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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  Very Versatile SUV - 2007 Lexus GX 470
  By L J - July 27 - 5:50 am

  Traded in an RX for an SUV with more room, comfort and performance. So far, this truck has not disappointed. Great looking without being flashy, lots of room for large items, very comfortable on long trips and can get up and go if you hit the gas on the freeway.

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  Great SUV! - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By nydriver3 - July 27 - 2:00 am

  It drives like a Lexus sedan! Quiet and refined but fun as well. Nice pickup for such a big car especially off the line. An absolutely gorgeous interior. Its like getting the LX for 15K off.

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  Great SUV - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By lex-on - July 22 - 10:00 am

  When you unlock the car the lighting seems to softly glow to on. It is very welcoming. The seats are very comfortable and it was easy to get them into the right setting quickly. The Nav must be the best on the market.Loaded with features and all of them are easy to operate. The Mark Levinson system sounds amazing. Controlling it from the steering wheel makes it very easy to use. Cruising at 70-75 the engine is very quite with an MPG of around 19.

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  Best SUV - 2006 Lexus GX 470
  By Brian - July 8 - 8:46 pm

  I now have 3,000 miles on the vehicle and it exceeds my expectations. I use it when I go skiing, it replaced a Honda Pilot which was not satisfactory in the mountains in winter. My wife loves the Lexus. I have owned a Land Rover Discovery and the Lexus is vastly superior. Also the gas mileage is better than my Land Rover.

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  Couldnt ask for more, true Lexus quality - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By vety1223 - July 4 - 10:46 am

  This is an all-around fantastic car! Its amazingly smooth, even over large bumps, pot holes and medians. The navigation is very user-friendly, I learned it in less than a day. We bought ours with 50,000 miles on it. I would never blink at purchasing a high-milage Lexus (not that 50K is high), they run forever. We havent had any problems with ours, except for replacing the drive shaft (a problem they are aware of with these cars which is covered by the manufacturer, totally no cost to us).

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  Great Purchase - 2004 Lexus GX 470
  By DSW - June 22 - 10:00 am

  Weve owned ours for a couple of weeks, and ultimately decided between the GX and the Acura MDX. The price difference was about $6000 and our decision was based upon the fact that the Lexus was more than $6000 better in every way. IMHO, the MDX just didnt come close to justifying its price tag. The Lexus interior is beyond compare. The leather is first rate, and everything is where it should be. The exterior styling is unqique, particularly because the GX does not look simply like a pickup truck with a camper shell. The thrid row seat and second row work well together and its not difficult to take the third row out. Ride is not hard like MDX.

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  Quiet, Powerful, Joy to Drive - 2007 Lexus GX 470
  By moxielady - June 6 - 12:40 pm

  This is my 4th Lexus SUV, and by far my favorite. Its unbelievably quiet, and tows a 6x10 covered trailer like nobodys businesss. LOVE the audio-in port, in which I can play my iPod or anything else. Brakes are steady and strong, not grabby. The new nav is mind- boggling and easy to use, and the bluetooth phone interface blows me away. Theres lots of room for pax and cargo, and my dog loves the ease of access to the way back. Best vehicle Ive ever owned.

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  Superb Vehicle - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By Linda - May 30 - 7:20 am

  I just love this truck! It rides so smooth my husband calls it the airplane. No turbulence of course! The design is beautiful. It handles the road like a vehicle should. The V8 engine is great. The take off is fast and smooth.

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  This is the one! - 2008 Lexus GX 470
  By Mr. Waffles - May 29 - 9:14 am

  What can I say about this 4runners brother and FJ cruisers cousin in a suit and tie. Ive owned about 3 cars in the past year hoping to find the one that Id own for a while after my last car was totaled. I finally came across this one and I think this one is a winner. I like a good highway cruiser and typically only looked for long wheelbase (used) luxury sedans. However, after being bitten by the adventurous offroading bug thanks to my friends, I caved and had to have something with offroading capability. This one popped up at a dealership as I was trading in my M5 and immediately jumped at the opportunity. The water pump was leaking (dealership replaced for me) but considering it still had the original pump and t-belt at 152k I knew this one would warn me well in advance before I need worry about being stranded on the side of the road or giving me unnecessary stress as to whether it would start in the morning. MPG is... well.... its a V8 truck. You dont buy these and expect anything better than 16-18 mpg (What I get). Ride is comfortable as can be as expected. Off roading capabilities are extraordinary and can definitely hang with others on the trail. Havent had a problem yet with the running boards. Might have to push it harder to scratch them. I tend to take the less daring way off road. Have 5 seats more than usually needed, but the cargo space I cant do without. You can feel the beasts weight in the corners but again, its an truck. Probably should stop driving it like one of my old cars. One thing I do like is the torque from a stop. Again it isnt sports car fast, but oh man does it get up and go. With 152k, Im waiting for the air suspension to bite the dust, but knowing Lexus/Toyota reliability, that will be a while I hope. Overall, I think Ive found the truck I will keep for a while.

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  So Far...So Perfect - 2003 Lexus GX 470
  By brown - May 2 - 2:00 am

  The fuel economy is not great but as good as expected for this type of vehicle. If I wanted better gas mileage I would have bought a 3 cyl. Geo Metro. Power is good but not great. The engine puts out less horsepower but equivalent or better torque than the larger V8s. More power is always better, in my opinion.