2023 Lexus GX 460 Snow and Mud Off-Road Tests

We put the new Lexus GX 460 against the elements in this Snow and Mud double-test.
CONTENTS
00:00 - Introduction
00:35 - Features
02:19 - Technical Off-Road Course
09:02 - Snow Course
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[@nickzimmer3476]

I really appreciate how dedicated you are to showing the offroad capabilities of vehicles that not only did you buy some land specifically for offroading, but you also built a small course near your house! Also, thank you for all of the Lexus GX videos; best SUV of all time!

[@Joeyotat4r]

That would have been a challenge for any stock 4x4. The fact that it did those twist ditch’s with no season tires is impressive and a testament to Toyota’s ATRAC system.

[@Aikynbreusov]

That's why terrorist groups prefer Toyota offroad products

[@tonyhuynh6789]

an acura with sh-awd takes this easy

[@reestyfarts]

@@tonyhuynh6789 Acura cannot keep the wheel pinned to the surface in obstacles that size. 4Runner or maybe an FJ.

[@stevecarlson2346]

@@bobbybradley7862 yeah, and the GX with better tires would have walked through this tool.

[@beexiong2995]

@Bobby Bradley the tires are all seasons. Im sure that was a limiting factor

[@efaroh]

The whole time I was watching I was like “LOCK THE CENTER DIFF!” I would have also liked to see 2nd ECT function exercised on this test. That function is where it starts in second gear from a stop and hold it there to get you out of a slippery situation. 2nd gear = lower torque, higher wheel speed than 1st, at the same engine speed.

[@motley06]

Exactly! It was rough to watch!

[@catherinesmith3045]

This!

[@Weatherby406]

I assumed it was locked.. it make a huge difference on the 4 runners!

[@Baebon6259]

he probably did it to show that it is capable without a diff lock. If it was me I would definitely diff locked it before attempting.

[@satalac]

I was staring at the button the whole time going "surely he's going to press it and show how much easier it'll make it".

[@theclintonss]

I've always been a big fan of the GX460. I recently purchased my 2nd GX460 last year 2021 model. Impressive when you have the full package of both luxury and ability to get a little tough at times. Considering staying within the Lexus family for a very long time. Service is top notch and Lexus truly takes care for their customers. I don't do off-roading but when the snow hits, I'm not stuck in doors. I have no interruption to my schedule at any time when I want to hit the road and do things. Nice seeing these ridiculously expensive vehicles slip and sliding and stuck on the road while I roll by in my GX460 waving and tell them "your going need a tow truck". Love this vehicle for life.

[@satisfyerpro]

We learned that we should lock our center diffs sooner rather than later. Oh and that a gx on stock tires is still a beast.

[@Soh90]

The fact that Ryan didn’t remember that he had a center locker until he started talking about center lockers literally made me laugh lol. Dad brain 😂😂

[@josem6929]

Refreshing to see drivelines that actually put in the work and not start crying about 2 minutes of struggle. Great episode thank you for your work.

[@BillyBobTup]

Truly, you don't give up easily. And then you remembered: lock the center! And it obviously made a difference. It would be very interesting to see you with a do over with the center locked at the beginning of the course. And I was really happy to see that there was no overheating. You do very useful reviews, thanks for that!

[@peter300pete]

your channel is so fun. keep up the good work and thanks for working in these hard conditions to produce these videos. I literally clapped for you at the end. :)

[@sswain833]

I imagine had the center diff been locked the entire time, it wouldve completed the first snow section with ease.

[@Beanercounter]

Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I watching the struggle and thought that the center diff lock must not be engaged.

[@crowntug]

Great episode, I loved seeing just how big of a difference that center diff locker made!

[@calvinkang1224]

Can't believe you kept doing it not giving up, and also can't believe I watched till the end. Have to admit it's so much fun to watch.

[@adrianhosein7698]

can't believe he didnt lock that diff.

[@mcwendel8066]

Pretty impressive considering the tires. Throw some all terrains on there and it’ll be pretty damn capable!

[@RichardVac]

That ice and slash can be berry challenging to any off road vehicle and specialty without the proper tires, I am surprised it made it that far, that Lexus did incredible

[@authenthuse5165]

As a long time LC owner, I have learned the hard way to lock the center diff as soon as I engage low gear. In fact 80 series and the early 100 series used to lock the center diff automatically when you shifted to the 4L. Great video as always and thanks for sharing the full struggle of hillclimb!

