2024 Lexus GX550

Price as tested: $71,455 as tested

3.4 Liter Twin Turbo V6

349 HP / 479 TQ

17 MPG as tested in mixed driving

— Guy who did stuff: Yousef Alvi —

The Lexus GX series has been with us since 2002 with it’s last full redesign dating all the way back to 2009! That’s a long time folks. In that time the industry moved itself away from body on frames, V8s and prioritized efficiency and comfort rather than offroad utility. But, since Lexus knows it’s customers, it wasn’t like the GX sat on dealer lots gathering dust. It sold and sold well! Last year selling 31,090 units alone! That’s a lot.

So what is Lexus to do with the new generation? The easy answer would be grab the TGNA-K platform that underpins the TX and well everything else that is transverse mounted in ToMoCo’s entire lineup, raise the ride height and slap some off-roady looking stuff to the body and call it day. In other words, make a slightly larger and burlier RX. If Lexus was any other company…trust me that would have happened. But, thankfully…that did not happen.

Lexus grabbed the TNGA-F platform instead, the same platform that underpins the LX, Tundra, Sequoia and wait for it…the new Land Cruiser. So do you want a Land Cruiser but is turned off by the 4 cylinder, ordinary interior and like to tell people who own a Lexus? The GX is your answer

Right off the bat, the new GX doesn’t hide it’s roots, if anything it leans into it. The rear 3/4 view is all J80 inspired. The Rear is J100 inspired and the front recalls the GX’s previous generation. In other words, this thing looks spectacular.

Don’t take my word for it either! Look at the following picture:

That was taken at the Mitty historic race at Road Atlanta. This new GX gathered a crowd everywhere it went! Scores of smiling faces, ‘wow’ expressions and after offering the crowd the chance to poke around it…deposits were ordered on cellphones!

It wasn’t the Mitty either. Every. Single. Time. I stopped the GX was admired and swooned over.

Is all of this enthusiasm warranted? It’s find out: