2024 Lexus GX Overtrail First Drive Evaluate: What You Received’t Discover on the Spec Sheet

I’m going to deal with the Overtrail and Overtrail+ fashions of the all-new Lexus GX 550 on this evaluation, as they’re essentially the most adventure-ready of the bunch. However, I’m additionally going to allow you to in on a number of super-interesting findings from my testing, analysis, and questioning of Lexus workers that apply to all the newest third-generation GX fashions.

Final week, I used to be within the desert outdoors of Tucson, Ariz., to get behind the wheel of the 2024 Lexus GX 550, in all its kinds. I spent a day and a half crawling throughout these new midsize luxurious SUVs in addition to speaking to Lexus engineers, advertising and PR executives, and different journalists. I got here away much more impressed than I assumed I’d be, but additionally discovered a variety of weaknesses within the platform and lineup.

The Lexus GX debuted in 2002 — referred to as the GX 470 — and was then totally reworked in 2009 — with the GX 460. For reference, I personal a 2013 GX 460 that I’ve constructed into an overland journey machine and use as my each day. I’m a fan, but additionally very conversant in the car’s shortcomings, a few of which I’ve been capable of enhance by modification. You may learn a bit about my construct here.

2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail Evaluate

Now, let’s dive into the professionals and cons of the all-new 2024 Lexus GX Overtrail. I’m going to deal with the belongings you’re not going to search out in a spec sheet, on-line car builder, or press launch.

Lexus GX Overtrail: Professionals

Fast & Easy

Now we have to start out off with the truth that for the primary time ever, the GX gained’t have a giant V8 below the hood. As an alternative, the 2024 GX has a 3.4L twin turbo V6. This extremely quiet and clean engine places out 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. That’s 48 extra ponies and 150 extra torques — at 1,500 rpm much less — than the GX 460 supplied, and it’s a really noticeably faster car.

Mix that engine with the brand new 10-speed automated transmission, and you’ve got a really spectacular and refined package deal.

Quiet Cabin

Befitting the Lexus badge, the cabin of the brand new GX is extraordinarily quiet. Surprisingly so, with such a steep windshield, tall profile, huge boxy facet mirrors, and blunt entrance finish.

Match & End Befitting a Luxurious Automobile

Such as you’d anticipate from a Lexus, the match, end, and touchpoints are all tidy and really feel nice. Low-cost plastics and rubber are very minimal and are positioned in locations you simply don’t contact typically.

The place most fashionable autos have driver-focused cockpits — with infotainment screens angled towards the driving force — the brand new GX goes a distinct route. The 14-inch touchscreen is flat, as is many of the sprint, with a view to give the driving force higher spatial consciousness of the car — or not less than that’s Lexus’s reasoning. I discovered it nice in all methods, and I really feel it helps maintain the brand new GX feeling extremely spacious.

A great deal of Visibility & Spaciousness

Talking of spatial consciousness and spaciousness, the large greenhouse provides tons of visibility whereas the tall hood and upright grille make it tremendous simple to know precisely the place the corners of the car are. The facet mirrors — a nod to the FJ Cruiser — additionally present plenty of ahead visibility, as they’re mounted on the doorways versus up on the base of the A-pillar.

You additionally get tons of headroom and legroom. And, whereas the car feels a bit slender, you continue to get loads of elbow room.

A pleasant characteristic discovered on the Overtrail+ is the built-in retractable window shades for the rear seat passengers. Seeing these is the simplest approach to inform the distinction between the Overtrail+ and Overtrail fashions.

Superb Seats

Overtrain fashions have one of the best manufacturing unit seats of any 4×4 I’ve ever sat in. And, Overtrain+ will get you very spectacular, highly effective, and adjustable massaging seats. These are the primary massaging entrance seats ever supplied on a Lexus SUV.

The Overtrail fashions have taller and softer facet bolsters and a firmer backside cushion on the entrance seats than the opposite 2024 GX fashions. This seat design is meant to create much less head toss when tackling tough terrain, and in flip, present much less driver fatigue.

High quality Chassis Dynamics

Journey high quality on and off-road is spectacular, particularly on Overtrail fashions. Adaptive suspension — commonplace on all Overtrail fashions — appears to work fairly properly, with nice damping whereas nonetheless being agency sufficient to rally on highway. The brand new GX provides a composed trip over all terrains.

The eKDSS system could also be the primary cause for such a clean trip, particularly off highway, and is just discovered on Overtrail fashions. It’s a seamless and automatic system that may be a huge enchancment on the already high quality KDSS system many have skilled on the 4Runner and GX 460.

eKDSS is an electronically managed sway bar “disconnect” system that works independently at every finish of the GX 550. The system can totally “chill out” the sway bars, providing an identical efficiency to a sway bar disconnect system. The non-eKDSS-equipped GX 550 has roughly 22 inches of whole wheel journey, whereas the eKDSS-equipped Overtrail fashions recover from 24 inches. That may be a appreciable distinction when tackling off-road terrain.

