The 2024 Lexus GX design is as clean-sheet because it will get; one which’s not only a full departure from its excessively long-lived predecessor that wore a number of company faces, however one from the remainder of the Lexus lineup as properly. To those eyes, it’s one of many best-looking SUVs of all time. Clear, trendy, basic. If it manages to outlive the identical 14 years because the final GX, it’ll nonetheless look nice in 2038.
In idea, although, the brand new Lexus GX 550 is essentially the identical: a luxury-lined, body-on-frame, three-row SUV that may really go off-road. It’s simply that it now appears the half, versus the Kardashianland grocery-getter vibe it replaces. And certain, the Premium and Luxurious trims are nonetheless extra Patagonia model than overlanding in precise Patagonia, however for that, the brand new GX 550 Overtrail exists. With its all-terrain tires on black 18-inch wheels, raised roof rails and severe mechanical upgrades, it represents the brand new vibe at its fullest.
To be clear, although, even when the idea carries over, nothing else does. You identify it, it’s new, a mirrored image of a nameplate that mainly skipped a complete era of progress. The 2024 GX 550 is as trendy because the GX 460 was historic. Its GA-F platform is identical body-on-frame one which underpins the Lexus LX 600, plus Toyota’s Tundra, Sequoia, Tacoma and next-generation Land Cruiser. The resemblance to that final one is most evident, as you’ll be able to see under. It wouldn’t be a stretch to explain the GX because the Lexus Land Cruiser.
The brand new engine is a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 good for 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. For these lamenting the lack of the outdated GX 460 V8, simply know the hill you’re dying upon made solely 301 hp and 329 lb-ft. It was additionally shackled to a six-speed computerized and will tow solely 6,500 kilos. The brand new one has 10 speeds and might tow greater than 9,000 kilos. There may even be a hybrid obtainable “at a later date” similar to, however presumably extra highly effective than, the Land Cruiser’s customary i-Power Max four-cylinder hybrid powertrain.
The distinction is clear and instant. Earlier than it was all sound, no fury; only a bunch of breathy roar on the way in which to a leisurely 7.7-second 0-60 time. Lexus hasn’t launched a 0-60 time for the GX 550, however the VBox in my mind says it’s now within the mid-6 vary, and higher nonetheless, hooked up to a clean, torque-rich powerband that speaks to each the efficiency and refinement demanded of a luxurious SUV.
Gasoline economic system is estimated to be 15 miles per gallon metropolis, 21 mpg freeway and 17 mpg mixed, in order that’s not superb. The outdated V8 and six-speed bought 16 mixed. In the meantime, a six-cylinder Land Rover Defender 110 returns 20 mixed; a Discovery with the identical engine will get 22 mixed. I feel we all know what the primary “con” is.
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Each model of the GX 550 will get a full-time four-wheel-drive system, which, for many consumers, might be regarded as a typical all-wheel-drive system that’ll ship energy the place it must when it must with out driver interplay. It’s finally four-wheel drive due to the little change that toggles the system from default 4Hi down into 4Lo. The changeover occurs faster now, although you continue to have to cease and put the GX in impartial. There may be additionally a typical limited-slip locking heart differential from Torsen that evenly splits energy 50:50 for sure low-grip conditions (that doesn’t imply have interaction it when snowy).
That brings us to the Overtrail and its better-equipped sibling, Overtrail+. They achieve an digital locking rear differential, activated by the motive force urgent a button, which evenly splits energy between the rear wheels. In the event you take pleasure in a great afternoon of rock crawling, you’ll respect this. In the event you don’t, properly, it’s there.
By the way in which, all the above off-road {hardware} is customary on the brand new Land Cruiser. Distinctive to the GX Overtrail is its customary Digital Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System, or E-KDSS, which makes its debut within the Toyota/Lexus empire. The unique, hydraulic model of KDSS was beforehand customary on each GX and obtainable on the 4Runner TRD Off-Highway, and achieved the identical total objective as the brand new, electronically managed model: routinely disconnecting the stabilizer bars when it detects you’ve reached an off-road impediment that calls for as a lot wheel articulation as potential. As a result of it could actually disconnect the roll bars, nevertheless, the roll bars themselves might be significantly larger, permitting for improved dealing with and diminished physique roll on-road. Merely, it’s a win-win. In-depthly, you’ll be able to learn the whole lot you ever need to learn about KDSS in our 4Runner Suspension Deep Dive.
The brand new digital component permits elevated suspension journey in addition to the separate engagement of the entrance and rear stabilizer bars. This permits the rear bar to stay engaged till the system laptop, based mostly on a calculation of pace and wheelbase, determines that the identical impediment that simply disengaged the entrance bar has reached the rear. To reveal why that is good, Lexus constructed an off-road impediment consisting of a giant hump for the left wheel and a deep puddle proper subsequent to it for the precise wheel. Whereas the ensuing present outdoors was little doubt wheels dramatically stepping into reverse extremes, the expertise inside was remarkably uneventful. The flat hood remained near even with the horizon (thanks disconnected entrance stabilizer bar), whereas the rear finish didn’t sway backwards and forwards loosey-goosey (due to the still-connected rear stabilizer bar). At an acceptable snail-like tempo, it felt just like the Overtrail had gone over nothing in any respect.
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The Overtrail additionally contains an adaptive variable suspension, obtainable on the opposite trims, which does the same old trick of firming up for improved dealing with and stress-free for cushier goings. If the latter is essential, you could need to suppose twice in regards to the Overtrail, because the inflexible sidewalls of its all-terrain tires degrade trip high quality – going from the volume-selling Premium+ trim to an Overtrail felt like swapping work boot rubber onto the soles of your trainers. Sure, despite the fact that the opposite trims come customary with 20-inch wheels. We didn’t detect an overt enhance in street noise, although, and actually, the trip was nonetheless properly inside the realm of acceptable. It’s simply much less historically Lexus-like.
That’s not the one potential draw back to the Overtrail: It’s five-passenger solely. The Premium and Luxurious trim ranges have three rows, with a typical seven-passenger capability or non-compulsory six-passenger/captain’s chairs. Third-row house is definitely first rate – small adults and teenagers ought to match again there properly sufficient, and truthfully, few luxurious three-rows are higher. Cargo house behind it, nevertheless, is LOL. The specs say 10.3 cubic toes, however that’s nearly solely vertical house. If any of the six luggage from my baggage exams match behind the third row, I’d be shocked. However a minimum of you now get to it with a power-operated liftgate quite than the GX 460’s right-to-left swing gate. Some will likely be unhappy, most won’t, however all will likely be glad it nonetheless has a separate pop-up window. The liftgate was a widespread buyer request.
Talking of which, the Overtrail doesn’t have the third row as a result of Lexus analysis decided that overlanders ceaselessly eliminated the GX 460’s third row for elevated cargo capability. Certainly, the Overtrail has 45.6 cubic-feet behind its second row versus 40.2 in the whole lot else. That’s not nothing, however Lexus is anticipating 30% of GX 550 prospects will select Overtrails. Of that, what number of do you reckon are overlandists? It’s not shocking, then, that Lexus has already obtained suggestions from would-be consumers who would really like the choice of a three-row Overtrail. Lexus is listening, don’t be stunned if it’s added sooner quite than later.
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The remainder of the cabin is tall and ethereal, with distinctive visibility due to the boxy form, low beltline, comparatively skinny pillars and a blocky hood that drops down within the center to offer an incredible view of the street forward. And if all that suspension articulation stuff made you go “who cares?” know that the GX continues to be very a lot a luxurious SUV. There are options aplenty, starting from USB ports for each outboard seating place to massaging entrance seats. The identical duo of 10.9-inch instrument display screen and 14-inch infotainment touchscreen discovered elsewhere within the Lexus lineup lands within the GX (although it fortunately does with out the absurd head-up show wheel controls obtainable within the RX and NX). The touchscreen possesses the identical foibles – no fast escape from Apple CarPlay, and the navigation map at all times forgets you set it for North Up after leaping to a different menu – nevertheless it’s fairly clearly an enchancment over the traditional, embiggened 4Runner touchscreen discovered within the GX 460. Humorous, that stayed on sale so lengthy, a number of generations of Lexus Distant Contact got here and went. Bullet dodged, I suppose.
Cabin construct high quality appears to be as much as the same old elevated Lexus requirements, however the supplies themselves are a tad too Land Cruiser. Wooden trim is unconvincing and haphazardly positioned; the black squishy stuff on the passenger aspect of the sprint appears like cheap exhausting plastic and, typically, the look isn’t as elevated as some may count on for the model. Neither is it as characterful as the outside. Leather-based isn’t customary, both, however the NuLuxe simulated stuff ought to put on higher and didn’t take out a cow.
Maybe it’s not apparent due to how a lot new-and-notable floor there was to cowl, however the 2024 Lexus GX 550 is a profoundly likable SUV. It appears truckier, however the driving expertise is significantly much less so due to extra direct and exact digital energy steering, a physique much less vulnerable to heaving by means of corners, and an engine that easily doles out ample energy. It’s not as refined on-road as crossover-type three-row SUVs corresponding to the brand new Lexus TX, however the hole has shrunk dramatically. Constructive comparisons to the Land Rover Defender are warranted, and never simply from an goal perspective. The GX 550 equally tickles the subjective elements of the mind with its personal basic, off-roader fashion that’s so very “now.”
That Lexus is bullish about its sale potential isn’t any shock – if something, the estimate of 33,000 from the second quarter onward is conservative contemplating ye olde one bought practically 32,000 with an additional quarter to work with in 2023. Constraints on the manufacturing unit in Japan usually tend to be a limiting issue than demand, particularly as roughly 30,000 individuals have already raised their palms. In different phrases, good luck discovering one!
However should you do, the 2024 Lexus GX 550 is unlikely to disappoint, even with the lofty expectations that include trying so darn good … and ready so darn lengthy. It’s a greater luxurious SUV and it’s a greater off-roading SUV. It’s not probably the most family-friendly nor probably the most environment friendly, however then nothing’s good. If that is what we’ll be caught with for the following 14 years, that must be simply wonderful.
