Awards & Accolades

• By Craig Perronne

• Four Wheeler magazine, Vol. 40 No. 02 (February, 2003)

What's New
The new-for-'03 Lexus GX 470 shares mechanicals with the new 4Runner. However, true to the Lexus name, the GX 470 is crammed with a host of luxury features and other refinements to make it worthy of its Lexus badge. Automatic climate control, leather seating and trim, a premium audio system with a six-disc in-dash CD changer, steering-wheel audio controls, a memory system for the driver's seat, steering-wheel position and outside mirrors, along with heated front seats and an overhead console with integrated HomeLink transmitter all come as standard equipment. A wide array of luxury options are available for those looking for even more.

Powering the GX 470 is the same 4.7L V8 that is available on the 4Runner. Also carried over from the 4Runner is the traction-control system, Downhill Assist Control system, Hill-start Assist Control system and Vehicle Skid Control system, along with the other electronic systems off of the 4Runner. There is one system that's unique to the GX 470--its Adaptive Variable Suspension damping. This system enhances ride quality and handling by continuously changing each wheel's shock-absorber damping rate in response to road conditions, vehicle speed and driver steering and brake inputs.

What We Liked
Since we were big fans of the 4.7L V8 found under the hood of the 4Runner, it should come as no surprise we liked the same engine in the Lexus. With 235 hp and 320 lb-ft of torque on tap, it is able to move the GX 470 with authority.

The same mechanical aspects of the 4Runner that ranked at the top also ranked high on the Lexus. The GX 470 shared the same awesome brakes as the 4Runner and its precise and nicely weighted rack-and-pinion steering setup. Also scoring at the top was its five-speed automatic transmission, also shared with the 4Runner.

However, the Lexus surpassed the 4Runner's impressive pavement manners. Its ride on the highway was silky smooth, and it would easily gobble up irregularities without any jarring of the occupants. This great ride transferred to the trail. Another nice feature is that the GX 470's shock values are adjustable from within the cockpit. This came in handy once twisty pavement was encountered, as the shocks could be set to a firm mode, resulting in impressive handling.

Another area where the Lexus was superior to the 4Runner, and in fact everything else, was its interior. The GX 470's interior was easily the favorite of the bunch. Comfort and luxury were abundant as its leather seats offered plenty of support and adjustment. The inside of the GX 470 was a very quiet place to spend time.

What We Didn't Like
Just like the 4Runner, the Lexus was low to the ground and this was an issue on the trail. Adding insult to injury were the GX 470's running boards, which exacerbated clearance issues. In fact, by the end of the test the running boards had seen more than their share of geolithic modification. At least they remained on the vehicle. That doesn't always happen.

Another gripe was the traction-control system. As with the 4Runner, engaging this requires far too much wheelspin. This is especially an issue on slow-speed technical sections of the trail, where wheelspin never is welcomed.

The Final Verdict
This year's Four Wheeler of the Year was a slugfest that resulted in a close finish in which every point counted. So how did the Lexus GX 470 wind up winning in this field of heavy hitters? Well, the Four Wheeler of the Year competition tests a vehicle over a wide range of categories. What wins is a vehicle that is well-balanced and can do a wide variety of tasks well. The GX 470 handled every task we threw at it with ease. That's why it was voted Four Wheeler of the Year for 2003.

Check It Out If
You've got to have a ride that is the most capable, and the most comfortable.

Avoid It If
The idea of tearing up the running boards on a $53,000 SUV gives you the willies.

The Short Version
Wears the dash panel the 4Runner should have. Electronically adjustable suspension. Air-adjustable rear ride height. Almost too nice to wheel in--almost. Exemplary fit and finish.

How We Test Them
Testing seven brand-new SUVs isn't easy, but someone has to do it. While it is lots of hard work planning and organizing it is also a lot of fun too. Plus we take it as our duty to test the vehicles and report the results to you.

On the first day of the test we head out to Los Angeles County Raceway to put the SUVs through the acceleration and braking testing. From there it is off to our desert test trail for plenty of time in the dirt. This year we suffered two flats and two stucks on this rock-infested trail. After lots of wheeling and plenty of photography we head up the mountain to beautiful Big Bear, California, for a well-deserved dinner and rest.

The next morning we head out bright and early for the dunes of Dumont, California. It is a long trip but gives us plenty of time on the highway with the vehicles. We also get to tackle the twisty pavement roads along the way. Once at Dumont we attack the dunes and try to have some fun. This year we encountered a massive sand storm, which made us flee. After that it is back to the home base of Big Bear.

Bright and early the next morning we tackle the many trails of Big Bear, getting some time on the pavement in between. This time we encountered a freak snowstorm and cool temperatures. After a full day on the trail we wake up the next morning for more trail time.

All along the way we are taking plenty of notes and judging each vehicle in five separate categories. The mechanical category accounts for 25 percent of the final score while trail performance accounts for 30 percent. Another large category is highway performance, which is 20 percent of the final score. Smaller categories are interior and exterior and account for 15 and 10 percent respectively. After the test is over we tally up the scores and have a winner.

This article originally appeared in the February 2003 edition of Four Wheeler magazine and is reproduced here by permission. This article was written by a third party, and does not necessarily reflect the viewpoints or opinions of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., is not responsible for any errors that may be contained therein.

For complete vehicle information, capabilities, and limitations, see your local Lexus dealer.