Lexus GX: 1st Generation

The 2009 versions of the Lexus SC 430, GX 470 and LX 570 will remain unchanged save for some minor changes (all prices USD):

The 2009 model year SC 430 luxury hardtop convertible receives new side mirrors with incorporated turn signals and will have a base MSRP $66,805, an increase of 0.7 percent or $450.

The 2009 LX 570 will be available in an all-new Costa Azul Mica exterior color and will feature an available Luxury Package that includes semi-aniline leather-trimmed seats, Bubinga wood-trim, cool box, smart card key and 20-inch alloy wheels with a unique finish. The LX 570 base MSRP will be $75,705, an increase of 1.3 percent or $1,005.

The GX 470 carries over unchanged for the 2009 model year and will have a base MSRP of $47,615, an increase of 0.6 percent or $300.

This would seem to contradict the Edmunds report that the SC would be cancelled, though sales are bound to be even less than this year. Too bad about the GX, though, I was hoping for an update of some sort.

(Also announced was a $500 price increase to the 2008 RX 400h, bringing the FWD/AWD totals to $42,080 and $43,480 respectively.)

[Source: Lexus]

Leftlane News has posted spy shots of either the 2009 Toyota 4Runner or the 2010 Lexus GX, you can take your guess picking which.

In all honesty, with those extended tail lights, it looks more like a transformer in mid-change -- a very effective camouflage job, indeed. The rear looks widened, and even a bit longer, but it could just be a result of the tarp.

At first, the latest part in my Lexus Body Kit Series seemed to be taking the same road as my last feature, the ES 350, which yielded no kits at all. However, it turns out that there are a couple body kits for the GX 470.

Two of the kits come from Toyota, built for the Japanese-GX 470 equivalent, the Land Cruiser Prado, yet despite the manufacturer, both are rather underwhelming, and the remaining kit by Jaos is equally so.

Beyond the limited body kit availability, something about the GX seems to defy modification. To be honest, it's one of my favorites in the current Lexus lineup, and I like it just the way it is. Still, I would definitely fit the factory spoiler, given the choice:

The 2008 Lexus GX 470 has been added to the Lexus USA website, and as expected, the changes are minimal and completely cosmetic.

What has changed?

• New dark metallic finish on the front grille
• Chrome roof rack side rails
• Liquid graphite on the standard 17-inch alloy wheels
• Clear rear combination lamp turn signal lens cover
• Two new exterior colors: Salsa Red Pearl and Desert Sage metallic
• New interior Brown Walnut wood trim and a chrome finish on the front door speaker grilles

Even as it nears the end of its lifecycle, the GX 470 is still a thoroughly modern -looking truck, and one of my favorites in the Lexus lineup. It never fails to impress me when I see one, and my hope is that the upcoming redesign (scheduled for 2009) doesn't tinker too much. A more powerful engine, a redesigned interior maybe, but really, how much could they improve upon that exterior?