The 2020 Lexus GX 460 is Rugged and Reliable but is that Enough?

I spend a week with the lightly refreshed 2020 Lexus GX 460. While the exterior of the GX 460 got a light refresh this year, the interior still hasn't changed in 10 years and it definitely shows. With an as-tested price of $71,240, every single competitor in this segment will have a more modern interior. Those that buy the GX likely buy it for its reliability, off-road capability and/or its old-school setup and don't care about the interior, but it's still a mystery why Lexus hasn't updated at least the infotainment system like every other Toyota and Lexus product in their lineup. Combined with poor fuel economy and worse handling than all its competitors, the GX doesn't compare well unless rugged reliability is your top priority. What do you think about the Lexus GX 460? Thanks to Lexus for providing this vehicle to review.
0:00 Exterior
1:24 Interior
2:20 Initial driving impressions
4:13 Acceleration
5:30 Handling
9:45 Fuel economy
10:47 Pricing
13:25 Final thoughts
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[@woodsoncircle]

Top notch review. Before I purchased mine in 2020, wasn't all that impressed with the interior but over time it grew on me. I'll tell you this, the RELIABILITY of LEXUS is second to none. Regular oil changes and tire rotations is all these SUV needs. You can literally drive 300k without even blinking.

[@juanmj93]

My country is filled with the Toyota version of these, they’re everywhere. They come with either the 4.0 V6 from the 4runner or a 4 cyl diesel with like 170hp, both of them painfully slow and more expensive than something like an X5 or XC90, but somehow people want to drive them like sport cars and end up upside down, so it’s kind of a meme here. No doubt they’re reliable, and I’m sure they’re great off road but I tend to see them in shopping malls and plush hotels.

[@santidmercadoable]

El propio dicho "Toyota es Toyota" sin ningún background context, I'll pick an x5 or range rover if it comes to luxury any day

[@doctorkbeauty5857]

you can just flip em back up and keep driving unlike x5 or Q7( I own a Q7) haha ( also 17 gx)

[@rogue254]

It's the Land Cruiser Prado

[@santidmercadoable]

@@doctorkbeauty5857 that's true however when it comes to a capable truck with "luxury" or even safety features I'll pick an f150 and it's cheaper than those toyotas

[@abuelb]

@@santidmercadoable nothing compares to toyota when it comes to off roading. Toyota Land cruiser the king of off road!

[@timw2083]

I would take this over the European vehicles. I tend to keep a ride 6-8 years. The predictability is enough for me

[@USA-qm2bk]

Timothy Weatherspoon my dads 2002 4Runner is running great in 2020

[@lovelyrita4953]

I drove a 2004 Lexus GX for 15 years. I loved it! I never had a problem with it.

[@AdilKhan88]

I like how you reviewed it with a context. Most reviewers just jump on numbers.

[@user-jc4hf6yc8t]

Main reason people buy these GX460s is for the reliability and off road capability. Yes, the GX interior is in drastic need of an interior update. (i.e. Touchscreen size/resolution) The European competitors BMW, Mercedes, and Audi have all gone to complex turbo charged engines which have much better performance, but they don't hold a candle to Lexus/Toyota reliability. There's something to be said for sticking with the tried and true 4.6L naturally aspirated V8. Talk to mechanics and people that own these vehicles and many can go several hundred thousand miles with just doing the standard wear and tear maintenance. (oil, brakes, trans fluid, tires, suspension, etc) I'm glad Lexus/Toyota have continued to stay with what works. Yes, the fuel economy isn't the best, but for a body on frame SUV with a V8 what do you expect. Its the last of a dying breed along with its big brother LX 570. If Lexus makes massive changes to this model and starts building smaller V6 turbo charged engines/hybrid electric, you can almost bet reliability is going to suffer. There is a reason these older GXs have a cult following for the off-road and overlanding community. They modify suspension for better ground clearance, take off some of the grill, add off road tires, and storage upgrades (3rd row seat removal) and you have a highly capable off road monster. Yes, the GX is not going to handle or have the speed of a BMW X5 or Mercedes GLE, but its not intended to. If you keep your vehicles for a long period of time then this is the vehicle to get over the European competition. Repair costs are way lower and the fit and finish is superior to what you will get with the European brands. Also you can find a lot of reasonable preowned older model year GX460s. Even ones that have 80k - 100k+ are still highly sought after as they will continue to run with reasonable maintenance costs. If you want an Audi, BMW, or Mercedes you are best off buying a low mileage one or leasing it and getting rid of it after 3 to 4 years. With Lexus you can buy with confidence, new or used and drive it for 10 to 15+ years if you want and not have to worry about massive repair bills. Yes, it doesn't have the latest tech or speed/handling of its rivals, but if you want reliability/utility and hassle free maintenance then it's the vehicle you want in your garage.

