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It’s a luxurious off-roader that’s now an off-roader with luxurious. So says Lexus. I agree. The 2024 Lexus GX 550 (beforehand GX 460) is decidedly completely different and considerably upgraded, in addition to long-awaited, because the earlier technology mannequin was final redesigned greater than 14 years in the past.
By Sue Mead
The brand new GX is a recreation changer for the Lexus model, and sits within the mid-sized section that instructions high gross sales within the luxurious market. The bolder-looking sport utility car is predicated on the worldwide Toyota Land Cruiser (Prado in another elements of the world) and slots between the Lexus model’s smaller RX (2 seating rows), which appeals largely to empty nesters, and the brand new, bigger TX (3 seating rows), which appeals to bigger households.
The 2024 GX has been redesigned from the bottom up. And, because it was revealed, loved nice reputation by way of a Lexus video collection that highlights the brand new mannequin and its meeting at Toyota’s Tahara Plant in Japan. The video has racked up 1.1 million views, and attracted 33,000 U.S.-market “hand raisers,” which represents all the first-year allotment for the States. Lexus entrepreneurs say they’ll attempt to garner further quantity for U.S. patrons, who bought 32,000 of the previous-generation GX final yr.
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I drove two variations of the brand new GX 550 on an introductory ride-and-drive occasion in Tucson, Arizona. All GX variants have full-time 4WD with Lexus’s “Multiselect” drive-mode system, and a locking middle differential. The brand new GX is obtainable in six trim ranges: Premium, Premium+, Luxurious, Luxurious+, and newly-added Overtrail and Overtrail+ variants. The Overtrails are engineered and designed as harder, extra succesful off-road-oriented fashions. Each Overtrail fashions comes with customary 33-inch all-terrain tires and 18-inch wheels. Lexus expects that 30 % of patrons will select one of many Overtrail fashions.
The brand new GX will go on sale within the second quarter of this yr. Lexus introduced {that a} hybrid powertrain will likely be made out there in some unspecified time in the future sooner or later.
Till then, all fashions are powered by a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 that produces 349 horsepower, and 479 pound-feet of torque. A ten-speed computerized is the one transmission provided. Towing capability is spectacular at practically 9100 kilos, relying on trim degree. Much less spectacular is the EPA fuel-economy estimates of 15 mpg metropolis, 17 freeway, and 21 mixed.
The brand new mannequin is available in seven out there colours with 4 “bi-tone” schemes and three interior-color choices. Normal are wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, in addition to a digital 12-inch Multi-Info Show (MID). Additionally out there are plenty of dealer-installed equipment for enjoyable customization.
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Lexus says the brand new mannequin’s “key factors” are ardour and craftsmanship, with a mission of consolation and visibility as the highest design targets. From the skin, it’s clear that visibility for the motive force was one of many motivations, because the windscreen is extensive, the A-pillars have been pushed again (ahead), and there’s a decrease belt line, permitting higher visage to the facet.
The hood-line has been lowered too, with a small divot within the center to permit a clearer view of the street. Engineers lifted the peak of the headlights, so that you’re much less more likely to scratch them when ambling over again nation trails. Raised lights (each entrance and rear) will assist with visibility when caravanning with others, too.
Notable is the extra aggressive, edgy styling–a departure from the rounded edges of the earlier mannequin–together with daring wheel arches, and a brand new entrance bumper that may simply get replaced ought to an incident advantage such an motion.
Taller roof rails, a black-painted high, and a panoramic roof are additionally new, as are customary working boards which might be power-actuated on up-level trims.
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The brand new GX is little greater than the outgoing mannequin. Total it’s 3.7 inches wider (Overtrail 4.5) 2.8 inches longer, and rides on 2.4-inch longer wheelbase.
The second row is on the market with captain’s chairs or a 60/40 split-folding bench relying on trim degree.
A easy “one-motion” tumble system makes simple work of clearing the 2-nd-row seats for entry to the threerd-row. Heated and ventilated seats are customary up entrance, and out there for the outboard 2nd-row seats. The threerd row is on the market in each energy and guide seat configurations.
The GX boasts six illuminated charging ports (4 in Overtrail/Overtrail+) and a wi-fi charger is on the market within the entrance console tray. The 2024 GX boasts elevated house within the middle console and door pockets. Two further storage areas have been added below the cargo space to accommodate smaller gadgets, and a 120-volt AC inverter has been added for added energy wants. Plus, the GX comes with as much as 12 cup holders.
New is a double-wishbone entrance suspension paired with a multi-link rear suspension so as to add prowess for each on-road and off-road driving. An out there Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) adjusts damping forces based mostly on altering street situations. GX additionally has a brand new Digital Energy Steering (EPS) system that brings elevated steering really feel each on and off-road.
Lexus has made switching between excessive vary (H4) and low vary (L4) 4WD modes sooner versus the earlier technology. L4 has 4 modes: Auto, Sand, Mud, and Rock, whereas H4 has 5 modes: Auto, Dust, Sand, Mud, and Deep Snow. When Multi-Terrain Choose is on, the Multi-Terrain Monitor engages to help with elevated visibility—by way of the console display–below and across the car. Views embrace underfloor, facet, entrance and rear underfloor, together with blind-spot monitoring.
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First, I drove the bottom Premium mannequin that stickers beginning at $65,250.
Notable was the upscale inside, comfy seating for as much as seven, and the quiet journey. I discovered simple ingress and egress and appreciated the massive touchscreen. The dual-turbocharged V6 strikes the GX effectively. Versus the previous-generation GX, the brand new truck enjoys improved braking response and extra exact digital energy steering.
Though I didn’t want to make use of it, I appreciated the locking middle differential, which allows a 50/50 entrance/rear torque cut up for improved traction in snow and on different traction-compromised surfaces.
I additionally drove the Overtrail+, which begins at $75,900, and with some extras stickered for $80,915. My time within the Overtrail+ included motoring on a street course, in addition to on an off-road path with a number of ruts that had been crafted to exhibit the GX’s rock-crawling credentials.
There are lots of design options which bolster the Overtrail’s off-road credibility, together with 8.9 inches of floor clearance, spectacular strategy and departure angles, and vertically located exterior mirrors designed to be much less more likely to catch on tree branches.
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Quick Information:
- The Overtrail and Overtrail+ have 10-way powered, heated, and ventilated entrance seats (the rear seats are additionally heated).
- Overtrail fashions additionally embrace blacked-out brightwork, black mirrors and door handles, and enticing black trim over the fenders.
- The Overtrail and Overtrail+ use a regular Digital Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) that gives a excessive degree of stability between off-road drivability and on-road dealing with stability. It locks and unlocks the entrance and rear stabilizer bars to help with motoring management and enhanced wheel articulation.
- The 2024 GX shares its company TNGA-F platform with the current-generation Lexus LX 600. This robust and light-weight ladder body structure will increase physique rigidity and improves on-road dealing with. This platform is optimally engineered to face up to twisting off-road forces, maximize suspension efficiency, allow wheel articulation and constant tire contact, and preserve in-cabin stability.
- A ten-speaker premium sound system is customary on decrease GX trim ranges, with an out there 21-Speaker Mark Levinson set up that comes customary on Overtrail fashions.
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2024 Lexus GX 550 Gallery
(Click on under for enlarged photographs)
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