Ford’s New 5.0 V-8: Back In Black, And Ready For The Track
The 5.0 is back, and Ford didn't take the opportunity lightly. The 2011 Ford Mustang GT will pack a 412-horsepower, 5.0-liter V-8 that for all practical purposes is an all-new engine. A very stoutly built, race-ready one at that.
Along with the 3.7-liter V-6 that will also be introduced in the 2011 Ford Mustang, Ford suddenly has a completely refreshed powertrain lineup for the pony car and nothing to be ashamed of. Considering weight, in fact, the 'Stang now has a leg up on its rivals.
It's an about-face from the past several years, when Ford has seemed a step behind other automakers with respect to V-8 engines—especially if you take a look at power output. Even with the Mustang's lighter weight than the Camaro and Challenger, Ford's current 315-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 in the 2010 Mustang GT is no match for the larger Chevy and Chrysler V-8s.
With the '5.0' badge, the 2011 Mustang GT approaches the power output of those big-displacement engines while promising both stout construction and race-ready performance plus better fuel economy in everyday driving.
Bore is 92.2 mm (3.63 inches), with a 92.7-mm (3.65-inch) stroke, calculating out to just over 302 cubic inches and—this time—properly rounding up to 5.0 liters. And the new engine in the 2011 GT makes 412 horsepower, which should be enough for the lighter Mustang to beat both the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS and the 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T. In the Camaro SS, GM installs a huge 6.2-liter V-8, making 426 horsepower, while Chrysler puts its 372-hp, 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 in the Challenger R/T, among other vehicles, and the 425-hp, 6.1-liter V-8 in the Challenger SRT8.
At the same time, Ford projects an estimated 17 mpg city, 25 highway for the new engine (with the automatic) in the Mustang. The Camaro SS gets 16/25, while the Challenger SRT8 is rated at just 13/19.
The new engine will require just 87-octane gasoline, though 91-octane will be recommended for peak performance.
2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport Bottom Line
TheCarConnection.com's editors took the wheel of the new Land Rover Range Rover Sport to bring you an expert opinion along with thorough research from around the rest of the Web to help you make a complete, informed decision.
Likes
Lots of standard equipment
Great seating position
Powerful acceleration
Surprisingly good handling
Dislikes
Somewhat harsh ride
Heavy, overweight feel
Lack of cabin space
Fuel economy no better than roomier Range Rover
The 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport melds a sleeker, more defined profile than its bigger brother the Range Rover with a chassis tuned for on-road performance over hard-core off-roading. That's not to say it isn't ready for woodsy trails or dusty deserts, and it looks the part, too, recalling the look of earlier Range Rovers with its thin roof pillars and upright, bold presence. Major interior revisions improve the look and feel throughout the cabin.
The Range Rover Sport delivers its impressive performance in two models: the Range Rover Sport HSE and the Range Rover Sport Supercharged. With new 5.0-liter engines for 2010 replacing the previous 4.4- and 4.2-liter naturally aspirated and supercharged units, power is up to 375 horsepower and 375 pound-feet of torque for the HSE and a massive 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque for the Supercharged. That's enough to get the big SUVs up to 60 mph in a hurry: 7.2 seconds for the HSE and a sports car-like 5.9 for the Supercharged model. Both engines are paired with a revised six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode. Big disc brakes help both models handle all that power, while an updated and retuned Dynamic program takes advantage of the upgraded suspension elements and chassis stiffness also introduced this year. Despite weighing more than 5,500 pounds, the Range Rover Sport delivers impressive handling, though the hefty curb weight does mean fuel economy is poor, with the HSE rated at 13/18 mpg city and highway, and the Supercharged rated at 12/17 mpg.
Editors at TheCarConnection.com have driven the 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport both on- and off-road. The full-time four-wheel-drive system adds an extra punch of acceleration on the pavement, and performs sure-footedly on gravel, mud, and snowy winter roads alike. Curvy-road performance is where the Range Rover Sport line shines, hustling the bends well enough to resemble a sports car, except for its ever-present weight. Off-road, that weight isn't much of a penalty, and even the street-focused stock tires are unable to restrain the Land Rover engineering, advanced differentials, traction control and hill descent algorithms.
