What is the difference between the LX 570 and the GX 460?
The Lexus LX 570 is the larger, more powerful flagship SUV, offering maximum seating and cargo space with a robust V8 engine and premium luxury features. The GX 460 is a smaller, more affordable mid-size SUV that emphasizes practicality, capability, and value while still delivering Lexus reliability.
Overview: size, platform, and positioning
These two Lexus SUVs share a tradition of durability and off-road capability, but they target different buyers. The LX 570 sits at the top of the lineup as a full-size, Land Cruiser–based flagship with generous interior space and high-end features. The GX 460 is a more compact, mid-size option that emphasizes maneuverability, efficiency, and value while offering serious off-road skills for its class.
Before we dive into specifics, here is a concise comparison of core attributes to frame the differences.
: Full-size, three-row SUV; larger footprint; strong V8 power; premium luxury appointments. : Mid-size SUV; smaller footprint; efficient for its class; robust off-road capability with solid interior quality.
In short, the LX 570 is about maximum space and luxury, while the GX 460 balances practicality, performance, and price in a smaller package.
Power and performance
Powertrains are among the clearest differentiators. The LX 570 is powered by a larger V8 and pairs with a more capable transmission and drivetrain setup. The GX 460 uses a smaller V8 with fewer horsepower but remains very capable in everyday driving and on rough terrain.
- Lexus LX 570
- Engine: 5.7-liter V8
- Power: about 383 horsepower and 403 lb-ft of torque
- Transmission: 8-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: full-time four-wheel drive
- Towing: typically around 7,000–7,500 pounds, depending on year and equipment - Lexus GX 460
- Engine: 4.6-liter V8
- Power: about 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque
- Transmission: 6-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: full-time four-wheel drive with low range
- Towing: typically around 6,500 pounds
The LX 570’s larger V8 and higher torque translate to stronger acceleration and greater highway and towing capability, while the GX 460 focuses on solid everyday performance with capable off-road ability for a mid-size SUV.
Interior, comfort, and technology
Interior ambiance and available tech separate the two models markedly. The LX 570 emphasizes first-class comfort, with expansive interior space, high-grade materials, and optional premium audio and multimedia systems. The GX 460 delivers strong comfort and practical technology for its segment, with high-quality materials and a user-friendly interface, but it generally trails the LX in luxury highlights.
- LX 570 highlights
- Ultra-premium interior with extensive passenger space
- Optional premium sound, navigation, and multi-zone climate controls
- Advanced driver assistance and safety features as part of Lexus Safety System+ - GX 460 highlights
- Comfortable cabin with quality materials
- Strong but slightly more modest tech ensemble (navigation and premium audio available on higher trims)
- Solid off-road tech such as terrain modes and, in many years, KDSS (Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) as an option
In daily use, the LX 570 feels more like a luxury sedan with three rows of seating, while the GX 460 presents a practical, rugged interior that prioritizes ease of use and versatility.
Ride, handling, and off-road capability
Both SUVs are built on rugged platforms and offer competent off-road systems, but their ride quality and handling reflect their targets. The LX 570 tends to deliver a smoother, quieter ride and a more refined on-road experience, while the GX 460 balances comfort with assured off-road performance in a more compact package.
- Ride and refinement
- LX 570: notably plush, with a smoother highway ride and quieter cabin - Off-road capability
- GX 460: strong off-road performance for its class, with selectable drive modes and rugged capability
- LX 570: more capable overall for serious off-roading due to its Land Cruiser heritage, higher towing capacity, and available off-road technologies
For buyers who spend a lot of time on the highway or prioritize luxury, the LX 570 is the more comfortable choice. For those who want solid capability in a more compact, value-oriented package, the GX 460 fits well.
Fuel economy, ownership costs, and resale
Fuel economy and ownership costs reflect the engines and size of each model. The LX 570 generally consumes more fuel and carries higher depreciation and maintenance expectations due to its size and premium status. The GX 460, while not cheap to maintain, typically presents lower purchase prices on the used market and better fuel economy for its class.
- Fuel economy
- LX 570: lower miles-per-gallon figures, especially in city driving and with its heavier mass - Ownership costs and resale
- LX 570: higher upfront price and maintenance costs, but strong resale value as a flagship
- GX 460: lower initial price on the used market, potentially lower ongoing costs, and solid resale for a mid-size SUV
Overall, the LX 570 commands a premium for space and luxury, while the GX 460 offers a more affordable path to serious capability.
Which one should you buy?
Your choice comes down to space, power, and luxury versus practicality and value. If you need a maximum-capacity family SUV with premium features and a powerful V8, the LX 570 is the more capable flagship. If you want a more compact, budget-friendly option that still offers strong reliability and solid off-road skills, the GX 460 is a compelling pick.
Summary
The LX 570 and GX 460 sit at opposite ends of Lexus’s SUV spectrum. The LX 570 offers more space, stronger V8 power, and higher-end luxury, at a premium price. The GX 460 delivers a more compact footprint, better value, and robust capability with a smaller engine. Both models reflect Lexus’s reputation for reliability and all-terrain capability, but they cater to different priorities: opulence and bulk versus efficiency and practicality.
