Makes›Lexus›GX›2005

2005 Lexus GX

Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.

Lexus GX
Pictured: 2024 Lexus GX 550 Luxury+, front 12.8.24. Photo: Kevauto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Class
Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
Body styles
470 4dr SUV AWD
Engines
4.7L 8-cyl
Drivetrain
4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
Fuel
Regular Gasoline
MPG (best)
15 combined · 14 city / 18 hwy
Length
189 in
Curb weight
4,740 lb
NHTSA rating
Not rated
Recalls
1 campaign

Overview

The 2005 Lexus GX is a SUV - offered with a 4.7L 8-cyl engine and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.

It measures about 189 inches long and 74 inches wide on a 110-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 4,740 lb.

EPA rates its most efficient version at 15 MPG combined (14 city / 18 highway), 10% worse than the 2005 SUV - average of 16.7 MPG, for an estimated $4,450 a year in fuel.

It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 16 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the air bags.

Dimensions & weight

BodyLengthWidthHeightWheelbaseTrack F / RCurb weightWeight F/R
470 4dr SUV AWD189 in74 in70.9 in110.2 in61.8 / 62.2 in4,740 lb53/47

Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.

Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →

Engines, MPG & running costs

VersionEngineTransmissionDriveCity / Hwy / Combvs. classFuel / yrCO₂ g/mi
GX 4704.7L 8-cylAutomatic 5-spd4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive14 / 18 / 15-10%$4,450592
Spend $10,250Fuel over 5 years vs. average new car
16.7 MPG2005 Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD average

EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →

Safety ratings & technology

NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Lexus GX under the current (2011+) test program.

Similar 2005 SUV -s

ModelBest MPG / rangeNHTSA overallRecalls
2005 Lexus GX (this car)15 MPGNot rated1
2005 Mercedes-Benz G-Class12 MPGNot rated0
2005 Land Rover Range Rover12 MPGNot rated0
2005 Porsche Cayenne15 MPGNot rated3
2005 BMW X516 MPGNot rated0
2005 BMW X318 MPGNot rated0
2005 Cadillac Escalade15 MPGNot rated0

Recalls (1)

Air Bags › Side/Window · Feb 5, 2016

NHTSA campaign 16V065000 · 320,409 vehicles

Problem
Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
Risk
If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
Fix
Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.
Check your VIN for open recalls at NHTSA ↗

Not every 2005 Lexus GX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.

Owner-reported problems

16Complaints to NHTSA since 2015
1Involved a crash
0Involved a fire
0Injuries reported
130,000 miTypical mileage at failure
Air Bags6
Unknown Or Other5
Structure › Body3
Service Brakes2
Electronic Stability Control (Esc)1
Steering1
Seat Belts1
Tires1
Complaints received per month (last 24 months with reports)
15/02: 115/05: 115/09: 116/06: 116/10: 116/12: 117/01: 317/03: 117/06: 118/07: 121/04: 121/09: 122/06: 123/12: 115/0215/0916/1017/0117/0621/0422/06max 3

Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.

Used 2005 Lexus GX buyer's checklist

  1. Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
  2. Air Bags — 6 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
  3. Structure › Body — 3 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
  4. Service Brakes — 2 owner reports. Brake firmly from speed; check for pulling, pulsing pedal or ABS warning light.
  5. Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 130,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
  6. Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.

Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Lexus GX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.

Other GX years

Compare all years →
YearMPG (best)LengthOverallRecallsComplaints
2026 GX17196.9 inNot rated02
2025 GX17196.9 inNot rated213
2024 GX17192.1 inNot rated420
2023 GX16192.1 inNot rated06
2022 GX16192.1 inNot rated07
2021 GX16192.1 inNot rated04
2020 GX16192.1 inNot rated05
2019 GX16192.1 inNot rated18
2018 GX16192.1 inNot rated29
2017 GX16192.1 inNot rated315
2016 GX17192.1 inNot rated29
2015 GX17192.1 inNot rated311

Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →