Fans of Lexus GXs are a patient bunch, that’s for sure – especially considering that the GX is now over a decade and a half past its last big upheaval.
Thankfully, last year, Lexus finally decided to resurrect its landmark SUV for a third generation – and, for the most part, it’s a winner with motorists and experts alike. Whether you’re looking for a six- or seven-seat model, this relatively affordable SUV (at least, compared to other Lexus lines) seems to tick most boxes.
Naturally, there will be a few bits and pieces that don’t impress everyone – so, let’s take a quick tour through what we like about the Lexus GX 550, and what you need to keep in mind before you buy. For reference, we largely considered the Premium+ model released in 2024 for this review.
The Good Parts
To start, the Lexus GX 550 is an absolute sight to behold – a real status symbol, one you’ll want to get behind if you’re looking for equal parts luxury and ruggedness. Not easy to come by, as you might imagine!
Beyond the exterior, looking inside, you’ve got a super luxury fit out boasting soft, cushy seating, and a cabin that – for the most part – is pretty quiet running unless you’re hitting winds at high speed.
Driving the GX550 feels intuitive and balanced – the wheel in particular is responsive and weighted reasonably to ensure you’re never oversteering or having to push it too hard. Overall, on the road, the GX 550 lacks some of the “scrappy” charm of previous models, but all the while, this makes for a smoother ride.
What’s likely to appeal to most SUV buyers is the fact that the GX 550 is ready to go off-road and start towing whenever you need it to – there’s no messing around. It’s got a reasonable road clearance at a max of 8.9 inches, and while you might not personally get it off the flat roads too often, you can drive safe in the knowledge it’ll tackle rough and coarse easily enough.
That’s all without talking about the vehicle’s impressive powertrain, with GX 550’s 3.4L V-6 engine likely to give you more bang for your buck. That equates to around 349 HP at maximum push, and an impressive acceleration system that’ll get you up and moving from 0 to 60 in 6.5 seconds. That makes it markedly more efficient (and certainly more economical) than the previous generation.
For those who care more about interior gizmos than the power and potential of their vehicles, you’ll be happy to know this luxury SUV boasts up to ten surround-sound speakers, heated seating, and a smart climate control system. Its onboard touch controls are quick and easy to manage, too – there’s tons of luxury at your fingertips.
The Not-So-Good Parts
Let’s be perfectly clear and honest here – the Lexus GX 550 is a fantastic SUV. There’s nothing about this behemoth that strikes us as particularly bad or even worth leaving negative remarks about. However, there are a few tiny itches that we want to share with you before you go looking for a model of your own.
To start, while the SUV is a wonderfully smooth ride even at top speed, it’s still a pretty bulky machine. In fact, it’s significantly heavier than Lexus’ previous releases by at least 500 pounds – meaning if you’re not looking for a particularly large SUV, you might want to leave this one in the lot.
Of course, with a premium line like Lexus and incredible fuel efficiency comes, unfortunately, some premium price labels. Costs may vary – and, naturally, we recommend that you look into second-hand purchases through Island Motors before you consider a brand new machine – but consider the GX 550 an investment, rather than a frivolous purchase.
The Bottom Line
Is the Lexus GX 550 a marked improvement on the manufacturer’s older SUVs? Absolutely. It does a fantastic job of balancing the rugged with the smooth, meaning you can expect a pleasing, luxury drive inside, while commanding all the off-road power you’d ever need while traversing all manner of terrain.
However, all of this comes with a fairly demanding price tag, and extra heft you might not expect from an SUV designed by Lexus. That said, it’s competing well with others in the same class, meaning we seriously think it’s a great long-term investment.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for it here at Island Motors before taking out finance on a new machine!