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- 2017 Lexus GX
- Performance
Note: This performance review was created when the 2017 Lexus GX was new.
Performance: | 7.1 |
The 2017 Lexus GX receives poor reviews for its performance, though it’s praised for its off-roading skills. Power and acceleration are weak when coming up to speed or on the highway, and fuel economy is among the worst in the class. Handling and ride quality are also unimpressive, with average comfort and unsteady cornering abilities.
The standard powertrain in the 2017 GX is a 301-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 engine, a six-speed automatic transmission, and four-wheel drive. The EPA estimates the GX’s fuel economy at 15 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway, which are very low estimates for the class.
The GX’s engine power and acceleration are only satisfactory for slower driving and quickly become inadequate when speeding up or at high speeds. A high curb weight contributes to the GX feeling underpowered. The transmission shifts smoothly but sometimes downshifts too late.
The GX has excellent off-road capabilities, with standard four-wheel drive and other necessities like a limited-slip differential and traction control. An optional feature called Crawl Control maintains acceleration and braking, holding the GX to a slow speed over rough terrain.
Professional test drivers are split on the GX’s handling and steering characteristics for on-road driving. Some say it has a smooth and comfortable ride, while others think that aiming for off-road excellence hurts performance on pavement, with steering and brakes that are a bit slow to respond. Additionally, some critics say steering is unresponsive, and the car’s height makes it feel unstable through turns.
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