[@02hreblue30]

no reason not to

[@beexiong2995]

I like the option of not locking the center diff in 4 lo. Gives you better maneuvering on concrete for example, pulling a boat or trailer in a steep incline in slippery conditions that also require tight turns

[@fegrwinter9691]

Absolutely agree that ability to engage 4Lo without central lock is excellent. Driving on mountain roads for example

[@6point1hemi]

I was screaming lock the center diff, lock the center diff….lol It makes a huge difference plus it turns off VSC.

[@derrickaf1]

The process of you getting the GX460 up that treacherous hill was "badass":)!!! Great effort and skills!

[@pinoy413]

In my GX460 I was in similar conditions (incline, snow/mud) and 4lo with the diff lock did the trick. Also bone stock, "all season" tires. These vehicles are so capable. Love them so much I bought a 2nd one. Wife drives a 2012, and I have a 2010, both "pre facelift" so the front bumpers have more clearance, but essentially the same as the newest models.

[@ryzen397]

its a beast of a vehicle, love the gx. old school beauty

[@cala1012]

You were on the edge of that cliff and I was on the edge of my seat. Great video!

[@zeyuangu4547]

Absolutely nutty offroading video!

[@Sir.Black.]

You're killing it man!

[@boonecricket3777]

Awesome video. Thank you for making it.

[@jeffreysmith4304]

I was Sitting there watching (the whole episode) & Wondering if the 460 Still had the Lock for the Center Differential I am VERY Glad you Answered that Question and it Worked !!!

[@andrewevans1519]

Good set off tires pretty much go anywhere keep the good videos coming

[@brucelee3129]

What a great review!!! I’m so happy with my GX!!!

[@lexus_offroad_adventures]

@Driving Sports TV nice work! You had me yelling at the screen when you said there was no CDL! 😅 Hitting the CDL disables VSC which was causing the engine power cutting issues. Anyway, glad you found it and it solved your issue getting up the hill. The GX is unstoppable in maximum attack mode!

[@lthemanl]

So happy you didn’t give up on that snow climb. One of the best videos you made yet! Such a fun watch. Super underrated KZbin channel. Did you have a hard time getting back out of there? Lol.

[@edwardpeters4700]

This was a start-to-finish rubber failure. With the demise of the Land Cruiser in North America, now is the time for Lexus to offer legitimate off-road packages for the GX/LX. What the traction control system was able to accomplish before you locked the centre diff, was impressive.

[@julianzapata4283]

Awesome video!!! I love this Lexus!!!

[@kevinkidneyy]

man these camera angles are soooo sick !!!! nicee work

[@eragonma9058]

The video I’ve been waiting for

[@WW-wf8tu]

KDSS rocks! Worth every penny. The right set of tires for the terrain traveled is always a nice thing too. lol You gave that thing all the chances in the world. Far more than most journalists ever would. Most feel a tire spin and give up immediately. "We are stuck" when in fact they are just too impatient to try. Hell, even I was starting to think I would have backed up near the 23 minute mark. lol I have in been in a similar no traction situation. (4R TRD OR) Used every traction aid I had to try and muster up a snow/ice covered hill and was making no progress at all. So, finally, I backed up and gave it a good run and that was the only way I could get it done on stock Dunlops. I like that GX. And I would have considered a GX, if I had not already had a comparable luxury version SUV that tore up the underside air dams and what have you from being on frozen snow. There is a peace of mind I get from being in my 4R with underbody protection. 9.6 inches of ground clearance is not too shabby either. lol

[@SimplyCarReviews]

I have a 2017 Gx460, and it has the same underbody protection as a 4runner trd off road. Less ground clearance, though. Fixed that with a new bumper and a lift. Love both though.

[@AK.]

Did you upgrade your cameras? The footage looks incredible! Great content as always!

[@stevecarlson2346]

That hill climb was painful… aside from the obvious fact that better tires would’ve made that a walk, I was hollering at the TV “lock the center diff!”, and then you finally did.

[@AdilKhan88]

Hands down of the best GX video on You Tube

[@rimarcadu]

The best 4x4 in that line of premium, thanks for the video and information

[@TundraOff-Road]

I love those GX 460! and tires, tires,tires

[@alsw1632]

I have a 2020 gx 460 so this is very interesting to watch

[@victorlabadia881]

Video quality is 👌

[@LexusGX460-OFF-ROAD]

Ryan, I'll be constructive as possible: In snow and mud you want to turn trac/atrac/vsc *OFF* so you get full wheelspin... then you "send it". The idea is to displace the loose top layer and/or melt down the ice layer to reach the tractable surface underneath. Surprisingly even the GX460 owners manual states this 😃. The course you are on is a _classic_ condition where you turn all traction aids OFF.. Also you don't have the center differential locked. Lock it! hope this helps ❤️ ✌️ I strongly suggest a basic 4x4 course.. you want to be configured BEFORE your road condition. You don't go into this course in default street mode. Lock the center, all traction off before you enter...