Inside the cabin of the Range Rover Sport, the interior is almost all-new for 2010. Though the design looks familiar, a reduction of buttons and an improvement of materials throughout make for a much-improved and positively luxurious experience. Things are a bit snugger than you'd expect from a large SUV, though up front the cockpit-like feel is intentional, helping to immerse the driver in the experience. Visibility is good thanks to ample windows. High-quality leather, wood, and wool carpeting complete the luxury experience of the Range Rover Sport.
Safety continues to be a Range Rover Sport strong suit, with advanced stability control, hill descent control, and active roll mitigation helping to keep the vehicle upright and pointed the right way down the road even during emergency situations. Front and rear-seat passengers are protected by airbags, and standard anti-lock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake force distribution help maintain stability under braking. As with many expensive SUVs, there is no crash-test data from NHTSA or the IIHS.
A wealth of technology lies just beneath the surface, accessible through the 5-inch TFT instrument panel and dash-mounted touch screen. Most of it is dedicated to managing the Range Rover Sport's impressive Adaptive Dynamics System and Terrain Response System, which allow the vehicle to perform its on-road and off-road feats by tuning the response of the adjustable dampers, and enhanced steering feel lets the driver better sense what the chassis is doing. All of this is displayed in real time on the display screen. The instrument panel also displays a host of information and is itself a digital display that reconfigures to show the most relevant information depending on the driving mode selected by the center console-mounted knob. All-new for the Supercharged for 2010 is the Dynamic program, which maximizes performance on-road-and it's a noticeable transformation when you change on the fly.
Aside from the powertrain, the primary differences between the 2010 Range Rover HSE and Supercharged versions lie in the features; most of what is optional on the HSE comes standard on the Supercharged. Both models receive significant improvements for 2010, including more extensive use of leather and soft-touch materials. Available options include a beverage cooler, a rear-seat entertainment system, and much more.
An Autobiography Limited Edition package adds duo-tone leather, embossed headrests, exclusive exterior colors, and a number of other features, including 20-inch alloy wheels and a unique mesh grille.
The Bottom Line: The 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport offers impressive performance and features, whether on-road or off.
Other Choices
If you're interested in the 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport, also consider:
Cadillac Escalade
Infiniti FX50
BMW X6
Porsche Cayenne
BMW X5
Reason Why
Cadillac's Escalade offers more space inside the cabin than the 2010 Range Rover Sport, and though it doesn't provide the extreme power of the Supercharged model, its 6.2-liter V-8 helps it keep up with the HSE. If real off-road performance isn't needed, the BMW X6 and Infiniti FX50 boast excellent on-road performance and luxurious trappings. As competitors on price, the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X5 come with competitive features, but aren't as sharply styled as the 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport.
Buying Tip
Beneath the road-friendly surface of the 2010 Range Rover Sport lies a true off-road vehicle, but that's not something every buyer needs or wants. Make sure it's something you truly desire before buying.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
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2011 Kia Sportage: First Pics, Preview Info Ahead Of Geneva
Kia has shown us the first pictures of the U.S.-spec 2011 Kia Sportage, several weeks ahead of its March 2 premiere at the Geneva auto show.
The new 2011 Kia Sportage, which will share its platform with the 2011 Hyundai Tucson, will have a longer wheelbase, more interior and cargo space, and an improved ride.
The face of the 2011 Kia Sportage (shown in U.S. spec in the pictures to the right) is becoming familiar; its bold, swept-back look and styling cues compare to those of the recently introduced Kia Forte, Forte Koup, and Kia Soul, as well as in the recently introduced 2010 Kia Sorento, though in the Sportage it's even more flamboyant, with the lower air dam pinched upward (at least visually) in the middle. From the side, its silhouette looks to be a more abbreviated, aggressive take on the stance and cues of the Sorento. The Sportage has a pronounced shoulder crease that runs from the edge of the headlights all the way to the taillights. "Fresh, bold, athletic and sporty" is how Kia describes the design, with a "commanding driving position and heightened sense of security."
Also of note to design connoisseurs: the nice, clean line running from the rear window down through the door edge and into the wheel well, and the carved-out sill area that flares out only to fade into the rear wheel well. And the wheels; just as with its 2010 Kia Forte Koup, Kia has chosen a very distinctive wheel design.
