I’ve lengthy stated that, regardless of its look and off-road legacy, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is likely one of the greatest vehicles for metropolis driving. The G-wagen has wonderful visibility, a manageable footprint and a implausible driving place, plus it’s enjoyable to rapidly whip round and run errands in. Even the brand new Ford Bronco and Land Rover Defender haven’t fairly been in a position to seize the G’s magic in that regard, however there’s a considerably unlikely new contender on the town. Last week I received to drive the wonderful third-gen Lexus GX, which has boxy styling, a driver-focused cabin and an exquisite view out that rivals the Mercedes.
One of the largest analogs to the G-wagen is the GX’s windshield. Lexus made the windshield flatter and extra upright, and the brand new GX’s A-pillars are thinner and pushed additional again in direction of the driving force. The GX’s beltline is decrease and the home windows are bigger and extra rectangular, too, so that you get a greater view out of all the facet home windows, and the A-pillar’s seize handles don’t obscure the view. Even the B- and C-pillars are fairly skinny, and whereas the D-pillar is certainly thick and creates a blind spot, it’s higher than the outgoing GX and the again window and rearmost facet home windows are good and enormous. Compared to the previous GX the 2024 mannequin is greater by a couple of inches in each dimension, however it doesn’t really feel it.
The G-Class has trapezoidal flip alerts protruding up from the entrance corners of the hood, which is a big assist when maneuvering the automotive each off highway, round city or in a parking zone — simply check out the flip alerts, and you recognize precisely the place the corners of the automotive are. Lexus’ designers got here up with a intelligent hood design that achieves the same impact. The new GX has a tall hood, however the middle part dramatically slopes down, growing visibility by a shocking quantity. Its hood ends in pretty sharp-looking corners, and ridges that flank the sloping middle part alongside the perimeters of the hood are the identical width because the GX’s observe, and also you’re in a position to rapidly discern precisely the place your tires are. Because the entrance finish is so blunt and the overhangs are shorter than the previous mannequin, the GX’s squared-off hood makes putting it in a decent spot a cinch.
Every trim of the GX aside from the bottom mannequin comes with a surround-view digicam system, however the overland-focused Overtrail trim provides a Multi-Terrain Monitor perform with a bunch of off-road digicam views that show on the usual 14-inch central touchscreen. In addition to displaying top-down views of the entrance wheels, it could possibly use the entrance and rear cameras to transpose a view of what’s beneath the automotive so the driving force can higher navigate obstacles. It’s undoubtedly useful when off-roading, although I want the digicam high quality was a bit higher.
A design characteristic I hadn’t actually observed from the pictures earlier than really getting behind the wheel of the GX have been the side-view mirrors. They’re extra akin to these of a bus or semi truck, or possibly the towing mirrors of a pickup. Tall and slender, these mirrors take a little bit of time to get used to, however I discovered myself loving them. In addition to being much less prone to get broken whereas off-roading, the stretched form means you may place them to view each the bottom and the highest of the automotive, a pleasant assist should you’ve received a full roof rack or are in a decent parking storage. (Blind-spot monitoring additionally comes normal.)
Also necessary is the GX’s driving place. I already like sitting pretty excessive and upright even in greater SUVs, however typically that may really feel an excessive amount of like being a bus driver, or akin to sitting in a diner stool just like the previous Fiat 500. Luckily, at the least for me, the GX’s seating place is right. I’m in a position to place myself to be relaxed with out slouching, and I don’t must pressure my neck or readjust the seat to raised see over the hood or via the home windows. The seat is snug, with normal 8-way energy adjustment plus heating and air flow, and you’ll choice it as much as 10-way adjustment with a implausible therapeutic massage perform. Trust me, it doesn’t get higher than off-roading along with your therapeutic massage on.
Lexus needed all the GX’s necessary controls to fall intently at hand, to make use of an previous auto journalist cliche. The camera-view button is on the sprint simply behind the right-hand steering wheel stalk, and the controls for the four-wheel-drive system and diff lockers are proper under the big, conventional shifter. Ahead of the shifter are a dial and buttons that management each the drive modes and the Crawl Control system. And regardless of having such a big touchscreen and nearly-as-large digital gauge cluster, that are housed in the identical plastic {surround}, the screens are all positioned under the driving force’s sight line, in order that they don’t take up any of your view out the windshield.
Best of all are the GX’s door panels. Just like on the G-Class, the GX has two totally different spots to relaxation your elbow, and each are chef’s-kiss excellent. The precise armrest itself is properly padded and is the fitting spot for my elbow to fall naturally with my hand on the decrease half of the wheel, whereas the highest of the door card on the window line is right for holding the wheel at 9 o’clock. I’m consistently critiquing this form of factor, partially impressed by the “elbow scores” of @fanchracing, the best man on Instagram. It makes a real distinction in how stress-free and pleasurable a automotive is to drive, particularly a automobile as sometimes unwieldy as a giant SUV.
Previous generations of Land Cruiser and GX have all the time discovered followers, whether or not that be in hardcore off-roaders or extra common shoppers who similar to the feel and appear of a extra conventional body-on-frame SUV. But I by no means actually related with them, the outgoing GX particularly, because the tech and driving expertise all felt too outdated and unwieldy, and the styling wasn’t cool sufficient to make up for it. That’s one of many causes I like the present G-Class a lot — it could look retro-rugged on the surface, however it feels trendy and is a breeze to make use of as a every day driver.
The 2024 Lexus GX, although, is one other story. Its implausible design, luxurious inside and enormously improved driving expertise already received me over, however the wonderful visibility and driver surroundings are what have left essentially the most lasting impression. I can’t wait to get one to drive in LA — possibly I’ll take it to the Trader Joe’s parking zone in West Hollywood, which is harder to navigate than any off-road path.
And don’t overlook the GX is twinned with the new-for-the-U.S. Toyota Land Cruiser, offered elsewhere because the Land Cruiser Prado. With the identical primary greenhouse, seating place, door panels and exterior styling, the 2024 Land Cruiser ought to share the GX’s greatest attributes.
Source: jalopnik.com