When people think of vehicles that have gone a long time without a new generation, the first things that come to mind are the Nissan 370Z sports car and the Chevrolet Express commercial van, but most people tend to forget that Lexus’ GX 460 SUV has been on the market since 2010. For its tenth model year on the market, Lexus has decided to give its midsize body-on-frame SUV some subtle tweaks to improve its appearance, safety and off-road capability.
On the outside, the 2020 Lexus GX 460 gets a more intricate grille design and new triple-beam LED headlights. The new grille is even more aggressive than the outgoing model’s, with a new block design that converges in a series of vees along the vertical centreline, while the new headlights with black housings and diffused signature daytime running lights also add a healthy dose of aggression. Inside, the 2020 GX 460 gets new Grey Sapele Wood with Aluminum trim and dyed-through semi-aniline leather available in four colours; Black, Sepia, Ecru and Rioja Red.
Matching the subtlety of the appearance tweaks on the 2020 Lexus GX 460 are some tweaks and additions made to improve safety and off-road capability. When it comes to the former, Lexus has added their Lexus Safety System+. It’s a driving assist suite that includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert, Automatic High Beams and High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. In terms of off-road capability, Lexus has added a few features starting with Multi-Terrain Select. Five drive modes tailor the 2020 GX 460’s powertrain response for mud and sand, loose rocks, rocks and dirt, bumpy terrain and exceptionally rocky terrain. In addition, Crawl Control is also available. A sort of low-speed cruise control for hardcore off-roading, Crawl Control uses the ABS system to apply braking to individual wheels to keep the GX 460 plowing ahead off the beaten path. In addition, the exterior camera system now allows drivers to see obstacles around the GX 460 while travelling off road and help them avoid getting stuck or causing damage to their vehicle. While it’s unlikely many GX 460 owners will be taking their rigs off the beaten path, it’s nice to know that the technology is available for them to do so.
Pricing for the 2020 Lexus GX 460 has not yet been announced, although expect more detailed pricing and specifications to be available when it goes on sale later this summer.