Overall, the new Sportage looks like it will be a huge leap ahead. The outgoing Sportage was first introduced for 2005. TheCarConnection.com gives the 2010 Kia Sportage an overall score of 6.6 out of 10 versus other vehicles in its class, with likes including its carlike dynamics, overall practicality, and strong overall value, including strong warranty coverage. Dislikes include its old-tech four-speed automatic transmission, weak 173-horsepower V-6, and dated styling.
Kia's very brief preview release falls short on powertrain and mechanical information. But we know that the 2011 Kia Sportage is expected to share some underpinnings with the 2011 Hyundai Tucson. A direct-injection, four-cylinder engine with six-speed manual and automatic transmissions are expected for the U.S. market, with front- or all-wheel drive versions.
For an additional sneak peek, you'll also want to check out these teaser pics of the Euro-spec version.
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2011 Chevrolet Cruze vs. 2012 Ford Focus, From The Inside Out
With the new 2011 Chevrolet Cruze and 2012 Ford Focus, as shown out on the Detroit auto show floor, you're looking at the future heart of the market. According to many who keep tabs on the industry, the so-called C-segment--the size of these two small sedans--is slated to grow rapidly over the next several years.
The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze made its production debut at this past year's Los Angeles auto show, and General Motors was showing several examples of its Chevrolet Cruze compact sedan here at the show. But the cross-town rivalry could be felt as Ford chose the Detroit auto show for the global debut of its all-new 2012 Ford Focus.
Comparing their respective exterior designs, the new Focus and Cruze are around the same size overall and, when you hold their profiles side by side, are remarkably similar in terms of overall profile.
That's about where the comparisons end. While the Cruze is clean and conservative--undoubtedly too much so for some tastes--the Focus has lots of details to be discovered, from the lipped wheel wells and flared fenders to the aggressive front end design, flowing sheetmetal leading to the taillamps, and more overt wheel designs. Topping it all off are the dual sharp 'Z' creases in the sheetmetal, which, to this reviewer's eyes effectively lower the beltline and give the proportions more of a sport-sedan pop.
In an informal poll of fellow auto journalists out on the Detroit auto show floor, nearly everyone preferred the Focus' exterior to that of the Cruze, although several noted that the Focus design was on the verge of being busy.
Take a look inside, and neither design neglects the details. Though both models are relatively affordable, their cabins have design attributes and materials that would have only been seen in luxury-brand vehicles just a few years back. For now, they serve to make the current 2010 Ford Focus and 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt look downright aged.
Over the next several slides, we take a first look at some of the interior details of these new compacts from Chevy and Ford. Take a closer look with us, and let us know which one you think is the winner.
Today In WTF: Aston Martin Lagonda Concept Is Still Alive
If you haven't blocked it from your memory, you might recall the Aston Martin Lagonda Concept that debuted in Geneva last March. You might also recall that the SUV was mostly ridiculed in the press, and that Aston's own chairman even expressed displeasure with the design. (We weren't especially kind, either. The words "angry cinderblock" were used.)
Rational people might assume that such a reception would be enough to kill off the $210,000 vehicle -- or at least send the designers scurrying back to the drawing board -- but if new photos of the concept are accurate, not only does the Lagonda still have a pulse, but also the SUV's designers apparently think its look is a-okay. Compare the new pic at top to the old shot below it: apart from some out-of-place LEDs framing the headlights, some equally out-of-place Bladerunner-esque foglights, and a new paint job, we don't see much difference. Are we missing something?
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First Drive: 2010 Hyundai Tucson
What is it? The latest generation of Hyundai's popular compact SUV
The basics: Front- and all-wheel drive plus four-cylinder power
On sale: Early next year
Price: Less than $20,000 (est.)
Hyundai only updated its Tucson compact SUV last year with a new four-cylinder engine but the next-generation model has now made its U.S. debut, showcasing the latest iteration of the automaker's "Fluidic Sculpture" design language.
The 2010 Hyundai Tucson was revealed for the first time back at September's Frankfurt Auto Show in the form of the European iX35 version. However, we now finally have the full U.S.-specs for the compact SUV--and we're live today from the first drive of the 2010 Tucson in Los Angeles.
