Land Rover has a brand new drawback, and of all of the automakers, the issue comes from Lexus.

We’ll simply file that underneath issues we didn’t see coming in 2024.

For the primary time in 14 years, the 2024 Lexus GX 550 is new. Most of it stays acquainted. This 12 months, the body-on-frame SUV arrives on a brand new platform, with fewer cylinders and extra trendy expertise, all in a sharply creased and enticing bundle. 

After driving the 2024 Lexus GX 550 on- and off-road outdoors Tucson, Arizona, I got here to 1 conclusion above all others. Land Rover sellers needs to be nervous.

2024 Lexus GX 550

2024 Lexus GX 550

2024 Lexus GX 550

What does the Lexus GX 550 seem like?

An SUV. Gone are the refined curves, actually any semblance of a gentle edge. The GX 550 is an upright, boxy brick with throwback design cues and slab sides. The oblong aspect view mirrors harken again to the FJ Cruiser and different basic Toyota SUVs. The A-pillars are extra upright because of the bottom of the windshield being set again 2.8 inches additional. The headlights are mounted up excessive to be protected against off-road adventures whereas the horizontal LED taillight is mounted excessive for higher visibility whereas off-roading. Overtrail fashions function operating boards that may be eliminated with 4 bolts per aspect. All variations put on a giant Lexus spindle grille. 

2024 Lexus GX 550

Contained in the GX is all about horizontal, exhausting traces. The upright dashboard is much like that of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class the place it’s not very deep and mounted near the windshield. Thankfully Lexus didn’t set up the RX and NX’s touch-sensitive steering wheel buttons within the GX, and these are actual buttons. Each GX will get a 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster and a 14.0-inch touchscreen. Each use the identical software program as different Lexus automobiles, which suggests the gauge cluster might be almost washed out in sure lighting situations and the large touchscreen lacks split-screen functionality. Does anyone want full-width Apple CarPlay or navigation?

2024 Lexus GX 550

What sort of engine does the Lexus GX 550 have?

The V-8 is lifeless. RIP.

Each 2024 GX 550 is powered by a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V-6 producing 349 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. A full-time four-wheel-drive system that includes a 2-speed switch case is customary. A hybrid mannequin shall be obtainable in some unspecified time in the future, however Lexus was mum on a timeline.

Lexus claims a 0-60 mph dash of 6.5 seconds, and my butt dyno says that feels about proper. The previous mannequin was comparatively gradual with the identical dash taking 7.8 seconds.

The turbo-6 has a deep sound to it that isn’t nasal, and torque kicks in shortly off the road at about 2,000 rpm because of quick-spooling turbos. In contrast to different iterations of this engine, you’ll be able to’t actually hear the turbos spool right here.

The ten-speed computerized is a pleasure and amongst my favourite computerized transmissions available on the market. It cracks off fast, clean shifts and by no means appears to get misplaced in all these gears. Sport and Sport+ mode drops the system down a gear for extra participating driving. In off-road modes the transmission will maintain gear adjustments and improve engine pace to make sure extra management within the energy supply.

The GX received’t win any effectivity contests, but it surely’s higher (barely) than the outgoing V-8 with estimated gasoline financial system rankings of 15 mpg metropolis, 21 mpg freeway, 17 mpg mixed. In my abbreviated publicity it was exhausting to get a real sense of the GX’s real-world gasoline financial system, but it surely was clear that round city, if the driving force retains their foot out of the facility, the turbos received’t be spooling. With the turbos not spooling it appears the powertrain is able to averaging within the mid-20s. We’ll want extra time behind the wheel to really decide how environment friendly the GX is. 

2024 Lexus GX 550

2024 Lexus GX 550

How a lot can the Lexus GX 550 tow?

Greater than initially marketed. Lexus initially estimated the GX would tow as much as 8,000 kilos. After SAE J2807 validation the max tow score climbed to 9,096 kilos in Overtrail trim. That’s a ton of weight with a 112.2-inch wheelbase. We sit up for towing with the GX in some unspecified time in the future. 

Notably the 7- and 5-pin connector for trailer lights is mounted beneath the bumper on the left aspect of the receiver. Similar to the bigger LX 600, this implies you will have to get down on the bottom to see the plug and join the trailer lights. Hope it’s not muddy down there. The hitch receiver itself has a plastic cowl that’s secured with two push pins, which require a flathead screwdriver to take away. It’s a ache and almost everybody else makes use of conventional twist-to-release fasteners.

2024 Lexus GX 550

How does the Lexus GX 550 drive?

In comparison with the outgoing GX 470 the GX 550 feels sprightly on its rubber ft. The steering is boosted and light-weight, however not sloppy, not like the gradual, heavy steering within the earlier GX. That is regardless of weighing lots of (relying on the configuration) of kilos greater than the outgoing mannequin. Plumbing and {hardware} for turbos provides weight.

