Capable and comfortable. And you’ll probably recognize the latter more than the former

By Gary S. Vasilash

One of the most-memorable new vehicle drive programs I ever participated in was for the Lexus GX. It was held in Park City, Utah. Yes, an appropriately swanky venue for what was, in 2002, the third SUV entry in the Lexus lineup, with the LX and the RX preceding it (although some may say that because the RX is a unibody and the LX and GX are body-on-frame, the RX is a crossover not a bona-fide SUV, but whatever it is, the RX has, year after year, dominated its category, so the people at Lexus probably don’t mind whatever it is categorized as).

Now, near Park City is the Wasatch range, part of the Rocky Mountains.

That was deliberate, too.

Because the chief engineer of the original GX wanted to show that the vehicle is as capable off road as it is comfortable on road.

So we drove the GX on terrain that then, as now, seemed an absurd place to find a brand-new Lexus.

I mean, there was a brand-new vehicle with nary a door ding on the paint being driven over rocks and through flora, and it was a Lexus. Admittedly, I’d driven brand-new Jeep models in similar (and more demanding) situations which had always made me wonder why someone would buy a brand-new vehicle and put it through paces that would end up making it look less-than brand-new. I guess it has something to do with a variation on George Mallory’s quote about Everest: “Because you can.”

Underpinnings: Solid

Yes, the GX, has a ladder frame (the GA-F platform, which is also used for the LX), which is engineered to handle the twists, turns and torques that are encountered while driving in places where people ordinarily don’t.

But because no one (slight exaggeration) buys a Lexus because they want to go banging over fallen trees and through washes (there are things like the Toyota 4Runner for that) but because they spend time cruising on the road, there is a double-wishbone front suspension and a multi-link rear that provides a Lexus-like ride for that daily drive.

Capable: Well, You Could. . .

But for those who are interested in that off-road ability, know there are such things as a Torsen limited-slip locking center differential and full-time 4WD.

(In effect, the GX capabilities are like those of the Omega Speedmaster wrist watch, which is associated with U.S. astronauts: the watch is made with the ability to deal with far more than a typical terrestrial wearer will ever realize or recognize, but were you suddenly required to leave Earth. . . . Because you can.)

Power: Oomph!

The GX is powered by a 349-hp twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 that produces 479 lb-ft of torque, which is handy to have in a variety of situations, including when starting from a stop and towing something—yes, there is up to 7,800 pound of towing capacity for the Luxury+ trim; other variants can bring that to 9,063 pounds. The GX has a 10-speed automatic.

Inside: Styled

Considering both types of driving (on and off), it should be noted that in the interior there is a combination of technology with functionality, something that is too often ignored in high-end vehicles as OEMs work to be perceived as tech companies, failing, it seems, to take into account that the interfaces that the driver is dealing with tend to be engaged while the driver is piloting a vehicle that weighs over 2.5 tons.

There are knobs and buttons. There is, of course, a 14-inch touchscreen.

The arrangement of things on the instrument panel combines a sense of style and purposefulness. Which is the point of a luxury SUV.

Outside: Sharp

In terms of its exterior styling, the GX now has more of a sharp-edged, truck-oriented geometry to it, especially evident on its faceted face. The long controversial spindle grille becomes a supportive element in the overall look; one might argue that this is the best implementation of the grille.

The GX as driven is fitted with 22-inch alloy wheels; while some vehicles with 22s look as though they are on stilts, on the GX they contribute to its presence.

Assessment: Elevated

As OEMs across the board have upped their games when it comes to vehicles it almost seemed as though Lexus didn’t lose its luster but that others began to shine brighter than they had.

But for those who are either unfamiliar with what a “Lexus” is or have become somewhat indifferent to what it has on offer because of what the others are bringing, the GX is something that needs to be experienced.

It is a Lexus.