<a href="http://www.coveritlive.com/mobile.php?option=com_mobile&task=viewaltcast&altcast_code=02a34aeb8e" rel="nofollow">2010 Hyundai Tucson First Drive</a>
The latest addition to Hyundai's lineup has a much more premium look than its predecessor and also comes with a few new features. Front- and all-wheel drive versions will be offered, but only one engine will be available initially--Hyundai's new Theta II 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with 176 horsepower (26% more than its predecessor) and 168 pound-feet of torque.
In addition to the 2.4-liter engine, Hyundai will introduce an even more fuel efficient Blue model for the 2011 model year equipped with a Theta II 2.0-liter engine.
With an overall length of 173.2 inches, a width of 71.7 inches and a height of 66.3 inches (with roof rails), the 2010 Hyundai Tucson has a great stance and road presence. It also means the Tucson has a longer wheelbase and overall width than the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Subaru Forester to deliver more packing efficiency.
Furthermore, at 3,203 pounds for an automatic transmission model, the Tucson is lighter than its competitors, while offering more interior room than the Nissan Rogue and Ford Escape.
Accordingly, the Tucson has one of the best fuel economy ratings in its class, with an estimated 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway rating for the automatic model with front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive versions return 21 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway.
Inside, fitted as standard is Hyundai's signature blue lighting, power windows, power door locks, fold-away mirrors and remote keyless entry with alarm and panic button. Bluetooth hands-free phone system with voice recognition and steering wheel audio and cruise controls are also available.
Other available features include leather seating surfaces, heated front seats, power driver seat with lumbar support, automatic headlights, side repeater exterior mirrors, front wiper de-icer and dual front automatic temperature control.
A total of six airbags are also positioned in the Tucson's interior. Dual advanced frontal airbags are complemented by front seat-mounted side-impact airbags and roof-mounted side-curtain airbags with new rollover sensors that cover both the front and rear seat rows.
Development for the 2010 Hyundai Tucson took more than 36 months and cost upwards of $225 million. The Tucson has remained one of the most popular Hyundai models with more than one million units sold worldwide since the launch of the original model back in 2004.
[Hyundai]
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Ford Wows With 2011 Fiesta Interior; Can’t Compare Mazda2 Yet
Whether it was an odd coincidence or a calculated move, the 2011 Ford Fiesta and 2011 Mazda2 were both introduced at the LA Auto Show, on the same day.
What makes it significant is that they're closely related. While we've heard varying figures, it's fair to say that they share more than just a few pieces.
TheCarConnection.com spent some time crawling through the Fiesta's interior and was pleasantly surprised at the high-quality look and feel of the cabin materials--for a car that will undoubtedly start at under $15,000.
The instrument panel has a nice, soft-touch grained surface, and all the matte-metallic trim used for various parts inside seemed to match. Seat fabric felt a little coarse, but it looked breathable and felt grippy; we also loved the hexagonal pattern of the fabric--subtle, yet distinctive.
The centerpiece of the Fiesta's interior is the center stack of audio controls, with hot buttons for audio and phone functions on the left side, plus volume scan, and select buttons large and right smack in the middle. While the climate controls look a little low, just ahead of the shift knob, the audio controls and display screen look to be a home run; for the umpteenth time we've heard that designers looked to mobile phone interfaces, but here it really works.
We attempted to follow this time in the 2011 Fiesta with a sit in the 2011 Mazda2, but it turns out the interior design and materials, as we see it in the show car at Los Angeles, is not in its final form. Materials, features, and even the design of the Mazda2's interior are likely to change by the time the full production version of the '2' is shown, likely at Detroit.
Though these two brands will probably say their vehicles aren't rivals, Mazda surprisingly has a lot to live up to.
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2011 Hyundai Sonata: First Look
What is it?: The next generation of Hyundai's mid-size family sedan
The basics: Exceptional styling, and a hybrid version in the works
On sale: Summer 2010, with a public showing at the Detroit Auto Show
Price: $20,000 (est.)
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is making its world debut today at the 2009 Los Angeles autos how.