[@numbersaviation]

You're the only guy I know who reads the owner's manual...

[@LexusGX460-OFF-ROAD]

@@numbersaviation 😆 🤣

[@0HOON0]

Slowly building the ruts actually kept him on the road when reversing. "Sending it" into questionable mud+snow conditions with limited ground clearance is high risk. Ryan did amazing by not giving up, not damaging the truck and delivering super entertaining content!

[@LexusGX460-OFF-ROAD]

@@0HOON0 traction off and sending it is exactly how you deal with this situation. Along with locking the center differential. The GX460 does not have "limited ground clearance" and rut building is a perfect way to get yourself stuck 😀✌️

[@numbersaviation]

@@0HOON0 Sending it is definitely not the right way to deal with this. What I would've done was lock the CD and turned off TCS/VSC, and floor it (to create wheelspin)

[@CfRlCajunfishRiplips]

Going buy one tomorrow LOL good video showing what this GX can do.

[@explorewithvaly]

I really loves your reviews.... 😊

[@AndrewTPewPew]

Yep just picked this exact car up last night in eminent white! Doubtful my wife will face these sort of challenges but glad to know it will make it if she does!

[@demiroz4022]

"The Car on the edge of the cliff" That was movie that I watched this weekend:)

[@albert1558]

Your showed your off road driving skills excellent 🎉 Very patient

[@CanadianMax]

Are you talking about the guy that hit a tree in his 4runner, or someone else?

[@nickknee3515]

I didn't know there were two Ryans, good job cloning yourself so you can pump out more awesome content.

[@Weatherby406]

Iv had a 4runner with and without kdss and it’s absolutely worth it!

[@mikefoehr235]

Ryan you are one very tenacious man...holy 💩💩💩 you made that Lexus work. I love the color

[@MegaRetr]

your channel is so fun.

[@alexkostenyuk]

And that’s how it’s done , stock gx460 I’ve enjoyed your video , thank you, have 2014 gx , wish Lexus threw more cool colors for GX like for 4Runner

[@alabama2uz]

This is one of the best on/offroad vehicles you can own if you dont mind cutting the Lexus off and adding a set of all terrains. (prado)😁

[@vadim9342]

Already did that! Trimmed the bumper and added some MT tires and its a beast 😀

[@ericgosselin1947]

I had a 4runner limited with this exact setup, nothing beat this, this setup is so capable. I had geolandar at and it make huge difference in traction.

[@Bozegirl]

I wish 4runner limited has KDSS option. But if that's true, no one will buy the GX.

[@ericgosselin1947]

@@Bozegirl Exactly, Toyota are really smart, either you have KDSS or either you have the full time 4wd. If you want both you need to go Lexus 😂

[@LTZ_Z71]

Great video! With a proper set of all-terrain tires; Falken Wild Peaks perhaps, that snowy climb would have been so much easier.

[@Yeoj444]

Love my GX, had to jump over a curb once glad I put some AT tires on mine 😅

[@rightlanehog3151]

😁

[@TonyAlvestad]

Hope you didn't spill your Starbucks! 😄

[@cue03]

Awesome video. I would like to see the 2023 pilot complete that with the trial mode.

[@rightlanehog3151]

Ryan, Gosh darn it! Lock that locker!!😁

[@roblunnen1653]

i think this show how the right tire can make all the diffrence. I was surprised that it made it with those tires.

[@sergebasque8460]

Very well done impressive that Lexus with those Bridgestone tires, maybe if you had put on the full locker earlier it would of climbe that hill faster.😊

[@BillyBobTup]

Impressive for such a vehicle!

[@Reu_ag]

Should've turned on the centre locker sooner, A-trac is awesome but sometimes lockers are better

[@ford4991]

I like the video it was so cool

[@menifo4334]

Oh man, that last snowy uphill segment, I found myself tensing my muscles the same way I would if I was watching Stranger Things.

[@sergebasque8460]

Could you do a test with the 2021 Acura RDX with the super handling AWD, I have this vehicle I bought this spring. Thanks! For the great content😊

[@bayaraaboldbaatar7078]

Lexus did it very good! In the first section off road front and rear bumper were just high enough from the ground! Didn't have to scary.

[@paintedbird6791]

While Ryan figures out how to drive a GX, Nick was standing in cold thinking " again' that guy is using his mouth whilist should have been using brain to lock that center diff"

[@alsw1632]

Wow finally I was waiting for this Lexus gx review!!

[@drivingsports]

We have a full review of the 2023 also coming up, FWIW.

[@alsw1632]

Can’t wait

[@J.Young808]

So is the MTS & locker worth the price premium for the T4R TRD OR vs T4R SR5 in your opinion? Is the Multi-Terrain Monitor worth the price as well?

[@kevinbreese5739]

With those highway tires, you virtually brought a stick to a gun fight.

[@Looknobook]

Nice!

[@nickli320]

I have one ,I love it.

[@edwinyurigattorno]

We just have the LC turbo diesel, a beast off-roading 💪🏼

[@marcusj4467]

That was a tribute to great engineering but also fairly dangerous. Winter tires would have made a lot of sense there.

[@luckyyou774]

Great to see GX460 doing good✌

[@BelchevKalin]

This V8 Land Cruiser Prado is awesome. :)))

[@matt34003434]

I have a gx470 on 305/70r17 Nitto Recon Grapplers with 3" of lift and full body armor. I wheel his thing all over Colorado and it continues to surprise me (especially with no lockers). My only apprehension with it is the weak rear axle (not applicable to the 460 as it has the bigger 8.2), but plan on upgrading it next year.

[@TonyAlvestad]

I'm at the same point in modding my GX, the price of an 8.2 is hard to swallow lol. And it would only make sense to regear and add air lockers at the same time.

[@Cocora22]

did you use the locking diff on it or just the 4 low?

[@ckm-mkc]

I have mild off-road tires on my SUV and I doubt it would make it up. Maybe with crawl control (JLRs ATRACK) but even then.

[@plumtiger1]

i was screaming at you to lock the center diff the whole time! lol

[@jaybou007]

If I had all the money in the world, i'd take this over a G-Wagon anytime. That V8 engine is so freaking smooth and bullet proof. Plus, since I have a very tall torso, that visibility is probably the best on the market for me, even with my gigantic German Shepherd hanging in the back. Of course, Ryan works with the tires that are on the vehicle at that time. But I can tell you first hand that with proper winter tires, this course is a piece of cake for the GX. But that price tag...oh my Gosh.

[@gearygraham]

What tires are those? Impressive for what they are

[@shanet7511]

Imagine if they added the 4 corner hydraulic suspension from the LX series and front and rear locking diffs to this.

[@lawon01]

Now i know what that center lock diff stuff means thanks for this 25:00

[@maverickmig211]

Definitely need the right tires 🛞

[@davidxavier1396]

Would of like to see you re do that a Hill climb again but with the center diff locked. The comparison with and with out would of made for a better video.

[@timothyj.2937]

How would the Outback wilderness do on your test hill with snow?

[@orchardmudtwin]

Taking the family SUV Sedan anywhere PRICELESS... yeah this is the only thing I want....go anywhere do anything V8....FYI..I have seen this truck climb a mountain....these are hard impossible conditions for any truck and to think that you're doing it with a daily driver is amazing.

[@stlswagger]

We had a 2012. Always wished there was an alternative front end because it really would be the best overland rig. Never a single problem. For such a capable vehicle the front end makes absolutely no use

[@stephenli8308]

Love your videos! Are you sure the GX without the MTS has ATRAC? The owner’s manual says you only get ATRAC if you are in 4Lo AND MTS on.

[@beexiong2995]

He said atrac is activated in 4lo automatically. But this model didn't have the offroad package(MTS, Crawl)

[@user-pv7jy9tg8r]

this is a truly a gorgeous a car! it needs to be imported to global

[@SJ-xf9ni]

Did you use the center locking diff?

[@Ranbuli]

I watched to the end only because I was so curious when this guy would lock his center diff.

[@drivingsports]

😂

[@dig494]

I was actually thinking of trading my '21 4R OR for the last of these GX's. Too luxury and dealer is a pr*ck. Wanted the V8 and some of that luxury. So I just put some Nokians on the 4R and will be happy here in AK with the rear locker and part time 4wd. Would like the AWD functions though of the GX. Maybe should have sprung for the 4R limited and some tires. GX and 4R limited is probably too nice for my usage.

[@Ill06Taco]

You mentioned the downside of using the ATRAC system being that it may bump you forward too fast. Why didn't you try this using the ECT 2nd button?

[@Austin-cg7be]

It may have been more of a traction issue couldnt see all the tires but the ATRAC in that seems MUCH less aggressive than the ATRAC in my 4Runner is

[@thomasdinh2753]

air down tires would help too?

[@donwarner6925]

You should add a pucker meter for episodes like this one.

[@stuartferguson7947]

As you kept saying if you had more appropriate tyres for the job it would have made it a lot easier

[@johnng6416]

Have you tried airing down?

[@davidheaton6206]

Even thought you need better tires, did you air down at all?