Lexus GX

Like its Toyota 4Runner corporate cousin, the GX 460 is among the few remaining old-school SUVs that use a body-on-frame design. It is very quiet and quick for a hulking brute, yet the GX is highly capable off-road and has a high tow rating. The 4.6-liter V8 engine and six-speed automatic make for a slick powertrain but got a paltry 17 mpg overall. Handling is lumbering but ultimately secure. The ride is very comfortable, although the body tends to jostle when driving over uneven pavement. Inside, the cabin is plush and well-finished. The small third-row seat folds neatly into the floor when it's not in use, but the side-swinging rear door can be inconvenient at times. Reliability has consistently been above average.

The 2010 model uses a 4.6-liter V8. The ride is quiet and comfortable and off-road capability is commendable. All-wheel drive and three rows of seats are standard. Handling feels ponderous in corners, even at moderate speeds. Even though the GX has a standard third-row seat, it's way too cramped. Access is awkward, as is opening the side-swinging rear door in tight spaces. The subscription-based Lexus Enform Remote app performs unlock/lock, remote start and trace functions, along with a tracking service. You can get an alert sent to your smartphone if the vehicle exceeds a preset speed or mileage limit to help you keep an eye on a teenage driver. We'd get a GX 460 Premium with the optional blind spot monitoring system and heated wood-and-leather steering wheel. It's the best deal in the lineup.

The GX470 shares a platform with the Toyota 4Runner. It slots in size and price between the RX330 and LX470. Like the LX470, it's a body-on-frame design with a live rear axle. It has three rows of seats and can seat eight. It shares the LX470's smooth and quiet engine and transmission as well as many of the LX's luxury appointments. The ride is comfortable and quiet, but it can be jostly. Cornering is less than agile. Interior fit and finish is impressive. Full-time 4WD, a hill-descent feature and a system that prevents roll-back on steep ascents help make it competent off-road. 2005 brought a horsepower boost.