Alright, let’s explore the Lexus GX’s history!
We’ll pinpoint the ideal years to buy and the ones to avoid, based on data from trusted sources like NHTSA, Edmunds, and Cars.com. This guide breaks down performance, safety, and owner satisfaction across all GX generations.
We’ll highlight the top Lexus GX 470 and 460 years, focusing on reliability, technology, safety, common problems, recalls, and resale values.
Ready to find your perfect GX?
Let’s begin!
Table of ContentsShow
Lexus GX Generations
The Lexus GX debuted in 2003, shaking up the luxury SUV market.
This mid-size powerhouse offered a distinctive mix of off-road capability and on-road comfort. With a beefy V8 engine, full-time four-wheel drive, and lavish features, the GX proved you could have luxury while tackling tough terrain.
Here’s the GX family tree, from its 2003 premiere to today’s highway warriors:
| Generation | Years |
|---|---|
| 1st generation (J120) | 2003-2009 |
| 2nd generation (J150) | 2010-2023 |
| 3rd generation (J250) | 2024-Present |
Each new GX generation didn’t just bring a fresh coat of paint. We’re talking serious upgrades in tech, performance, and luxury that could make or break your buying decision. So pay attention – your perfect GX might be hiding in these details.
Lexus GX Best, Neutral, and Worst Years
Let’s get down to brass tacks. How do we separate the GX superstars from the bench warmers? We’ve crunched numbers from every angle:
- Owner-reported reliability (straight from the horse’s mouth)
- Annual maintenance costs (because nobody likes surprise bills)
- Safety ratings (because, well, duh)
- Consumer Reports reliability scores (they know their stuff)
- Consumer Reports owner satisfaction scores (happy drivers tell no lies)
- NHTSA recalls, investigations, and complaints (the official word)
- Edmunds owner ratings (real-talk from real owners)
- JD Power owner ratings (because power to the people)
- Kelley Blue Book (KBB) owner ratings (the blue book doesn’t lie)
- VehicleHistory owner ratings (history has a lot to teach us)
- Cars.com owner ratings (car talk from car lovers)
Feast your eyes on this graph – it’s a visual smorgasbord of GX performance across the years.
Now, let’s break it down further. Here’s a convenient table categorizing all GX model years into the good, the meh, and the ugly.
| Generation | Best Years | Neutral Years | Worst Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st generation (J120) | 2006 2007 2008 2009 | N/A | 2003 2004 2005 |
| 2nd generation (J150) | 2012 2013 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 | 2014 2015 2016 2017 | 2010 2011 |
| 3rd generation (J250) | 2024 | N/A | N/A |
“Neutral Years” are the GX’s middle-of-the-road performers. They didn’t set the world on fire, but they didn’t crash and burn either. Think of them as the reliable background dancers of the GX lineup.
Word to the wise: NHTSA recalls can knock a GX down a peg or two in our rankings. More complaints and recalls? That’s a recipe for a reliability nosedive.
Alright, let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of the finest, neutral, and worst years.
Best & Worst Years for Lexus GX 1st Generation (2003-2009)
The 2003 Lexus GX
The Lexus GX burst onto the scene in 2003, turning heads in the luxury SUV world. This first-gen stunner was like a Swiss Army knife on wheels – rugged enough for off-road adventures, yet posh enough for a night on the town.
Want the finest of the bunch?
Set your sights on 2006-2009. But watch out for those 2003-2005 models – they might come with a side of buyer’s remorse.
The Best Years: 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009
Curious about the most dependable GX 470s? The latter half of the first gen, specifically 2006 to 2009, takes the cake.
During this golden era, Lexus was like a child in a candy store, constantly improving the GX’s goodies. The 4.7L V8 heart of the beast remained, pumping out a respectable 263 horses and flexing with a 6,500-pound towing capacity. Not too shabby, eh?
Paired with a butter-smooth 5-speed automatic, these years delivered reliable performance that could make a Swiss watch jealous. Fuel efficiency? Well, let’s just say it wasn’t winning any green awards at 14 city/18 highway MPG.
Lexus didn’t skimp on safety either. They beefed up the Vehicle Stability Control and added side-curtain airbags – because who doesn’t want a cocoon of safety? Luxury got a boost too, with a sophisticated new nav system, ear-pleasing audio, and seats so cozy you might forget to get out.
These improvements, coupled with fewer “Check Engine” light scares, make 2006-2009 the golden years for first-gen GX 470 hunters.
The Worst Years: 2003, 2004, 2005
The early bird doesn’t always get the worm. Case in point: 2003 to 2005 GX models.
These early adopters faced some growing pains. Owners reported more gremlins than a midnight movie marathon – we’re talking clunking from the rear end, unexpected lurches (surprise!), and even the dreaded frame corrosion and paint peeling. Not exactly the red carpet treatment Lexus owners expect.
Despite sharing the same muscular 4.7L V8 with its younger siblings, these early GXs were the problem children of the family. So if you’re shopping, maybe steer clear of these Lexus GX 470 troublemakers.
See NHTSA 2003, 2004, 2005 Lexus GX recalls and complaints.
