2003 LEXUS GX 470 V8 5AT AWD (235 HP)

Vehicle Overview

Built on the same platform as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, the Lexus GX was a much better-equipped vehicle that offered more luxury than its better-known sibling.

After Mercedes-Benz introduced the ML in 1997, the premium SUV segment started to be more crowded. Toyota didn’t stand aside and, being one of the best off-road manufacturers globally, used the Land Cruiser/Prado 120 platform to create a new Lexus, the GX.

With its color-body front bumper and the three-slats chromed grille, the GX showed a commanding view on the road. Its flared arches and plastic molds on the sides were carried over from the Land Cruiser/Prado. The carmaker offered an option for side steps, which decreased the ground clearance but eased the ingress and egress from the vehicle.

Inside, the GX offered room for up to seven people, with two jump-seats in the trunk. The designers made a car-inspired dashboard with curved lines and a center stack adorned by wood-trims on the sides, on the center console, and on the door panels. Lexus installed a standard automatic transmission on the GX470 and moved the gear selector closer to the front center armrest.

Under the hood, the only engine option was a 4.7-liter V-8. Toyota paired it with a five-speed automatic transmission that sent the power to all four wheels through a transfer case with low-range gear.