2013 Lexus GX 460 Snowy Colorado Off-Road 4WD Tech Demo Review

( www.TFLcar.com ) The 2013 Lexus GX460 has all of the important bits and parts to make it a truly off-road worthy ride. Not only did Toyota bless is with full-time four-wheel-drive but the big Lexus also has a lockable limited slip center differential and adjustable height control, hill decent control and even the all important body on frame construction of the Toyota 4Runner. In fact the Toyota 4Runner and the GX460 share many of the same components and the same basic construction. In this exclusive TFLcar video we decide to have a bit of wintery fun in the 2013 Lexus GX460 and take it off-road for a tech review to see just how well it does when the road turns snowy, icy, rocky and very rough.

[@yamahschector]

I test drove a gx470 and was surprised how sweet it was. it had the suspension firmness control the height control and a center differential lock. seemed like a legit luxury off road truck. then people convert them to exposition trucks and 4x4 rigs

[@TKK97]

9 years later. I have a 2021 Tacoma TRD OffRoad, full overland build. Now I wanna get a GX to do another build on! Thanks !

[@TheKnightShowPodcast]

Just bought a used 460 for these Alaska winter’s. Had an old 470 back in the day and loved it!

[@imaprinta]

I miss Nathan and his personality in a lot of your most recent reviews. He added an interesting, informative and natural fun quality that seems to be missing lately.

[@MrFreeCookie]

I hate how car manufacturers are giving up on V8s. Nice to see Lexus hasnt

[@ConnorGibbsAK]

It's not so much based on the 4Runner as it is on the Prado, which is a legendary off-roading machine in Australia. It has almost the same everything, same differentials, same frame, etc but a bigger engine and a more refined interior. A common assumption that is incorrect is that it was built based off the 4Runner but it really wasn't intended to be. Look up the 2015 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado vs 2015 Lexus GX460.

[@Cream5oda09]

@@criticalricetheory has more in commone with the FJ some would say

[@bibik1151]

Agreed. Prados are not sold in the US,so not a lot of people know that. As far as I know,Prado comes with the 4L V6 that goes in the 4runner, and the GX comes with the 4.6 V8, used to be 4.7 V8

[@T4RJon]

@@criticalricetheory I think originally the Prado was a smaller, cheaper version of the short wheel base 2 door 70 series land cruiser. It predates the 4Runner. In 2003, Lexus released the Prado in the US as the GX470 with rebadged exterior and re-clothed interior. The GX470 shared same drivetrain, suspension, frame, etc with the 4th Gen v8 model 4Runners. The GX460 breaks away from the 5th gen 4Runner in that it maintained the V8 with a new 4.6L, which I don't think is available in the Prado. Still very similar underneath their very different bodies.

[@skiplewis9872]

How do guys that do nothing but review vehicles not know that the GX 460 is the American version of the LC Prado? Far more heavy duty than the very capable 4Runner. Shares a few suspension characteristics with the FJ, but that’s it. The GX IS A LAND CRUISER!!! No other Toyota is built like a Land Cruiser!

[@hansdoreen]

@@criticalricetheory Yes. Structure wise it's more rigid. It's better off-road and safer in crashes. Go check the crash tests results from the Australian websites for land cruiser prado, and compare it with iihs/nhtsa 4runner results. You'll see huge a difference.

[@artvandelay5956]

I want one of these so bad! They're almost affordable now.

[@zacariaspiedrasdelrio8984]

Also pre owned Lexus has a great warranty

[@nomaneme]

Me too…me want one

[@landcruiser7936]

Just picked up a 2017 certified used. Love it so far. Haven’t taken it off-road yet but it’s solid as a tank.

[@TFLcar]

We test the cars they way we get them. It is part of our real world testing philosophy. BTW: The Lexus ate up snow even with the factory installed M & S Bridgestone Duelers.

[@PorscheCayenneLover]

I love this Lexus, it's a shame car companies have abandoned mid-sized truck based SUV's. I pray Lexus keeps the GX the way it is. Thank you TFL for reviewing this!

[@possiblybooger]

Your prayers worked! It’s 2022 and it’s mechanically the same.

[@CarWhiz22]

this is one of your best reviews yet. well done guys!