[@tavy7200]

Thanks for for your review, it's true!!!

[@DRose2Fast]

Very well said 👌🏼

[@trumpisastump9382]

Understatement of the year "Yes the fuel economy isn't the best..."

[@BobThe9534]

hi Matt. nice vid. liked b4 watching b/c i knew it was going to be good

[@dylanw890]

I love the look of the interior with how funtional and purposeful it is. If Lexus gave it a full digital display and updated the infortainment I would still buy it.

[@jjggirt1845]

Nice video. What is your impression of the red interior? Looks kind of bright with lots of pink reflections.

[@MattMaranMotoring]

In person it's a nice deep red.

[@mysticalgamer1013]

I know this isn’t a performance car, but the Crown Vic also has a body on frame, which that car also doesn’t handle as well

[@nukewiller4083]

It might sound weird, but a slight bit of dead play in the brake pedal can actually be better, even safer, for large vehicles. Think of something like a clutch pedal in a commuter car. You want to have a bit of soft travel before before the clutch starts to bite, making it easier to release the clutch. Brakes are the same way, but it's just in reverse. When you cover the brake, you learn to just slightly rest your foot on the pedal a little bit without actually applying any brakes. This allows you to feel the brake pedal and apply it smoothly, though if you're not used to it, you might think it's bad, or you might have trouble apply brakes at first. A lot of trucks and truck-based SUVs are tuned this way. Because they are more easily upset rough brake application, the little bit a dead travel gives you some sensation before the brakes actually apply. It also make covering the brake less tiring, just like a clutch.

[@williamlong2682]

Ladies and gentlemen, the 2012 Lexus GX460. Honestly I’d just get a used one with low miles. Basically just as much car as this one for way less money, and the outdated tech would be more forgivable used.

[@marcnobel3938]

I had a 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser V8 Diesel J20 and it looked very similar to this Lexus :-D - Besides the 3rd row (I had seat mounted to the side) it looks inside almost the same. Buttons and the middle console are a bit upgraded but in general, it`s still the same layout just with new trim pieces. - It was a really great car - and the outside of the Toyota looked way more purposefully in my opinion.

[@dx132]

10:43 just happen to drive by the previous-gen gx... lol

[@dsilber4]

If you are going to show something up close it would help to focus. Otherwise, your video is spot on and the car is little changed from my wife's 2012 GX

[@crittendon1000]

Any chance the brake fluid was low?

[@MattMaranMotoring]

I'd say it's unlikely since it was a brand new car with only a few thousand miles on it, but I didn't check.

[@jackchatfield8074]

Essentially a fancy Prado? Australian here

[@charliewilson3528]

Maybe take it down a dirt trail next time. And is the the air suspension mandatory?

[@MattMaranMotoring]

Yes I believe the air suspension is standard.

[@quantlife9002]

I believe it is only on the Luxury Trim.

[@abuelb]

Fancy SUV built today are mostly gimmick and junk made to break down or malfunction in less than 100k miles. I'll take reliability, functionality, and capability any day.

[@jamesparkerjr5539]

It's interesting how old school this thing is. If the interior wasn't such an unacceptable compromise of hilariously outdated tech, it would still be compelling.

[@ams914]

But the tech is going to work, and keep working.

[@whoeverwhoever400]

Matt, are you related to Kate McKinnon? XD

[@ktpinnacle]

Toyota is milking their well-earned name for reliability by pocketing the development money they should have spent to keep their SUVs current. The LC is a case in point. Great rig - will last forever. But it's a decade behind in significant ways.

