DecodedCars2006 Lexus GX
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2006 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Body styles
- 470 4dr SUV AWD
- Engines
- 4.7L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Premium Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 15 combined · 14 city / 18 hwy
- Length
- 189 in
- Curb weight
- 4,740 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 1 campaign
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 15 MPG combined, 12% below the 2006 SUV - average of 17 MPG.
- Premium fuel requiredEvery gasoline version is rated for premium, which raises running costs.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2006 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2006 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), 12% worse than the 2006 SUV - average of 17 MPG, for an estimated $5,500 a year in fuel.
It has 1 recall campaign on file and owners have filed 26 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the structure.
What changed for 2006
No changes to engines, powertrains, drivetrains, size, EPA ratings or NHTSA crash rating compared with the 2005 GX — a carry-over year in the data.
Compared with 2005; trim, feature and price changes aren't covered. See the 2005 GX →
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 470 4dr SUV AWD | 189 in | 74 in | 70.9 in | 110.2 in | 61.8 / 62.2 in | 4,740 lb | 53/47 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GX 470 | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 14 / 18 / 15 | -12% | $5,500 | 592 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2006 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2006 Lexus GX under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2006 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006 Lexus GX (this car) | 15 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 12 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2006 Land Rover Range Rover | 14 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Porsche Cayenne | 15 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2006 BMW X5 | 16 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 BMW X3 | 18 MPG | Not rated | 1 |
| 2006 Cadillac Escalade | 14 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
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.
Not every 2006 Lexus GX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2006 Lexus GX buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 1 recall this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Structure › Body — 10 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Air Bags — 10 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Engine — 3 owner reports. Cold-start the engine, listen for knocking, and watch for warning lights or hesitation on acceleration.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 121,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2006 Lexus GX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other GX years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 GX | 17 | 196.9 in | Not rated | 0 | 2 |
| 2025 GX | 17 | 196.9 in | Not rated | 2 | 13 |
| 2024 GX | 17 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 4 | 20 |
| 2023 GX | 16 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 6 |
| 2022 GX | 16 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 7 |
| 2021 GX | 16 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 4 |
| 2020 GX | 16 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 0 | 5 |
| 2019 GX | 16 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 1 | 8 |
| 2018 GX | 16 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
| 2017 GX | 16 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 15 |
| 2016 GX | 17 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 2 | 9 |
| 2015 GX | 17 | 192.1 in | Not rated | 3 | 11 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →