It’s no secret that new cars have generally gotten more expensive, a fact illustrated by the increase in the average price of brand-new cars in the US. Having sat at around the $30,000 mark just over a decade ago, this figure has since ballooned to the $50k ballpark. That’s a lot of money in anyone’s book, so you’ll want plenty of car for your money as a result.
In the real world, this kind of cash will only get you a base BMW 3 Series, and even comfortably short of a base Lexus GX SUV. Thanks to the used market, something can be done about that.
The GX Comes With Enough Equipment For Most Families
2023 Lexus GX 460 front cabin shotLexus
A brand-new Lexus GX might be out of the question for many motorists, for the preceding model, which bowed out after the 2023 model year, makes a much more compelling argument for itself among less well-heeled Americans. Naturally, it’s cheaper and older, but that doesn’t automatically mean it will feel like a compromise to buyers.
While the mid-size GX, which sits below Lexus’ full-size luxury LX SUV and the RX crossover in its line-up, lacks the level of equipment that its $100k+ sibling possesses, there’s a good argument that you don’t necessarily need all of that high-end stuff anyway. Even the base GX comes well-stocked with sumptuous powered leather seats, dual-zone climate control to help keep it feeling comfortable over longer trips, and an electric moonroof that helps flood the cabin with refreshing natural light.
Beyond that, you also have a modern infotainment system consisting of a responsive 10.3-inch touchscreen, which features onboard satellite navigation, as well as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. It’s also stuffed full of safety gear to help keep your family safe, such as adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, lane assist, and a backup camera. The third row seats can also be laid flat to improve cargo capacity, and ditto for the second row. Upgrade to higher-end versions like the Premium or Luxury, which we would recommend if you can do so, and you’ll be graced with further creature comforts like heated and ventilated seats, tri-zone climate control, and adaptive dampers that help improve the ride quality consistency over a range of surfaces.
Hell, the range-topping Luxury variant even gets rear-leveling air suspension, which ensures the car remains nice and flat no matter how much stuff you’ve managed to squeeze in the trunk. This improves the level of control you’ll have when driving around with a load of weight out back, enhancing safety. While more expensive options like the LX may come with better quality materials and more high-tech equipment, it’s unlikely you’ll find much that will prove transformational as far as the car being a convenient and versatile daily driver.
This More Subdued Lexus Is Much More Affordable
White 2023 Lexus GX 460 frontLexus
The GX not only provides all the equipment and comfort that most families will ever need, but a used example also delivers it for the cost of the average new car in the US. A brand-new base 2026 GX will set you back over $65,000, so opting for one of the later previous-generation cars will save you a load of money, while still providing all the sexy toys you’ll want on a semi-affordable luxury SUV. At the $50k mark, you’ll be able to find examples of all three trim lines with between 40,000 and 50,000 miles on the clock, though you’ll have to make a sacrifice when it comes to the model year.
While you’ll be able to find 2023 base GXs for that kind of money with such mileage, you’ll have to accept buying a 2021 or 2022 version of the Premium or Luxury to have a trade-off for lower mileage. Later 2023 examples of either better-equipped GX will come with closer to 60,000 miles on the clock, though given how reliable the things are, they should be good to go for hundreds of thousands of miles more as long as they have been properly maintained by their previous owners. If you’re happy to accept mileage beyond the 60,000 mark, which is pretty high given the young age of the models in question, then you can secure yourself a tidy machine for well under $50k.
Either way, you’ll be saving a strong $15k against buying a brand-new example, which comes with a V6 engine rather than a V8.
You’ll Have To Give Up Its Successor’s Superior Pace
2026 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail front 3/4 angle in tan while parkedLexus
While opting for a second-gen LX will save you a load of money and provide you with all the luxury equipment that most families will need, you will have to miss out on the extra grunt and fuel efficiency made possible by the twin-turbocharged V6 found in the third-gen version. It’s not exactly a small difference, either, as the new car pumps out 349 horsepower, just shy of 50 hp more than the V8 in the second-gen car can manage. The real damage is done when you factor in torque though, as the twin-turbo unit pumps out an eye-opening 150 lb-ft more of the stuff.
As a result, the naturally aspirated V8 wades into battle with significantly less pulling power, though it at least emits a more soulful soundtrack. To add some context to these numbers, while the new car can clear the 0-60 mph run in 6.3 seconds, the older car takes an extra second to do so. There’s even the potential that Lexus could be set to produce an even more powerful version in the not too distant future.
Just when you thought the V8 has been bruised up enough, you then need to factor in fuel consumption. Despite producing way more power and torque, the V35 V6 can achieve an average MPG of 17 under the hood of a 2026 GX, whereas a V8-powered alternative has to make do with 16 MPG.
These numbers can make it difficult to justify the older GX on paper, even despite the savings you’ll make when buying it in the first place. Well, hang on a second, because there’s another element where the V8 has its replacement beaten.
The Old V8 Is Proving Much More Durable
2023 Lexus GX 460 V8 engine topLexus
While the second-gen GX may have less power and uses more fuel, its 1UR-FE V8 engine arguably more than makes up for that by being so damn strong. Around 800,000 miles of testing was carried out during development of the UR family to ensure the powerplant would be tough enough to live long term, and it was even subjected to X-Ray inspections to ensure that the engine was built exactly to spec during the production process.
Hell, in 3UR specification, the engine has been known to keep running for over a million miles without needing replacement on multiple occasions, illustrating that managing this amazing feat is no fluke. Its V6 replacement hasn’t fared so well, with the powerplant having been subjected to various recalls to fix major issues like the engine seizing entirely due to foreign debris being left in the block during construction. Beyond that, excessive carbon buildup has been reported in some cases, meaning you could be set up to have your truck in the shop more often than you’d like.
Of course, the 1UR-FE isn’t completely perfect, as it’s known to suffer from excessive oil consumption in later life, though this issue can at least be mitigated by using higher quality oil.
Lexus’ Mid-Range SUV Can Still Cost A Lot To Maintain
Red 2023 Lexus GX 460 rear endLexus
Along with the engine and drivetrain, the GX will also prove very strong. Thanks to using a body-on-frame chassis design, the car can take more punishment without suffering from inherent structural issues over time, which also helps to boost peace of mind. Plus, due to lacking full air suspension systems like the more expensive LX, you won’t have to worry about saving thousands on replacing faulty compressors or airbags. That said, those who opt for the range-topping Luxury version may have to face this should the rear-mounted leveling system decide to call it quits one day.
Other than that, the GX doesn’t suffer from many model-specific problems that you’ll need to worry about. The updated infotainment system found on later models has been criticized for being laggy at times, but the interior fit and finish has held up well due to Toyota using excellent quality materials to construct it.
For the most part, the kinds of issues you’ll need to expect regard the vehicle’s normal running gear. Being a heavy SUV, it’ll chew through braking, suspension, and steering components faster than smaller and lighter vehicles, not to mention tires. This is normal practice for such vehicles though, and its overall reliability is proven by RepairPal, which estimates you’ll have to spend around $770 per year to keep the car well maintained. This is pretty strong when compared to rival SUVs made by the likes of BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
As a result, the second-gen GX further bolsters its argument as being the last luxury SUV you’ll ever need. It comes with all the modern creature comforts and safety systems needed to keep your family comfortable, entertained, and above all, safe, while also being durable enough to last for hundreds of thousands of miles without major problems. Beyond that, tidy examples can be found for the price of the average brand-new car, making it good value alongside smaller and less well-equipped brand-new options at the same price.
Sources: Lexus, RepairPal.
