What Lexus models are body-on-frame?
In the current Lexus lineup, only two models are built on a traditional body-on-frame chassis: the GX and the LX. The rest of Lexus’s SUVs use unibody construction. Historically, a few older Lexus models also used body-on-frame architecture, reflecting the brand’s rugged, truck-like roots.
Current body-on-frame Lexuses
This section highlights the two models in today’s lineup that retain body-on-frame construction and what that means for performance and capability.
- Lexus GX — a mid-size SUV that employs a conventional ladder-frame/body-on-frame undercarriage. It traces its roots to Toyota’s off-road lineage (including the 4Runner/Land Cruiser Prado family) and emphasizes rugged capability alongside three-row seating and off-road systems.
- Lexus LX — a full-size, luxury-focused SUV built on a body-on-frame platform. The current LX600 (introduced for the 2022 model year) continues this heritage, sharing DNA with Toyota’s Land Cruiser and prioritizing towing capability and refined luxury for a large, capable SUV experience.
In short, the GX covers the mid-size segment with traditional BOF engineering, while the LX serves the full-size, luxury-end of the spectrum with rugged underpinnings.
Why body-on-frame matters for these models
Body-on-frame construction tends to deliver rugged durability, superior towing capacity, and stronger low-speed off-road performance. For buyers focused on trailering, overlanding, or challenging terrain, BOF models like the GX and LX offer a distinct advantage over unibody rivals, though they often come with a firmer ride and less interior space efficiency.
Historical body-on-frame Lexuses
Beyond the current lineup, Lexus has produced several body-on-frame models in the past. These examples illustrate the brand’s historical emphasis on BOF architecture before shifting more models to unibody designs in recent years.
- Lexus LX 470 — full-size luxury SUV produced roughly from 1999 to 2007.
- Lexus LX 570 — full-size luxury SUV produced roughly from 2008 to 2021, before the LX 600 arrived.
- Lexus GX 470 — mid-size SUV produced roughly from 2002 to 2009, part of the GX lineage before the GX 460 took over in later years.
These historic models demonstrate how BOF architecture has long underpinned Lexus’s most capable, rugged SUVs, even as the brand has shifted many other models toward unibody construction for efficiency and on-road refinement.
Engineering and design context
As automotive design moved toward lighter, more fuel-efficient unibody platforms for most passenger SUVs, Lexus reserved BOF construction for models where off-road prowess, high towing capacity, and traditional durability remain top priorities. The GX and LX exemplify this strategy in the modern era, balancing luxury with genuine capability.
Summary
Today’s body-on-frame Lexuses are the GX (mid-size) and LX (full-size), with the LX600 arriving in 2022 as the latest iteration. Historically, the LX 470, LX 570, and GX 470 were also built on BOF architectures. For buyers prioritizing ruggedness and towing, these models remain the primary BOF options in Lexus’s lineup, while most other models rely on unibody construction.
Is Lexus LX unibody or body-on-frame?
The GX and LX use body-on-frame design, with the body mounted on a truck frame for tough off-roading and towing. UX, NX, and RX crossovers use unibody construction, making them lighter and more fuel-efficient and producing a smoother ride.
Are any cars still made with a body-on-frame?
Whereas this was the original method of building automobiles, body-on-frame construction is now used mainly for pickup trucks, large SUVs, and heavy trucks.
How to tell if a car is body-on-frame or unibody?
The main difference is that a body on frame car has a chassis that is separate and then attached to the car's body. A unibody design has the car frame and chassis as one single unit.
Is the Lexus GX body-on-frame?
Yes, the Lexus GX is a body-on-frame SUV, meaning its body is mounted on a separate rigid frame. This construction gives it enhanced durability, off-road capability, and towing capacity, which is why it is often compared to other rugged SUVs like the Toyota 4Runner.
This video explains what body-on-frame construction means for a vehicle: 1mTom SwiatekYouTube · Mar 31, 2025
- Construction: A traditional body-on-frame design separates the vehicle's body from its frame, connecting them with bolts. This is different from unibody construction used in most modern crossovers and cars, where the body and frame are a single structure.
- Performance: This type of construction gives the GX its rugged and capable nature, making it suitable for off-roading and heavy-duty tasks like towing.
- Vehicle type: The body-on-frame design places the GX in the luxury SUV category, often alongside its Toyota counterpart, the 4Runner.
