2010 Lexus GX 460

Lexus, and its parent company, Toyota, seem bent on producing an SUV or crossover for every possible market niche. Between the two, if you count the Matrix (which is basically a small crossover), they offer no fewer than 10 distinct models.

Filling the gap between Lexus's car-based RX crossover and its top-dog LX SUV, the mid-sized Lexus GX line has been with us for more than six years. Still, you'd be forgiven for not ever having seen one; of the 15,802 vehicles Lexus sold in 2009, just 198 were GX 470s. Admittedly, this was the final year of that model's cycle; after a thorough redesign for 2010, Lexus expects to sell 600 GX 460s.

Those who follow such things may have noticed the slight name change. In Lexus nomenclature, model names for non-hybrids reflect their engines' displacement, and last year's 4.7-litre V8 has been replaced by a 4.6-litre unit.

This is not a loss. Essentially the flagship LS 460's engine, the GX 460's "1UR-FE" V8 provides gains of 38 horsepower and six lb.-ft. of torque (to 301 and 329, respectively), while returning 11 per cent better fuel economy. Lexus claims that at 14.1 L/100 km in the city and 9.8 L/100 km on the highway (20/29 m.p.g.), it's best-in-class, although the GX does still require premium fuel. Unfortunately, there are no official plans to join similar models from Mercedes and Audi in offering a diesel alternative.