2004 Lexus GX 470 New Car Buyer's Guide

What's New for the 2004 Lexus GX 470?
This year, the 2004 Lexus GX 470 offers an optional Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) that varies the sway resistance of the front and rear stabilizer bars for better on- and off-road performance. If you choose to equip your GX 470 with the navigation system, you’ll also get a new rear backup camera. Standard equipment for 2004 includes a tire pressure monitor and a roll-sensing side curtain airbag system.

Advantages of the 2004 Lexus GX 470:

• Gorgeously detailed interior
• Standard roll-sensing side curtain airbag system
• Refined V8 powerplant

Objections to the 2004 Lexus GX 470:

• Sloppy handling without KDSS
• Side-swinging tailgate
• Front seat comfort is poor for taller people
• Difficult to climb into and jump out of
• Lacks useful interior storage areas
• Control layout and operation
• Wind noise
• Vehicle creep at stoplights requires undue amount of pedal pressure to retard

Editor's Advice:
Lexus rarely puts a foot wrong in its self-proclaimed “passionate pursuit for perfection.” We think somebody forgot this company mantra when the business case for the Lexus GX 470 was laid out. Unless you’re traveling far off the beaten path where only Hummers, Jeeps and Land Rovers dare tread, we recommend that you avoid the 2004 Lexus GX 470. As a daily driver, this Lexus gets poor ratings for ease of entry, ease of exit, front seat comfort for taller drivers, fuel economy, on-road handling, cargo loading and unloading, third-row seat comfort, interior storage, and control layout. Based on a product that is sold as a capable Toyota-badged four-wheel-drive utility vehicle, the 2004 Lexus GX 470 is, philosophically, a Land Rover Discovery with much nicer interior materials. In other words, it’s no good as a vehicle driven primarily on pavement by people who’ve never had a callous on their palm. Typically, Lexus builds very good luxury vehicles that are difficult to fault. Compared to the rest of its product lineup, the company’s 2004 Lexus GX 470 is an aberration. Buy this only if you’re planning to go on safari and cannot live without supple leather, gorgeous wood trim and a fantastic Mark Levinson audio system.