Sharing its TNGA-F platform with all the things from the Toyota Tundra and Tacoma pickups to the Sequoia SUV, the GX isn’t constructed just like the Land Rover Defender, but Lexus has tuned the suspension so it doesn’t experience like a truck. It’s extra akin to a super-stiff crossover when issues get bumpy.

Base Premium and Premium+ fashions experience on 20-inch wheels with passive dampers, however high-zoot Luxurious and Luxurious+ fashions roll on 22-inch wheels with the latter getting adaptive dampers. Fashions with the passive dampers function a cushty and managed experience with some physique lean round corners, however cobblestone driveways fail to upset the GX. Extra luxurious Luxurious+ fashions can soften the experience in consolation mode or agency issues up in Sport and Sport+. The passive dampers appear to have a impartial tune that equates to Regular mode in GXs with adaptive dampers. 

Essentially the most snug GX is the Overtrail. That’s due partially to the adaptive dampers, however largely it’s from downsizing to 18-inch wheels and thick 33-inch Toyo Open Nation tires. The latter present a 10-mm wider observe on Overtrail fashions. Lexus spokespeople confirmed 35s won’t match with out rubbing and or different points in inventory type. Regardless of their chunky look the all-terrain tires don’t include a howl on dry pavement.  

The off-road mannequin is the one trim to function Toyota’s E-KDSS system, which mechanically electronically (earlier iterations used a hydraulic setup) disconnects the sway bars for extra articulation off-road. However on the highway the system helps stiffen the automobile laterally round corners, which helps compensate for the softer, taller, sidewall on the all-terrain tires. It is a trick setup and no person else affords such a system.

2024 Lexus GX 550

How succesful is the Lexus GX 550 off-road?

Much more succesful than most crossover SUVs. With a 2-speed switch case, the E-KDDS system enabling as much as 25 inches of entrance and 21 inches of rear articulation, and crawl management (which is like off-road cruise management) the GX 550 can enterprise additional off-road than Lexus despatched us.

Nevertheless, that Lexus spindle grille poses a problem. Lexus plans on launching the GX with as much as 15 equipment by means of the dealership together with companions like ARB and Dometic. Clients will be capable to match equipment proper from the showroom and wrap them into their cost—however a kind of equipment, not less than at launch, received’t be a metal bumper or a winch. 

2024 Lexus GX 550

The issue: The grille goes all the way in which as much as the hoodline, and the front-facing digicam, parking sensors, and forward-facing radar unit for the protection techniques are all built-in utterly into the grille. None are protected effectively sufficient. Once I requested GX Chief Engineer Koji Sato how a metal bumper, say from ARB, and a winch may very well be built-in into the entrance finish of the GX his smile turned and he shortly stated by means of a translator that they would wish to research an answer. Not less than the decrease middle panel on the Overtrail’s entrance finish might be changed simply in the event that they get broken. 

All GXs have an method angle of 26 levels, however the departure angle varies by trim with 21 levels on the low finish on Luxurious fashions and 23 levels on the excessive finish on Premium fashions. Overtrails break up the distinction with a departure angle of twenty-two levels. Breakover angle is 23 levels on all however Overtrail fashions, which will increase to 24 levels. 

Each GX can wade in as much as 27.56 inches of water, in line with Lexus. We didn’t go wherever almost that deep. Essentially the most technical course we have been set to deal with was flooded out by uncommon rainstorms in Tucson simply earlier than my arrival. However I used to be in a position to put the GX by means of its paces on some articulation workouts the place it was extraordinarily composted and quiet. Partaking the 2-speed switch case requires the flick of a change and  introduces gear whine because the discount gears do their factor to multiply the torque.

2024 Lexus GX 550

Our off-road information had me put the GX in Mud mode, lock the usual middle differential that splits the facility evenly 50:50, put the four-wheel-drive system in 4Lo, and interact the digital rear locking differential, which is customary on the Overtrail mannequin. It was all excessive overkill. The GX crawled alongside the rocky and at occasions mud-covered path with out breaking a sweat.

After ditching our off-road information I made a decision to belief my intestine that this was all far beneath the GX’s capabilities. I took the GX out of 4Lo and put it in 4Hi, disengaged the rear locker, however did go away the system in Mud mode and stored the middle locker engaged. Minutes into the off-road course it was obvious the GX nonetheless wasn’t breaking a sweat. This SUV’s capabilities have been far past what Lexus was displaying off. 

If there’s anything the GX lacks in off-road {hardware} it will be air suspension and a entrance locker. Land Rovers function the previous, although whereas it can provide a automobile extra floor clearance it additionally introduces a brand new level of failure. The latter was deemed pointless, in line with Sato. It most likely is, however there’s no kill like overkill relating to off-road {hardware}.

2024 Lexus GX 550

2024 Lexus GX 550

2024 Lexus GX 550

Is the Lexus GX 550 snug?

