2024 Lexus GX 550: In-Depth Assessment and Picture Gallery

It’s a luxurious off-roader that’s now an off-roader with luxurious. So says Lexus. I agree. The 2024 Lexus GX 550 (beforehand GX 460) is decidedly completely different and considerably upgraded, in addition to long-awaited, because the earlier era mannequin was final redesigned greater than 14 years in the past.

By Sue Mead

The brand new GX is a recreation changer for the Lexus model, and sits within the mid-sized section that instructions high gross sales within the luxurious market. The bolder-looking sport utility car relies on the worldwide Toyota Land Cruiser (Prado in another components of the world) and slots between the Lexus model’s smaller RX (2 seating rows), which appeals largely to empty nesters, and the brand new, bigger TX (3 seating rows), which appeals to bigger households.

The 2024 GX has been redesigned from the bottom up. And, because it was revealed, loved nice reputation by way of a Lexus video sequence that highlights the brand new mannequin and its meeting at Toyota’s Tahara Plant in Japan. The video has racked up 1.1 million views, and attracted 33,000 U.S.-market “hand raisers,” which represents the whole first-year allotment for the States. Lexus entrepreneurs say they may attempt to garner further quantity for U.S. patrons, who bought 32,000 of the previous-generation GX final yr.

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I drove two variations of the brand new GX 550 on an introductory ride-and-drive occasion in Tucson, Arizona. All GX variants have full-time 4WD with Lexus’s “Multiselect” drive-mode system, and a locking middle differential. The brand new GX is obtainable in six trim ranges: Premium, Premium+, Luxurious, Luxurious+, and newly-added Overtrail and Overtrail+ variants. The Overtrails are engineered and designed as more durable, extra succesful off-road-oriented fashions. Each Overtrail fashions comes with normal 33-inch all-terrain tires and 18-inch wheels. Lexus expects that 30 p.c of patrons will select one of many Overtrail fashions.

The brand new GX will go on sale within the second quarter of this yr. Lexus introduced {that a} hybrid powertrain will probably be made out there sooner or later sooner or later.

Till then, all fashions are powered by a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that produces 349 horsepower, and 479 pound-feet of torque. A ten-speed computerized is the one transmission supplied. Towing capability is spectacular at practically 9100 kilos, relying on trim degree. Much less spectacular is the EPA fuel-economy estimates of 15 mpg metropolis, 17 freeway, and 21 mixed.

The brand new mannequin is available in seven out there colours with 4 “bi-tone” schemes and three interior-color choices. Normal are wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to a digital 12-inch Multi-Info Show (MID). Additionally out there are a variety of dealer-installed equipment for enjoyable customization.

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Lexus says the brand new mannequin’s “key factors” are ardour and craftsmanship, with a mission of consolation and visibility as the highest design objectives. From the skin, it’s clear that visibility for the driving force was one of many motivations, because the windscreen is huge, the A-pillars have been pushed again (ahead), and there’s a decrease belt line, permitting higher visage to the facet.

The hood-line has been lowered too, with a small divot within the center to permit a clearer view of the street. Engineers lifted the peak of the headlights, so that you’re much less more likely to scratch them when ambling over again nation trails. Raised lights (each entrance and rear) will support with visibility when caravanning with others, too.

Notable is the extra aggressive, edgy styling–a departure from the rounded edges of the earlier mannequin–together with daring wheel arches, and a brand new entrance bumper that may simply get replaced ought to an incident benefit such an motion.

Taller roof rails, a black-painted high, and a panoramic roof are additionally new, as are normal operating boards which might be power-actuated on up-level trims.

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The brand new GX is little larger than the outgoing mannequin. General it’s 3.7 inches wider (Overtrail 4.5) 2.8 inches longer, and rides on 2.4-inch longer wheelbase.

The second row is on the market with captain’s chairs or a 60/40 split-folding bench relying on trim degree.

A easy “one-motion” tumble system makes straightforward work of clearing the 2-nd-row seats for entry to the three^rd-row. Heated and ventilated seats are normal up entrance, and out there for the outboard 2^nd-row seats. The three^rd row is on the market in each energy and handbook seat configurations.

The GX boasts six illuminated charging ports (4 in Overtrail/Overtrail+) and a wi-fi charger is on the market within the entrance console tray. The 2024 GX boasts elevated area within the middle console and door pockets. Two further storage areas have been added underneath the cargo space to accommodate smaller objects, and a 120-volt AC inverter has been added for added energy wants. Plus, the GX comes with as much as 12 cup holders.

New is a double-wishbone entrance suspension paired with a multi-link rear suspension so as to add prowess for each on-road and off-road driving. An out there Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) adjusts damping forces based mostly on altering street situations. GX additionally has a brand new Digital Energy Steering (EPS) system that brings elevated steering really feel each on and off-road.

Lexus has made switching between excessive vary (H4) and low vary (L4) 4WD modes quicker versus the earlier era. L4 has 4 modes: Auto, Sand, Mud, and Rock, whereas H4 has 5 modes: Auto, Grime, Sand, Mud, and Deep Snow. When Multi-Terrain Choose is on, the Multi-Terrain Monitor engages to help with elevated visibility—by way of the console display–underneath and across the car. Views embody underfloor, facet, entrance and rear underfloor, together with blind-spot monitoring.

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First, I drove the bottom Premium mannequin that stickers beginning at $65,250.

Notable was the upscale inside, snug seating for as much as seven, and the quiet journey. I discovered straightforward ingress and egress and appreciated the massive touchscreen. The dual-turbocharged V6 strikes the GX nicely. Versus the previous-generation GX, the brand new truck enjoys improved braking response and extra exact digital energy steering.

Though I didn’t want to make use of it, I appreciated the locking middle differential, which allows a 50/50 entrance/rear torque break up for improved traction in snow and on different traction-compromised surfaces.

I additionally drove the Overtrail+, which begins at $75,900, and with some extras stickered for $80,915. My time within the Overtrail+ included motoring on a street course, in addition to on an off-road path with a couple of ruts that had been crafted to reveal the GX’s rock-crawling credentials.

There are various design options which bolster the Overtrail’s off-road credibility, together with 8.9 inches of floor clearance, spectacular method and departure angles, and vertically located exterior mirrors designed to be much less more likely to catch on tree branches.

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Quick Information:

The Overtrail and Overtrail+ have 10-way powered, heated, and ventilated entrance seats (the rear seats are additionally heated).
Overtrail fashions additionally embody blacked-out brightwork, black mirrors and door handles, and engaging black trim over the fenders.
The Overtrail and Overtrail+ use an ordinary Digital Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) that gives a excessive degree of steadiness between off-road drivability and on-road dealing with stability. It locks and unlocks the entrance and rear stabilizer bars to help with motoring management and enhanced wheel articulation.
The 2024 GX shares its company TNGA-F platform with the current-generation Lexus LX 600. This sturdy and light-weight ladder body structure will increase physique rigidity and improves on-road dealing with. This platform is optimally engineered to face up to twisting off-road forces, maximize suspension efficiency, allow wheel articulation and constant tire contact, and keep in-cabin stability.
A ten-speaker premium sound system is normal on decrease GX trim ranges, with an out there 21-Speaker Mark Levinson set up that comes normal on Overtrail fashions.

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