After a terrible experience with a Honda Odyssey (what a tin can), I decided it was a mistake to buy a non-Lexus vehicle after 2 previous ones (1994 ES300, 1999 RX300). If you are looking for Lexus comforts in an unstoppable vehicle or just like SUVs, don't waste your time. BUY ONE NOW. I have had nothing but pleasure and fun in my third lexus. Read further for my full review of this amazing vehicle:
EXTERIOR
Taking a look at the GX can stir some different emotions. Some feel iffy about its styling, and some absolutely love it. Either way, it has a well-accented exterior with beautiful workmanship and quality. The greatest flaw this car has is how dirty the back can get. The rear window and door can become absolutely DIRTY. However, give your baby a bath and let that masterfully painted exterior shine like it was right off the showroom floor (providing the showroom waxed and washed their cars and the car wasn't covered in fingerprints). One feature about the exterior (I guess this fits in here) is the automatic windshield wipers. I am not sure whether it is standard or optional, but it is an amazingly cool and helpful system. Not only is it effective in providing one less distraction while driving (which it is effective all of the time as long as the moisture hits the sensor [behind the rearview mirror]), it is a great "hey look at this" feature if you ever have friends in the car ;). While driving, have the windshield-wiper stalk in the first position down and your auto is engaged. When water contacts the sensor, the wipers are instantly activated (it was scary at first when washing the windows and the wipers came on; I wasn’t expecting that!) This also works with snow. The system is so precise I use the speed of the wipers to determine how hard it is raining sometimes. You will notice that the system is computerized to be more reactive to water when the car is in motion than if you are waiting at a traffic light. One issue that some prospective buyers are afraid of is the door-like rear gate. Unlike conventional liftgates that open up, the GX uses a door-type setup that opens from the right side. The advantages include the ability to open the back when there is a trailer attached and for the not-so-tall people and the wives, closing this type of door is much easier than the conventional type which requires reaching and slamming. This type of rear has not proved whatsoever as a pain in the neck for me and it seems pretty unique. Overall, the exterior is beautiful and I recommend the white if you at all like white because it includes a pearlescent finish which makes the color slightly change depending on how the light is reflected causing a dazzling appearance in sunlight.
INTERIOR
The interior of the GX makes a huge statement. First, you smell the fine smell of Lexus-grade leather. Next, you see the elegant wood trim which provides an "airy" and uber-luxo feel. Thirdly, you sit in the comfortable heated seat which practically hugs you like your momma. Finally, from high atop your SUV perch, you look down on those poor sedan-driving commoners. You can't help but feel better than everyone else on the road (except of course other Lexus drivers) and for good reason. Not only are you in one of the finest vehicles on the planet, you have an army of technology at your command making every microsecond as pleasurable as...(I'll leave that up to your own imaginations). The GX comes basically fully equipped with the most influential option being the Navigation (3rd row wasn't really an option because almost every dealer had all GXs with the 3rd row). If you are debating over whether to get the Nav, maybe you shouldn't be looking into luxury vehicles in the first place. It was a no-brainer for me; the Navigation just belongs in the car. A GX without navigation is like the Mona Lisa without the woman in the picture. As for the navigation system, not only are you getting the easy guidance system (which by the way talks to you [In English and even French if you speak French or want a good laugh] and receives voice commands), but it is the centerpiece of almost every function in the car. The Navigation screen is used for
-guidance
-back-up camera
-settings of the car
-audio
-climate control
-maintenance reminders
-a helpful calendar for marking appointments (when you start up the car your message will appear onscreen as a reminder).
The climate system is great especially for warming up and it is very intuitive. One of the most ignored but helpful part of the car is the backup camera. Providing a color image of what is behind the car from a perspective unattainable from the rear-view mirror, this nifty device allows for confidence backing out of crowded parking lots, driveways, and parking in metropolis(also great for backing up to a trailer hitch). The front seats are very comfortable and all power moving/reclining and heated. The sunglass holder if you have the Nav(the sunglass holder is the location of the microphone ) is basically useless however providing space enough for only clip-ons or very very slim sunglasses. The moonroof is well orchestrated and large. It is both sliding and tilting. Lexus made the moonroof also very intuitive: at higher speeds, the wind-deflector raises higher automatically to adjust as to divert the wind from making a huge riot of noise. With all of the windows closed, at speeds of up to around 45-50 mph, the car is absolutely whisper quiet providing sanctity when the unwelcome noise pollution of Suburbia or "Urbia" becomes too much for you. This silence is great for listening to your favorite CD on the Mark Levinson (ML) system. The ML is pretty impressive providing for an experience that is close to that of my home theater(audiophile paradise). FM is good and AM is marginal as in all cars. Meanwhile, the CD player is amazing and the tape player, if not for your antiquated tapes, is a great interface for more twenty-first century formats such as the iPod which I have an amazing setup( see below the review for a cool tip on setup for an iPod). The backseat is, in my car, one of the best places to be(see "backseat amenities" below). The backseat as for comfort is very fine in my opinion. I think it is a fine seat with good support and great quality leather and cushioning. The armrest folds out of the center to reveal a soft leather armrest with retractable cup-holders which do a fine job holding everything including McDonalds sodas right up to Fiji water (square bottles). The backseat is also provided with an accesory outlet that is just like a house outlet which means there is no need to use a power converter from DC to AC. This is great for laptops and other necessities (iPods). The third row is great for small children (12-) but not a "Lexus experience" for anyone older/bigger. Removing the third row creates a spacious cavern of a trunk capable of fitting massive luggage. Removing the seats is a breeze and if you don't intend on using one of them, they make good seats for junior to watch TV or play Nintendo on
BACKSEAT AMENITIES
My backseat is one of the most desired places to be. To understand what I mean, go to : http://www.yaro1.com/home/gx470.html What you are now looking at is a picture of my very nice headrest monitors. Before I purchased the car, I intended on this setup so I opted to not get the Lexus DVD player. First off, even without the Lexus system or my system, the car has a Rear Seat Audio System (RSAS) which is wonderful. What that provides is a separate audio system for the rear passengers via remote control and a headliner-mounted LCD screen which displays the source (FM, AM, Tape, CD) and receives the IR signal from the remote and broadcasts audio for wireless headphones. Even without the wireless headphones, there are two headphone jacks and separate volume controls on the center console in the backseat right below the rear seat air-conditioning controls(yes, as if my backseat passengers aren’t pampered enough, in hot weather they can activate a fully independent automatic climate control system which uses 4 ceiling-mounted vents to disperse fresh cool air throughout the monstrous cabin to ensure every passenger is content). The advantages of my after-market system are awesome. First, there is no need to "crane" your neck up to look at a small screen. Instead, you look straight forward as you naturally would to a screen perfectly at your head-height. Each outboard passenger has their own monitor capable of watching different sources on each monitor. The left passenger can watch a DVD while the right passenger can play the PS2. The next modification that came as a result of this is configuring the car to play the audio thought the miraculous ML system without sacrificing quality thought FM modulation. The solution is in a Colorado-based company called Vais-tech: http://www.vaistech.com That company offers products that integrate seamlessly into the factory navigation screen and ML system such that I can view whatever is on the rear screens on the Navigation screen while listening to the audio through the ML at full-DVD quality. On top of that, they are offering a system that integrates Sirius (or XM) satellite radio into the package that is completely controlled by the navigation screen such that no extra display device is needed: all channel selection uses the navigation buttons and the Lexus system recognizes it as just another CD player. Using a certain mode also, the navigation will display channel number, artist, track name, and other info right on the same navigation screen. My next modification will be satellite TV, however that will be very expensive. However, as you can see, there are many options for making your Lexus very fine indeed.
