Sublime Drive

On paved roads the GX460 offers the smooth refinement of a Lexus sedan. This is mainly due to the ‘Body on Frame’ construction and the specially developed KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System). This uses hydraulics to control the front and rear stabilizer bars, thus reducing body roll when cornering. In addition, double front wishbones and a four-link rigid rear axle work with AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension system) to reduce roll even further by adjusting all four wheels independently. At speed, brakes are especially important for a vehicle of this size and weight. For this reason the GX460 is fitted with large ventilated front and rear disc brakes. For extra stopping power, the Brake Assist system also anticipates when additional braking force is needed. Steering precision is enhanced by VFC (Variable Flow Control). 

Multi-Terrain Select

The GX460 SUV is fitted with very advanced traction and braking systems. When driving off-road, shifting into low range will immediately deliver even more control of torque and speed. For peerless command of wilderness conditions, Multi-terrain Select allows you to easily select the appropriate brake and accelerator settings for Mud & Sand, Loose Rock, Mogul or Rock. On steep gradients, Hill-start Assist Control ensures smooth hill starts by preventing rollback. When driving down steep inclines, Downhill Assist Control (Optional) automatically regulates all four brakes, helping to enable even slippery descents to be negotiated safely. Multi-terrain ABS (Anti-lock Brake System) with EBD (Electronic Brake force Distribution) is another GX460 breakthrough. It can identify loose surfaces, such as snow or gravel, and automatically adjusts the vehicle’s ABS braking characteristics to help you stop more quickly.

World-Class 4WD Technology

The GX460 is one of most capable 4WD vehicles ever built. At its heart is a full-time 4WD system that gives maximum traction on slippery surfaces like snow, mud and ice, while a rugged new TORSEN® LSD (Limited Slip Differential) automatically directs power to the wheels that need it most. In addition, to ensure that as many wheels as possible stay in contact with the ground, Lexus developed an electronically modulated KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System). When driving off-road, KDSS virtually disconnects the front and rear stabilizer bars so each wheel can apply traction independently to cope with very rough terrain. 

Multi-Terrain Monitor

No driver can look in four directions at once. So, to give the GX460 owner a near 360° view of what is going on around the vehicle, a Multi-terrain Monitor (Optional) displays up to six images from the front camera, left and right door mirror cameras (front and rear views) and rear camera. Camera selection is operated via a multi-information switch on the steering wheel, and is particularly useful for spotting large rocks or ruts next to the vehicle, or for looking down from the brow of a hill to see the view below that is normally obstructed by an SUV’s hood. Should any of the cameras spot an obstacle that is dangerously close to the vehicle, the clearance sonar device will immediately sound and show the area with the obstacle on the display.

Precision Engineering

Lexus has always been committed to the concept of ‘jidoka’—the Japanese word for automation—with a human touch. This is exemplified by the GX460’s V8, in which precision-machined engine components are first meticulously cleaned and painstakingly scrutinized before assembly. Further quality control testing takes place to ensure the smooth running of the crankshaft beforehand assembly at our Tahara plant. To reduce the overall engine weight, the V8 cylinder block is die-cast in a lightweight yet strong aluminum alloy. Finally, each GX460 undergoes a demanding final track test.

Incredible Strength

The GX460 chassis was developed so that drivers can travel off- or on-road with near equal composure. Featuring a high-tensile steel ‘Body on Frame’ chassis, it is extremely strong, and provides outstanding resistance to twisting forces no matter how uneven the terrain. The rigidity of the chassis means that you can drive over the roughest country, cross rivers, and even climb mountainsides. These challenges were all faced and mastered by GX460 prototypes, which were driven for 30,000 kilometers off-road through the Australian Outback, followed by 70,000 kilometers on potholed tracks.

Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System

The electronically modulated KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) uses a hydraulic system that connects the front and rear stabilizers, and controls them in response to the driving terrain, to realize both excellent on-road ride comfort and off-road driveability.

In on-road driving, KDSS suppresses body roll, contributing to excellent stability, control and ride comfort when cornering. In off-road driving, KDSS keeps all tires firmly in contact with the ground even when traveling over rocks and other demanding terrain, providing outstanding traction for excellent rough-terrain driveability and control, contributing to the enjoyment of a secure and stable ride.

Advanced Driving Systems

AVS (Adaptive Variable Suspension system) minutely controls the damping force of the shock absorbers independently on each of the four wheels, providing excellent stability, control and ride comfort in various driving conditions. The electronically controlled rear air suspension enables you to adjust vehicle height.
The full-time 4WD system features a transfer switch for changing between low-range and high-range drive. The center differential uses a TORSEN® LSD (Limited Slip Differential) that can instantaneously optimize the front-to-rear distribution of torque according to driving conditions. Without accelerator or brake pedal operation, Crawl Control enables driving at a very low vehicle speed just by steering operation, reducing the demands on the driver in off-road driving. At the same time, it suppresses wheelspin and wheel lock-up by independently controlling each of the four wheels.