[@yelp1000]

Great vid guys -- this is a dream 'road trip' for some of us.

[@VirtualHayden]

I really love these older videos with gunfire in the background. Adds a certain authenticity to the review in the back country.

[@oaklandcar]

Guys, I love your videos.. They have gotten really really good..

[@bmwmsport11]

This is my favorite Lexus SUV!

[@notopalestine1]

Enjoyed watching this review, but they did get one fact wrong. The Lexus GX 460 is not built on the frame of the Toyota 4Runner. The GX shares the same frame as the Toyota Prado which is sold outside the US.

[@abrarmohammed9133]

bro the 4runner ,fjcruiser and Prado share the same frame

[@BernonCars]

It does share the same frame as the 4Runner

[@shhikillunohacksjustburito9818]

+ThatGearHead™ it's platform is the 4Runner and its engine is the land cruiser prado

[@akashpandiaraj4309]

ShhIKillU Nohacksjustburitoos no engine is land cruiser not land cruiser prado

[@cwillfrommd]

It's a truck based SUV but uses air suspensions for ride comfort

[@TFLcar]

We'll be driving the new 2013 Range Rover in Moab, Utah next month. Should be a fun and scenic first drive review. Please stay tuned.

[@ideaynojodas]

Great video guys!

[@Toyota4Life]

Awesome Lexus. Looks at home in the snow... and the interior looks like u never left home ! being a Lexus you know you safe and reliable its got good power and its comfy on pavement. Very good car

[@db8gsr]

Great video. Debating whether to buy this or the 5th gen 4Runner limited. Love how you guys shot this in the snow because that's exactly where I'll be using mine. Look at em 4 wheels spin and find grip. Love it.

[@VARITHMS]

db8gsr the 4runner may come with locking differential. the GX relies on abs. hardcore off roading I'd go 4runner

[@akashpandiaraj4309]

db8gsr buy Lexus GX 460 because GX is a better off road vehicle.

[@ernesto8082]

Yea Lexus quality there is no need to worry !!

[@AustinElwess]

That looks like Slaughterhouse Gulch!! Put some DuraTracs on and that GX will be boss in the snow/mud

[@jonny5777]

I love driving in the snow but we hardly ever get any! I did go downhill in the snow with my mums TT and it was pretty scary! good video and good tips too

[@dv6425]

We actually like this front end better than the newer "open mouth" look of the new Lexus'. As much as I like "new", when we pull the trigger, we will be looking for this 2013 model for us.

[@ghostcell030]

I agree. I have had multiple family members say they didn't like the newer Lexus styling and it pretty much killed the deal for them and they ended up with something else.

[@321thach]

Same here I think the 2010-13 look better than the new. I currently live in Florida will move to North Dakota soon for job. I,m looking for a clean 12 or 13 right now

[@jackjack4412]

@@ghostcell030 how much do they make a year?

[@Vpmags]

Exactly the path I chose! I drove a 2023 J-150 Prado all over southern Iceland. Bought a pristine '12 GX460 a week after I returned to the states (we prefered the look of the pre-facelift GX). She shares the garage with our GX-470.

[@mahidmalik7]

The best SUV ever made.

[@akashpandiaraj4309]

Evan J. yeah

[@bbhoustontx]

@@akashpandiaraj4309 ... and 4 runner

[@dennisreynolds6915]

@@bbhoustontx better then a 4runner

[@princekatana8792]

What about the LX 570?

[@SANTANA1deep]

Nearly. The LX taker that Crown.

[@Mgilvan2002]

i love gx, thanx guys

[@fceoullimjimchillink5341]

Wow this is a old video but gold!

[@TFLcar]

yes

[@Tig-Wan]

Roman your spyder jacket rocks! Love spyder

[@fatboy19831]

Good video!

[@308_Negra_Arroyo_Lane]

In the rest of the world this car is called the Landcruiser Prado, a smaller version of the full sized Landcruiser. They come with V6 gasoline 4.0 or 4 cyclinder diesel 3.0 engines, the V8 is reserved for the full sized version. The Prado also comes with an even shorter 3 door version. Aussies have a saying, if you want to go into the outback get a Range Rover or a Landcruiser, if you want to come back get the Landcruiser.