Best & Worst Years for Lexus GX 2nd Generation (2010-2023)
The Lexus GX’s second act hit the stage in 2010, bringing a fancier interior, tech upgrades, and beefed-up performance. It was ready to throw down in the luxury SUV arena.
Want the cream of the crop? Look to 2012, 2013, and 2018-2023. But steer clear of 2010 and 2011 – they’re the problem children of this generation.
The Best Years: 2012, 2013, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023
So, what’s the cream of the crop for the GX 460? The years 2012, 2013, and the stretch from 2018 to 2023 are your golden tickets.
These beasts came packing a 4.6L V8 punch, delivering a substantial 301 hp through a smooth 6-speed automatic. Fuel efficiency? Well, let’s just say it’s not winning any green awards at 15 city/20 highway MPG, but hey, you can’t have everything, right?
Lexus went full Iron Man with the safety tech, introducing the Lexus Safety System+ package in later years. Lane departure alert, dynamic radar cruise control, and a pre-collision system that could spot pedestrians? Check, check, and check.
Inside, it was like stepping into a rolling five-star hotel. We’re talking materials so luxurious you’d think they were harvested from unicorn hide, infotainment systems with screens big enough to land a plane on, and enough connectivity options to make NASA envious.
From the well-equipped base model to the Ultra Premium package (which sounds like it should come with its own red carpet), these GXs offered luxury in spades.
The Neutral Years: 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017
The 2014 to 2017 models? They’re like the middle child of the GX family – solid performers, but not exactly stealing the spotlight.
These years kept the trusty 4.6L V8 under the hood, because why fix what ain’t broke, right? They did get some nifty upgrades though – think improved infotainment and new party tricks like blind-spot monitoring.
These GXs offer a dependable luxury SUV experience with Lexus’s signature comfort and safety. They’re like the reliable friend who always shows up – not the life of the party, but definitely someone you want around.
The Worst Years: 2010, 2011
Ah, 2010 and 2011 – the awkward teenage years of the second-gen GX. These early birds faced some growing pains, with reports of brakes throwing tantrums and oil deciding to explore the great outdoors of the engine bay.
Sure, they came with fancy new tricks like the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System for off-road shenanigans, but those reliability hiccups? That’s gonna be a “no” from us, dawg.
Despite sharing the same V8 heart and luxury amenities as their more polished siblings, these early second-gen models are the Lexus GX 460 years you might want to swipe left on if reliability is your jam.
See NHTSA 2010, 2011 Lexus GX recalls and complaints.
Best & Worst Years for Lexus GX 3rd Generation (2024-Present)
The 2024 Lexus GX
Hold onto your hats, folks! The 2024 Lexus GX just rolled onto the scene, and it’s turning heads faster than a celebrity scandal. This third-gen wonder is like the GX hit the gym, got a PhD, and learned to speak five languages.
Gone is the curvaceous look of yesteryear. The 2024 GX 550 is rocking a boxy, muscular vibe that screams, “I can climb that mountain, and I’ll look good doing it.” Built on the new GA-F platform (shared with its cousin, the Land Cruiser Prado), this GX is ready to take on the world – on-road or off.
The Best Years: 2024
As the new kid on the block, 2024 is strutting its stuff with some substantial upgrades. This GX has been hitting the growth hormones, offering more elbow room and comfort thanks to a beefier width, longer wheelbase, and elongated length.
Under the hood? Forget the old V8 – we’re talking a 3.4L twin-turbo V6 that pumps out a whopping 349 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed “Direct Shift” automatic, this powertrain is smoother than a fresh jar of Skippy. And for the green crowd, Lexus is whispering sweet nothings about a hybrid version coming soon.
Fuel economy? It’s not winning any hypermiling contests at 15 city/21 highway MPG, but hey, you can’t have everything. But wait, there’s more! This beast can tow up to 8,000 lbs – perfect for hauling your yacht to the lake (or, you know, a small camper).
Lexus is offering six flavors of the GX 550, including the new Overtrail and Overtrail+ grades for those who like their roads a little less… road-like. These off-road warriors come with 33-inch All-Terrain tires and 18-inch wheels, ready to make mincemeat out of any trail.
Safety and tech? Lexus threw in everything but the kitchen sink. We’re talking Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 and a 14-inch touchscreen that’s practically begging you to play with it.
The third-gen GX isn’t just raising the bar in the luxury SUV world – it’s picking up that bar and doing squats with it. It’s promising a driving experience that’ll make you forget you’re in an SUV and not a spaceship.
Lexus GX Resale Values
Curious about how well your GX might hold its value? Check out this graph showing average resale values across different model years.
Conclusion
So, which Lexus GX should you be eyeing? If you want the crème de la crème of luxury SUVs, set your sights on the 2006-2009, 2012, 2013, and 2018-2024 models. These bad boys offer the perfect cocktail of reliability, innovation, and that unmistakable Lexus luxury.
But hey, every rose has its thorns. The early birds of each generation (we’re looking at you, 2003-2005, 2010, and 2011) might come with a few quirks that could have you second-guessing your purchase.
Now, it’s your turn to chime in. What features make your heart race when you’re GX shopping? Are you all about that off-road capability, or does the thought of massage seats in bumper-to-bumper traffic make you weak in the knees?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below – let’s get this exciting party started!
