2024 Lexus GX 550 Is a Beautifully Boxy Luxury Off-Roader

What Is the Lexus GX 550?

The first-ever GX arrived in 2003 as a Lexus variation of Toyota’s Land Cruiser Prado. And the Prado was essentially a downsized Land Cruiser. So the GX has always been a slightly embellished baby Land Cruiser for folks who kind of wanted a 4Runner but still wanted it to have a V8. Off-road enthusiasts have always appreciated the GX, especially the better-looking first-gen trucks. While Toyota retained the best factory options for the larger Land Cruiser, the Lexus GX was still a good machine right out of the box, and there were plenty of options to upgrade it as you saw fit. But the truck as we’ve known it was overdue for evolution, and boy, has Lexus delivered.

What Does the 2024 Lexus GX 550 Look Like?

This new exterior almost feels like a Japanese take on a Land Rover Defender, with its squared-off lines. Still, the GX is very familiar as a Lexus product. This brings boxy old-school cool into today, and I’m a big fan, especially with the new Overtrail trim that gets chunky 33-inch all-terrain tires over 18-inch wheels. The new GX sits on the same platform as the larger Lexus LX. This new GX is quite a bit larger than its previous iteration. Inside, you have three rows of seating except on the Overtrail, which gets two rows.

Within that cabin space, the GX enters the modern era up front. A 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster faces the driver, a 14-inch infotainment screen commands the central dash, and the front seating area feels like a fancy truck, which is what this is. There’s a large head-up display offered. The front seats come standard with heating and cooling, and you can spend more to make the second row heated as well. Additionally, there’s a 10-speaker standard sound system, but since this is a Lexus, a Mark Levinson setup that packs in 21 speakers is available. Moving toward the back, you can opt for a second-row bench or captain’s chairs.

What’s Under the Hood of the 2024 Lexus GX 550?

Under the hood, the initial engine announced is a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6. It makes 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque and channels that muscle through a 10-speed automatic transmission. This setup is good enough to deliver up to 8,000 pounds of towing capacity. Paired with a 6-speed automatic, the current GX’s naturally aspirated 4.6-liter V8 engine delivers 301 hp, 329 lb-ft of torque, and up to 6,500 pounds of towing capacity. So, expect the power output to feel more robust and refined in the 2024 model. Four-wheel drive is the name of the game, of course, and the new GX uses a lockable Torsen differential in the center. Adaptive variable suspension is available as an option, and it’s a multilink setup out back, as you’ve probably already guessed.

What Are the Trims of the 2024 Lexus GX 550?

The initial trims to launch are the Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, and then the Overtrail and Overtrail+. And it’s the Overtrail model that sounds the most interesting. Beyond the upgraded wheel-and-tire package, Lexus also gives the Overtrail model an electronic locking rear differential. There’s an aluminum skid plate underneath, more prominent blacked-out fenders, and available two-tone paint schemes. The Overtrail gets Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control, Downhill Assist Control, terrain monitoring systems, and the E-KDSS dynamic suspension system, which should dole out good articulation. Not even the current Lexus LX 600 has KDSS, as that’s fitted on the global 300-series Land Cruiser, which is not currently sold in the United States. The Overtrail+ version adds an off-road optimized seat design that’s also available with massage settings and a power cushion extender. Related: 2024 Lexus GX: Choosing the Right Trim

What Does the 2024 Lexus GX 550 Cost?

So far, the new GX sounds awesome. That doesn’t include info on the upcoming hybrid version, nor do we have any word on pricing. But you can expect the 2024 GX to start in the $60,000 range and climb into the $80,000s for the highest-spec models. The three 2023 Lexus GX styles range from about $60,000 to $70,000. I can’t wait to get my hands on one of those Overtrail models and get them absolutely covered in dust, dirt, mud — whatever. This is one sweet machine.

My Favorite Lexus GX 550 Features

Author: Brian Moody.

Lexus SUVs are some of the planet’s most reliable, capable, and loved trucks. The whole planet loves these things. The Lexus GX is at the top of that list. I spent a few days in the Lexus GX 550. I’m a Lexus fan. I never intended this to be the case. However, after years of driving and appreciating Lexus vehicles, it slowly hit me. These cars and SUVs are excellent, offer remarkable value, are super-reliable, and I often like their looks. This fandom started with the Lexus IS Sport Cross, a car I’d like to own today. Then, the LS sedan lured me in.

Later, the Lexus LX and its silky-smooth V8 caught my attention. The Lexus GX inspires the same story. Years ago, I was privileged to participate in a Land Rover driving school. Land Rover gathered a bunch of off-road-ready SUVs from competing brands in one place. The Lexus GX somehow retained its on-road demeanor even when off-road in Hungry Valley. The new GX 550 has some big shoes to fill. I wasn’t able to drive it off-road the way I wanted to, but I did get a slight feel for how it handles the “no pavement” lifestyle. Here are my favorite Lexus GX 500 features:

1. The Look

All the talk of the new engine and proportions made me forget the beauty of the forest, even though each tree isn’t perfect. The boxy profile is attractive and modern while injecting traditional style. The outward appearance exhibits refreshing restraint, looking luxurious without trying too hard.

2. Powerful V6

The twin-turbo V6 in the GX makes plenty of power. Specifically, it’s a 3.4-liter engine producing 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. That torque will come in handy for those who take the GX off-road. Towing capacity is just under 10,000 lbs, which is more than adequate. The V6 in the new GX is more potent than the outgoing GX’s V8 by a significant margin. The 2023 GX uses a 4.6-liter V8, making 301 hp and 329 lb-ft of torque. Everyone who purchases a new 2024 and later Lexus GX will appreciate that extra power. Something is missing without the V8. I don’t know if the weight of that engine gave the old GX a reassuring heft or if I missed the smoothness of the 4.6-liter engine. The new engine is good. It’s better than the engine it replaces in measurable ways, but I miss the V8.

3. Interior Dimensions

The GX’s interior is nice but not on par with other Lexus vehicles. However, I like the cabin size and shape. The tall roof, narrow body, and upright driving position give a classic ambiance, like an old Montero or Trooper. I’m not directly comparing luxury or features — just the driving experience. In the GX, like those other SUVs, I have a more commanding view of the road and any obstacles I might encounter off-road. Even if this GX were my everyday car, I’d like the cabin dimensions and driving position.

4. Climate Controls

I first saw this treatment for integrating the climate controls into the central touchscreen in a Range Rover Evoque. A dial is built into the lower part of the large, central touchscreen, and the numbers indicating the selected temperature move as you rotate the dial. It’s gimmicky but still cool, lending the interior a little bit of a luxury vibe — something it could use a little more of.

5. Price

Price is a double-edged sword. The new Lexus GX isn’t as plush as it could be or even as lovely as the other Lexus models. However, I love the $65,000 price tag. Most buyers will run the bill up to $75,000, which shows that value is still a key Lexus attribute. Add options like the excellent Mark Levinson audio system, digital key, and head-up display, and choose the Luxury trim level, and the price can top $80,000 — a lot of money. However, in a world where luxury SUVs start at just below $100,000, the Lexus GX 550 is a good deal, especially anticipating Lexus’ traditionally strong resale value.

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