry/exit.

Cargo Room

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7.9

Optional 3rd-row split; sections stow against sidewalls, must be removed for best utility--all very clumsy. Generous space with 2nd row folded, but load floor not flat. Low cargo liftover, but swing-out rear door should open from curbside and have roll-down glass. Plus, rear door held open by awkward metal bracket that must be locked by hand and is often dirty with road grime. Subpar small-item storage.

Value within Class

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
5	5.8

GX 470 is bolstered by the resale-value record, and red-carpet dealer service associated with the Lexus brand. But a trucky nature makes it less appealing to us than car-type rivals such as Acura's MDX and Lexus's own RX.

Total Score

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
57	61.5

Scores for all Premium Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		52
Average Score		61
High Score		73

2006 Lexus GX 470 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 06/23/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door wagon	$46,535	$40,484	$695

Pricing Key: Retail prices listed with each report are set by the vehicle's manufacturer. These figures appear on each car's federally mandated window sticker. Most price lists also include dealer-invoice prices. Dealer-invoice prices are what the dealer pays the manufacturer for the car and its factory-installed options. The destination charge is not included in the suggested-retail or dealer-invoice price and must be added to the cost of the vehicle. Car companies change prices frequently throughout the year. If the prices published do not match those on the vehicle's window sticker, the manufacturer has probably altered the price recently.

NA = price note available, NC = no charge.

Rebates and Incentives

There are no rebates or incentives at this time.

Consumer Guide®'s Rebates and Incentives represent a summary of national manufacturer programs available. Regional restrictions may apply, and offerings may vary by model. For a complete list of Rebate & Incentive programs click here.

Standard Equipment

Base

Powertrain

4.7-liter V8 engine, 5-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case, traction control, limited-slip center differential.

Safety

Dual front airbags, front side airbags, front and 2nd-row curtain side airbags w/rollover sensors, antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, brake assist, antiskid system, hill ascent/descent control, tire-pressure monitor, daytime running lights.

Comfort and Convenience Features

Front air conditioning w/dual-zone automatic climate controls, cruise control, power steering, power tilt/telescope wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel w/radio controls, leather upholstery, heated front bucket seats, 10-way power driver seat w/lumbar adjustment, 4-way power passenger seat, center console, cupholders, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), split folding rear seat, wood interior trim, heated power mirrors w/tilt-down back-up aid, power windows, power door locks, remote keyless entry, power sunroof, AM/FM/cassette w/in-dash 6-disc CD changer, rear radio controls, digital clock, tachometer, trip computer, altimeter, barometer, rain-sensing wipers, automatic day/night rearview mirror, compass, outside-temperature indicator, universal garage door opener, illuminated visor mirrors, cargo cover, rear defogger, intermittent rear wiper/washer, automatic headlights, floormats, roof rack.

Appearance and Miscellaneous

Theft-deterrent system, rear privacy glass, running boards.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

Height-adjustable suspension w/adjustable shock absorbers and load-leveling suspension, full-size spare tire, 265/65SR17 tires, alloy wheels.

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Navigation/Audio Pkg.
Base	$3,050	$2,471
Navigation system, Mark Levinson sound system, rearview camera, wireless cell phone link. Moves in-dash CD changer to glovebox.

Sport Pkg.
Base	$1,800	$1,440
Unique interior and exterior trim, Kinetic Dynamic Suspension.

Kinetic Dynamic Suspension
Base	$1,750	$1,400


Preferred Accessory Pkg.
Base	$232	$139
Cargo mat and net, wheel locks.

Comfort and Convenience Features
Rear-seat DVD entertainment system
Base	$1,560	$1,248


3rd-row split folding seat
Base	$2,030	$1,624
Includes rear air conditioning.

Lexus Link assistance system
Base	$900	$760


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Sport bumper trim
Base	$699	$459


Rear spoiler
Base	$551	$345


Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires
Tow-hitch receiver
Base	$433	$309

2006 Lexus GX 470 Specs & Safety

Vehicle Dimensions

Specification	Lexus GX 470 4-door wagon

Wheelbase, in.	109.8

Overall Length, in.	188.2

Overall Width, in.	74.0

Overall Height, in.	73.0

Curb Weight, lbs.	4871

Cargo Volume, cu. ft.	77.5

Standard Payload, lbs.	--

Fuel Capacity, gals.	23.0

Seating Capacity	8

Front Head Room, in.	41.0

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.8

Rear Head Room, in.	40.4

Max. Rear Leg Room, in.	36.8

Specifications Key: NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Engines

	dohc V8

Size, liters/cu. in.	4.7 /285

Horsepower @ rpm.	263 @ 5400

Torque (lb-ft) @ rpm.	323 @ 3400

Availability	Standard

EPA City / highway mpg

5-speed automatic	15/18

Engine Key: l/cu in. = liters/cubic inches; ohv = overhead valve; ohc = overhead camshaft; dohc = dual overhead camshaft; I = inline cylinders; H = horizonally opposed cylinders; V = cylinders in a V configuration; W = cylinders in a W configuration; rpm = revolutions per minute; CVT = continuously variable (automatic) transmission; NA = not available; "--" = measurement does not exist.

