Our Opinion - 2024 Lexus Gx Review As of the 2024 model year, Lexus has finally changed the look of its midsize off-road SUV, the GX. The only thing that links the new GX550 to its old, outdated predecessor is its rough exterior. The new GX550 has a completely new chassis, a redesigned engine, and a lot of completely new features. The new model’s boxy, Land Cruiser-inspired body holds up well over time, which is good because the GX is known for having long product runs. The 2024 GX550 gets a twin-turbo V-6 engine instead of the V-8 engine in the previous model, which can be ordered with or without hybrid help. The Toyota Sequoia and Tundra both use the same body-on-frame design. It’s in the middle of the top-of-the-line LX luxury off-road vehicle and the bigger TX SUV, which puts more emphasis on style and room inside for driving on pavement. What's New? The GX is one of Lexus’s oldest models and off-roading fans like it. The company should keep selling it with gear designed to handle rough terrain. The GX550 should be in Lexus dealerships by the beginning of 2024. Pros and Cons Pros Skilled off-road. A smooth operation. Nine thousand ninety-six pounds of weight can be towed. Cons Bad gas mileage. Third-row hard things. With the 22s, you’ll have a better ride. Engine, Transmission, and Performance The GX550 comes with a 3.4-liter V-6 twin-turbo engine as standard. The blown V-6 makes 349 horsepower, which is more than the V-8 in the GX that came before it. All models come with four-wheel drive and an automatic engine with ten speeds. Plus, Overtrail trims have more tools for off-road use than the base trims. The nice features include: An aluminum skid plate. A changeable suspension system that lets the wheels move more freely. A crawl-control feature. There are a lot of different drive modes for different types of terrain. The basic trims don’t have as many off-road features as the Overtrail and Overtrail+ models. There is a lot of power in the GX550, and it feels strong right away when you drive it. The GX drives accurately and handles well for a tall, boxy SUV, but the Lexus is better off-road. It is especially important to have good vision when driving on narrow roads. Our first test drive of the GX550 gave us a chance to experience the Overtrail’s cutting-edge off-road technology, which pleased us. You can get a smaller turning radius by using the low-range gearset selection feature on the transfer case. This feature also lets the Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) disconnect the front or back anti-roll bars on its own, which makes the vehicle more stable and less prone to head-toss. Safety The GX has tools that can help you drive more safely and avoid accidents. Automatic emergency brakes, pedestrian detection, and lane departure warning are some of the safety features. To find out more about how the GX did in crash tests, go to the websites of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Some important safety factors are: Most automatic emergency brakes can tell who is using them. Normal lane exit alarm that helps you stay in your lane The car can stay in its lane with standard variable speed control. Internal and External Cargo Capacity The GX has luxurious settings inside that are different from its rough appearance. Upholstery made of real or fake leather comes in many colors, and Overtrail models have fake-suede accents in a deep green color. With the basic second-row bench, the Premium and Luxury trims have three rows of seats that can fit up to seven people. If you want to lower that number to six, you can add a pair of captain’s chairs. The Overtrail models only have two rows of seats and can fit up to five people. The power buttons are on the third row of the GX. A digital key fob, a head-up display, and a cooled storage bin are all options. Fuel Economy and Actual MPG The engine has changed from a V-8 to a twin-turbo V-6, but the fuel economy is still about the same as what the EPA predicted for the 2023 model: 15 as well as 19 miles per gallon when driving on the highway. Lexus says the one that isn’t a hybrid will get 15 mpg in the city and 21 mpg on the highway. We want to test drive the new GX550 as soon as possible on our 75-mph highway. Infotainment and Connectivity There is a 14.0-inch entertainment system that works with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that is built into all GX models. There is also a 12.3-inch digital gauge display that can be changed to show different types of information to the driver. The Overtrail and Overtrail+ models have four USB-C ports, but most models have six. A wireless charging pad for smartphones is an extra feature that you can choose to add. A 10-speaker stereo is standard, but audiophiles can update to a Mark Levinson surround sound system with 21 speakers. Towing and Payload Capacity With a towing ability of up to 9,096 pounds, the GX550 is stronger than crossovers like the Audi Q7 and BMW X5. The future hybrid powertrain’s ability to pull something has yet to be made public. Price and How to Choose The GX could be a nice car to drive on the road or a monster off-road car. If you plan to drive mostly on the road, we suggest the Luxury trim. It has some nice features inside the GX550, like illuminated door sill plates, second-row window blinds, and 10-way adjustable front seats that can massage, heat, and ventilate. There are also bigger 22-inch wheels, which make the GX’s roomy wheel wells look more polished. For the same price, the Overtrail+ version adds more off-road capabilities and a more rugged look. However, it loses the GX’s third row of seats and some of the luxury features we’ve already talked about. But it’s something to think about if you want to do something outside.
