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What Lexus is body-on-frame?

Lexus, the luxury vehicle division of Toyota, offers several models that are built on a body-on-frame chassis design. This type of construction is typically associated with trucks, SUVs, and off-road vehicles, as it provides a more rugged and durable platform compared to the more common unibody construction found in many passenger cars.


What is Body-on-Frame Construction?


In a body-on-frame design, the vehicle's body is mounted on a separate, sturdy frame, rather than being integrated into a single unibody structure. This allows for greater towing and payload capacity, as well as improved off-road capabilities. The frame is typically made of steel and is designed to be more rigid and durable than a unibody construction.


Lexus Body-on-Frame Models


Lexus currently offers two models that feature a body-on-frame design:



  • Lexus LX - The Lexus LX is a full-size luxury SUV that shares its platform with the Toyota Land Cruiser. It is designed for both on-road comfort and off-road capability, with a powerful V8 engine and advanced four-wheel-drive system.

  • Lexus GX - The Lexus GX is a mid-size luxury SUV that also shares its platform with a Toyota model, in this case, the 4Runner. Like the LX, the GX is built for both on-road and off-road use, with a rugged body-on-frame construction and a capable four-wheel-drive system.


Both the LX and GX models are designed to provide a more truck-like driving experience, with a focus on durability, towing capacity, and off-road performance, while still offering the luxury features and refinement expected of a Lexus vehicle.


Benefits of Body-on-Frame Construction


The key benefits of a body-on-frame design for Lexus vehicles include:



  • Towing and Payload Capacity - The robust frame and suspension of a body-on-frame design allows Lexus SUVs to tow heavier loads and carry more payload compared to unibody-based models.

  • Off-Road Capability - The separate frame and body construction, along with advanced four-wheel-drive systems, give Lexus body-on-frame models superior off-road performance and the ability to tackle challenging terrain.

  • Durability - The body-on-frame design is generally more durable and resistant to damage, making it a good choice for those who need to use their vehicle for heavy-duty tasks or in rugged environments.


While body-on-frame construction is less common in modern passenger vehicles, it remains a popular choice for Lexus when building its larger, more capable SUV models, providing a unique blend of luxury, performance, and off-road prowess.

Which Lexus models are body-on-frame?


THE ICONIC LEXUS GX
A true body-on-frame SUV, the GX expresses its off-road* prowess through its squared-off body lines and powerful stance. Inside, up to three rows of finely appointed seating and the advanced Lexus Interface* system bring comfort and convenience to every journey.



Which is bigger, TX or GX?


Is GX bigger than TX? For length, the GX is 197.05 inches vs. 203.1-203.5 inches for the TX. When it comes to seating, the TX offers either 6-passenger or 7-passenger seating and the GX offers 5-passenger or 7-passenger seating.



Is the GX470 body on the frame?


The GX470 had all the hallmarks of a great off-roader: body-on-frame construction, full time four-wheel-drive with low range gearing, and a powerful Toyota V8.



Is the Lexus TX body-on-frame?


Marketplace. Next, we have the new Lexus TX. Based on Toyota's Grand Highlander, the unibody TX takes a vastly different approach to people moving than the body-on-frame GX. This three-row places more emphasis on comfort and its third row looks like a far more enjoyable place to spend a road trip.



Is the Lexus RX unibody or body-on-frame?


The RX was built on a unibody chassis.



Which is better unibody or body-on-frame SUV?


Unibody frame cars tend to be lighter in construction than body on frame vehicles, which means they get better fuel efficiency right off the bat. This is a major reason why so many Orlando Toyota crossovers and SUVs use this type of frame construction. Safer. Unibody frame vehicles also offer a high degree of safety.



What frame is the Lexus GX built on?


GA-F platform
It has a more squared-off design than the previous generation and is built on the GA-F platform, shared with the J250 Land Cruiser Prado.



Which Lexus is bigger, GX or LX?


The 2024 Lexus GX 550 has a length of 197.05 inches compared to 200.5 inches for the 2024 Lexus LX 600. The width for the LX 600 is 78.3 inches compared to 83.22 inches for the GX 550, and the height ranges from 75.39-76.18 inches for the GX and the LX has a height ranging from 74.2-74.6 inches.



Is the GX550 body on the frame?


This time, the GX550 is based on the new Toyota Land Cruiser (which is slightly smaller than the prior Cruiser). It retains a body-on-frame architecture and a focus on off-road capability, in contrast to the similarly sized Lexus TX SUV that prioritizes passenger accommodations and on-road refinement.



Is LX body-on-frame?


The first-generation LX 450 had a straight-six engine and seats for seven passengers. The second and third-generations had a V8 engine powertrain, a welded steel body-shell combined with full-size steel ladder frame (body-on-frame construction), and seats for eight passengers.


Kevin's Auto

Kevin Bennett

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Kevin Bennet is the founder and owner of Kevin's Autos, a leading automotive service provider in Australia. With a deep commitment to customer satisfaction and years of industry expertise, Kevin uses his blog to answer the most common questions posed by his customers. From maintenance tips to troubleshooting advice, Kevin's articles are designed to empower drivers with the knowledge they need to keep their vehicles running smoothly and safely.