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I’ve lengthy mentioned that, regardless of its look and off-road legacy, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class is among the greatest automobiles for metropolis driving. The G-wagen has glorious visibility, a manageable footprint and a incredible driving place, plus it’s enjoyable to shortly whip round and run errands in. Even the brand new Ford Bronco and Land Rover Defender haven’t fairly been capable of seize the G’s magic in that regard, however there’s a considerably unlikely new contender on the town. Final week I obtained to drive the superb third-gen Lexus GX, which has boxy styling, a driver-focused cabin and an exquisite view out that rivals the Mercedes.
One of many greatest 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 the 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 huge. In comparison with the outdated GX the 2024 mannequin is greater by a number of inches in each dimension, but it surely doesn’t really feel it.
The G-Class has trapezoidal flip indicators protruding up from the entrance corners of the hood, which is a large assist when maneuvering the automobile each off highway, round city or in a parking zone — simply check out the flip indicators, and precisely the place the corners of the automobile are. Lexus’ designers got here up with a intelligent hood design that achieves the same impact. The brand new GX has a tall hood, however the heart part dramatically slopes down, growing visibility by a shocking quantity. Its hood ends in pretty sharp-looking corners, and ridges that flank the sloping heart part alongside the sides of the hood are the identical width because the GX’s monitor, and also you’re capable of shortly discern precisely the place your tires are. As a result of the entrance finish is so blunt and the overhangs are shorter than the outdated mannequin, the GX’s squared-off hood makes putting it in a good spot a cinch.
Each trim of the GX other than 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. Along with displaying top-down views of the entrance wheels, it may possibly use the entrance and rear cameras to transpose a view of what’s beneath the automobile 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 function I hadn’t actually seen 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 perhaps the towing mirrors of a pickup. Tall and slim, these mirrors take a little bit of time to get used to, however I discovered myself loving them. Along with 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 automobile, a pleasant assist in the event you’ve obtained a full roof rack or are in a good parking storage. (Blind-spot monitoring additionally comes commonplace.)
Additionally vital is the GX’s driving place. I already like sitting pretty excessive and upright even in larger SUVs, however generally that may really feel an excessive amount of like being a bus driver, or akin to sitting in a diner stool just like the outdated Fiat 500. Fortunately, at the least for me, the GX’s seating place is right. I’m capable of place myself to be relaxed with out slouching, and I don’t have to pressure my neck or readjust the seat to raised see over the hood or via the home windows. The seat is comfy, with commonplace 8-way energy adjustment plus heating and air flow, and you’ll choice it as much as 10-way adjustment with a incredible therapeutic massage perform. Belief me, it doesn’t get higher than off-roading together with your therapeutic massage on.
Lexus needed all the GX’s vital controls to fall intently handy, to make use of an outdated 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 massive, conventional shifter. Forward of the shifter are a dial and buttons that management each the drive modes and the Crawl Management 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, so that they don’t take up any of your view out the windshield.
Better of all are the GX’s door panels. Similar to on the G-Class, the GX has two completely different spots to relaxation your elbow, and each are chef’s-kiss good. The precise armrest itself is properly padded and is the correct 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 continually critiquing this form of factor, partially impressed by the “elbow scores” of @fanchracing, the good man on Instagram. It makes a real distinction in how stress-free and satisfying a automobile is to drive, particularly a car as sometimes unwieldy as a giant SUV.
Earlier generations of Land Cruiser and GX have at all times discovered followers, whether or not that be in hardcore off-roaders or extra common customers who similar to the feel and appear of a extra conventional body-on-frame SUV. However 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 really like the present G-Class a lot — it could look retro-rugged on the surface, but it surely 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 incredible design, luxurious inside and significantly improved driving expertise already gained me over, however the glorious visibility and driver setting are what have left essentially the most lasting impression. I can’t wait to get one to drive in LA — perhaps I’ll take it to the Dealer 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.
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