One other issue within the Overtrail fashions particularly having such a confidence-inspiring trip is the truth that they’re practically an inch wider than the opposite GX 550 fashions. The black plastic fender flares on Overtrail fashions assist give a sign of this, they usually work properly to maintain the filth and rock chips off the nice Lexus paint.

Spectacular Management Methods

Within the driver’s seat of the 2024 GX, you get nice management over the car. The weighting and suggestions from the steering wheel are excellent, which is spectacular for a rack and pinion digital energy steering (EPS) system. The throttle response is nice, not one thing that may be stated for earlier Toyota/Lexus SUVs.

Brakes are the identical as discovered below the Toyota Tundra, which suggests they’ve nice response, high quality traction management, and clean Crawl Management. I personally additionally love that left foot braking doesn’t freak out the computer systems, as it’s a useful instrument for technical off-road driving and efficiency on-road driving.

One other nice improve to the GX is that the middle locker doesn’t auto-engage once you shift into four-low, because it did on earlier GX fashions. This permits for a lot tighter off-road maneuvering in low vary.

Talking of low vary, engagement is tremendous fast, simple, clean, and quiet. It now takes simply 0.8 seconds versus 1.1 within the GX 460, which is surprisingly a really noticeable distinction.

Massive Gear-Hauling Capability

As GearJunkies, all of us wish to deliver a great deal of outside gear on our adventures. Fortunately, the 2024 Lexus GX is a body-on-frame car that’s set as much as carry gear. The Overtrail fashions solely weigh about 5,700 kilos and might carry 1,235 kilos. You additionally get a great deal of cargo area (45.6 cubic toes, or 90.5 cubic toes with the second row folded) to accommodate that gear.

Whereas the load capability and quantity are very spectacular, much more spectacular is the large towing capability, at over 9,000 kilos. That opens up a variety of camper trailer choices to the brand new GX proprietor. The brand new GX additionally comes with an built-in electrical trailer brake controller and Sway Management as commonplace gear.

Rounding out the gear-hauling awesomeness are the raised roof rails that come commonplace on all Overtrail fashions. Simply add crossbars and also you’re set to haul your SUPs, kayaks, bikes, and different cumbersome journey gear.

Wi-fi Connectivity

Not solely is the brand new GX capable of obtain over-the-air updates by the LSS+ system, which is able to little doubt improve the car’s off-road prowess quickly (extra on that later), however it has wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto commonplace.

Rivals like the most recent Land Rover Defender have CarPlay and Android Auto, however don’t provide wi-fi methods — you will need to plug in a cable to your cellphone to get these options on the car’s infotainment system.

Off-Highway Upgrades Consideration

Lexus engineers informed me that the entrance decrease facia is sacrificial — for once you misjudge an off-road impediment — and can also be simply detachable with a view to set up issues like bumpers, winches, and lighting.

The GX Overtrail fashions get 33-inch Toyo all-terrain tires wrapped round 18-inch wheels. The lead venture engineer for GX informed me that the brand new GX was designed to deal with bigger tires, however he wouldn’t give me a quantity and stated something greater wouldn’t come from the manufacturing unit. My tough guess is that 34s would match with minimal rubbing and 35s would take some stable trimming and work to make match.

The lately launched Lexus accent program is including plenty of new companions for 2024 and Lexus is providing six GX-specific equipment at car launch time. Thus far, they’ve introduced a skid plate and black brand overlays. All of those equipment you may order proper on the supplier and wrap up instantly in your new car financing. It consists of issues like 12V coolers, awnings, roof racks, and so on.

Faux Engine Noises

Not usually one thing I’d think about a optimistic, however on this case, I’m making an exception. When the Drive Mode Choose swap is ready to Sport S, Sport S+, or Customized mode, and the Powertrain mode is ready to Energy, the Engine Sound Enhancement (ESE) prompts in response to the throttle pedal.

What meaning is that pretend engine sounds are piped in by the audio system of the GX 550. I often discover this kind of factor a bit lame, however on this case, I’ve to confess that it was executed practically completely and simply enhances the driving expertise of the car.

Lexus GX Overtrail: Cons

Gasoline Financial system

The third-generation GX continues the car’s legacy of requiring premium gas and providing poor gas economic system. Regardless that we misplaced the V8 for a twin-turbo V6, gas economic system solely modestly improved to nonetheless very unhappy numbers.

The 2024 GX 550 will get 15 mpg metropolis, 21 freeway, and 17 mixed. This, after all, is due to the car’s boxy form, huge tires, and full-time four-wheel-drive (FWD) system.