The sixth-generation of the popular nameplate has now made its debut in its home market of South Korea. The new car was designed and developed in Hyundai's Orange County, California offices, and shows a design flair that's been absent from the model's repertoire. It adopts a new "fluidic sculpture" design language and incorporates several features and technologies not normally found in this segment.
The 2011 model is slightly larger than the one it replaces, stretching 190-inches in length, 72-inches in width, 58-inches in height, and with a wheelbase of 110-inches.
In South Korea the car is being launched with a 2.0-liter gasoline engine. However, in the U.S. the base engine will be a 2.4-liter Theta II GDI unit. A turbocharged four-cylinder engine is planned, but there's no word on a V-6 version. All engines will be offered with a new six-speed automatic transmission for heightened performance.
Safety features include Vehicle Dynamic Control including Hill-start Assist Control and Brake Assist System functions. Optional goodies include a three-piece panoramic sunroof, a parking guide system, and an 8-inch interface and JBL Premium Sound system.
A hybrid version will be shown later next year, and both cars will be on sale during 2010, with the gas-only Sonata arriving in showrooms first. The hybrid edition will be Hyundai's first U.S.-market, gas-electric effort--and will use lithium-ion batteries to augment its electric motors and gas engine.
Stay tuned for more details as we approach the car's U.S. launch in January next year--and stay tuned as we report from the L.A. Auto Show.
MORE: 2011 Hyundai Sonata full preview and photos
MORE: 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show
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2011 Hyundai Sonata Preview
TheCarConnection.com's editors have prepared this preview of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata from official information released at the 2009 Los Angeles auto show. Editors will update this story and bring you a first drive as soon as the new Sonata sedan is available for press previews.
Likes
Zoomy new styling
Fuel-conscious
Entertainment options galore
Turbo, Hybrid versions coming
Dislikes
Will buyers accept no V-6?
Interior is stylish--but not everyone's style
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is making its world debut today at the 2009 Los Angeles auto show.
The sixth generation sedan is set to go on sale in 2010, and it's taking an aggressive styling and performance stance as it tries to woo away shoppers from the likes of the Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, Ford Fusion and even the Mazda6. The 2011 Sonata will be offered in four-cylinder form--with a turbocharged four in the works, as well as a hybrid--but in an interesting twist of marketing, it's not going to be offered with a V-6 engine, at least initially. Priced from about $20,000, the new sedan will compete with those other big-selling sedans as well as Hyundai's own Azera front-driver.
The new car was designed and developed in Hyundai's Orange County, California offices, and shows a design flair that's been absent from the model's repertoire. It adopts a new "fluidic sculpture" design language. It's a daring look for what will be the brand's "family" sedan--with lots of curves and arcs accentuated by a deep sculptural strake in its side. Hyundai says the high beltline and chrome grill give it far more presence than the current 2010 Sonata. The interior shares some themes with the big Hyundai Genesis sedan, including flanks of vents around a big LCD screen atop the dash, though the new Sonata has even more dramatic sculpturing in its steering wheel and dash cap.
As compelling as it looks, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata is breaking ground in powertrain choices. It will launch, at least initially, without the V-6 option that's immensely popular in all its competitors. The 2.4-liter four-cylinder will make 198 horsepower, thanks to direct injection and other advanced engine technology. A turbocharged 2.0-liter version of the same four-cylinder will be added to the Sonata lineup next year, Hyundai promises, and then a hybrid version crafted from the 2.4-liter engine and lithium-ion batteries will be introduced. Both gas-only engines will be offered with a new six-speed automatic transmission; a six-speed manual will be standard on base versions. Hyundai says the Sonata will rate 23/35 mpg with the automatic, 23/34 mpg with the manual. Hyundai's also putting some attention to the Sonata's handling: an SE version with 200 hp is planned, and the sedan's multi-link rear suspension will be retuned in SE trim for better responses. The SE also will add 18-inch wheels and tires to the base car's 17-inchers; 19-inch wheels will be available.
