Old Cruiser For a New World

Lexus isn’t new to the posh SUV recreation. Almost 20 years in the past, the 1996 LX 450 took a bow carrying some warmed-over Land Cruiser sheet metallic, borrowing the 80-Collection’ stable entrance and rear axles. That Jurassic-era tech gave the primary LX true go-anywhere functionality, a skillset that its authentic house owners appreciated however most likely not often used besides on their Christmas journeys to Aspen. LX house owners had been drawn in by yards of leather-based lining the inside and the truck’s softly sprung trip, and functionality was surplus, a reassurance.

The LX has grown bigger within the intervening years, sacrificing a few of its rough-and-tumble angle upon the altar of luxurious. However Lexus hasn’t forgotten {that a} sense of overbuilt high quality and off-road functionality sells SUVs. Enter the 2024 GX 550. Its twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 makes 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft., so don’t fret in regards to the final mannequin’s outgoing V-8. Crucially, the brand new GX retains body-on-frame development and commonplace low-range four-wheel drive with a middle locking differential, whereas the new-for-2024 Overtrail mannequin brings a locking rear diff again to the lineup. It is the LX 450 another time.

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Breaking It Down

Sharing its bones with the worldwide Toyota Land Cruiser Prado and US-market Land Cruiser, the Lexus GX sports activities a really upright design, with a low beltline and thinner, extra vertical A-pillars to help visibility. The automaker’s signature spindle grille motif seems draped throughout the GX’s entrance finish, and its hood creases and dips within the middle, towards the nostril of the truck, to help entrance wheel placement and supply a greater view of the highway (or path) forward.

Inside, the cabin doesn’t get a lot in the way in which of brightwork, with just a few spears of aluminum and a bit of spot of wooden trim showing on the middle console. The shallow, flat-faced dashboard has a totally horizontal high, giving the inside a decidedly military-issue vibe – utilitarians will like it and hedonists will say it’s dour and bland.

Beneath its broad shoulders, the Lexus GX does away with its previous, underpowered V8 in favor of a brawny twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 making 349 horsepower (up 48 horses over the outgoing mill) and 479 pound-feet of torque (up a staggering 150). A ten-speed computerized replaces a six-speed, and all trims get a everlasting four-wheel-drive system with a locking middle differential and selectable low vary, identical to that previous LX 450. Ditto the body-on-frame development, making the Lexus GX distinctive amongst mid-size luxurious SUVs.

Goal-Constructed

That ladder body is likely one of the GX’s key promoting factors; following its debut in 2004, the rough-and-tumble Lexus grew to become a darling of the off-road and overland set. Lexus is seemingly conscious, which is why there’s a brand new $69,250 Overtrail mannequin within the lineup for 2024. Key upgrades for the Overtrail embrace trim-specific 18-inch wheels and 33-inch all-terrain tires, some trick adaptive dampers, a six-setting terrain administration system, low-speed Crawl Management, and a 360-degree Multi-Terrain Monitor with under-car views.

Most significantly, nonetheless, is the Overtrail’s Digital Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS). That mouthful is longhand for a sway-bar disconnect system that works mechanically, firming up at velocity for higher stability and easing again over terrain to supply a wholesome 25 inches of wheel journey on massive bumps.

Let me let you know: E-KDSS works wonders. On the reasonably technical, rutted path close to Tucson, I watched the GX forward of me droop and tuck its tires over undulations, then felt my very own GX do the identical whereas retaining a remarkably even trip. You’ll be able to really feel the tires and suspension transferring round beneath you – involving you within the expertise moderately than isolating you from it – however the Lexus at all times feels surefooted.

The 360-degree digicam proved helpful on the path, permitting me to pick both an under-car view that aided tire placement over obstacles or a forward-side break up view that allowed me to keep away from desert pinstripes courtesy of the scrub oak and yucca crops peppering the path. As good because the cameras are, they do shut off at speeds above 7 miles per hour, at which threshold I discovered myself grateful that the GX is simply 78.7 inches large – a mere 2.7 inches broader than that previous LX 450.

Fortunately, the GX has much more energy than its legendary forebear, and it doles that grunt out simply. Turbo lag is almost non-existent, and in low vary, it’s simple to use simply the correct amount of throttle to hurdle massive bumps with out being shocked by a sudden rush of increase. The electrical energy steering is equally approachable, offering sufficient suggestions on obstacles with out thumb-endangering kickback.

