In the Backwoods, More Luxury

By JONATHAN WELSH
Staff Reporter of THE WALL STREET JOURNAL

Just when it seemed every sport-utility niche had been filled, Lexus insists there's room for one more midsize luxury SUV.

The upmarket division of Toyota is rolling out its GX 470 this year to compete with the likes of the Lincoln Aviator, Mercedes-Benz ML500 and Land Rover Discovery -- all fancy if traditional sport-utility vehicles, mounted on rugged frames. But while so-called body-on-frame construction translates to higher towing capacity and better off-road performance, it also compromises the ride and handling quality consumers increasingly seem to want. Indeed, sales of truck-style SUV's are down more than 4% this year -- while sales of crossover vehicles such as Acura's MDX, built on car chassis, are up.

So are any buyers actually looking for high-end luxury in a trail-ready package? Lexus is counting on selling at least 24,000 of them annually, so for a reality check, we spent a few days with a GX to see if it could beat the rest of the pack.

The most striking thing was this Lexus's size: Though it's supposed to fill the space in the company's lineup between the smaller RX 330 and top-of-the-line LX 470, it's only four inches shorter and two inches narrower than the LX -- hardly, we thought, "midsize." And with a roof that's actually a couple of inches higher than the LX, the 4,700-pound GX has a tall, almost ungainly look.

There was little to complain about inside this roomy, comfortable vehicle. The added height results in about an inch more headroom in the front and back seats than its larger sibling offers. Its leather and wood trim was nicer than the stuff found in even some luxury sedans, and the controls were easy to find and operate. (One exception: We had a tough time finding the remote fuel-door latch, which was hiding underneath the steering column.)

Room for one more? Lexus's GX 470 enters a crowded market for midsize luxury SUVs. The question is whether buyers will pay $50,000 or more for a truck-style ride.

One gripe was with the reclining angle of the driver's seat. We couldn't quite get the electrically adjustable seatback to the upright position we prefer, something we've found on other Toyota products as well. We weren't wild about the third-row seats, either: Instead of folding into the floor, the Lexus seats fold forward, then flip up against the sides of the cargo bay. When stowed, they look like the military-style jump seats in old Toyota Land Cruisers, which is neat. But they also block the driver's rearward view and are a handful to operate. And when they're in use, the seats are too close to the floor and cramp all but the smallest passengers.

On the road, the GX accelerated smoothly like other Lexus vehicles. Its highway ride, while not completely car-like, was about the quietest and most comfortable we've experienced in a truck. Its V8 engine generates 235 horsepower. That doesn't sound like much by today's standards, but the silky motor, hooked to a five-speed automatic transmission, had no difficulty getting the heavy GX up to merging speed quickly. The 15 miles per gallon we recorded in mixed driving was typical of SUVs -- poor.

What may turn potential buyers away from the GX is its price. The base model starts at $44,925 -- about the same as a Cadillac DeVille or Chevrolet Corvette. But the sticker on our test vehicle, loaded with options including a rear-seat DVD system ($1,560), satellite navigation and premium stereo (a $2,700 package), and even a $59 cargo net, totaled $53,655.

Faced with that price, customers may start looking at a whole crop of luxury sedans, or, if they really need the extra room, luxury station wagons. Cars such as the BMW 5-Series, Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Audi A6 are arguably more stylish, prestigious and technologically advanced than the GX -- and just about as likely to ever be exposed to the mud, rocks and grit of traveling off-road.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Driver's Manual
Performance Anxiety

Here's how the Lexus GX 470 compares with other midsize luxury SUVs.

Make/Model Base Price Engine/Horsepower Weight (Pounds) Ground Clearance (Inches) EPA Mileage (City/Highway)
Lexus GX470 $44,925 V8/235 4,675 8.3 15/18
Lincoln Aviator $42,660 V8/302 5,002 8.6 13/18
Land Rover Discovery HSE $40,350 V8/217 4,630 8.2 12/16
Mercedes-Benz ML500 $45,350 V8/288 4,874 8.7 14/17
BMW X5 4.4i $49,950 V8/290 4,824 7.1 14/18

Backseat Driver

Here's what we liked -- and didn't -- about the Lexus GX 470.

What Works What Doesn't
The Outside It has a full-size feeling in a midsize package, with a brawnier look than most rivals. Appears awkwardly tall and narrow -- especially from the rear.
The Inside Plenty of headroom, with soft leather, wood trim and a luxury feel like a top-of-the-line Lexus sedan. Driver's seat didn't adjust upright enough for us to get completely comfortable.
Under the Hood The same smooth-running V8 used in the larger, more expensive LX 470 SUV has plenty of power. It still takes a lot of effort -- and fuel -- to propel the heavy GX. We got 15 miles per gallon.
Behind the Wheel Though it's a bit big for a "midsize" SUV, the GX was surprisingly agile and easy to maneuver in city traffic. Smooth highway ride feels like a car, but clumsiness at higher speed on a curvy exit ramp confirms it's a truck.
Over the Top Fold-down jump seats form a third row and remind us of older, military-style Toyota trucks. It might not take an army to figure out how the seats work, but their operation does seem complicated.

Updated September 12, 2003