The Lexus GX 550 has landed in Australia, and it’s got something to prove – aimed squarely at Aussies who want LandCruiser toughness, but refuse to settle for a Toyota badge. Built on the same TNGA-F platform as the LandCruiser 300, and all-new Prado 250, it’s a proper body-on-frame 4×4 dripping in tech and luxury trimmings, with serious styling and intent.
Priced well above its Prado cousin, what punters really want to know is: how does it stack up? Is the Lexus GX 550 the luxury 4WD we’ve long been missing, or is it just another tough-looking SUV struggling to justify its price tag?
I spent three weeks with the Lexus GX 550 Luxury to find out.
So what’s the story behind the GX 550?
The Lexus GX 550 is a big deal because it’s the first time the model has been offered in Australia, despite being introduced to North America in 2002.
Built on the same TNGA-F platform as the Lexus LX, Toyota LandCruiser 300, and all-new Toyota LandCruiser Prado 250 Series, it blends off-road chops with Lexus refinement. Unlike its GX 460 predecessor, the V8 has been dropped in favour of a more efficient twin-turbo V6. The styling also moves away from the previous LX inspired aesthetic to give new meaning to the word ‘boxy’.
The GX 550 arrives in three models: Luxury, Sports Luxury, and Overtrail. And it’s certainly the most rugged-looking Lexus we’ve ever seen, with a brutish bonnet and squat stance – a radical departure from the typical Lexus design playbook which pushes fluidity and sculpted lines to emphasise luxury. Previously, all Lexus SUVs have conveyed a sense of opulence first and off-road ability second. The GX 550 flips that on its head, and in doing so, appeals to an audience who may have never previously considered a Lexus.
Who’s the buyer?
Lexus is positioning the GX as the luxury alternative to the Land Cruiser Prado and an indirect competitor to the Ineos Grenadier, Land Rover Defender, as well as the incoming Y63 Nissan Patrol, and GMC Yukon.
With seating for up to seven and proper off-road credentials, it’s aimed at affluent and adventurous buyers who want a premium badge and capability when the bitumen ends. That puts it squarely in the sights of many Aussies, from single bachelors to families and well-heeled grey nomads, given its 3,500kg braked towing capacity.
In Overtrail spec, Lexus is also targeting the touring and off-road enthusiast market, not just soccer mums and concrete cowboys, with a shopping list of functional off-roading upgrades including all-terrain tyres, E-KDSS suspension, an electronically controlled rear diff lock, crawl modes, underbody protection, and more. However, the Overtrail can’t even be optioned as a seven-seater – meaning buyers who want space for bigger families will need a Luxury or Sports Luxury model.
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First impressions?
From the very first glance, the GX 550 looks and feels like a serious piece of machinery. It’s modern and almost military in appearance, conveying a can-do attitude to owners and onlookers alike. From the moment you first grasp the front pillar grab handle, plant your foot on the sturdy side steps, and hoist yourself up into the cabin, you know you’ve arrived in sumptuous space.
The front seats are superb, and wrapped in artificial leather – not that you’d pick it. Perforated holes in the seats cool the underside of your legs on a hot day, and warm them when the weather is cool. The steering wheel is sized to perfection, both in diameter and width, and driving position is commanding, with excellent outward visibility through the upright windshield.
The new cabin layout is more intuitive than previous Lexus models, with physical buttons for key controls instead of everything being buried in a screen. There’s a real sense of purpose to the design – it’s premium and comfortable, but not delicate. It’s a glorious place to be, although some additional lumbar support for hours on the highway would be appreciated.
Strangely, the GX 550 is not that large on the inside, especially if you have kids seats in the back. As a driver, you’ll get kicked by little feet; and as a passenger, you’re devoid of leg room. Once you’ve got the third row of seats up, there’s no way to slide the middle row forward to give those passengers a little more leg room, and there’s also nowhere to put the sliding boot cover. It needs to come out of the boot completely, destined to be left in an Airbnb garage somewhere on the central coast. Silly.
