Is The The 2019 Lexus GX 460 The New KING Of Overlanding? We Compare it to the Land Cruiser to Find Out!

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The Lexus GX is the most capable overlanding rig? No, you’re wrong!

For the past several months, we’ve built up our own 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser as a more capable off-roading rig. If you haven’t caught our TFLpro series, it’s definitely worth a watch, as we aim to create a sort of Land Cruiser TRD Pro Toyota hasn’t built (yet). But is the Land Cruiser really the best platform for an overlanding rig? While Andre heads up the trail in the TFLpro Land Cruiser, Tommy calls foul, saying the 2019 Lexus GX 460 is actually the best among Toyota’s off-road SUV platforms.

Is The The Lexus GX 460 The New KING Of Overlanding? We Compare it to the Land Cruiser to Find Out!
How does the GX compare to our Toyota Land Cruiser TFLpro?

So which is the best? We’re taking both up our off-road torture test on our new “Rocky Top” trail. Let us know which one you’d take in the comments below!

It’s a closer comparison than you might think. The 2019 Lexus GX is largely based on the Toyota 4Runner and the Land Cruiser Prado, which is sold in global markets. Step inside, and many of the controls feel fairly close to the 4Runner, like the gauge cluster and many of the switches, with the exception of the center stack and the adjustable suspension. However, you do still get Active Traction Control, Crawl Control and full-time four-wheel drive, like the Toyota 4Runner Limited.

Unlike the 4Runner, the 2019 Lexus GX 460 has a 4.6-liter V8 under the hood. That engine manages 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque, and comes mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. On the down side as an overlanding rig, the GX comes with Bridgestone Dueler tires, which are definitely more street-biased. Mind you, that is something that’s straightforward to change out. Case in point, the Lexus GXOR concept we saw back in July:

Against the TFLpro

Our 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser shares the same family tree as the Lexus, although it shares its bones with the larger Lexus LX SUV. Under the hood, you get a 381 horspower 5.7-liter V8 with 401 lb-ft of torque. Like the GX, this early 200 Series Land Cruiser’s engine mates up to a six-speed automatic transmission. Efficiency? Not great at just 15 mpg combined, but then the Lexus GX doesn’t exactly sip fuel either.

What’s more, our TFLpro Land Cruiser does have an aftermarket air intake and some chunkier BFGoodrich off-road tires. However, its sheer size can make it more cumbersome off-road. Check out more on our TFLpro Land Cruiser series below: