Luxury Meets Power: The 2024 Lexus GX 550 Reinvents the Driving Experience
The sun blazed down on Eagle’s Canyon Raceway as we gathered for the Texas Truck Rodeo—a proving ground for some of the automotive world’s most capable off-road machines. However, the focus for the 2024 Lexus GX 550 Luxury+ took a different path. Rather than tackling the rugged off-road course, we took it to the streets and highways of Texas to see how this luxury SUV performs in real-world driving conditions. With a new twin-turbocharged heart and a more modern design, the GX 550 Luxury+ aims to bridge the gap between rugged capability and high-end comfort—an off-road adventurer refined for everyday life.
Setting the Stage: A New Era for the GX
Lexus enthusiasts have eagerly awaited a new generation of the GX since the previous model’s long tenure from 2009 to 2023. When Lexus first introduced the GX 470 in 2003, it was positioned as an upscale, off-road-ready sibling to the Toyota 4Runner. Over the years, the GX has garnered a loyal following for its durability, off-road capabilities, and the Lexus signature luxury.
The 2024 GX 550 takes that heritage and elevates it with a focus on improved on-road comfort, performance, and modern technology. This isn’t just an update—it’s a complete overhaul, bringing new powertrains, a revamped interior, and a bold new design to the table.
Power & Performance: A Twin-Turbo V6 Roars to Life
Out goes the old V8, replaced by a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 known as the V35A, delivering 349 horsepower and a solid 479 lb-ft of torque. It’s a big leap in performance over the previous model, with gains of 48 horsepower and 150 lb-ft of torque, ensuring the GX 550 is more than capable of handling city streets and open highways with vigor.
Driving on the public roads of Texas, the GX 550 Luxury+ felt agile and surprisingly quick for its size, thanks to its refined power delivery and responsive 10-speed automatic transmission. While merging onto highways or overtaking slower traffic, the V6 showcased smooth acceleration and ample power. The GX’s nearly 5,700-pound curb weight melted away as the engine delivered torque precisely when needed, making daily driving feel effortless.
Though fuel economy has only slightly improved over the outgoing V8 (15 city/21 highway), Lexus has hinted at a forthcoming hybrid variant—the GX 550h—that aims to bring better efficiency while retaining its well-known capability.
Design & Exterior: A Bold New Look
The 2024 GX 550’s exterior design is a departure from the past but remains unmistakably GX. Lexus has gone for a squared-off silhouette that blends elegance and ruggedness, enhancing its road presence. The updated spindle grille is refined, slightly smaller than the previous generation, yet impactful with a matte black finish and functional cooling elements.
In the Luxury+ trim, the GX 550 features sleek black accents and 22-inch wheels that emphasize its muscular, aggressive stance. Staying true to its body-on-frame roots, Lexus increased the wheelbase by 2.4 inches and the overall length by 5 inches, giving the SUV a stronger, more commanding appearance on the road. With added width and height, the GX feels more “chunky” and substantial than ever before.
Other design details, like the boxy wheel arches and the LED triple-beam headlights, create a modern look while retaining a rugged appeal. The GX manages to strike a balance, standing out among luxury SUVs without compromising its off-road roots.
Interior & Comfort: Where Craftsmanship Meets Everyday Usability
The moment you open the door to the GX 550 Luxury+, you are greeted by an interior that aims to please. Semi-aniline leather seats, soft-touch surfaces, and tasteful black ash wood trims all combine to elevate the cabin’s luxury feel. Power-retractable running boards aid entry, and the seats, which are heated, ventilated, and massaging, offer exceptional comfort for those long drives.
The tech is designed to make life easier, with a new 14-inch touchscreen for the Lexus Interface system, seamlessly integrating wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It’s complemented by a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a head-up display, and an array of driver-assist systems, such as adaptive cruise control and panoramic view monitors, that elevate safety and convenience.
Rear passengers are well catered for, especially in the captain’s chair configuration, providing ample comfort and space. The panoramic glass roof floods the cabin with light, enhancing the feeling of luxury and openness, even though it doesn’t open for airflow.
Driving Impressions: Road Comfort and Composure
The 2024 GX 550 Luxury+ may have off-road credentials, but it’s equally impressive on public roads, offering a refined driving experience. On the highways and streets of Texas, the adaptive variable suspension provided a balanced, composed ride—soaking up road imperfections and maintaining comfort on longer journeys.
The GX has seven drive modes, allowing for customization based on road conditions and personal preferences. In Comfort mode, the SUV glided over bumps and dips, delivering a plush ride befitting a luxury vehicle. Sport Plus mode stiffened up the suspension, adding a touch of dynamism to the ride without making it harsh. These modes allowed the GX to be adaptable, whether navigating tight urban streets or cruising down long stretches of highway.
The new twin-turbo V6 provided ample acceleration when needed, with a 0-60 mph time of around 6.5 seconds, a second faster than its predecessor. Though the GX isn’t aimed at pure speed enthusiasts, its engine offered more than enough power to make daily driving enjoyable, paired with an exhaust note that struck a balance between refinement and a touch of sporty enthusiasm.
Competitors & Market Positioning: A Comfortable Middle Ground
In the world of luxury SUVs, the Lexus GX 550 Luxury+ finds itself surrounded by tough competition, such as the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Yet, it stands apart by offering a refined balance of on-road comfort, off-road capability, and Lexus’s trademark reliability.
Where the Defender leans heavily on its customization options and the G-Class on its rugged yet high-end appeal, the GX focuses on being a reliable, capable luxury SUV that’s equally adept at everyday driving and weekend adventures. It’s a compelling choice for those who desire luxury without compromising on reliability or affordability.
Conclusion: A Redefinition of Luxury SUVs
The 2024 Lexus GX 550 Luxury+ isn’t just an evolution—it’s a redefinition of what a luxury SUV should be. With its advanced twin-turbo V6 engine, thoughtfully designed interior, and blend of comfort and capability, the new GX delivers on all fronts for those looking for a versatile and refined driving experience.
Starting around $64,000 for the base Premium trim and extending to the mid-$80,000s for the Luxury+ trim, the GX remains competitive in its segment. Its value proposition is further enhanced by its build quality, luxury features, and the promise of an upcoming hybrid variant, making it an appealing choice for those in search of a well-rounded luxury SUV.
Legend/Footnote: The Texas Truck Rodeo is an exclusive annual media event organized by the Texas Auto Writers Association (TAWA). This event brings together automotive journalists, manufacturers, and experts to evaluate and test the latest trucks and SUVs on challenging terrains, providing in-depth insights into vehicle performance and features in real-world conditions.
