The 2018 Lexus GX 460 finishes near the bottom of our luxury midsize SUV rankings. It's a good off-roader with a terrific predicted reliability rating, but it's just not as practical, comfortable, or capable for daily driving as many of its classmates.
The 2018 Lexus GX's #18 ranking is based on its score within the 2018 Luxury Midsize SUVs category. Currently the Lexus GX has a score of 7.2 out of 10, which is based on our evaluation of 41 pieces of research and data elements using various sources.
The 2018 Lexus GX is OK, but there are better options in the luxury midsize SUV class. The GX's off-road abilities are superior to most of its rivals, with trail-ready features that include crawl control and a locking center differential. However, that's the only area where this Lexus really stands out in any positive way.
The 2018 GX has several main selling points:
Though, its shortcomings are notable:
Our reviews include far more than just one person’s opinion. We’ve analyzed 41 Lexus GX reviews, as well as hard data points like reliability scores and cost of ownership estimates, to help you make the best car-buying decision possible.
The U.S. News Best Cars team has been ranking cars, trucks, and SUVs since 2007, and our staff has more than 75 years of combined automotive industry experience. To ensure our impartiality, we never accept expensive gifts or trips from car companies, and an outside team handles the advertising on our site.
Based on listings for 2018 Lexus GX on our site, the average list price is $49,600. Prices range from $45,000 to $58,000 and vary depending on the vehicle’s condition, mileage, features, and location.
The 2018 GX’s five-year costs for gas, insurance, repairs, and maintenance are projected to be around $33,800, or $6,760 per year. That’s a little above average for a luxury midsize SUV.
The 2019 Lexus GX is nearly identical to the 2018 model. You can spend thousands less and get the same basic SUV by purchasing a 2018 GX instead.
Since the second-generation GX arrived for 2010, there have been only small changes throughout the years. For 2014, Lexus refreshed the GX's exterior styling and gave it a new infotainment system. Siri Eyes Free connectivity became standard for 2015, and second-row captain's chairs became available for 2017.
Compare the 2017, 2018, and 2019 GX »
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The 2018 Lexus GX gets a stellar predicted reliability rating of 4.5 out of five from J.D. Power.
Read more about GX reliability »
At the time of writing, one safety recall has been issued for the 2018 Lexus GX:
Before buying any used vehicle, make sure all recalls have been addressed.
See more information on Lexus GX safety recalls »
The 2018 Lexus GX comes in three trims: base, Premium, and Luxury. Every 2018 GX 460 comes with a 4.6-liter V8 engine, a six-speed automatic, and four-wheel drive. The base GX comes well-equipped, so many buyers will probably like it just fine. You can step up to the midlevel Premium trim if you want more comfort and convenience features. For the most driver assistance aids, you'll have to look for the top-of-the-line Luxury trim.
See 2018 Lexus GX trims and specs »
Lexus offers a certified pre-owned program for vehicles five years old or less and with fewer than 70,000 miles. Eligibility is determined by the vehicle’s initial sale date. For its certified pre-owned vehicles, Lexus extends its original new-car warranty to six years or unlimited mileage. From the day you purchase or lease your Lexus CPO vehicle, you receive complimentary maintenance covering the next four factory-recommended services for two years or 20,000 miles. Every CPO Lexus must pass a 161-point inspection. Additional benefits like loaner cars, towing, and roadside assistance may be available, so read the Lexus warranty page carefully.
According to our analysis, Lexus has the best CPO program in the industry.
Neither the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety nor the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration have put the 2018 GX through any crash tests. However, the IIHS did give properly equipped GX models the lowest rating of Basic for front crash prevention.
Standard advanced safety features:
Available advanced safety features:
The 2018 Lexus RX 350 finishes much higher in our luxury midsize SUV rankings than the GX, and with good reason. The RX rides smoothly, and it features a well-appointed cabin with comfortable seats. It gets much better fuel economy ratings than the GX, and its V6 engine packs ample punch. The only real reason to choose the GX over the RX is if you place a high priority on off-road capability.
The 2018 Acura MDX gets a much lower predicted reliability rating than the GX, but it still finishes higher in our rankings. The Acura has a softer ride and provides more cargo space than its Lexus rival. The MDX's standard features list includes leather upholstery, Apple CarPlay, and Android Auto, none of which come standard in the GX (some aren't available at all). As with the RX 350, unless you need the GX's off-road chops, the MDX is the better choice.
The Lexus GX 460 delivers adequate acceleration with its V8. However, the engine can feel strained at times, and the transmission sometimes hesitates to downshift. The GX rides firmly, leaving some wishing for more smoothness.
Where the GX does shine is in off-road situations. It can traverse terrain that many class rivals would find too daunting. In that regard, the stiff suspension is a plus. The GX provides 8.1 inches of ground clearance, and it has off-road features like a locking center differential, crawl control, and a torque-adjustment feature that is incorporated in the four-wheel-drive system to further improve traction.
The GX 460 will have you spending more time at the fuel pump than most other vehicles, regardless of class.
The GX can tow up to 6,500 pounds when properly equipped.
Read more about GX performance »
The 2018 GX seats seven people in three rows. Available second-row captain's chairs drop the seating capacity to six. The front seats provide the most space and comfort. The second-row seats slide and recline, but they lack adequate support for long drives. Third-row passengers will feel cramped on drives of any length.
Standard seating features:
Available seating features:
The 2018 GX has two complete sets of LATCH car-seat connectors on the middle-row outboard seats and an upper tether on the second-row middle seat. The system earns the second-highest rating of Acceptable for ease of use from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety because the lower anchors are set too deep in the seat.
The GX's infotainment system is fairly intuitive, which makes it easy to use. However, redundant physical controls litter the center stack, giving it a cluttered look. The system also feels outdated when compared to more modern infotainment setups found in rivals.
The GX 460 has a maximum cargo capacity of just 64.7 cubic feet, which is less space than most luxury midsize SUVs provide. With all seats in use, there's very little room behind the third row. The flip-up rear window makes it easy to load smaller items without opening the tailgate. To open the back, swing the tailgate to the side (as opposed to vertically, as with most SUVs), which can create a major obstacle when loading or unloading cargo.
These cargo dimensions are for comparative purposes. There is no substitute for visually examining the storage area in any car you’re considering.
Lexus built the GX in Japan.
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#2 in 2018 Luxury Midsize SUVs
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