The 2010 Lexus GX 460 loses a bit of engine displacement compared to the 2009 GX 470, but the new body-on-frame SUV gains bold bodywork best visible on the profile view.
Owners of the outgoing Lexus GX should feel at home in the 2010 GX 460: the basic exterior shapes and interior layout have not been significantly changed. The changes in this Refreshing or Revolting contender are in the details.
Like the first-generation model, the 2010 Lexus GX 460 projects an image of off-roading capability though those runningboards better suggest suburban duties for which most of these vehicles will be asked to perform. The new Lexus still appears tall even though height is down 2.5 to 2.9 in. depending on the model. In front, the smaller headlights are connected by a large chrome grille.
A huge bulge of sheetmetal starting at the rear doors and continuing to the taillights is the greatest difference between the 2009 and 2010 GX, with the 2010 model looking bigger than it really is: in other words, perhaps more large SUV LX 570 than midsize crossover RX 350.
As on the 2011 Toyota Sienna van, the rear windshield wiper has been removed from sight (it hides underneath the rear spoiler). Another visual improvement is that the handle to open the rear tailgate is hidden on the side of the inset license plate area. High-mounted taillights carry over to the 2010 GX, but unfortunately, we think of the 2009 Toyota 4Runner every time we look at the back of this Lexus.
Once you move inside the cabin, however, there's no doubt you're in a Lexus. The center dash is much brighter than before, and there's still plenty of wood trim everywhere you look.
Through the first 11 months of this year, Lexus sold just 5733 units of the GX SUV, and judging by the 209 vehicles sold in November alone, it might not make it to 6000 sales by the end of the year. Our question to you, then, is this: Will the 2010 GX's restyling drive increased interest?
Photo order from top to bottom: 2010 Lexus GX 460 front view, 2009 Lexus GX 470 front view, 2010 Lexus GX 460 rear side view, 2009 Lexus GX 470 rear side view, 2010 Lexus GX 460 interior, 2009 Lexus GX 470 interior.