Whereas the paths we sampled in Tucson weren’t practically to the extent of Moab’s Escalator to Hell or Lake Tahoe’s Rubicon, they had been nonetheless difficult sufficient to counsel the Lexus GX is certainly as overbuilt as that previous 80-Collection. I believe house owners who do take their brand-new SUVs off-road will discover a just-right steadiness between technological help and mechanical enjoyment – you’re nonetheless the one behind the wheel doing the work, however the Lexus is there to lend a serving to hand while you want it.

Paying The Piper

It’s uncommon to discover a car that calls for nothing in return for its functionality, and within the case of the Lexus GX, it’s not fairly as composed on-road as a few of its unibody rivals. Lexus particularly cites the BMW X5 and Mercedes-Benz GLE as its key rivals, however the GX simply isn’t as comfy or sporty as its German counterparts.

For instance, the all-terrain tires on the Overtrail mannequin subject loads of thrumming noise and vibration, whereas the middle-tier Premium+ mannequin that Lexus expects to be the amount vendor evinces some tire slap on tarred-over cracks and concrete growth joints from its highway-oriented rubber.

Each GX trims I sampled rode easily on the freeway, with managed physique motions on curving roads. The too-light steering is nonetheless correct and direct. Higher nonetheless, the upright windshield and hulking mirrors don’t produce wind noise. It’s not fairly LS400-quiet within the cabin, however the GX just isn’t far off. Because it seems, the piper’s worth is extra cheap than anticipated. However anybody coming from a kind of German SUVs should get used to the Lexus’ avowedly rugged persona. The GX may be a refined truck, but it surely’s nonetheless a truck.

Interior Area

The GX might be supplied in six trim ranges: Premium, Premium+, Overtrail, Overtrail+, Luxurious, and Luxurious+. These first 4 rungs on the ladder get Lexus’ supple NuLuxe simulated leather-based upholstery, whereas the Luxurious trims get semi-aniline leather-based. The primary two rows of seats provide loads of headroom and thigh help, making the GX a fairly good place for 4 individuals to spend time – a fifth passenger within the again would possibly crowd issues, although. All however the Overtrail twins additionally get a 3rd row, but it surely’s finest utilized in emergencies because it reduces cargo area to only 10.3 cubic toes.

Fold it flat and also you’re left with a wholesome 40.2 cubes, increasing to 76.9 with all seats down. The Overtrail does higher nonetheless, because it doesn’t even provide a 3rd row to take up area when folded. Cargo goes as much as 45.6 cubic toes behind the second row or 90.5 behind the entrance seats.

A 14.0-inch middle touchscreen and 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster come commonplace on all trims and run an infotainment system shared with different Lexus and Toyota merchandise. However it works higher right here than elsewhere because of perform switches that completely occupy a column on the left aspect of the display. While you use CarPlay or Android Auto on different Lexus automobiles, these buttons disappear, making it arduous to change again to native apps. Talking of, smartphone mirroring is wi-fi.

Money And Carry

The properly outfitted, $69,250 Premium+ is predicted to be the amount vendor within the GX’s first mannequin 12 months, throughout which Lexus expects to maneuver a complete of 34,000 mid-size SUVs to buyer garages. The automaker can be banking closely on the 2 Overtrail and Overtrail+ grades, that are anticipated to seize 30 % of GX gross sales between them.

My tester was a really properly outfitted Overtrail+, outfitted with commonplace massaging seats, computerized parking help, and some different luxuries to justify its $77,250 beginning worth. Two-tone paint, a middle console cool field, Mark Levinson audio, and a head-up show introduced the overall worth to $79,810. I additionally hung out in a Premium+ with an as-tested worth of $70,350, a really palatable sum given the content material and functionality on provide.

Probably the most pure competitor for the GX is the Land Rover Defender, which begins at $62,075 in four-cylinder, four-door type. Go for the power-competitive six-cylinder and also you’re left with a $69,375 base worth. Equip it like an Overtrail+ and the Defender is fairly aggressive at $78,575, particularly given its attractive-yet-rugged inside and status-symbol badge. The GX is less complicated to leap in and drive, although, with off-road driving aids which can be extra intuitive and fewer intrusive than the tech-happy Defender. And identical to the unique LX 450 and its up to date Vary Rover rival, the Lexus is much less conspicuous – a safe selection moderately than a status-oriented one.

Gimme my Overtrail in Nori Inexperienced with a black roof, and I’d commerce my private 80-Collection in tomorrow.