The 2011 Sonata is slightly larger than the one it replaces, stretching 190 inches in length, 72 inches in width, 58 inches in height, and sporting a wheelbase of 110 inches. Hyundai says it delivers class-leading interior room: in cubic feet it bests the Ford Fusion, Chevy Malibu and Nissan Altima, and like the Honda Accord, it's big enough to qualify as a "large" car by EPA standards. Its overall dimensions include 120.2 cubic feet of interior room and a 16.4-cubic-foot trunk.
Safety features for the 2011 Sonata will include dual front, side and curtain airbags; stability control and traction control; hill start assist and brake assist. Options will include parking sensors and a rearview camera. Hyundai is planning on five-star performance from the NHTSA's crash test cycle.
Standard features will include power windows, locks and mirrors; cruise control; air conditioning; and a cloth interior. Optional goodies include a three-piece panoramic sunroof, a parking guide system, and an 8-inch interface and JBL Premium Sound system. A new DVD navigation system teams up with Infinity speakers and a touch screen, 400 watts of power and HD Radio as well as 8GB of memory for your music. An iPod/USB connection, Bluetooth stereo audio and XM real-time traffic will be options.
The Bottom Line: The 2011 Hyundai Sonata goes for drama with striking looks, no V-6 option, and turbochargers and hybrid batteries to come.
Other Choices:
If you like the 2011 Hyundai Sonata, also consider:
- Honda Accord
- Toyota Camry
- Nissan Altima
- Ford Fusion
Reason Why:
The family-sedan class has titans and also-rans, and the 2011 Sonata is challenging the big players with hybrid technology and style. The Honda Accord is as big as the Sonata, but its styling is a bit dodgy, though its handling is nearly as good as the Nissan Altima, which pairs great looks and a great drivetrain (gas or hybrid) with smart handling. The latest Ford Fusion has something for every sedan shopper--hybrid, V-6 or four-cylinder power, and good looks. It also has class-leading entertainment systems--for the moment.
Buying Tip:
If fuel economy isn't your primary consideration, the turbocharged Sonata could be the closest thing to a Genesis Coupe with four doors--since the Genesis sedan doesn't share the Coupe's turbo four.
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First Drive: 2010 Lexus GX 460
Stepping into the brand-new 2010 Lexus GX 460 for the first time, it's hard not to feel a bit nostalgic.
Why? Among mid-size utes, the Lexus GX 460 is the last one standing; it's the only vehicle this size that sticks with the body-on-frame construction long preferred those who do heavy towing, and by some off-roaders.
Luxurious mid-size sport-utility vehicles like it used to be much more common, even trendy. Going back through the past decade, there were vehicles like the Infiniti QX4, Acura SLX, Jeep Grand Cherokee, Lincoln Aviator, and GMC Envoy Denali. Nearly all of them offered dressed-up, reasonably roomy interiors, along with some measure of off-road prowess and towing ability, qualities that in truth were seldom used by buyers. In recent years, automakers (and shoppers) have come to recognize that, instead favoring modern car-based crossover vehicles and focusing on larger truck-based luxury utes like the Infiniti QX56, Cadillac Escalade, or Lincoln Navigator.
Slotting below the Land Cruiser-based LX 570 in the Lexus lineup, the 2010 Lexus GX 460 is all-new this year, itself based on the Toyota 4Runner. While the 4Runner offers four-cylinder and V-6 engines, the GX offers a V-8, power-folding third-row seats, plus a host of luxury and technology options and much-improved refinement--while allowing impressive off-road and towing ability. The GX reemerges more polished and refined than ever and doesn't give away any secrets about its construction in the way it drives, which we'll get to shortly, and while you might guess that it's a truck-based ute by the way it looks, Lexus hasn't skimped one bit on the styling, design details, or materials.
Styling: L-Finesse On steroids
Throughout the GX, designers have blended the gentle, organic, and aerodynamic styling of the Lexus L-Finesse designs of recent years with a "machined steel bar" theme, giving it a more sculpted, solid look that separates it from the cars and crossovers. In back especially the design is clean and uncluttered, thanks to the narrow vertical taillamps and a new wiper design that's hidden under the roof spoiler. Alongside, the GX looks the most 'trucky,' with carved-out fenders and the very tall, imposing beltline. Lexus likes to think of the interior as "tough premium," with the GX combining the expected chunky trim and bulkier door handles with soft, luxurious materials.
