Lexus has finally replaced the venerable GX 460 — in production since 2009 — with the all-new 2024 GX 550. And it’s more than just a higher number; the move brings with it some seriously sweeping changes.
The new SUV joins the LX 600 on Toyota’s TNGA-F truck-and-SUV platform. It swaps out the old bulletproof 4.6-liter V8 for a new twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6, pumping out 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque and affixed to a new 10-speed automatic transmission. On top of that, however, Lexus is repositioning the GX in the lineup.
Last year, Lexus debuted the new TX crossover, which is tailored to the family segment. That move frees up the GX to lean harder into the off-road enthusiast realm. The GX has always been a Land Cruiser (Prado) beneath the sheet metal; second and third owners have made it a popular off-roader as a result (used GXs have often been cheaper than non-depreciating Toyota 4Runners).
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Lexus is now using that heritage to appeal to the GX’s first owners, coming after luxury rivals like the Land Rover Defender with boxy good looks, body-on-frame toughness and some legitimate truck-like capability, such as a 9,000-plus-pound tow rating.
The GX 550 looks like a compelling package in pictures and on paper. To see how it holds up in person, however, Lexus brought me out to Tucson, Arizona to put it through its paces on and off-road at a first drive event.
The 2024 Lexus GX 550: What We Think
Lexus nailed it with the new GX 550. It looks phenomenal, drives great and feels great when you’re inside it. The new GX is not just a comprehensive upgrade over what came before; it’s a distinctive and compelling new offering in a midsize luxury SUV segment that has grown more than a bit same-same.
I see two real knocks against the GX. First, it’s pricey: the SUVs we journalists drove came in the $80-90K range, so you must be in a rarefied financial place to consider one. The other issue is fuel economy. It’s been years since the previous model came out, and despite ditching the V8 and upgrading to a 10-speed transmission, the GX 550 earns the same 15 mpg in city driving and just one mpg better (17 mpg) combined.
The Lexus GX 550 looks like an SUV should
I don’t usually begin reviews with how a car looks, given how subjective it is. But first impressions matter, and it’s hard not to start there with the GX 550. Jaws dropped when Lexus unveiled it last summer; in person, it’s even cooler.
The GX 550 is unabashedly boxy and powerful looking. But unlike a Wrangler or Bronco, it marries that seamlessly with Lexus sophistication. Its front end flows slightly more naturally than the Land Cruiser, which looks a tad try-hard and overly retro. Compared to aero-minded crossover competitors, the new GX looks like an honest-to-god SUV.
The GX 550 drives way better than its predecessor
The old GX had its charms; I loved the V8. But that Lexus of yore felt old as hell while driving it: heavy steering compounded the overall sense of heaviness; body roll was excessive, and the vehicle tended to feel floaty in corners; diving and squatting happened constantly under braking and acceleration.
By switching to the new TNGA-F platform, the GX cleaned up much of that slop. The new V6, a detuned version of the unit in the LX, provides an abundance of oomph. The 10-speed auto box makes shifting nearly imperceptible. It doesn’t entirely lose its off-roader feel; it still rolls a little. But overall, the GX feels comfortable and controlled with well-balanced steering.
Lexus brings up its “Driving Signature” a lot – the notion that any car Lexus releases should feel like a Lexus when you drive it. The GX 550 lives up to that. Even with the Overtrail’s off-road tires, the experience is quiet and unobtrusive, unleash you really give the engine hell. I had to consciously stave off the urge to a few Zs in the passenger seat while navigating for my co-driver.
The 2024 Lexus GX 550
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The GX 550 seems fairly handy off-road
I use “seems” because a torrent of rain in Tucson (yes, that Tucson) knocked out much of our off-road course. As a result, much of our off-roading devolved into a scenic Sonoran desert tour learning factoids about bird populations (second only to the Everglades) and crested Saguaro cacti (a mutation that happens to 1 in every 100,000).
The GX 550 felt like robust overkill for the off-roading we did do. It showed impressive articulation through a few mogul runs and handled bumps without groaning. Visibility is outstanding, with a high seating position, a wide windshield and a large divot cut out of the hood. There’s also an excellent terrain camera system, though it cuts out at 8 mph (which, on our course, was a speed we hit frequently).
One drawback to the old GX was the limited approach angle of 21 degrees on newer versions with the big spindle grille. The new GX increases that to 26 degrees. Plus, the center section of the front bumper on the Overtrail is removable to make repairs much simpler if you bash it on something.
The GX 550 interior feels modern and luxurious
The old GX felt ancient. It didn’t add Apple CarPlay or Android Auto until 2022 and devoted much of the center console to controlling a CD player. The new GX, on the flip side, feels like a modern, tech-forward Lexus.
The seats are comfortable and even come with optional massage, with particular attention paid to the glutes when set to maximum strength. The center console is well laid-out, with physical buttons for controls and big cupholders. A 14-inch touchscreen comes standard on all GXs.
Two features I personally liked were the moonroof delete option on Overtrail (making it better for mounting stuff or just having more of a hard edged vibe) and the cool box underneath the armrest (great for driving-appropriate beverages).
Should you buy a Lexus GX 550 or the new Toyota Land Cruiser?
It’s a tough call at this juncture, particularly since we haven’t driven the Land Cruiser yet. The GX 550 is more expensive; it’s going to start in the neighborhood of $10,000 more expensive than the Toyota. And the materials and amenities in the Lexus will, not surprisingly, be fancier.
But one potential advantage for the Land Cruiser is the hybrid powertrain. We don’t have official EPA numbers on the Land Cruiser yet, though a leak suggested a 27 mpg figure — which would be 10 mpg better than the GX 550. I suspect that may entice more 4Runner buyers to level up than GX buyers to level down, however.
What are some 2024 Lexus GX 550 alternatives?
The Land Rover Defender 110 is perhaps the closest alternative to the Lexus GX 550 with the same serious off-roader-cum-luxury-car vibe. Given the segment and the price point, Lexus also sees the GX 550 competing with the Mercedes-Benz GLE-Class and the BMW X5. I’d maybe throw the Genesis GV80 in there, though it’s a little cheaper.
The big differentiator for the GX 550 is the fact that it’s a body-on-frame SUV, not a unibody crossover. That means powertrain options may be more limited, and on-road driving dynamics might be inferior to the aforementioned vehicles. But the GX will be cool, distinctive and more off-road capable — and offer some sweet accessories. Lexus’s biggest problem, most likely, will be not being able to build enough GXs to meet demand.
LexusLexus GX 550
Specs
| Engine | Twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic |
| Horsepower | 349 |
| Torque | 479 lb-ft |
| EPA Gas Mileage | 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway |
| Ground Clearance | 8.9 inches |
Pros
- Handsome and boxy good looks
- Comfortable and luxurious interior
- Capable body-on-frame off-roader
Cons
- Fuel economy is terrible
- Off-road and luxury trims can get expensive
- Popularity could lead to dealer markups