It relies upon which seat you’re sitting in. These up entrance would be the most snug with supportive seats, gentle leather-based, and on Luxurious + and Overtrail+, a therapeutic massage operate that’s sadly solely accessed deep into the menu system requiring a number of faucets to have interaction.

The second row is snug with 36.7 inches of legroom, however pay attention to which seats you go for. Luxurious+ and Overtrail+ fashions with the massaging entrance seats may have the middle of the entrance seat backs eat into legroom because of the massaging {hardware}. Lexus places exhausting seat again covers on these seats and scallops them to create extra knee room. Fashions with out entrance massaging seats have gentle, flat seatbacks and extra legroom total. 

Whereas huge second-row captain’s seats are an possibility, I discovered the bench seat to be extra snug regardless of the seat backside being a bit flat. The captain’s chairs have airplane-style flip down armrests I struggled to discover a snug place with. The second row options reclining seat backs that shall be welcome on highway journeys. As a result of body-on-frame packaging the rear seats hug the rear axle. This creates a stadium-style seating impact the place the second-row occupants are positioned greater than these within the entrance. 

Each GX outdoors of the Overtraill is a three-row SUV whereas Overtrails ditch the third row, for now. Lexus’ Common Supervisor Greg Kitzens advised Motor Authority as a consequence of buyer suggestions the automaker could add a 3rd row as an choice to the Overtrail trim. Clients requesting a 3rd row within the Overtrail clearly haven’t sat in the way in which again, but. With a hair lower than 32 inches of legroom again there the third row is at greatest for brief journeys as a child zone. Cargo area drops to 10.3 cubic ft of area with the third row up, and expands to a spacious 40.2 cubic ft of area with it folded. The third row folds almost flat, however slopes the ground because the entrance folds into the stable rear axle.  

2024 Lexus GX 550

2024 Lexus GX 550

A key design change on the GX is the rear door for the cargo space. Find it irresistible or hate it, the barn-style door from the GX 460 and 470 is gone. The Defender nonetheless has this barn door and it has a spare tire mounted to the again of it hindering rear imaginative and prescient. Lexus gave the GX 550 a extra conventional flip-up tailgate with a separate flip-up rear window. The tall rear finish makes this a large piece of metallic that can present good cowl within the Costco car parking zone. However just like the 4Runner’s tailgate, it’s seemingly going to hit your storage door. In contrast to the 4Runner the GX’s tailgate is powered and might be programmed to solely open so excessive as to not hit the storage door. Clutch.  

2024 Lexus GX 550

2024 Lexus GX 550

What sort of security expertise does the Lexus GX 550 function?

Each GX 550 comes customary with the newest lively security tech together with computerized emergency braking with pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise management, lane departure warning, and site visitors signal recognition. Blind-spot displays with rear cross-traffic alerts and parking sensors are customary, however solely oddly base Premium and Overtrail fashions don’t have rear pedestrian detection whereas the remainder of the lineup does. 

The system additionally options Lexus’ Proactive Driving Help, which can apply the steering and braking inputs to assist the driving force preserve distance from surrounding automobiles. Each GX will function a surround-view digicam system, however solely the Overtrail fashions function cameras that may see beneath the SUV as a part of its off-road {hardware}. 

The 12.3-inch digital gauge cluster shall be acquainted to anybody having been in a latest Lexus. The identical might be stated for the 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system, which is straightforward to function. The touchscreen nonetheless can’t break up its display into zones, so I hope you want an enormous map or extra Apple CarPlay than anybody wants on their dashboard. A ten.0-inch colour head-up show is out there on all trims, however like most techniques it washes out and might’t actually be seen whereas carrying polarized sun shades.

2024 Lexus GX 550

How a lot does the 2024 Lexus GX 550 price?

At $64,250 together with a $1,350 vacation spot cost the bottom 2024 GX Premium prices $5,125 lower than a comparable Land Rover Defender with a turbo-6 and $8,620 lower than a comparable Land Rover Discovery with a turbo-6. Even a loaded Overtrail+ at $78,600 slices 1000’s off the value of a aggressive Land Rover.

With six trims together with Premium, Premium+, Luxurious, Luxurious+, Overtrail, and Overtrail+, the pricing unfold solely runs $17,000. Being a Lexus, all however the base Premium and Overtrail fashions function an influence steering column, heated entrance and rear seats, and a wi-fi smartphone charger. Solely Luxurious and Luxurious+ fashions at $78,600 and the $82,600 function semi-aniline leather-trimmed interiors, and people massaging entrance seats that eat into rear seat legroom are customary on the Luxurious, Luxurious+, and Overtrail+ fashions.

With related off-road functionality and on-road chutzpah for much less cash, the 2024 Lexus GX 550 ought to give Land Rover pause. It’s a powerful turnaround from the dated bundle Lexus bought simply final 12 months. It’s a greater off-roader, too—with a little bit room for enchancment. 

Lexus flew me to Tucson the place it was raining on and off always to drive the GX so I might write this evaluate. I received moist.