The Luxury Off-Roader is Not Dead: 2010 Lexus GX460

With prices starting at $51,970, a 301 horsepower V8 that likes to drink and enough differentials and transfer cases to mount an assault on an African desert you might think that the Lexus GX460 is a vehicle not right for our modern eco-conscious times. But oh how wrong you would be. If the GX460 is the future of Lexus I have to say that for the first time in my life I want to be a part of it.

In addition to numerous technical upgrades (the engine is actually more powerful yet more efficient this year) this GX possesses something no Lexus has ever possessed before. A unique and somewhat macho sense of exterior style. Brazenly nonconformist yet highly utilitarian, the GX460 is the vehicle that could give the guys over at Range Rover their first true bout with night sweats.

But what about the interior? Has Lexus gone and used the same boring dashboard design found in each and every one of its sedans? If your name was Jose I would tell you no way. As you gracefully slide yourself into the driver's seat you will notice the chunky and angular design themes that made the interior of the 2010 4Runner such a hit. Only here in the Lexus all the controls have been slathered in pounds of butter (no margarine here) so they move with that patented oily slickness.

Materials choices are first rate as always yet for the first time in a Lexus all of the hues and patterns are in the utmost taste. It is masculine and luxurious yet extremely no-nonsense. Finally, Lexus has found a style here that it could call its own. Please Lexus, no more shiny polished wood trim that looks so fake it appears to have been hand delivered by the cast of "Xanadu" circa 1981.

In the GX460 Lexus has finally figured out how to mix BOTH wood and metal to help add warmth to a very modular and angular interior design. Architects have been using this trick in really modern new homes for quite a while now so it is nice to see a car company catching on. Perhaps a couple of other luxury car makers will learn a thing or two from this Lexus interior.

As a change from the last generation GX (which was based on the non-U.S Toyota Amazon), this model has a third row of seats that also actually folds flat into the floor. The side hinged third row seats were always the Achilles Heel of the last model as you either had no cargo room with the seats up or a huge blindspot when they were stored against the side rear window. Or you had to remove them completely with tools and find a spot for it in your garage.

Although it is a highly specialized vehicle for a highly specialized clientele I think the world is a better place with the Lexus GX460 in it. We can't all drive hybrids and some of us need seven seats or to tow a boat or climb a small mountain before hitting the Opera. Thankfully this SUV can do of all these things. Because if you have to own only one car it might as well be capable of handling any and all (and I mean all) challenges that you might throw its way.

(Note to Toyota/Lexus: Please make sure all your SUVs have rear seats that fold completely flat. It is just one of those things that make an ownership experience that much nicer and I hear you could use all the good PR that you can get right now. The GX460, however, is a great place to start with your new style re-invention.)