Generation history
Lexus GX generations and next redesign.
The Lexus GX has been through 2 generations, starting in 2002 and 2009. The gaps were 7 years, an average of 7.0. The pace has been steady. The current generation began in 2009. On that cadence the next full redesign points to 2015 through 2017, centered on 2016. This is a projection. It comes from the model's own past redesign years, not from the manufacturer. A mid-cycle refresh usually lands in between. Public records describe the current generation this way: The GX 460 debuted in China at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition in November 2009. Specifications, trims and the NHTSA safety record are on the Lexus GX model page.
Every generation
The Lexus GX, generation by generation.
| Generation | Code | Years | What changed |
|---|
| First generation | J120 | 2002–2009 | Lexus introduced the GX 470 at the North American International Auto Show in January 2002 as a 2003 model, with sales commencing in November 2002. |
|---|
| Second generation | J150 | 2009–present | The GX 460 debuted in China at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition in November 2009. |
|---|
The Lexus GX spent 7.0 years per generation on average. The current one is 17 years old. Treat 2015 to 2017 as a range, not a date.
Source: Lexus GX (Wikipedia). The estimate is our arithmetic on those start years.
Open the Lexus GX model page for specifications, trims, safety record and answers.
In more detail
What each Lexus GX generation changed.
First generation, 2002 to 2009
Lexus introduced the GX 470 at the North American International Auto Show in January 2002 as a 2003 model, with sales commencing in November 2002. The GX development program began in 1999 following the J120 Toyota Land Cruiser Prado in 1997, with design work by Shoichi Fujiyoshi concluding in the first half of 2000. The suspension shared its layout with the Toyota 4Runner equipped with the rear air suspension, while adding Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and Downhill Assist Control (DAC). AVS could adjust damper firmness continuously while DAC modulated descents down slopes.
Second generation, 2009 to today
The GX 460 debuted in China at the Guangzhou International Automobile Exhibition in November 2009. The redesigned model continued with body-on-frame construction, full-time four-wheel drive, an electronically controlled hi-lo transfer case, and a Torsen center locking differential. The Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) became standard. Power came from a new 4.6-liter 1UR-FE V8 engine producing 224 kW (301 hp) and 446 N⋅m of torque, mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission.
Generation notes adapted from Lexus GX (Wikipedia).
Today's Lexus GX
What the current generation is, and how it has held up.
Lexus GX at a glance
- Production
- 2002–present
- Model years
- 2003–present
- Assembly
- Japan: Tahara, Aichi (Tahara plant)
- Class
- Mid/full-size luxury SUV
- Body style
- 5-door SUV
- Layout
- Front-engine, four-wheel-drive
- Chassis
- Body-on-frame
- Also called
- Toyota Land Cruiser Prado
Recent recalls (4 campaigns across the latest model years)
- May 2026, Electrical System: Instrument Cluster/Panel. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2025 Lexus UX Hybrid, 2024 Lexus GX, Toyota Mirai, and 2024-2025 Toyota Land Cruiser Hybrid vehicles. The instrument panel cluster combination meter may fail to display certain warnings or indicators. As such, these… Consequence: An instrument panel display that fails to show critical safety information, such as engine coolant temperature or electrical charge increases the risk of a crash or injury.
- March 2026, Equipment:Other:Labels. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2024-2025 Toyota Tundra, Tacoma Hybrid, Tacoma, RAV4 Hybrid, Land Cruiser Hybrid, Lexus GX550, 2024-2026 Tundra Hybrid, 2025 Sequoia Hybrid, Crown Signia, Grand Highlander, Lexus TX500 Hybrid, Lexus NX350 Hybrid, 2025-2026 Grand Highlander Hybrid… Consequence: A vehicle with an incorrect maximum capacity weight value may be overloaded, which can increase the risk of a crash.
- November 2025, Engine And Engine Cooling:Engine:Hard Parts Internal/Mechanical. Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain 2022-2024 Toyota Tundra, Lexus LX, and 2024 Lexus GX vehicles equipped with a V35A engine. Debris from the manufacturing process may contaminate the engine and cause the main bearings to fail, which can… Consequence: A loss of drive power increases the risk of a crash.