2024 Lexus GX Worth & Availability

The brand new GX will hit sellers this spring, however don’t anticipate to have the ability to get your fingers on one. U.S. sellers have already got deposits on over 30,000 GX 550s, and Lexus is just anticipating to deliver 33,000 to this market in 2024.

Whilst you can in concept get an Overtrail mannequin for $69,250 and an Overtrail+ for $77,250, it’s unlikely that you could find or order one with out choices or a supplier markup. The sticker worth on an Overtrail+ the best way I’d need one constructed is about $80,000.

No Third Row or Captain’s Chairs

The GX Overtrail fashions are all five-passenger two-row SUVs. The second-row captain’s chair and third-row seating choices should not accessible on any Overtrail fashions.

The second-row captain’s chairs are an possibility on third-row-equipped 2024 GX solely. This implies which you could get all non-Overtrail mannequin 2024 GX in both five-, six-, or seven-passenger configurations.

No Air Suspension Possibility

For the primary time ever, the Lexus GX gained’t have an air-suspension possibility. When pressed, Lexus engineers stated that this was as a result of they wished house owners to have the ability to improve the suspension simply. I do perceive that reasoning from an fanatic’s perspective, as I purchased my GX 460 particularly with out air suspension with a view to improve the suspension simply and closely.

Nonetheless, opponents just like the new Defender provide air suspension which offers a lot simpler entry for individuals and equipment in addition to way more floor clearance to clear off-road obstacles.

GX Tow Hitch Cowl

Whereas the general design of the 2024 Lexus GX is a knockout success, in my view, it has one evident eyesore. The hitch receiver cowl on the rear bumper is hideous. And, someway, it’s even worse when eliminated, principally as a result of it then seems tremendous unfinished.

The quilt additionally comes off fairly simply. I’ve little doubt these will probably be came upon on off-road trails around the globe with house owners not realizing they’ve fallen off till a lot later.

Therapeutic massage Frustrations

Sadly, the GX Overtrail mannequin doesn’t provide therapeutic massage seats. It’s important to get the Luxurious, Luxurious+, or Overtrail+ to get therapeutic massage seats. This can be a disgrace, because the therapeutic massage seats are superb and must be accessible to all.

The opposite huge difficulty is that to activate the therapeutic massage seats, it’s a must to undergo not less than 5 infotainment display touches. And, there’s presently no approach to set the therapeutic massage characteristic up on the customized buttons on the house display. However, that’s one thing that can probably be accessible by an over-the-air replace quickly, as Lexus is aware of it’s a difficulty.

Working Boards

Working boards are commonplace on all 2024 GX fashions. The first step, when you plan to take your new GX off-road, take away the working boards. They grasp low and can trigger physique injury once they affect rocks off-road, as breakover is just not your pal on fashionable longish wheelbase SUVs.

‘Inferior’ Rear Door

The brand new GX has a rear hatch as a substitute of the standard GX barn door, however it nonetheless has the pop-up glass possibility. The hatch additionally has an accessible kick sensor. It’s in all probability higher, to be trustworthy, however I’m a little bit of a purist and contrarian on this one, and identical to the standard barn door.

Unfinished Calipers

Whereas a minute element, particulars matter, particularly once you’re paying huge cash for a luxurious car. The brake calipers on the 2024 GX aren’t painted. They’re silver steel and simply look unfinished, contemplating each different exterior floor on the car has a end or coloration on it.

HUD Points

Should you get the non-obligatory heads-up show (HUD), it doesn’t actually work in any respect with polarized sun shades, and I personally all the time drive with polarized sun shades. This is a matter with practically all HUD methods however is actually dangerous on the brand new GX.

Whilst you can flip the HUD on and off with a tough button, adjusting it’s tremendous deep within the menus, which is tremendous annoying.

2024 Lexus GX: What You Have to Know

Flip Help

From all accounts, instantly from Lexus Engineers and PR reps, the GX 550 is not going to provide Flip Help at launch. Nonetheless, in supplier trainings for months now, the characteristic has been promoted as accessible on the Overtrail fashions. Additionally, car instructors on the launch thought the characteristic was on the autos, and it did seem to be it engaged as soon as whereas making a pointy nook off-road.

Mainly, the characteristic is meant to lock up the rear inside wheel robotically when the car is in low vary and the steering wheel is at full lock with a view to permit the car to make a tighter flip when on free surfaces.

My finest guess, Lexus needs to have options so as to add to 2025 mannequin yr autos and promote at the moment. I’ll additionally exit on a limb and say that 2024 autos have all the things required for Flip Help, and will probably be upgraded with an over-the-air-update sooner or later.

What Truly Modifications With Every Drive Mode?