SUV CHARACTERISTICS
Since this is an SUV you can expect some serious off-roading capability and surefootedness in rain and snow as well as fording the occasional parking-lot pot-holes. This Lexus employs more technology than I can name so all I can say is that there is no way to get stuck in this vehicle in any terrain unless the driver is very careless or a nincompoop. If nature dropped 4 feet of snow, you would be able to just travel over it like driving on a sunny spring day. Traction is well maintained with a computer and sensors enough to launch a space shuttle. While taking your GX recreationally off-roading would be a walk in the park for your GX, you have to take into consideration how much you like your illuminated running boards because chances are that will be the first thing to get ruined. However, none of us will really experience any such situations, but it is always good to know that whatever happens your Lexus can drive over it. For one quick story, one day in September/October, my family and I went down to an Oceanside restaurant in Sandy Hook (On the Jersey Shore) which is situated literally on the water even next to a yacht club and boat launch. Some storms were off the coast causing an extremely high-tide. Well, in about 1 hour after a relaxing dinner, unbeknownst to everyone inside, the ocean had engulfed the parking lot by about 1 foot. The poor people with sedans were not going to be happy; most of their cars were under water enough that I can imagine that water may have leaked into the interiors of some. However, having the GX, I used plastic bags around my shoes and walked over to my car. I got in, set the adjustable ride height to high (just for good luck/good measure even though I had plenty of water-clearance) and drove over to the door of the restaurant to pick up the rest of my family. I also served as the parking lot jitney service transporting the flooded-car owners to their savaged cars for a little while. As I drove through the parking lot nonchalantly, which was covered in a little over 1 foot by now, it was an eerie but reassuring feeling seeing all these cars that were about to almost float away. As I drove past them my wake was hitting the doors of these cars! It was sure an experience I will never forget.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
This vehicle has a huge engine inside it. Those 4.7 liters churn out a well respectable horsepower. First off, if you are looking for an SUV with cornering like a Corvette, maybe consider looking elsewhere or giving up the SUV capabilities. The GX is no racecar. However, neither is it a slouch! Depress the gas peddle and you hear a pleasant roar from your masterful beast. But, unlike the "all bark, no bite" saying, you get the bite! Every one of your 8 cylinders churns away providing serious power! You will be pushed back in your seat as you approach your desired conditions. Likewise, the GX is a breeze (and a bit fun hearing that "Grrrrrrrrrr" of the engine) when merging and passing on the highway. As for how the vehicle reacts to speed, I have a friend ;) who has reached near 95 mph on straight highways and he says it is very stable and solid with no rattles or sense of control loss. Summing up the acceleration and power, the GX leaves very little to be desired in that category for such a massive vehicle. As for the suspension, one word sums it up: Lexus. Lexus vehicles are well renowned for their silky smooth ride and the GX follows suit. The GX comes with Adaptive Variable Suspension which literally is a "variable suspension". A little knob on the center console has four settings from comfort to sport which electronically sends signals to the suspension to tell it exactly how much dampening to use. I always use comfort because simply, I only settle for the finest, softest ride. While maybe not ultra-luxury-limo feeling, the GX does a superior job dampening every bumb such that very few are noticed. (As noted earlier, I did once have a Honda Minivan, and by comparison...THERE IS NO COMPARISON). Body roll is a factor at the comfort position but nothing near anything detracting from the experience. As for the sport position, I can't say much because I never use it (I didn't purchase an SUV for great cornering capabilities), however from what I hear it does a fine job stiffening the feel providing a more "sporty" feeling. I assume one might desire this on twisty roads or other fun driving conditions, but in the suburbs of New York those roads are near non-existent. The final aspect I will cover on this topic is braking. The first thing you must understand is that this vehicle ways over 4000 pounds! That is a lot of Lexus to bring to a stop, but my hat is off to the engineers who have outfitted this car with ungodly stopping power. Mind you I am not comparing this to a Ferrari in terms of stopping, but for an SUV of this size, stopping is surefooted and a breeze. As for a final word on driving impressions: The GX has a silky smooth ride and enough power to tow your house, but the real joy of this car lies not with what is under the hood, but the power at your fingertips and the creamy(nice adjective there) silence of the cockpit.
As a final thought, if you can afford this car and are considering this one against other cars of similar type, make sure you seriously consider the Lexus or even better yet: just go buy one. As you may be able to tell, I love my Lexus!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 51115
Condition: New Model Year: 2004 Model and Options: Navigation Package with Third Row and WITHOUT stock DVD
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