2007 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 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.

Competition

Consumer Guide® Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 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 the Acura MDX, Cadillac SRX, and Lexus RX. Our Recommended picks are the Mercedes-Benz R-Class and Volvo XC90.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Acura MDX, BMW X5, Chrysler Aspen, and Lincoln MKX.

News

Lexus is focusing more these days on car-type SUVs, so the truck-based GX will roll along with only minimal year-to-year change. A cosmetic freshening is possible for 2008.

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2007 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	3.6

Test GX 470s averaged 14.0-15.2 mpg. Lexus recommends premium-grade fuel.

Ride Quality

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
4	5.7

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 modes Lexus calls Semi-Comfort and Semi-Sport.

Steering/Handling/Braking

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
4	5.6

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	6.5

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

Controls

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	6.5

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.

Details

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
6	6.2

Cabin has excellent fit and finish, and mostly top-notch materials, though some cabin plastics disappoint at these prices.

Room/Comfort/Driver Seating (front)

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
8	7.3

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, smallish door openings can make for awkward entry/exit.

Cargo Room

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
7	7.8

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	5.9

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 than car-type rivals such as Acura's MDX and Lexus's own RX.

Total Score

Base w/nav. sys.	Class Average
62	67.6

Scores for all Premium Midsize Sport-utility Vehicles

Low Score		54
Average Score		67
High Score		82

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2007 Lexus GX 470 Prices & Equipment

Model Prices

Prices Updated: 10/26/2006

Trim Name	Retail Price	Dealer Invoice	Destination Charge

Base 4-door wagon	$46,635	$40,571	$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 deployment, 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, interior air filter, 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, 6-way power passenger seat, center console, cupholders, memory system (driver seat, mirrors, steering wheel), 2nd-row 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 radio w/in-dash 6-disc CD/MP3 changer, digital-media player connection, 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, fog lights.

Special Purpose, Wheels and Tires

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

Optional Equipment

Major Packages	Retail Price	Invoice Price
Navigation/Audio Pkg.
Base	$3,250	$2,633
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
DVD entertainment system
Base	$1,560	$1,248


Additional wireless headphones
Base	$182	$138


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

Lexus Link assistance system
Base	$900	$760
Includes one year service.

Rubber floormats
Base	$99	$59


Appearance and Miscellaneous
Rear spoiler
Base	$551	$345


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

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2007 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.	40.2

Max. Front Leg Room, in.	41.8

Rear Head Room, in.	40.0

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	15/19

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	--

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: Lexus GX 470
Trim Level: Base
Arrival Date: 11/06/2006
Engine: dohc V8
Bodystyle: 4-door wagon
Transmission: 5-speed automatic
4WD/AWD: Yes
Base Price: $46,635
Price as Tested: $55,539
Mileage at Beginning of Test: 2232
Mileage at End of Test: 2549
Total Measured Miles:
Total Fuel Used: 22.53 gals.

Major Options: Lexus Link, Navigation/Mark Levinson Audio Package (Generation 5 Navigation System and Rear Camera with Steering Wheel Voice Command Button, Bluetooth, EMV Mark Levinson 14-Speaker Premium Audio System and DVD Changer), Rear Entertainment System, Roof Mounted 9" Screen, Third-Row Seat with Air Conditioner, Towing Prep Package (Wiring Harness, Converter, Sub-Bracket, Rear Bumper Hitch Cover with Cutout {does not include ball mount}), Cargo Mat, Cargo Net and Wheel Locks, All Weather Mats

Consumer Guide® Fuel Economy: 14.03 mpg (what's this?)

Problems During Test: None

From The Back Seat
Tom Appel Lexus sells a lot of these, but I don't quite know why. The GX is smooth and polished, and its drivetrain is, though not especially strong, responsive and incredibly refined. But the prices here are stunning, and the brand's own RX models offer similar passenger space and better handling. These puppies are thirsty, too, sucking gas at an embarrassing rate. For this kinda money, I'd be shopping Mercedes' Ã¼ber-functional R-Class for its true six-passenger seating, or the impressive new Acura MDX for its sporty moves and better fuel economy.

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Also in the 2007 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

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