Overview & Reviews

The GX 470 midsize SUV continued the Lexus tradition of offering high levels of luxury in a vehicle that is both quiet and comfortable. With three rows of seating, a smooth V8 engine and a refined interior, the GX was a top-tier luxury SUV in every sense of the term. In addition, this particular Lexus had the ability to venture farther off-road than most of its owners would ever have the desire, or courage, to take it.

However, the Lexus GX 470 existed at a time when the crossover SUV market was really growing. Although its rugged truck-based underpinnings provided advantages in terms of towing or going off-road, the resulting higher weight, lower fuel economy and decreased space efficiency meant this Lexus wasn't the best choice for the type of on-road driving that most luxury SUV owners spend the majority of their time doing.

Although discontinued after 2009, this model essentially lived on as the redesigned Lexus GX 460.

Most Recent Lexus GX 470
The Lexus GX 470 was a traditional body-on-frame SUV produced from 2003-'09. Mechanically, it was closely related to the Toyota 4Runner of the time. At the time, we were impressed by the GX's superior off-road abilities and upscale interior. Downsides included a very cramped third-row seat and a side-hinged cargo door that could impede curbside loading.

Originally, there was a single trim level and its 4.7-liter V8 produced only 235 horsepower. This would be upgraded to 270 for 2005, but that was downgraded to 263 when testing procedures changed in '06. A five-speed automatic was always standard, as was a full-time four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing.

Throughout its time on the market, the GX 470 came with a variety of features designed to help it off-road including Downhill Assist Control (DAC), Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC) and Rear Adjustable Height Control (AHC). The optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) arrived for 2004. This high-tech feature automatically adjusted the front and rear stabilizer bars to enhance handling under a variety of conditions, both on- and off-road.

While this off-roading potential is a key GX 470 attribute, Lexus owners expect refinement and luxury. True to form, the GX 470 offered fine leather on the seats and lustrous wood on the dash and steering wheel. However, as it got on in years, the GX started to lack some of the luxury features that came to be expected in its segment. As such, later model versions may be less appealing relative to their contemporary competitors.

There were other significant changes made to the GX 470 during its lengthy life. For '04, safety upgrades included a roll-sensing feature for the side curtain airbags, a tire-pressure monitoring system and an optional rear back-up camera system for vehicles with the navigation system installed.

A Sport trim joined the lineup for '05 and remained until the GX 470 gave way to the 460. Other GX option changes that year included an upgraded navigation system with better graphics and additional functions, Bluetooth compatibility and voice commands for the climate control, audio and navigation systems. Navigation was again updated for 2007. Other '07 changes included the addition of an auxiliary audio jack and a larger screen for the rear-seat entertainment system.

User Reviews:

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  Made a mistake - 2006 Lexus GX 470
  By NeverAGAIN - March 2 - 8:33 pm

  It kills me to admit I made a mistake purchasing this vehicle. Every complaint I read previously about the vehicle manifested with my new GX 470. Less than 1K miles and I kept experiencing grinding brakes and "the clunk". The clunk is a noise it makes after stopping. It causes the car to shift slighltly forward and feels as if someone tapped the bumper. When I showed the dealer a TSB report they were forced to fix it.

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  Ok, not what I expected - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By Doug Reynolds - August 15 - 10:00 am

  I compared the GX with the Volvo XC90 but chose the Lexus due to immediate availability. It drives nice, but Ive had vibration issues at highway speeds that the dealer cannot replicate, the flip-up seats rattle, and the transmission slips and hesitates occasionaly. Maybe I should have bought the Volvo...

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  Mine is a Lemon! - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By Mike Park - June 20 - 5:20 pm

  My GX 470 has had and continues to have problems with the navigation, radio, rear camera, console. It is currently at the dealers for the third time - 11 days so far - still they are not able to diagnose and or fix the problem(s).They have replaced the radio head twice without fixing the problem. It is probably time to ask for a new one or have them refund my money.

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  Traded ours - 2007 Lexus GX 470
  By Jane - April 25 - 12:43 pm

  I have always purchased BMWs, but decided to get a Lexus for a change. I just traded it in and went back to BMWs. The SUV is very well made, but is awful to drive. We actually felt unsafe in ours.

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  GX IS NOT smaller version of LX - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By C. Moore - March 7 - 2:40 am

  consistent issue with transmission slippage which dealer has been unable to eliminate. dealer refuses to acknowledge issue. tailgate is hideous. ride is like that of a tractor. LOVED my LX. no similar feelings for the GX.

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  Over priced car - 2006 Lexus GX 470
  By Bob - August 10 - 8:26 pm

  I have had this car for 7 months now with 20000 miles on it and I should have walked into the Toyota dealer next door and looked at the Land Cruiser for a lot less. I am a big guy and this car is hard to enter and even women say that. The gas mileage is terrible. I think Lexus did a great advertising campaign to sell this overpriced car. The effort it takes to remove the rear seats is unreal and you would have to have no legs to sit in them.

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  Mamas Car - 2005 Lexus GX 470
  By Chase - July 17 - 9:36 am

  My dad and my mom bought this car after my mom had been looking for MONTHS! When i first saw he car i thought it looked decent. We happened to be at an away game for my school, and I could not wait to get to ride home in the car, But then the second i got in the car I was SO disappointed! I could hardly fit in the back seat! There is absolutely no room! also, another problem that we had was the navigation screen. I mean my family was so confused cause, you run the climate from that screen, the radio, the DVD player, and everything else that would have been a lot easier just to make buttons for. My family has not liked this car at all! I mean 16 mpg highway, I mean come on. Just dont get this car!

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  Lots of pluses, lots of minuses - 2009 Lexus GX 470
  By CA driver - November 30 - 12:06 pm

  Our old car was a Ford expedition (Eddie bauer 2003) and I wanted to downsize. We shopped through lots of suvs and finally settled on the gx470. There were a couple of requirements: smaller size and tough four wheel drive vehicle, along with great reliability. The gx met these requirements. But, the interior left so much lacking. I wanted the quality of a Japanese built car and this is built in Japan, but this suv was designed for the Japanese. The seats are way too small (no one should buy this vehicle that is anywhere near 6 feet tall) and the drivers compartment is cramped—base of seat is inches shorter than the expedition, ashtrays everywhere but no personal storage.

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  Defective Model - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By Isis Jones - April 12 - 2:00 am

  I purchased the long awaited model GX 470 on February 6th 2003. This is my fourth Lexus purchase. Due to the poor availability for test driving, I did not realize until after the purchase an unacceptable vibration in the 40-50 mph range. After taking the vehicle back for service twice, I have been informed that it is a known problem with this model but there is no fix at this time. Totally unacceptable for a luxury SUV that boasts a noise/vibration free ride. Lemon law currently being exercised.

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  Good While It Lasted - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By Casey Bryson - June 27 - 2:40 pm

  I bought our 2004 GX470 in 2012. We owned it for 2 years and 7 months. It was a good vehicle for us and the engine/transmission are rock solid. Personally, looking back, I would buy one with LESS features. The dynamic suspension is expensive to replace, for example. I also had to replace the sensors for the rear air leveling as they both failed on separate occasions which was VERY problematic on a 500 mile road-trip. Also, others that note theres a "transmission CLUNK" should realize that its a slip yoke on the driveshaft that requires greasing. A 30 second fix.