2020 Lexus GX Puts BMW’s Massive Kidney Grille To Shame, Adds Off-Road Package

With everything going on at BMW recently in terms of gargantuan grilles, people have forgotten that Lexus has done something similar to the GX ever since the second-gen was updated in 2014.

Now, for the 2020 model year (or the SUV’s second refresh), the grille has carried over, albeit with an updated pattern that makes it look humongous. Flanking it are the new triple-beam LED headlights, standard across the range.

Toyota’s luxury car brand will be offering customers of the revised GX an optional Sport Design Package. Available for the Premium and Luxury trim levels, it adds an exclusive lower grille surround, side mirror casings, rear diffuser, matte black exhaust tip and scarlet taillights. All of these, including the 19-inch alloy wheels, sport a gunmetal metallic finish. This option also swaps the second-row seats for captain’s chairs.

Another novelty is the introduction of the Off-Road Package. Limited to the Luxury grade, it adds several cameras, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, transmission cooler and protection for the fuel tank. All of these enhance the SUVs driving abilities on arduous terrains, with the aid of a 4.6-liter V8 that carries over with 301 hp (305 PS / 225 kW) and 329 lb-ft (446 Nm) of torque, linked to a six-speed automatic transmission. There’s also a Torsen limited-slip differential, two-speed transfer case and four-wheel drive. As for the towing capacity, that would be 6,500 lbs (2,948 kg).

The Lexus Safety System+ is now standard across the 2020 GX lineup. The bundle of safety items includes Intelligent High Beams, Lane Departure Alert, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and High-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control.

Aside from the addition of the new Rioja Red leather with black headliner option (joining the Black, Sepia and Ecru), the interior has remained the same.

Full pricing details and availability will be announced in due course. Meanwhile, the outgoing Lexus GX 460 starts at $52,505 and is available in three grades called 460, 460 Premium and 460 Luxury.