9 Cool Features We Noticed on the 2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail

For starters, those massage seats are killer.

Published January 18, 2024

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Automotive enthusiasts and Toyota and Lexus stans alike collectively gave the 2024 Lexus GX 550 a standing ovation when it debuted. Striking design that parallels the likes of Land Rover’s Defender or Ford’s Bronco sitting atop a proven off-road-ready chassis? What’s not to love?

Well, after seeing it in person at the 2023 Destination Outdoor in North Carolina’s Smoky Mountains, it was hard to not fall deeper in lust.

The Destination Outdoor display unit was a pre-production model, so there was sadly no driving, but I was able to hop in the seats, poke all the buttons, and touch all the finishes. That was more than ample access to discover the following nine cool details about the 2024 Lexus GX550 Overtrail.

To learn more about our testing methodology and how we evaluate products, head here.

Visibility Was a Paramount Consideration When Designing the GX 550

Ever gone off-roading or overlanding in a Toyota or Lexus? When the inclines start, your visibility diminishes. Engineers have kindly compensated for this with a suite of cameras, digitally showing what your eye can’t fall upon. It’s a nice system — I got to try it on a few Tundras and Sequoias — but for the new GX, designers also lowered the hoodline a little, adding a divot to the middle for an increased field of view. They also dropped the beltlines, so you have more visibility on the sides. The cherry on top is a first for Lexus: a completely flat, horizontal dash to further reduce obstructions.

Seat Ergonomics Are Improved Over the Last GX

I hopped out of an outgoing GX 460 and right into the GX 550. You’ll notice a host of ergonomic betterments, like improved hip fit, reduced body wobble, and a nice suite of suedes—Overtrail + options only. Front seats are 10-way-powered, and heated and ventilated (rear seats are also heated).

Lexus has been employing massaging seats in trims for a little while, but it’s a welcome addition here. I tested out a few massage options and found the experience quite potent and relaxing, particularly after a long day of driving.

Raised Headlights Are for the Adventurous

Lexus gets it; GX owners are itching to ditch asphalt and use all the locking differentials. Engineers lifted the height of the headlights for the GX 550 so you’re less likely to scratch them when ambling through the trails. Those higher lights also help for visibility when caravaning with other off-roaders, too.

Blackening the Brightwork Works Well

The Overtrail specifically employs blacked-out brightwork, giving you black trim bits over the fenders, black mirrors, black handles, and an optional black bi-tone roof. Jay-Z was correct; all-black-everything is quite pleasing.

The Interior Is Remarkably Handsome

The pops of comely suede, the new dashboard, that sleek 14.4-inch central display screen, the sparkling knurling on the climate control knobs, the wireless phone charger; it all just looks sharp. All the buttons have a nice weight and feel, and the user has clearly been considered — there’s a nice flow to finding everything.

Off-Road Toyo Tires Are Standard

The Overtrail wears 33-inch Toyo all-terrain tires over 18-inch wheels as standard, and the brakes are slightly beefier in the Overland trim. In this dark spec, the wheels and tires look fantastic, particularly against that Nebula Grey Pearl paint.

The Rear Door Is Powered, and the Glass Can Open Separately

Another first is the rear power door, accessible by tapping a button on the back door itself or with a button inside the cabin, a big swap from the outgoing generation’s barn-door swinger. To pop the window only, a button on the bottom left side of the window will release it.

Third-Row Seating Is Deleted to Make Room for More Gear

For the Overtrail trim, Lexus again listened to its customers and recognized the amount of trunk mods happening within GXs meant a lot of folding up and yanking out the third row seats. So Lexus ditched them altogether. Now, buyers have faster access to more storage space for refrigerators, gear boxes, camping gear or whatever you need.

All Your Favorite Off-Road Buttons Are Still There

Good news; your downhill assist control, crawl control, multi-terrain monitor, and central locking diff controls are front and center. The Overtrail also adds a second locking rear differential, too.

Bonus Fact: The GX550 Overtrail is Tow-Rated for 8,000 Pounds

Not discernable merely from sitting in it, but we did learn the tow hitch comes standard on the Overtrail, and this SUV is rated to tow 8,000 pounds — significantly up from the current generation’s 6,500. That uprated powertrain — a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6, good for 349 hp and 479 lb-ft — will be put to good use if you’re ready to do some heavy hauling.

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