2012 Lexus GX Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Remember when your Mom used to say, “a place for everything and everything in its place”? The place for the 2012 Lexus GX 460 is wherever you need it to be. A true multi-tasker, the GX 460 is a very comfortable SUV on the road, but is able to maintain its street cred when off the road. The 2012 GX 460 is a carryover from previous years and shares some basic design and its frame with the Toyota 4Runner. The GX 460 bills itself as a luxury sport utility, and while that may sound like an oxymoron, its ride and amenities are certainly more luxurious than those of its molar-jarring cousin.
There are minimal changes for 2012: some added bling with chrome-accented moldings on the Base trim and shiny, high-gloss wheels for the Premium trim. The 2012 Lexus GX 460 Base trim comes standard with 18-inch alloy wheels, heated side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, running boards, a sunroof, leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, power-adjustable heated and ventilated front seats (with power lumbar), driver's memory settings, power-folding third-row seats, dual-zone climate control and an electrochromic rear-view mirror. Where the GX 460 really excels is in its standard back-up camera and 9-speaker audio system with a 6-CD changer, Bluetooth audio and phone, satellite radio (90 days free, then it's up to you), iPod port and an auxiliary audio jack. Many of these items are upgrades for other crossovers in the GX 460’s class.
The GX 460 Premium trim adds an adaptive variable suspension that adjusts the shock absorbers to current driving conditions. Drivers can select from three settings: Comfort, Normal and Sport. There is also Lexus' Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, which temporarily disengages the antiroll bars to improve off-road travel. This package can also come with Crawl Control. Despite the name it is not for congested traffic situations, but rather reduces the speed of the vehicle to an extremely slow pace to allow the driver to concentrate on steering to avoid all those large boulders that keep showing up in SUV commercials. Premium trims also include adaptive cruise control, auto-dimming side-view mirrors, adaptive xenon headlights, upgraded leather-upholstered seats, a heated wood-trimmed steering wheel, heated second-row seats and air-conditioning for rear passengers. The nice thing is most of these same features are available as options for the Base trim.
The Lexus GX 460 comes with a 301-hp 4.6-liter V8 engine with a 6-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard, as are hill ascent and descent assist, and an ECO indicator that tells the driver when the car is being driven in the most fuel efficient manner. The GX 460 can tow up to 6,500 pounds, is rated at 15 mpg city/20 highway and uses premium fuel. This vehicle is heavy at 5,300 pounds and predictably, acceleration is not quick, but it is smooth. The V8 engine and transmission are more than capable of moving the vehicle when they need to and have passing clout when necessary.
Safety features for the GX 460 include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, front- and second-row side airbags, and front knee airbags. There is also Lexus' Safety Connect assistance system, which includes a collision notification system, GPS vehicle location in case of theft and emergency roadside assistance. In the Premium trim you can get a lane-departure warning system and a driver-attention monitor, which again can be ordered as an option even for the Base trim.
The GX 460's ride is generally smoother than your average crossover SUV's in the city, but you will notice some stiffness when off-road, especially in the Sport mode offered in the Premium package. The cabin is incredibly quiet for a vehicle of its size. The interior is not as opulent as you might expect from a Lexus, but controls are well placed, easy to read and intuitive. Front seat passengers should have no complaints, as the seats are very comfortable, and there is more than enough leg- and headroom for even large adults. The second-row seating area has small access and exit points and is hampered by a hard, middle seat bump that covers the driveshaft. The third row is small for just about everyone except kids, unless you want to give a time-out to that one rider in your vanpool who won’t turn his iPod down.
The GX 460’s cargo space is average for its class, but can be augmented by sliding the second and third rows forward and completely flat. You can also fold down the third-row seats from a power control in the rear of the vehicle, which is nice when loading cargo. The rear door is not a hatch and opens from the driver’s side, but has a top-opening window. Unlike other SUVs the rear door has prop rods that can hold the door open at any angle and can even be locked into a full open position by turning the rods. I’m thinking about those times when groceries need to be loaded in the pouring rain, and your teenager is sitting in the front seat texting and oblivious to you standing out there. Perfect.
There are probably better choices to be made for a luxury SUV if you don’t need the considerable off-road options the Lexus GX 460 offers. But for families that want a larger, more comfortable vehicle most of the time but still want to be able to escape the city once in a while, the 2012 Lexus GX 460 is a great choice.
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2012 Lexus GX Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Third row side curtain airbags
Audio System
Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 9
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 13.3 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.3 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: wood · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather and wood
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 115V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: steering wheel · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: third row · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: accessory hook · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.91 · Limited slip differential: center · Transfer Case: electronic hi-lo gear selection
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color with chrome accents · Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Mudguards: rear · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: side-hinged · Running boards: body color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3 · Number of third row headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Enform · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: Auto on/off · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: reverse gear tilt
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Heated: second row · Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: power glass · Roof rack: with crossbars · Roof rails: black
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: rear · Parking sensors: front and rear · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Second row seatbelts: 3-point · Third row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: height · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: height · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Third row headrests: adjustable · Third row seat folding: fold flat into floor · Upholstery: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: underbody · Size: full-size
Steering
Steering ratio: 18.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front
Telematics
Navigation system: with voice recognition · Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Third Row Seat
Type: 50-50 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 6
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Liftgate window: manual flip-up · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Single rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Rear side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
USB auxiliary audio input · 6 disc in-dash CD · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · XM with NavTraffic satellite radio · Total Number of Speakers: 9
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Front brake diameter: 13.3 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 12.3 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Center console trim: wood · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Shift knob trim: wood · Steering wheel trim: wood
Convenience Features
Assist handle: front · Cargo area power outlet: 115V · Center console: front console with armrest and storage · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Memorized settings: climate control · Multi-function remote: proximity entry system · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Reading lights: third row · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: front seatback · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.91 · Limited slip differential: center · Transfer Case: electronic hi-lo gear selection
Exterior Features
Body side moldings: body-color with chrome accents · Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust: dual exhaust tips · Front bumper color: body-color · Mirror color: body-color · Mudguards: front · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: side-hinged · Running boards: body color · Window trim: black
Headrests
Front headrests: adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3 · Number of third row headrests: 2
In Car Entertainment
Infotainment: Enform · Infotainment screen size: 8 in.
Lights
Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Headlights: cornering · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 10
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: with wind deflector · Roof rack: with crossbars · Roof rails: black
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Camera system: rearview · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Crumple zones: front · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Second row seatbelts: 3-point · Third row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Third row headrests: adjustable · Third row seat folding: power · Upholstery: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: underbody · Size: full-size
Steering
Steering ratio: 18.4 · Turns lock-to-lock: 3.0
Suspension
Air Suspension: rear · Driver Adjustable Suspension: height · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: pneumatic springs · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear
Telematics
Phone: hands free · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth
Third Row Seat
Type: 50-50 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Wheels
Wheel spokes: 6
Windows
Front wipers: rain sensing · Liftgate window: manual flip-up · Rear wiper: with washer