We’ve been very excited about the new 2024 Lexus GX ever since we saw the teaser picture that showed its boxy, rough shape. We’re learning a lot about the mid-size luxury SUV’s prices and trim levels now that it’s almost time to go on sale. The online configurator from Lexus has us picturing the inside of our GX550s. Different types of editors wanted different kinds of GXs. Some wanted off-road models, while others wanted a comfortable cruiser with a hint of Toyota Land Cruiser DNA. The High-End GX550 owned by Drew Dorian costs $80,040 I don’t go off-road very often, and when I do, it’s usually for the weekend and somewhere with plugs. So, instead of the more rugged overtrail trims, I chose the luxury model, which is in the middle range. Even with the saddle-colored semi-aniline upholstery that you can choose and this Nori Green Pearl paint job, it looks tough and good-looking. The 20-inch wheels that come with the Premium and Premium+ trims look better to me than the 22-inch wheels that come with the Luxury trim. The Luxury trim level comes with bigger wheels and front seats that can be adjusted in 10 different ways and can heat, cool, and massage you. These features are great for unwinding after a long day of studying and researching cars. We C/D editors have it pretty good. For the GX, there are many choices, but I suggest a few. The Mark Levinson stereo, which costs $1,140 extra, is a good deal for 21 speakers. I would also choose the Cold Area package ($200), the 10.7-inch color head-up display ($900), and the $440 captain’s chairs instead of the second-row bench. Finally, I would buy a cargo area tonneau cover for $110, which would bring the total cost of this build to $80,040. But that amount is much more than I could ever afford in real life. It’s possible that this life isn’t so bad after all. It costs $78,780, and Greg Fink owns it Only some people who buy a Lexus GX indeed need one. In fact, they would be better off with a Lexus SUV with a single frame, like the TX. In contrast, most GX owners don’t mind because the GX is a body-on-frame SUV that can handle even the roughest terrain. Even though most GX550 drivers probably won’t go to places they don’t know, they should know they can if they want to. If you want to dress up as a real off-roader, you should get the Overtrail, which is the GX model that can go off-road the most. But since this is a Lexus, I chose the $8000 more expensive Overtrail+ model, which has a lot of extras. The most notable of these is the front seats that massage you. (Who said off-roading had to be so painful?) To make up for the extra cost, I chose Atomic Silver instead of an expensive exterior color. This color should cover up any scratches from my off-road grocery shopping trips. But silver is so dull that I gave in and paid $350 for a black roof to make this big box stand out. But on my GX, that’s the only vanity setting I can use. I could live without a $900 head-up display, but it’s worth it to be able to see important information while still focusing on the parking spot trail ahead. I also spent $170 on the console-mounted cool box because, on a hot day, nothing beats a cold bottle of water while stuck in traffic on a desert route. How about that $110 tonneau cover? You have to get back on the grid sometimes, and I’d rather keep the cargo hold of my GX hidden from people who don’t need to see it. Bruce Stafford bought his GX550 Premium for $64,675 I like how the new Toyota Land Cruiser looks more like an old car than how the Lexus GX looks more modern. Additionally, I would like to spend less on a similar off-road SUV, but since the GX can be customized right now and the Cruiser can’t, I’ll act impatient and want to build and buy the car that will arrive first in my driveway. One good thing about the Lexus’s higher price is that its engine is better. All GX550s come with a 349-hp twin-turbo V-6 engine, so I’m happy to pay $64,250 for the base Premium trim level. The beautiful Nori Green Pearl paint and saddle tan interior that comes standard on Lexus models look great together. They look rich and rugged at the same time. I would only list the $75 wireless charger (which I think should be standard) and the $350 Cold Area package as separate choices. This is a small fee for a better heater inside, headlight washers, and a heated steering wheel. So, my GX550 Premium is worth less than $65K. You could have charged me an extra $5,000 for the Overtrail’s better hardware, but I’d rather buy my off-road tires and wheels. Also, both the Land Cruiser and the Lexus GX are ready for accessories.