Safety Features

Antilock Brakes

Traction Control

Antiskid System

Front Side Airbags

Curtain Side Airbags

Rear Side Airbags

NHTSA Crash-Test Results

Test

Lexus GX 470 4-door wagon

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tests a vehicle's worthiness in front- and side-impact collisions and rates its resistance to rollovers. Front-impact crash-test numbers indicate the chance of serious injury: 5 = 10% or less; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-35%; 2 = 35-45%; 1 = More than 45%. Side-impact crash-test numbers indicate: 5 = 5% or less; 4 = 6-10%; 3 = 11-20%; 2 = 21-25%; 1 = More than 26%. Rollover resistance numbers indicate the chance for rollover when the vehicle leaves the roadway: 5 = Less than 10%; 4 = 10-20%; 3 = 20-30%; 2 = 30-40%; 1 = More than 40%.

Manufacturer's Warranty

Class	Years/Miles	Comments

Powertrain	6/70,000	For RX 400h:6/70,000 powertrain, 8/100,000 on hybrid components.

Bumper-to-bumper	4/50,000	--

Corrosion	6/unlimited	--

Free roadside assistance	4/unlimited	--

Free scheduled maintenance	None/--	--

Manufacturers may periodically offer additional coverage as a purchase incentive. There offers are not reflected on this chart. The federal government requires two other warranties. The Exhaust Emission Warranty covers corrosion-related parts for 2 years/24,000 miles, plus 8 years/80,000 miles on the catalytic converter and any on-board diagnostic device. The Passenger Restraint Warranty covers seat belts and airbags for 5 years/50,000 miles.

Built in: Japan

Drivewheels: all-wheel drive

Tester's Comments

(what's this?)

Vehicle Evaluated: 2006 Lexus GX 470
Trim Level: Base
Arrival Date: 04/21/2006
Engine: dohc V8
Bodystyle: 4-door wagon
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
4WD/AWD: Yes
Base Price: $46,535
Price as Tested: $56,458
Mileage at Beginning of Test: 4668
Mileage at End of Test: 5084
Total Measured Miles:
Total Fuel Used: 27.35 gals.

Major Options: Navigation/Mark Levinson Audio Package (Lexus DVD Navigation System and Rear Camera with Steering Wheel Voice Command Button, Bluetooth, Mark Levinson 14-Speaker 240 Watt Premium Audio System) Rear Seat Entertainment System, Sport Package (BlackBird's Eye Maple Trim, Dark Graphite Finish on Center Instrument Panel, Smoked Bezel Headlamps and Foglamps, 17" Alloys with Dark Graphite Finish, Roof Rails with Cross Bars, Dark Tinted Back-up Lens, Chrome Exhaust Tip, Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, Third Row Seat with Rear Air Conditioner, Hitch Bracket (includes wiring harness, converter, sub-bracket, does NOT include ball mount), Preferred Accessory Package (cargo mat, cargo net and wheel locks), Rear Spoiler.

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 15.21 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Ed Piotrowski A smooth engine and the cachet/customer service associated with the brand are GX 470's only redeeming attributes. This is a disappointing midsize SUV and a terrible Lexus. If you need something midsize, Lexus's RX will fit the bill quite nicely. Need something with seven seats? Want the power/towing of a truck-type SUV? Check out the LX 470, or save some cash and drive GMC's excellent Yukon.

Tom Appel GX 470 is the weak link in the Lexus chain. Based on the Arab/Asian-market Toyota Prado, GX shares that vehicle's idiosyncrasies. Among them, thick rear-roof pillars that compromise visibility, and a market inappropriate swing out rear hatch that can only be locked in the open position by engaging a metal bracket that is usually filthy with road grime. Inside some cheap interior bits betray this vehicle's humble roots. Want a Lexus truck? Spend more for the LX, or spend a little less and opt for the wonderful RX350.

< 2006 Lexus GX 470 Photos

Also in the 2006 Lexus GX 470 Review:

Lexus GX 470

Lexus GX 470 Road Test

Lexus GX 470 Prices & Equipment

Lexus GX 470 Specs & Safety

Lexus GX 470 Photos

Lexus GX 470 Full Review

All Lexus GX 470s

All Lexus

Car Buying Resources