[@DancinRandy54]

i really want to drive in those trails it looks so fun

[@joearchipolo1459]

vintage tfl I love it

[@bigpoppa1992]

I wish we would get some snow here soon in Pennsylvania I love offloading in it with my 2005 ford explorer it does very well off road with its v8

[@markrussell24]

Great video! Especially with the "Granddaddy" Toyota pick-up in the beginning; I see that as how the GX got to where it is now. Sort of an extended-family reunion. Any idea if the 2013 Range Rover will make in into TFLcar's hands sometime in the next few months for a week-long test and review?

[@dariog36th]

i wanted to see more of that tacoma

[@hsolomon35]

Another great job!!!! Are you ever going to look at the new F150 FX4???

[@aaaviation1]

i love this car

[@nas9360]

I love this car

[@ajtam05]

2010-2012 GX for around ~$20K. Woohoo! Time to get one before winter. :)

[@SANTANA1deep]

Same. I'm looking into getting one now

[@papercut1987]

Yep, saw a black 2011 asking 21k

[@sinanalhamdani9316]

guys, Nice video. Thanks alot.

[@nyak63RUS]

Do you guys travel with a recovery vehicle? Is there a Defender out of sight with snow tires and chains?

[@elementalpuck]

Your reviews are more entertaining when you're together. Since you are in Colorado, you should do a review with one of you stoned. I think we all know who that should be. It would be epic! Haha

[@Rockdaground]

Do you guys have more videos of this GX460 off road rock crawling???

[@thenum1379]

Fun watching an older review from you guys. Serious question though. I'm considering one of these but I can't find much about reliability. I know the GX 470 is widely considered one of the most overbuilt and sturdy SUVs ever made. How does the 460 compare?

[@ephraker]

The gx460 is exceptionally reliable and does not suffer from the timing chain issues of the gx470. I would recommend looking for a bit to determine what a "fair" price is for your area. Then buy the first one you see as it will sell very quickly. Expert tip, you can add a bunch of functionality to the base model with extra solenoids. For example crawl control etc.

[@jamesf6315]

There's no timing chain on the 470, it's a belt. And it has no issues as long as you change it every 100k miles or so

[@hypervish89]

Lexus FTW!

[@brorowcarwiz]

Thanks so much for the review. After owning a 2006 GX470 (and unfortunately switching to a 2011 MDX) we are looking to return to the new generation GX460. Would you purchase the GX or LR4 if it were your money?

[@chrisabreu3648]

i love there videos

[@yunior12]

Good vid

[@TheHoth1]

I wonder if a set of dedicated winter tires would have been better than the M&S tires in that particular scenario.

[@ardagumusalan6043]

I live in Buffalo, NY and we get a lot of snow every year. My concern about snow is NOT to go off-road but to drive in high-way!! Is this car safe to drive on high way lets say around 50 mph when it is snowing heavily?? a heavy car like this might be disadvantage on the highway! would a car like jaguar XJ be safer on high way??

[@ErikTaraldsen]

Those tyres seemed to slip a lot. Would be cool if you did a comparison video with different tyres. M+S, winter, and studded winter tyres. Perhaps getting hold ot the winter studded we use in Scandinavia to compare.

[@tmwall25]

cool video!!!

[@UNMsmith]

More videos like this!!!

[@XxAlexanderProxx]

What if it does not come with Heigh Control?

[@GoyaveGoyave]

YEAH TOYOTA QUALITY!!!!!

[@XjDanny]

Down here in south america we got this same car but it aint lexus its the toyota prado and it comes with a strait 4 and a v6. no options like that back there?

[@rafaelnabizade9591]

Hello. Thanks for sharing this video. Did you use 4lo while driving on snowy roads?

[@rafaelnabizade9591]

6:58 for example

[@AlternativeUses]

this suv is great for off roading and I would love to have it on that trial but i wouldn't recommend it for the majority luxury suv buyers who use their cars to goto the mall and back. i think the next gen GX is gonna go the way of the pathfinder

[@sainteustatious]

is the lx better?

[@on-site4094]

The Lexus gx 460 is a well rounded naturally aspirated. V8 off roading in luxury 👍 love it most of these are just mall crawlers and Family hawlers

[@raphaelm6791]

Do you guys live in Colorado? brilliant for offroading!!

