2012 Lexus GX460 Premium Sport Utility

Although the Lexus RX was one of the first car-based crossover SUVs and is the brand's most popular model, Lexus did eventually hedge its bets by bringing out the more conventional GX sport-utility. The GX is derived from the Toyota 4Runner and has an old-school, body-on-frame architecture that makes the GX heavier, taller, and harder to climb up into than the RX. At the same time, however, this more trucklike construction gives the GX460 a robust towing capacity of 6500 pounds and makes it better able to handle off-road conditions. The standard all-wheel-drive system includes a low range as well as a lockable center differential; the electronic Active Traction Control mimics the effects of lockable front and rear differentials. The optional Crawl Control is sort of like an off-road version of cruise control -- you choose one of five preset, ultraslow speeds -- and it's augmented by Downhill Assist Control, which helps control speeds during steep descents. The Adjustable Height Control enables the suspension to raise the vehicle to clear obstacles (but be careful of those running boards), and the Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System can adjust the anti-roll bars to allow greater wheel articulation off-road or, more usefully, less body roll during on-road cornering. For all its off-road helpers, the GX460 is also a worthy machine on the road, where it runs smoothly and quietly. The cabin comes with power everything and is lined with leather. A third-row seat is standard, but you need to be small and limber to climb back there.