[@MarkR973]

I’m ok with it cause it will outlive many people

[@ktpinnacle]

@@MarkR973 I'd like it more if you could get one discounted, which you can't. Tough to pay 2020 dollars for 2010 tech, even if it lasts (which I appreciate as a buy and hold driver).

[@davidprosper3460]

Yeah I still think it would be a good car to own.

[@deborahdiperna2451]

Is this Matt Farrah's million mile Lexus?

[@b1gkeesh]

I appreciate the analog. Everyone keeps commenting about digital dash... None of those digital screens are made to last.

[@JetCityHooligan]

Buying these new is silly when you can buy basically the same exact vehicle a few years older for half the price. Or as I recently did, buy a 2010 460 for $19k. I actually prefer the look of the pre-face lifted '10-'13 gx's too. What a lot of us are doing with these used GX's is lifting them, putting 33" tires on them and turning them into great overland/camping rigs. Can't really buy into a better platform than a used GX for the money.

[@JB88-]

A 2010 would be a 470 but I get what you’re putting down.

[@MarkR973]

Brake pedal dead... yeah it should feel like a Porsche or a mustang... it’s not a sporty vehicle it’s a beast ... btw my fighter has the Porsche Cayenne which is pretty sweet... I don’t agree on the brake depress.. doesn’t make sense

[@toyota420xp]

Reliability.

[@iBlewupthemoon98]

Lexus could at least update the infotainment software. That’s half the reason this thing is so dated

[@Stingray_614]

I think it looks abysmal on the outside. I can forgive the outdated interior cause it looks like it has a theme going- old school. But the outside looks like a mess of three different generations.

[@naveenthemachine]

Rugged and reliable? That alone is enough reason to buy this. The competition just can’t match the reliability and resale value of Lexus no matter how efficient their engines are

[@AveryPlaysBass]

In terms of resale value, the 4runner would definitely be a better buy. These GXs depreciate quite a bit once they drive off the lot, much more than 4runners. Of course, thats because their MSRP is a good 20K more than a comparable 4runner. Which does make them great used buys because you can get a 2015 that is basically identical to a 2020 minus the new grill, wheels and leather.

[@Jacobk66]

Everything is 12 years old. If that’s all you’re looking for then good for you, but some people want a modern car.

[@bradenmchenry995]

People that buy the German suvs aren’t going to cross shop a 15 year old suv just cause it’s more reliable

[@naveenthemachine]

Braden McHenry true but eventually the $70K+ Germans will begin to have problems and if I were spending 70K I’d want to get my money’s worth for a long time. 70K sub keeping it for 5 years doesn’t make sense to me

[@AkioWasRight]

You speak like someone who doesn't actually drive vehicles in this segment. If you're interest in a $70,000+ Luxury SUV, then those things don't matter. Most people in this segment want the latest tech and style, and they lease their vehicles, so reliability just doesn't matter much. And actually, these things don't have good resale value. So what would some one want? If you just want "rugged" and "reliable", then you should look into mountain bike and save yourself about $69,500. The truth is that this vehicles is completely lost in this segment.

[@MarkR973]

Rugged and reliable is what intelligent people want in a depreciating asset.. so it lasts forever ... get it? .... once they update the Nav I’ll sell my 2011 Avalon limited for one.. and I’ll get close to $10k for my Avalon .. which btw runs like new... I’m watching Lexus... c’mon .. refresh the interior ..

[@ShinobiTekken]

No point in reviewing an off roader without going off road

[@planestrainsdogsncars4336]

Only a mother could love that front end.

[@Oneman11100]

I don't like when you review the interior separately. To much to follow. I really like your channel. I don't watch fhalf and half reviews. Please go back to the old type of combined reveiws.

[@AntLive29]

Let Beth be in these videos!!

[@dinerotranquilo]

The only metric that counts...SALES. They sell and people know what they are buying. If it ain't broke don't fix it.

[@BobThe9534]

review a Ford Crown Vic

[@sanjeevbhaskar5472]

this is the worst looking suv nowadays But it's still one of the most reliable and refined suv. Lexus should make this a 3.8 liter v6 engine, good for 300 horses and around the same torque. May be little hybrid to boost performance

[@KVY-39]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@MH-vj4hq]

That front grill made me stay away from this car, too obnoxious.... If only it has the Prado grill. Take my money Toyota!

[@oStirFryo]

No wonder the gx460 is cheaper than a 4 runner. Once they upgrade the electronics id be interested. But the 4.6l v8 with chopped exhaust sounds fun lol

[@Prad2007]

That front looks like it's on the wrong vehicle. It's far too sporty for such a boring looking SUV. And the usual absurdly huge Lexus grill. It looks like it's trying to be something it isn't. And $70k ?? No thanks.

[@greenbullitt6999]

Because of the exaggerated price ... It's a NO-GO in my opinion ... Falls way short. I'll take an Escalade or a Denali a million times before settling for one of these

[@garystoor8191]

Unreliable junk

[@CU08]

Gotta love the Toyota/Lexus fanboys on here decrying any criticism of their beloved brand. Stop ... just stop. Toyota/Lexus is woefully behind in just about every aspect with a lot of their line-up. The ONLY people who buy Lexus are the ones who want to tout reliability when conversations arise about cars, without having an inkling of knowledge about cars aside from "I heard they're reliable." They've rested on their laurels and the average car consumer is incredibly dumb, so Lexus could replace the seats with metal rods and the drones would fawn over the innovation Lexus has, creating somewhere they can sit that won't need as much maintenance and will last forever. Although, it'd be tough for your average Toyota/Lexus owner to get those rods to sit properly when their heads are in the way ...

[@darrell9616]

These same fans act as though every other car falls apart as soon as the warranty expires. Pure nonsense. For me, it's about the total ownership experience and reliability is but 1 factor in that experience. If that is the only criteria, then I can see why someone would want to buy a Lexus. Otherwise, every one of their vehicles is outclassed by the competition.

[@Jacobk66]

Add to that the vast majority of new luxury car owners keep their cars 3-4 years max so they don’t really care that much about reliability. People on here aren’t buying these cars but used ones.

[@darrell9616]

@Mitch Caldwell Am I to believe that you never see 2010 euro (or Korean or US) cars on the road? Do you know how ridiculous that sounds? Granted, BMW's use of plastic engine components is ridiculous. The point is that no manufacturer is perfect, not even Toyota/Lexus. You need to drop this insane notion that only Toyota cars can exceed 100K miles. Only in the US does that seem to be some sort of magical number.

[@spamfried894]

@Mitch Caldwell Who cares if they don't last ten years? A typical luxury car buyer doesn't. The vast majority of luxury car buyers aren't even buying their vehicles, they're leasing them! So what's the point? They're consumer vehicles! An no Lexus will be worth half of they they're charging now. What are you even getting at?

[@tenzinsmith7991]

Mitch Caldwell If you go on Autotrader you will find no shortage of European cars with hundreds of thousands of miles on the clock. Sure, some of them are known for certain issues, and generally they’re not going to be as trouble-free as a Toyota. But acting like they can’t even make it to 100,000 miles is absurd. They’re still just cars.

[@kevs2good133]

I wouldn’t even want this vehicle. I’d just buy a 4Runner.

[@robertrodriguez4587]

These are way better inside then a four runner.

[@lmw1996]

Stop reviewing every single car like it is a WRX.

[@ovid4]

Disingenuous review. Highlighting what it isn’t at this point in this vehicle is just lazy

[@bigpoppa1992]

My 14 year old 2006 ford explorer 4.6 v8 has just as much hp, tq, transmission gears and my explorer tows more. why would anyone buy this old suv for 70k?🤣😂

[@trumpisastump9382]

Why would anyone drive a 2006 Ford Explorer?

[@bigpoppa1992]

@@trumpisastump9382 it's a cheap 7 seater family hauler that tows over 7,000 lbs without spending 70k+ on 16 year old technology.

[@brandon4734]

This guy doesn’t know what a true car is 🤦🏻 Rugged and Reliable is why Toyota is the best!

[@naveenthemachine]

Brandon Oribio the other competitors, as efficient as their engines may be just can’t match the dependability of Toyota’s

[@S58985]

It’s $70k. It’s unacceptable at this price point

[@bradenmchenry995]

There’s a reason bmw sold over double the amount of x5s last year. Most people spending 70k on a car don’t care about 20 year reliability

[@TTOORROONNTTOOful]

@@bradenmchenry995 exactly. Many do lease and get new cars. Also come with free maintenance.