MotorwayAmerica.com

By Jim Meachen
Editor, MotorwayAmerica.com

(September 29, 2024) The Lexus GX came into the world in 2002 as the brand's rugged off-road SUV — with body-on-frame credentials to back up the claim. The second generation, introduced way back in 2010, served through 2023 with styling and technology updates along the way. Finally Lexus has got around to a third generation, completely updating its mid-sized three-row luxury people mover.

I found over a week and nearly 300 miles that the newest Lexus continues to effectively serve as a dual-purpose sport utility displaying impressive off-road chops when leaving the beaten path, and presenting a well-mannered and comfortable mid-sizer while attached to paved streets and highways.  


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And that's a good thing, because the pavement is where almost all the GX550's will reside — carrying passengers and cargo on the errands of life with most of its four-wheel-drive duties  coming in inclement winter weather.

The new GX550 has abundant attributes not the least of which are a Lexus-quiet cabin, a plethora of new technology, eye-catching styling that stands out from the luxury SUV crowd, capable off-road manners when needed and perhaps best of all for those with a travel trailer or a large boat the GX550 can tow up to 8,000 pounds of weekend toys.

Every version is loaded with tech and luxury features, but the ends of the spectrum are occupied by trims aimed at being either highly opulent or wildly capable off-road. The two Luxury trims — Premium and Premium Plus, and Luxury and Luxury+ — up the wheel size to as much as 22 inches and add massaging front seats, power running boards, and a sunroof that can vary its tint between transparent and opaque.

On the other hand, the Overtrail+ trim comes standard with 33-inch tires and 18-inch wheels. There are such off-roadies available as locking center and rear differentials and the new E-KDSS (Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System), with independently detachable front and rear anti-roll bars.

The GX550 in all trim levels is well served by a turbocharged 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 making 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. All models come with four-wheel drive. I found this powertrain works well. In my unloaded (three passengers, no cargo) testing it moved sharply off the line and passed and merged in pleasing fashion.



For comparison purposes the GX550 has been measured from 0-to-60 in 6.5 second and with a quarter mile time of 14.7 seconds @ 95 mph. I found the steering well weighted providing good feedback on the open road. It's simply easy — and should I say — rather fun to drive. While I performed no brake tests, magazine testers say the SUV can panic stop in a very acceptable 125 feet from 60 miles an hour.

The downside is rather meager EPA gas mileage numbers measured at 15 mpg city, 21 highway and 17 combined on premium gas. This begs the question, why in a company such as Toyota with perhaps more hybrid configurations than any other automaker in the free world, there's not a hybrid variant in an this all new vehicle? The GX500 cries out for a hybrid powertrain.

The interior is well sorted out with a satisfying number of hard buttons and available controls without having to delve into the infotainment screen. I just got out of an otherwise excellent SUV that forced drivers to go though screen after screen to access such normally easy-to-use things such as air flow from the front vents.

The GX is comfortable on road, unfazed when driving over broken pavement. Its suspension does a credible job of sorting out bumps and keeping the cabin serene. The cabin is quiet at highway speeds, with the exception of some wind noise off the tall side mirrors. The seats across the first two rows are supportive and comfortable. The third-row bench seat is mounted low to the floor, however, resulting in a knees-in-the-air seating position, and it should be reserved for children.

Three-row versions of the GX do not have a lot of storage when all of the seats are up — just 10.3 cubic feet. That expands to a useable 40.2 cubic feet with the third row folded; dropping the second-row opens up 76.9 cubic feet. Cargo space is much better in the two-row Overtrail trims, which don't have the third-row seat.

I found upfront storage spaces a bit lacking — on one trip with both drink holders tasked to hold drinks, storage for smalls was limited to the phone charger tray.  On the other hand, decently sized door pockets help out.

There are six trim levels to chose from — Premium, Premium Plus, Luxury, Luxury +, Overtrain and Overtrail + — starting at $64,250 for the Premium and topping out with the Luxury + at $81,729. I recommend the Premium Plus starting at $69,250 for a good mix of equipment at a good price. Our Premium+ came in at $71,455 with a few options.

2024 Lexus GX550

Essentials
Base price: $64,250; as driven, $71,455
Engine: 3.4-liter turbocharged V6
Horsepower: 349 @ 4,800 rpm
Torque: 479 pound-feet @ 2,000 rpm
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Drive: all-wheel
Seating: 2/2/2
Length: 197.1 inches
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
Curb weight: 5,666 pounds
Turning circle: 42 feet
Towing capacity: 8,000 pounds
Luggage capacity: 10.3 cubic feet
Cargo capacity: 76.9 cubic feet
Fuel capacity: 21.1 gallons (premium)
EPA rating: 15 city, 21 highway, 17 combined
0-60: 6.5 seconds (Car and Driver)
Also consider: Audi Q7, Acura MDX, BMW X5

The Good
• Nice balance of on-road/off-road capabilities
• Eye-catching design
• Attractive and useable controls
• Interior is "Lexus" quiet

The Bad
• Small third-row seat

The Ugly
• Mediocre gas mileage and on premium gas