The GX is an old-school body-on-frame SUV that was getting long in the tooth. This popular Lexus hadn’t been redesigned since the 2010 model year. For 2024, the GX 550 gets a makeover, updating the powertrain and bringing its cabin and tech up to date while maintaining its off-road chops. The result is a rugged and versatile luxury SUV that’s great for venturing off the beaten path and also as a daily driver.
Base Price: $67,900
As Tested: $71,270
Horsepower: 349
Mileage: 15 mpg city/21 mpg highway/17 mpg combined
The 2024 Lexus GX 550 is now in its third generation. It comes in six trims: Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, Overtrail and Overtrail+. Starting prices range from $62,900 to $79,900. Four-wheel drive is standard on all trims.
Lexus says a hybrid GX will soon be added to the U.S. line-up.
The Overtrail and Overtrail+ models have room for five passengers in two rows of seating and are the most equipped for off-roading. The other trims all have three rows with room for six or seven passengers depending on whether you get captain’s chairs or bench seating in the second row.
All trims come with the same engine: a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 that makes 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. This is more power than the outgoing V8 model. The transmission is a 10-speed automatic.
The GX handles better than its tall and boxy shape would suggest. Acceleration is sprightly – Lexus says it can hustle from zero to 60 in 6.5 seconds. And there’s plenty of muscle for accelerating at faster speeds when merging or passing on the freeway. Steering is precise with a nice, weighted feel. The 10-speed shifts smoothly and quickly, always seeming to find the right gear. While the ride is mostly refined, the GX does have its truck-like moments – it is a large body-on-frame SUV after all. The cabin is quiet with road and wind noise kept at bay. Visibility is good all the way around.
The GX is a beast for off-roading. In addition to full-time 4WD, the GX is equipped with the Torsen limited-slip locking center differential which evenly splits the engine’s power 50:50 to help provide control in low grip situations and prevent excess wheel spin. The Overtrail and Overtrail+ trims offer an electronically controlled locking rear differential, activated by a console-mounted switch, that splits the power evenly between the left and right rear wheel to help the wheels turn at the same speed. The Overtrail and Overtrail+ have a standard Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) that provides a high level of balance between off-road drivability and on-road handling stability. This system locks and unlocks the front and rear stabilizer bars to assist with control and enhanced wheel articulation. Depending on driving conditions, speed, steering input and the Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) setting chosen by the driver, the system can independently lock or unlock the front and rear stabilizer bars as needed.
Crawl Control can be engaged when the GX is in low range (L4) and allows the GX to move forward or in reverse at one of five-driver selected low speed settings. Crawl Control manages engine output and hydraulic braking pressure to help reduce tire slippage and optimize chassis behavior. The GX has up to a 26-degree approach, 24-degree breakover and 21-degree departure angles.
Switching between high range (H4) and low range (L4) is now faster than in the previous generation GX. L4 has four modes: Auto, Sand, Mud and Rock. H4 has five modes: Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud and Deep Snow. The Multi-Terrain Monitor uses four cameras within the Panoramic View Monitor System to show underfloor, front, side and rear-view images on the 14-inch display, allowing the driver to check road conditions, blind spots and distance between obstacles.
When properly equipped, the GX can tow up to 9,096 pounds.
Fuel economy is bad. EPA ratings are 15 mpg city and 21 mpg highway with a combined rating of 17. I got 17 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving. Premium gas is recommended.
The cabin is upscale and comfortable but not as luxurious as some midsize SUVs from other high-end brands. While most materials have a nice look and feel, there are some hard plastics which you don’t expect in a Lexus. The first two rows have comfortable and supportive seats and plenty of leg- and headroom for adults. The third row (in trims other than Overtrail and Overtrail+) are tight and suitable for petite adults and kids.
Standard features include rearview camera, synthetic leather upholstery, eight-way power-adjustable driver’s seat with memory settings, heated and ventilated front seats, leather-trimmed steering wheel, 12.3-inch driver information display, infotainment system with 14-inch touchscreen, Cloud navigation, 10-speaker Lexus audio system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, six USB-C ports, 120V AV power outlet, ambient lighting, automatic high-beam headlights, and a power tilt-and-slide moonroof with roof rails.
Available features include a digital key, surround-view camera system, digital 10.7-inch color head-up display, real leather upholstery, semi-aniline leather seats, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, massaging front seats, heated leather-trimmed steering wheel, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, thematic ambient lighting, cool box, Lexus memory system, 21-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system, wireless device charging, heated second-row seats, second row manual sunshade, power-folding third-row seats, windshield wiper de-icer, headlamp washers, and a panorama glass roof.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning with intersection support, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with curve speed assist, lane-departure warning with steering assist, lane-centering assist, blind-spot monitoring, pedestrian detection, traffic-sign recognition, rear cross-traffic alert, and parking assist with automatic braking.
The standard infotainment system with its ginormous 14-inch touchscreen is user-friendly. Icons are easy to see and reach, menus are logically arranged, and the system responds quickly to touch and voice commands. There are physical controls for climate settings.
The Overland and Overland+ trims have a healthy 45.6 cubic feet of storage with both rows of seating in place and a whopping 90.5 cubes with the second row folded. Other trims have a meager 10.3 cubic feet cubic feet with all three rows of seating in place, 40.2 cubes with the third row folded, and 76.9 cubes with the second and third rows folded. The rear window and hatch open separately – the power rear door with pop-out window are standard while a hands-free power rear door with kick sensor is available.
The good:
Good blend of off-road prowess and daily comfort and luxury
Overland trims have excellent off-road chops
Peppy V6 powertrain
Available with two or three rows of seating
Lots of standard features and tech
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Poor fuel economy
Cabin not as posh as you might expect in a Lexus
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $67,900. The cool box is $170. The head-up display is $900. The tonneau cover is $110. Traffic Jam Assist is $840. Delivery fee is $1,350 bringing the grand total to $71,270.
Bottom line:
The redesigned 2024 Lexus GX is a good mix of luxury, comfort and off-road prowess. While it’s not as luxurious as some other Lexus models and competing brands, it’s an excellent choice for someone who wants to explore challenging terrain but also wants civilized driving dynamics, a nice interior and plenty of features and tech. The one big drawback is poor fuel economy.
