2024 Lexus GX 550 4x4 - Bottom Line Review

A PLUSHER PRADO STAYS TRUE TO ITS ROOTS:

Among overland sportsmen, the "field grade" shotgun has the standard blued barrel and wood stock that won't mind brushes with the brush, in contrast with the "presentation grade" firearm with silver and gold barrel engravings and richer solid wood stock finish.

For automaking conglomerate Toyota, the name Prado borrows from the Portugese to denote a lighter-duty "field grade" version of their historic body on ladder frame Land Cruiser SUV. Skipping a first 70 Series in the U.S. the first field grade Prado to make the American market cut was the 120 series. However, it arrived in the States with "presentation finish" exclusively as the Lexus GX 470, succeeded by the J150 GX 460.

While 2024 finally bought Yanks a "pure field grade" J250 Toyota Land Cruiser, that model's slightly distinctive "presentation grade" cousin debuts as the 2024 Lexus GX 550 4x4.

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WHAT: 2024 Lexus GX 550 4x4 three row, full-sized sport utility vehicle, succeeds the J150 series GX 460 after a 14 year run. The J252 series is a TNGA-F body on frame, kissing cousin of the new-to-America J250 Toyota Land Cruiser. It ranks second in the Lexus truck line-up only to the flagship J300 Lexus LX 600.

WHAT MOTIVATES:

All 2024 Lexus GX 550s in the U.S. are powered by a detuned Dynamic Force twin-turbo DOHC petrol V-6 mated mated to an ten-speed torque converter automatic planetary transmission and electronic two-speed Torsen differential transfer case.

• POWERTRAIN HITS and MISSES:
• +23 horsepower, +14 lb-ft vs. Land Cruiser J250 i-Force HybridMax 2.4T hybrid
• +1 More immediate torque vs. the V-8 it replaces; Pronounced gear shifts,^{(Sport S, Sport+ modes)}
• -1 Long throttle step-in; No offroad / trail drive mode(s)

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE(S): With the Toyota branded J250 rejoining its Lexus J252 cousin in North America, the new GX 550 is a spitting silhouette of the equally new Toyota Land Cruiser. Differences to the distinctive tall clearance, blocky body, upright windscreen and tall greenhouse, kinked post Row 2, amount to a Lexus -fied front end and light assemblies.

Arguably, the 2024 GX 550 arguably makes the best presentation of Lexus spindle grille, blending the upper portion of the cinched waist into the slim upper grille slot beneath the dual shoulder spill-over hood. The widening lower trapezoid is done in darkened egg-crate followed by thicker mid and lower lateral member. Corner folds as well as signature inverted outboard lateral "L" trimmed headlights flare around.

The fuselage is more finished here with body color matched segmented wheel arch cladding, pillars and wing mirror caps. The spill-over roof isn't so noticeable as it isn't available with a two tone finish. From the split C pillar aft, the beltline rises, taking on a lateral character crease.

Having transitioned from swing-gate to flip-open upper liftgate glass, the rear lamps are stacked at the aft quarters, with corner reflectors re-located to the upper bumper corners. In an effort at greater ostentation, a light bar fully spans the tailgate below the backlight. Graphite cladding, mirroring the front lower airdam, drapes the bumper cover with a cover for the tow hook.

WHY: Only the plusher Prado with the "L" grille badge earns the smooth twin-turbo V-6.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since Spring 2024

WHERE: Lexus new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Hamura, Tokyo, Japan

WHERE TO: The 2024 Lexus GX 550 Premium Plus comes standard with full time four-wheel drive, with an electronic two-speed transfer case and locking Torsen center differential. Along with highway terrain tires and 2nd gear slippery pavement start, they will make easy work of even precipitous rutted trails. For more challenging conditions, only the OverTrail model comes equipped with the Land Cruiser's multi-terrain goodies.

• TWO SPEED PLANETARY TRANSFER CASE
• TORSEN CENTER DIFFERENTIAL for full time Four Wheel Drive
• CRAWL Mode low traction automatic acceleration & braking
• Drive Modes x 3: Eco, Normal, Sport + slippery ECT 2nd gear start
• Twin tube dampers
• Surround cameras, vehicle attitude, traction displays
• Steel front bash plate, powertrain + drivetrain, fuel tank skid plates
• Under body rock rails
• Fog lights
• -1 E-locking rear differential, DAC and KDSS detaching front sway bar & Multi-Terrain Select & terrain cameras only included on GX 550 Overtrail

HOW ROADWORTHY: Arguably, the most compelling reason to acquire the Lexus GX 550 over the Land Cruiser J250, other than the available third row, is the twin turbo 3.4L V-6 powerplant in place of the smaller displacement mild hybrid straight four. The sonorous V-6 surpasses the deeper resonating atmospheric V-8 mill it has replaced in virtually every usable metric, bettering low speed torque by gobs, towing 40% more mass, and cutting fuel burn by 16%. The GX 550 also out-pulls the four-cylinder hybrid Land Cruiser by 51%. The ten-speed automatic transmission inherited from the LX 600 flagship shifts with a bit more authority than the Land Cruiser's eight-speed. The new powertrain combo feels more flexible and mellowed than the GX 460.

• -1 Annoying instrument cluster warning to "Depress Brake Pedal Firmly" to actuate engine idle start/ stop.
• -1 Some tire and wind noise penetrates the cabin, which is why the Lexus TX cousin exists.
• -1 Transmission jerks at final downshift to 1st gear creeping to a stop

HOW LIMBER: Greater laminated glass and denser insulation than offered in the Land Cruiser solidly renders the 2024 Lexus GX 550 a more suave highway mover. Nonetheless, abundant body lean betrays softer coil springs tying the body-on-frame architecture to a solid rear axle chassis. Adding the lazy grip of the 20" inch all-season Yokohama Geolandar tires and typically vague, though lighter than old, Lexus truck steering feel discourages any inspired cornering or hasty lane changes.