If you flip the Drive Mode Choose dial, you’ve gotten choices of Eco, Regular, Consolation, Sport S, Sport S+, and Customized. Whereas I couldn’t get any solutions as to why the Sport modes have the additional “S” after them, I did discover out what really adjustments with the car when the totally different modes are chosen.

The powertrain, which means the engine tune and transmission shift factors, has three settings; Eco, Regular, and Energy. All Overtrail fashions, in addition to Luxurious+, even have Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), which has three settings: Regular, Consolation, and Sport.

All GX 550 have Digital Energy Steering (EPS), which has two settings: Regular and Sport. The ultimate factor that’s adjusted with the totally different drive modes is the air-con system, which has two modes; Eco and Regular.

Listed here are the settings from regular for every drive mode: Eco- powertrain Eco/AC Eco, Consolation- powertrain Eco/AVS Consolation/AC Eco, Sport S- powertrain Energy, and Sport S+- powertrain Energy/AVS Sport/EPS Sport. After all, Regular mode is regular for all variables and Customized mode is totally customizable to your tastes.

Multi-Terrain Choose (MTS) Settings

Multi-Terrain Choose is accessed by pushing the button, labeled “MTS,” beneath the drive mode selector. Choices can then be made by turning the drive mode dial. For the primary time ever on a Toyota/Lexus product, you’ve gotten the choice of an “Auto” setting inside this method. From my transient testing, the Auto MTS setting was spectacular at adapting to the terrain below the car.

In high-range four-wheel-drive, which the GX is in on a regular basis, you may entry Auto, Grime, Sand, Mud, and Deep Snow MTS settings. In low-range four-wheel-drive, you may choose Auto, Sand, Mud, and Rock MTS settings.

Few Choices

To begin with, there will probably be only a few choices you may add on to the fundamental mannequin of GX you order. On provide for the 2024 GX are; Visitors Jam Help (basically 0-25 mph hands-free driving), a console coolbox, a HUD, a Mark Levinson premium sound system, a Digital Key, and a cargo tonneau cowl. You may as well delete the sunroof on Overtrail fashions.

Physique on Body

A rarity for a brand new SUV in 2024, the GX 550 is a body-on-frame car, versus a unibody design. This car model typically provides extra ruggedness, higher towing, and extra load capability. The 2024 GX 550 has a 20% extra inflexible body than the GX 460, which appears to assist it deal with on and off highway.

Competitors

Lexus sees the GX 550 competing within the mid-luxury SUV phase. The Lexus TX and RX are additionally on this class of auto. The Land Rover Defender is the closest direct competitor, nonetheless. Additionally within the phase are the BMW X5 and X7, in addition to the Mercedes GLE. The GX 550 is the one body-on-frame car within the phase.

Whereas not in the identical luxurious class, the Jeep Wrangler, Toyota 4Runner, and Ford Bronco will little doubt even be cross-shopped with the Lexus GX, particularly the Overtrail fashions.

2024 Lexus GX 550 Evaluate: Conclusions

In addition to the painful, but someway aggressive, price ticket, horrible gas economic system, and a few tiny issues just like the wart-like hitch receiver cowl and a few sophisticated infotainment performance, it’s laborious to essentially fault the brand new GX for a lot. It’s a large enchancment over the now very dated GX 460 in basically each manner.

Whereas Lexus thinks it’ll promote extra Premium+ fashions — which begin at $69,250 — than every other, I’d strongly argue that the Overtrail+, whereas not cheap at about $80,000, is by far one of the best model and finest worth. Between the eKDSS, adaptive suspension, massaging seats, multi-terrain choose modes, rear eLocker, and rear window shades, it’s simply the suitable package deal for a variety of patrons.

Solely patrons who desire a third row and might forgo the off-road functionality niceties ought to select the Premium or Luxurious fashions, in my view. Additionally, the 22-inch wheels on the Luxurious+ mannequin do look fairly good, when you’re into that form of factor.

I’ll additionally wager a guess that in 2025 we’ll see a GX 550 F Sport mannequin. I’ll guess it will get greater turbos — like these discovered on Tundra, some extra aggressive road model accents — like a entrance chin spoiler and extra aggressive rear hatch spoiler, and a brilliant inside possibility — probably pink.

Additionally, sure a mild-hybrid powertrain is on the best way sooner or later within the not-so-distant future. Whereas it ought to present much more low-end grunt and certain a number of mpg, it’ll additionally add weight and take away cargo room.

The 2024 GX 550 will probably be accessible in 33 nations around the globe, and I’ve a sense Lexus will promote each one they’ll make for not less than 2 years. This luxurious SUV has all the weather of an actual crowd-pleaser. I do know I need one!

Construct out your individual dream GX 550 configuration online now.