The idea of luxury is changing. What your grandfather found luxurious might not be what you find worthy of top dollar. Lavish comfort and extravagant styles are ultimately personal preferences that can vary from driver to driver but the core ideas that denote luxury will always universally hold true. The quality of materials, for instance, is a typical indicator of luxury. So it should be no surprise that your grandfather would have been blown away by even the simplest of modern auto comfort; think of how blown away he would have been by power windows. Thus the definition of luxury can be difficult to standardize and the blurry line that modern luxury straddles is exactly where the 2021 Lexus GX 460 lives.
Where is luxury important and where does it hinder the driving experience? The 2021 Lexus GX 460 seems determined to answer that question but doesn’t always produce a clear outcome. Parents, families and anyone needing to carry more than 4 people on a regular basis, will love the space in the large GX 460 – even if that space is a bit deceptive – and adventure seekers will love the off roading capabilities. Luxury seekers will find aspects to satisfy them but will also be confused by design features that feel a bit outdated. Your kids will appreciate the smooth ride, especially when they’re asleep in the backseat, but the sluggish acceleration may be disappointing to the driver if city driving is your core experience.
The ultimate question for us? Is the GX the right vehicle for a Dad or Mom Driver?
The Price of Luxury
Let’s start with the elephant in the room – the price tag. The 2021 Lexus GX starts at $53,250 and the GX we spent a week with came wrapped in the Luxury trim level which, combined with a few other perks, bumps up that price to $64,515. Once upon a time that price would scream luxury but not in the modern car market; when compared to some modern, often ridiculous luxury SUV offerings that price can seem downright affordable. And when considering the price, it’s important to remember that the GX is truly an SUV, not a large crossover.
As a true SUV, built on a large frame, drivers can expect more space inside, a third row and plenty of off-road capabilities. That third row is power-operated and a breeze to use, even from the rear of the vehicle. However, the overall interior configuration is deceiving in how much space it can potentially offer your family. Behind that third row, the GX offers 11.6 cubic feet of cargo space and with it down, that space expands to 46.7 cubic feet. Folding down the two captains chairs in the second row increases that space to 64.7. While useful, none of those configurations felt particularly functional and other rival luxury SUVs, like the Audi Q7, offer more in terms of cargo space.
Other space opportunities throughout the cabin are also a bit of a mixed bag, especially when it comes to driver and passenger comfort. The front seats are wide and very comfortable – ideal for long trips – but the second and third rows are rigid, not to mention the cramped leg room the third row offers. Thankfully you’ll find lots of storage throughout the cabin, even if third row passengers get jilted on options. The cabin is also very well insulated resulting in a quiet ride, even at higher speeds.
But while there are some swanky additions to the interior cabin, the entirety of the design looks very dated and some drivers may find it particularly difficult to enjoy the “hardness” of the front dash design. I get that this is a large vehicle and thus the dash would conversely be large but in a luxury SUV I would expect softer materials and a more soothing design aesthetic. The layout of the infotainment screen and climate controls is brash and reminiscent of a truck’s interior. Some Dad Driver’s will no doubt enjoy the angular motif and oversized buttons but I was expecting something more refined.
These dated design observations point to a larger problem with the GX and it lies with the fact that it hasn’t been wholly refreshed since 2010. I’m a big fan of “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” but the automobile world moves fast and other luxury SUVs have excelled in areas that used to be the GX’s bag. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the GX’s exterior styling. While no one can argue that the 2021 isn’t a handsome SUV, it can be said that it lacks a certain amount of excitement and intensity. While there are some modern touches applied to the GX’s nose, like the signature Lexus hourglass shaped grill and the angular headlights, the rest of the SUV’s body feels very “last generation.” The GX sits on a large frame that aids in suspense for any off road excursions, but there is something off putting about it’s stance when viewed in profile and from the rear. Perhaps it’s in the fender bulges or the uninspired tail lights. It’s enough to make me anxious for the GX’s next, all-new redesign.
The Price of Performance
The 2021 GX might look like a pavement beater but it drives like it belongs on an unbeaten path. If off-road excursions aren’t in your driving routine, you may never fully appreciate what this SUV was built to do. Under the hood, the GX only comes in one flavor across all the trim levels: a 4.6 Liter V-8 engine that produces 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque. Coupled with a six speed transmission, the GX offers a decent acceleration rate – about 60 miles per hour in 7 seconds – but does so with a lot of noise and some hefty gas consumption. You can tow up to 6500 pounds so the GX is ideal for family get-aways or for adventure seekers.
A nice ground clearance and a sturdy suspension system pair nicely with the GX’s All-Wheel Drive to allow for some confident off road experiences. During my time with the GX, I traversed some moderately rocky and hilly terrain on some enclosed land on the outskirts of Austin. Nothing too challenging but it was enough to realize that the GX felt the most at home in these conditions. The engine roars with vigor and Lexus’s suspension system kept me from bumping my head on the roof of the GX.
Of course, this power comes at a cost. Fuel economy for the Lexus GX is atrocious at only 15 miles per gallon in the city and 19 on the highway. During my mixture of highway and city driving, I averaged a combined fuel economy of about 17 miles per gallon, at best. For a Dad Driver who is constantly running errands and driving the kids around town, this type of fuel economy can quickly eat into the family budget. Adventure seeking Dad Drivers can take solace at the frequent gas station stops by considering it a launching point for some fun off-roading.
The Idea of Luxury
Thinking of modern automobile luxury as a moving target, it makes sense that Lexus would maintain the status quo with the GX and instead prepare for a future dictated by the whims of an evolving customer base. However at the pace of innovation, modern automobile technology is arguable surpassing what the typical Dad Driver would consider luxurious. So then do we really need luxury SUV options if affordable SUVs on the market already come equipped with enough amenities to satisfy the luxury tastes of most car buyers?
The 2021 Lexus GX isn’t convincing this Dad Driver to consider a luxury SUV. But I’m still looking out for what the next generation of the GX brings to the table. Worthwhile luxury, afterall, should be work waiting for.
Phillip is a filmmaker, an award-winning playwright, screenwriter and craft beer aficionado. He writes about cars, car tech, and various other cool Dad things. He lives, works and plays in Dallas, Texas.
