Should there be a GX 570?
05-21-10, 08:20 AM
#1
Should there be a GX 570?
A very close family member is looking into purchasing a GX 460, and the decision is based largely on the fact that it's a BOF SUV that can tow. Of course luxury and reliability are big factors, but the ability to tow is a big one because they have a boat, jet skis, a house in the mountains and one on the lake.
After doing a bit of research, I can't help but wonder if Lexus should drop the 5.7L V8 into the GX.
When the GX 460 first came out it's engine seemed good enough - 300hp and 330 lb-ft of torque with a 6AT. 6500lb tow rating is adequate, but lowest in its class. Initially I rubbed this off because the GX is, in most ways, in a segment of it's own being BOF. It's closest competitor is the LR4 which has recently been reworked and churns out 75 more horsepower and 45 more lb-ft of torque than the GX, with a tow rating 1,200lbs above it. Being a unibody SUV, the GL 450 is less of a direct competitor but offers 335hp and 339 lb-ft of torque and a 7,500lb towing capacity. The Q7 offers 350hp, 325 lb-ft, and a 6,600lb towing capacity.
It doesn't take much to see that something about the GX doesn't add up...the GL produces only slightly more power but offers a 1,000lb greater towing capacity. The Q7 and GL seem to negate the "BOF is best for towing" theory, too. The recent Motor Trend article comparing the LR, GX, and Merc also references a similar disparity.
The LX 570 offers an 8,500lb towing capacity which would be great to have with the GX, but do you think there would be a market for a GX 570? Personally I would have rather seen them beef the 4.6L V8 up to 340hp and 360lb-ft of torque which would provide the extra "oomph" for towing and would also bring it closer in line with it's rivals.
After doing a bit of research, I can't help but wonder if Lexus should drop the 5.7L V8 into the GX.
When the GX 460 first came out it's engine seemed good enough - 300hp and 330 lb-ft of torque with a 6AT. 6500lb tow rating is adequate, but lowest in its class. Initially I rubbed this off because the GX is, in most ways, in a segment of it's own being BOF. It's closest competitor is the LR4 which has recently been reworked and churns out 75 more horsepower and 45 more lb-ft of torque than the GX, with a tow rating 1,200lbs above it. Being a unibody SUV, the GL 450 is less of a direct competitor but offers 335hp and 339 lb-ft of torque and a 7,500lb towing capacity. The Q7 offers 350hp, 325 lb-ft, and a 6,600lb towing capacity.
It doesn't take much to see that something about the GX doesn't add up...the GL produces only slightly more power but offers a 1,000lb greater towing capacity. The Q7 and GL seem to negate the "BOF is best for towing" theory, too. The recent Motor Trend article comparing the LR, GX, and Merc also references a similar disparity.
The LX 570 offers an 8,500lb towing capacity which would be great to have with the GX, but do you think there would be a market for a GX 570? Personally I would have rather seen them beef the 4.6L V8 up to 340hp and 360lb-ft of torque which would provide the extra "oomph" for towing and would also bring it closer in line with it's rivals.
05-21-10, 08:48 AM
#4
Although I am not in the market for a GX, I did just buy a 2010 4runner(same truck) with the V6 and miss the V8 a little from my 2 previous 4runners(2003 & 2006). The V6 is snappy but the V8 would be even better. Getting back to your idea of the 5.7L in the GX, all I can say is that motor is a rocket in my Dad's Tundra Crew cab. It will easily outperform any of the GX's current competition. I still found it odd that Toyota/Lexus only gave the 4.6L around 300HP when all the competition has around 330-350 on average? The towing is a bit low too. The truck should weigh enough for it to be able to handle the extra pounds, but who knows.
My thought was to buy a used GX460 in a few years to get the V8 back but with the GX's extra weight over my 4runner and only 30 more HP, it really is not that much more zippy.
My thought was to buy a used GX460 in a few years to get the V8 back but with the GX's extra weight over my 4runner and only 30 more HP, it really is not that much more zippy.
05-21-10, 08:50 AM
#5
My 2006 4runner with the same 4.7L pulled our 22.5' Crownline boat just fine and it weighed around 4000lb. I have to imagine toyota is underating the new GX for safety reasons maybe or maybe its the hitch design?
05-21-10, 08:53 AM
#6
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the GX is positioned in between the RX and the LX and fittingly, it has power in between. I dont think the 5.7 should be fit, but perhaps a little tweaking of the 4.6 to produce 320 ish...
Motortrend's test of the GX found that the 0-60 was pretty impressive 6.9 seconds
Motortrend's test of the GX found that the 0-60 was pretty impressive 6.9 seconds
05-21-10, 09:02 AM
#7
^ I am not that concerned about 0-60 or 1/4 performance, but Lexus states several times that they kept the GX as a BOF SUV because their research indicated that many GX owners use their vehicles for towing, hauling, off roading, and recreational use. Considering that, I just don't know why they gave it the lowest tow rating of all its competitors
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05-21-10, 09:43 AM
#9
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The whole BOF versus CUV thing is really becoming a wash. On the low end we see CUVs like the Honda Pilot matching the towing capacity of the BOF 4Runner and having some offroad prowess of it's own, and on the high end we see V8 CUVs matching V8 BOF SUVs in a lot of respects.
I think in the longrun BOF's are a dying breed. But even so the GX is still impressive because it's lighter than a lot of CUVs out there and it's more fuel efficient (traits not usually associated with BOF SUVs).
As far as a GX570, I don't think it's neccesary. That's what Lexus sells the LX570 for. Instead I think they should dump the 4.6L and instead use a 5.0L V8.
I think in the longrun BOF's are a dying breed. But even so the GX is still impressive because it's lighter than a lot of CUVs out there and it's more fuel efficient (traits not usually associated with BOF SUVs).
As far as a GX570, I don't think it's neccesary. That's what Lexus sells the LX570 for. Instead I think they should dump the 4.6L and instead use a 5.0L V8.
05-21-10, 10:11 AM
#11
^ Believe it or not the LX is significantly more expensive than the GX. Most LXs MSRP at $80,000+ so with TTT you're getting awfully close to 100K. There is a a solid $15,000-$20,000 gap between even something like the GX premium, and an LX.
05-21-10, 11:10 AM
#12
Lexus Fanatic
If its tow capacity you want then go with another brand. Lexus SUVs are not the hardcore of the bunch...ever. Its a luxury SUV for people who may want to tow some jet skis or a small boat.
05-21-10, 08:32 PM
#13
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I guess I'm the only one that thinks the GX and LX should offer a hybrid option?
Mike, would I would also like to see is Lexus offer the TRD Supercharger to the GX/LX as a F-sport option with a warranty. I think we both have discussed how the GX/LX leave us underwhelmed.
Mike, would I would also like to see is Lexus offer the TRD Supercharger to the GX/LX as a F-sport option with a warranty. I think we both have discussed how the GX/LX leave us underwhelmed.
05-21-10, 08:47 PM
#14
Lexus Fanatic
That has been somewhat of a problem for some Nissan/Infiniti designs with the VQ 3.5 and 3.7L V6s that are stuffed in like sardines.