[@painter3341]

when will you guys do a review on the 2013 dodge cummins?

[@bmwmsport11]

Does this handle offroad like a 4runner limited? Can't really afford a $53k SUV.

[@HaiNguyen-op9ro]

can you go on snow in a 4x4 Toyota tundra

[@PETIGU3R3]

Toyota pick-up I need to see this Review

[@myrchik100]

I like rock music you used in your video...Is it Metalica ?

[@logangill9052]

Where can I find the song playing at 3:05

[@RK1FX]

Guys would You choose the GX over the WK2 jeep 5.7 hemi overland ? Im looking for something reliable, good in snow and big.

[@akashpandiaraj4309]

RazorFX GX is better and jeep is not very strong.

[@RAJohnson713]

What is locking the wheels?

[@angelvan01997]

This was a very good car , but i wish to see one video of thee gx460 offroading in sand and mud

[@WilbanksUSMC]

It's amazing how you can get these for $15k-25k now. Great used vehicle price, especially for offroading / overlanding.

[@smilingsatan]

May be 2003

[@dhana8706]

r those winter tires guys?

[@tunin111]

Please specify what tires you use in these reviews... It would help a number of times...

[@BernonCars]

They use the tires that come with the cars

[@NathanDAdlen]

I'm not too sure about that one. Maybe the Q5 in the near future.

[@ShermanMR2]

Hey guys, have you heard anything on the 2014 Lexus IS?

[@carmaster366]

you should test the Pathfinder on this.

[@LLCoolPass]

r u sure gx herr is basedon same tjing as 4run i thoight it was based on prado

[@chezbut]

Ok, that's much more like it. You guys were really soft on the 2 range rover's though.

[@Celce09]

Why you guys are not showing HOW to engage 4 low and all the rest?!?

[@gideonighodalo3476]

I so much like it...

[@6824096]

Do this in the 2013 gmc Acadia Denali

[@ineway1121]

Where those gun shots in the background?

[@SANTANA1deep]

Yes. The old guy stated in the beginning that he was going up to shoot 🙂

[@riederernicholas95]

@hypervish89 I could never figure out what FTW meant! What does it mean???

[@SANTANA1deep]

For the win

[@grandizer4531]

Wow truck is loaded.

[@Autofanatic28]

what about review on 2013 Honda Pilot?

[@djw5415]

Kinda miss this old school tfl style

[@kev5525]

didn't you guys have heard about the Toyota Prado? it look almost the same as the Lexus GX 460 i think they don't sell the Toyota prado in the U.S go and search for 2013 Toyota Prado and you will find it'

[@MrSaadabdulaziz]

I got this but 2012 with out hight control .

[@bmwmsport11]

ive considered GCs and Wranglers. but they just dont offer the unique feeling of a Lexus SUV. i mean the GC is a great SUV, but considering alot of people own a GC it aint as cool to pull up in a GC than a GX460.

[@NavyKings2007]

Nathan clearly mentions "at an angle" and "sliding down," referring to driving on a non-level surface. Gravity is correct.

[@ndawg79]

I will stick with my 97 Blazer LS 4x4. I rather drive than have a computer do it for me. But that is just me. I also just want to say I do think your videos are good. I do enjoy watching them. Keep up the great work

[@CalebCissna]

Does it have snow tires?

[@BernonCars]

They use the tires that come with the cars

[@GriffXJ]

I noticed the tires seemed like they were aired down a bit...how many psi were your running in the tires for this review?

[@kingrider75]

Damn the guy in the Toyota acted like he was running from somebody lol

[@RAJohnson713]

And land rovers??

[@SANTANA1deep]

Hearing the older gentleman shooting his gun in the background. Makes me want to get out there.

[@AlternativeUses]

the Q5 is awesome.. if you ever have a chance, a review of the new 3.0T or hybrid would be very interesting. it would also be great seeing how quattro with the added ride height of the Q5 handles in demanding snow conditions!!

[@boberson33]

the new range rover, oh, you mean that freelander thing with a rangie badge

[@johnpaulsanglay4686]

2012 toyota prado please :)

[@cren1676]

Need a GX460/LR4 Match Up in the snow.