2022 Lexus GX – All You Need To Know

The 2022 Lexus GX isn’t very fuel-efficient and its on-road demeanor is clumsy, not to mention that other car-based crossover rivals offer more comfort. But the GX plays in a niche within the mid-size SUV marketplace for luxury off-roaders that also includes the Land Rover Defender, which makes Lexus a unique choice.

ENGINE AND IMPLEMENTATION

The 2022 Lexus GX continues to offer just one engine: a 4.6-liter V-8 that generates 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque. This powerplant is teamed with a six-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. Lexus’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System is standard, and this setup aims to boost traction during off-road adventures.

During our testing, the GX cruised from zero to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. We’ve tested rival models that are much quicker, however. An Audi Q7 with the available V-6 made the sprint in 6.1 seconds, and a BMW X5 xDrive50i covered the same distance in a scant 4.2 seconds.

The GX exhibits relatively smooth handling on paved streets, but it is in its element when taken off-road. Its sturdy underpinnings and 8.1 inches of ground clearance make this SUV an excellent choice for buyers who need a vehicle that’s at home in the great outdoors. A 6500-pound towing capacity bolsters its versatility.

ENERGY AND REAL-WORLD MPG

The GX won’t win any awards for fuel economy. According to the EPA, this all-wheel-drive SUV achieves mileage of just 15/19 mpg city/highway. That puts it well behind rival luxury SUVs such as the Lincoln Aviator, which gets 17/24 mpg when equipped with all-wheel drive.

During our time with the GX, we observed mileage of just 20 mpg during our 200-mile highway fuel economy test—which is part of our comprehensive test regimen. For more information about the GX’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.

INTERIOR, CONVENIENCE, AND BOOTH

Lexus gave the 2022 Lexus GX its last full redesign all the way back in 2010, and this is perhaps one reason for the somewhat dated appearance of its cabin. The interior is home to wood and leather that looks appropriately deluxe, but there are also some hard plastics that seem out of place in a vehicle in this price range.

Front-row passengers enjoy pleasant accommodations and a lofty seating position, but the second-row seats are surprisingly flat and hard, and the third row is a cramped space best left for kids. To its credit, the GX does a great job of keeping road noise out of the cabin, and the interior remains tranquil even when the vehicle is being driven at high speeds.

This Lexus provides 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row and 46.7 cubic feet behind the second. With the second and third rows folded, cargo space jumps to 64.7 cubic feet.

This is less room than you’ll get in rival models such as the Audi Q7 (14.2 cubic feet behind the third row, 35.7 cubic feet behind the second, and 69.6 cubic feet behind the first).

IN-VEHICLE INFOTAINMENT AND INTERCONNECTIONS

The GX comes equipped with driver-assistance features that can help you avoid accidents such as automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning.

For more information about the GX’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:

PROTECTION AND DRIVER ASSISTANCE ASPECTS

The GX comes equipped with driver-assistance features that can help you avoid accidents such as automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning. For more information about the GX’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.