After nearly a decade and a half, the 2024 Lexus GX 550 has lastly arrived, and never a second too quickly. The 2024 GX embodies the long-awaited new technology of the model’s body-on-frame, off-road-ready midsize luxurious SUV. It’s been nearly 15 years since Lexus rolled out a brand new GX, and the newest iteration is a marked enchancment over the outgoing model. However was it definitely worth the wait? The reply is a powerful “YES!”
What’s new?
Nearly all the pieces is new on the 2024 Lexus GX, save the platform itself, which debuted on the current-gen LX 600. The 2024 GX rides on the TNGA-F platform like its related and redesigned Land Cruiser cousin. The boxy styling is purposeful and engaging, providing higher visibility and spatial consciousness for drivers in on- and off-road conditions. The primary obtainable engine is a potent 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6, making 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque and ample towing functionality (extra on that later). A hybrid engine choice can also be anticipated later this yr.
There are six obtainable trim ranges: Premium, Premium+, Luxurious, Luxurious+, and all-new for Lexus: Overtrail and Overtrail+, every providing growing ranges of luxurious and functionality.
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Fashion and style
The 2024 Lexus GX
Lexus
Whereas earlier generations supplied a extra contoured exterior excellent for extra conservative audiences, the brand new GX oozes machismo due to its aggressive and practical exterior. The windshield is extra vertical as a result of motion of the A-pillar and improves visibility in all driving conditions. There are two vertical humps on the hood that line up completely with the wheels of the automobile offering visible cues to the motive force. So as to add to the rough-and-ready picture, Lexus added wheel arch molding and operating board choices starting from automated retractable boards to obtainable rock sliders.
The inside is unsurprisingly luxurious, with snug seats and high quality supplies all through. Overtrail fashions get distinctive seats produced from a reminiscence foam-like materials and are exceedingly snug in nearly any scenario. The 14-inch infotainment system has been positioned horizontally for higher visibility and performance on uneven terrain.
There’s loads of room on your whole tribe as properly, with Luxurious and Premium trims providing room for as much as seven passengers due to the retractable third row. That retractable row does take up treasured cargo actual property, leaving solely a sliver of house when totally deployed. Overtrail fashions, nevertheless, don’t provide the retractable third row, leaving the cargo space with loads of house for no matter you want on your subsequent journey.
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On-road manners
Being behind the wheel of the GX is a pleasure like the remainder of the Lexus lineup, the place drivers are delivered a easy trip and dealing with regardless of its body-on-frame structure. Steering feels considerably delicate however is probably going what most clients count on from a luxurious automobile. The totally different drive modes provide various flavors and add to the expertise, with Sport mode being surprisingly peppy and bringing the beefy GX from 0 to 60 in a spritely 6.5 seconds.
The GX additionally comes with a number of wonderful security and comfort options as a part of the Lexus Security+ 3.0 suite. This features a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, All-Velocity Dynamic Radar Cruise Management, Lane Tracing Help, Emergency Driving Cease System, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Help, Highway Signal Help, and Proactive Driving Help.
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Off-road prowess
The GX supplies off-road functionality by the heaps with loads of options to get you to and out of your subsequent journey simply. A full-time 4-wheel drive is commonplace throughout all trim ranges, as is the limited-slip locking heart differential. The off-road-focused Overtrail trims present much more versatility due to an digital locking heart differential and Digital Kinetic Dynamic Suspension system, which unlocks the stabilizer bars and supplies further wheel articulation of as much as 25 inches.
Avoiding off-road obstacles isn’t any drawback due to the Overtrail’s ample 8.9 inches of floor clearance (8.66 inches on Luxurious and Premium trims). Method angle is 26 levels throughout trims, with departure angles as excessive as 23 levels and breakover angles as much as 24 levels. Off-road journey is aided by the Multi-Terrain Choose system, which supplies 9 totally different modes for no matter topography you is likely to be going through. The excessive vary has 5 modes (Auto, Dust, Sand, Mud, and Deep Snow), whereas the low vary has 4 (Auto, Sand, Mud, and Rock). And simply in case a stream or river wants fording, the GX can wade by way of as much as 27.56 inches of water. Noah, eat your coronary heart out.
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Towing functionality
If on-road savvy and off-road poise weren’t sufficient, the GX affords excellent towing functionality. Luxurious trims can tow as a lot as 8,020 kilos, with Luxurious+ pulling a barely lighter 7,800 kilos. Each Premium trims can lug as a lot as 9,063 kilos, whereas Overland trims can haul from 9,063 to 9,096 kilos.
Pricing
Given the aptitude, luxurious, and magnificence of the GX 550, the beginning producer’s instructed retail value with supply processing and dealing with ($1,350) is a scant $64,250 for the Premium trim, and the Premium+ is available in at $69,250. The sturdy and trail-ready Overtrail begins on the similar value because the Premium+, whereas the Overtrail+ ups the ante to $77,250. Lastly, the Luxurious trim matches the value of the Overtrail+, and the top-of-the-line Luxurious+ pushes the ticket value to $81,250.
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The wrap
Few autos come near the 2024 GX 550 when it comes to off-road functionality, luxurious fashion, and practicality. It’s straightforward to drive and has all of the options even essentially the most discriminating overlander may need. I’m undecided what number of Lexus clients plan to push their GX to its restrict, however relaxation assured, they are going to get their cash’s price once they do. They are saying perfection takes time, and Lexus has certainly taken their time in providing the world an unimaginable new GX to go exploring in. And it has been price each second.
This story initially ran on Autotrader.com.