The 2022 Lexus GX460 is a close cousin to the Toyota 4Runner and is identical to the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. It has full off-roading capability with full-time four-wheel drive as well as the option to be in four low for extreme mud or other environmental challenges. There are auto-folding third row seats should I ever want to travel with a crowd of people, and I can fit up to four Border collie-sized crates should I ever need them.
A big reason I wanted this car is because of the air conditioning system that is fully vented and has separate temperature control for three different zones: the front seat (driver's zone), the back seat (passenger zone), and the cargo area (dogs' zone). The dogs' crate area has full air conditioning vents both directly into the side door of the crate as well as adjustable vents that blow from above directly onto the dog's crate.
Pearls:
- Fits both Jackie's large and Gunner's intermediate Ruffland crate in the cargo area with the backseats up and functional
- If I ever needed to, I could fit two additional intermediate Ruffland crates on the flattened back seat for a total of four crates
- The three-zone air conditioning system is excellent because the dogs have several vents blowing cold air directly into their crate, and I can keep it colder in the back for the dogs while adjusting it separately in the front for the driver
- In the dog (cargo) area there is a 120 volt (like the one in your house) that I can plug in a crate fan or any other accessory I might need, just on the inside of the back cargo door
- The 2022 Lexus GX460 has all the reliability and off-road capabilities of a Toyota Land Cruiser, with all the creature comforts of a Lexus