The process to connect your phone could be clearer, and the air conditioning is either gun-shy or guns blazing, but once you press your foot to the floor, these qualms are quickly forgotten. The GX 550 dashes to 40-yards like former Dallas Cowboys legend, the late Larry Allen (all 147kg of him). It’s a 4WD you’ll actually enjoy driving fast, and it’s infectious.
Give us the top lines on performance and/or efficiency/range.
Under the bonnet lies a detuned version of the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine you get in the Lexus LX600 making 260kW and 650Nm, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It’ll do 0-100km/h in just over six seconds. For comparisons sake, the Prado 250 offers 150kW of power and 500Nm of torque and takes more than 10 seconds to get to 100km/h.
Power delivery is sublime, and there’s plenty of pull – and a decent roar – from low in the rev range, making overtaking absolutely effortless. It’s a little noisy on the highway thanks to its upright posture but cabin more than makes up for it.
It’s a thrill to drive when you’re in the mood – especially along an old Tweet Coast highway – but spirited drives come with an insatiable thirst. Lexus claims an average of 12.3 litres of premium unleaded per 100km, but I didn’t see a number that low in the three weeks I drove it. You’re more likely to see 13.9-14.1 litres per 100km on the highway and closer to 16 around town. With an 80-litre tank you’re at the bowser constantly, dropping ~$140 for 60 odd litres.
Honestly, the tank feels smaller than 80-litres, especially when you’re getting less than 550 highway kilometres out of it. This is undoubtedly the GX’s biggest flaw – a wee thimble of a fuel tank, and no sub tank to option.
Tech & connectivity – what’s the word?
Lexus has gone big on tech without overcomplicating things: 14-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay & Android Auto, and an actual volume knob – a rare luxury these days.
The 12.3-inch digital driver’s display is crisp, and the head-up display is clear and customisable. Strangely, I disliked the key a lot, and it frustrates me immensely that manufacturers overlook such an important touchpoint with the owner as it wouldn’t be hard to offer something a bit unique. The curved case is not befitting of this brute, and while the Overtrail and Sports Luxury get a slim line credit card key, the entry level car does not.
Finally, there’s a list of features reserved for specific models like a 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system that you should familiarise yourself with before choosing. In the Overtrail, there are additional buttons to activate Multi-Terrain Select and DAC/Crawl, replaced by an ECT 2nd button in the Sports and Sports Luxury models, assisting control in slippery conditions.
And the lowdown on safety?
Lexus doesn’t skimp on safety, and the GX 550 is no exception. It comes with Lexus Safety System+ suite which includes: adaptive cruise control, lane tracing assist, autonomous emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, road sign assist, and an impressive 360-degree camera. Add to that 10 airbags and a body structure built to take a hit (though let’s hope it never comes to that), you’ll feel as safe as houses behind the wheel.
The most memorable – or heartbreaking – thing about your drive?
I’m disappointed I didn’t get to experience the GX 550 off road, but having read the reviews, it’s nice to know it’s more than capable – even if an unsealed road is the most extreme conditions many of these will face. The fuel tank and consequent range is the most heartbreaking consideration for buyers.
One thing you should know before a test drive.
Despite its minor short comings, I absolutely loved the GX 550. It’s fun to look at, a pleasure to be in, refined on the open road, more exciting to drive than it should be, and it’s got a prestige badge. The torque from the twin-turbo is thrilling, and I suspect, functional if towing anything is on your horizon. I’d be a very happy man to call it my family car.
Tell ‘em the price, son!
At $116,000 before on-road costs, the Lexus GX550 Luxury is priced about $16,000 higher than the top-of-the-range Prado Kakadu. The Overtrail starts at $122,250 and Sports Luxury at $128,200, all before on-road costs. If you’re considering a GX 550, the sooner you get into a dealership to test one the better – because you’ll want it, and you’ll have to wait for it.
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