More compliant damping and bushing, to the point of squishiness, cannot completely overcome back-end jolts over man-hole covers in the newest GX. Pedal action from the amply sized four wheel slowing discs, sourced from the Land Cruiser, lacks immediacy.

HOW FAR: 19 mpg combined fuel economy; 443 miles highway range on 91 octane unleaded gasoline

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: √ A full-size three-row body-on-frame SUV; √ Space for five average sized occupants; √ 2nd Row 60/40% reclining seating; √ Fixed full cabin length running boards

• By Comparison:
  • 112.2" Wheelbase: 6.8" < Land Rover Defender 130
  • 36.7" Row 2 legroom: 2.4" < Land Rover Defender 130
  • 31.9" Row 3 legroom: 0.2" > Land Rover Defender 130
  • 40.2 cubic feet cargo bay 9 (aft of Row 2): 8% < Land Rover Defender 130
  • 9000 lb. towing rating: 10% > Land Rover Defender 130

HOW USEFUL: √ 2nd Row 60:40% split elevated folding seatbacks & fold-over jacknife access to 3rd Row; √ 3rd Row 50:50% split power folding seating + cargo bay wall & 3rd Row twin wall power switches; √ Cargo bay fore & aft subfloor bins; √ proximity activated Power liftgate; √ Flip open rear backlight; √ Cabin A & B pillar grab handles; √ Trailer tow hitch connector, brake control, back-up guide & braking

• 3rd Row wall armrests switches for 2nd Row seat fold-over exit

♦ 1st & 2nd Row door pocket management; ♦ 1st Row overhead capacitive panel segmented cabin map lights control

• +1 Liftgate replaces left to right opening "swing gate" for the first time in Lexus GX history
• -1 Puny post 3rd Row cargo space; No subfloor storage (and no place to stow post Row 2 cargo bay shade); No cargo bay remote 2nd Row seatback fold releases; No 1st Row overhead sunglasses bin

HOW SAFE: IIHS - Not tested (related Toyota Tacoma pickup earned Top Safety Pick rating).

STANDARD: √ 8 airbags; √ Rear camera w/ predictive grid; √ Audible rear park assist; √ Roll mitigation

Driver assist technology: √ STANDARD Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 = Pedestrian & daytime cyclist detection braking; Forward collision avoidance braking; Blind spot & rear cross traffic warning; Lane departure; Road edge & Sway Warning, Lane Keep Assist; Lane tracing + driver inattention emergency stopping; Adaptive cruise control - full; Automatic High Beam headlights; 2nd Row occupant minder

• AVAILABLE (included in test vehicle)
  • ♦ Panoramic view cameras; ♦ Blind Spot, rear cross traffic warning; ♦ Front & rear sonar audible/ visible park warning; ♦ Digital display rear view mirror; ♦ Head Up Display; ♦ Traffic sign display
• -1 annoying "Sit Up, Face Not Detected" driver attention monitor instrument cluster warning; Wing mirrors are too narrow

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY:  Unsurprisingly, cookie (& cost) cutting has slipped inside the 2024 Lexus GX 550, where the Toyota Land Cruiser has more influence than the LX 600. The exception is the Lexus Human Interface infotainment display, including climate screen touch and signature dual rotary knobs beset in the screen, displaying dual Row 1 temperature settings. a padded tucked seam mid dash shelf, and the familiar gloss black button climate control array. The loss of lower center stack real estate leaves a machined looking beveled panel with drive mode controls, connectivity ports and a clever 12 Volt power supply, featuring a sprung pocket lid. A traditional rowed transmission selector has been retained, with transfer case range toggle and differential lock following.

While B-pillar and aft walls, as well as lower door cards are awash in hard plastics, all other touch points, including dashboard top, are done in plush. Seams tuck neatly, and contrast stitching has been put into action. Satin metallic banding outlines the center console and covers the mid dash and outboard vents.

√ NuLuxe seats, 1st Row heated, cooled, 8-way power, lumbar, 2-position driver memory; √ Pillar grab handles x 4 (2nd Row); √ 12.3" variable Digital Meter instrument cluster; √ Power locks, windows, express driver's; √ Proximity keyless entry, push button ignition; √ power Tilt/ telescoping, heated leather wrapped steering wheel + horizontal spoke ventral side MFI & driver assist controls; √ 3-zone auto climate control w/ 2nd Row console controller; √ 2nd Row heated seats; √ 2nd Row privacy glass; √ Cupholders x 6, Bottle holders x 12; √ Head Up Display; √ Power moonroof - 1st Row; √ Power folding wing mirrors

• +1 Wide center armrest; Generous steering wheel reach adjustment;
• -1 Minimal seat torso support, flat cushions

Cool Gizmo(s): √ 14.0" inch Multi Information Display dual side variable information, drive mode influenced TFT instrument cluster + navigation map migration; √ Lexus Human Machine Interface Wake Up query powered by Google browser; √ Cockpit overhead touch trace activated 1st & 2nd Row LED lighting

Details Done Right: √ Fully padded, tucked seam tiered dash board, and lower center stack saddle; √ Chestnut brown pebbled seat covering, matching door + center console armrests; √ Tight mesh headliner; √ Rubber tipped transfer metal case toggle switch; √ White ambient footwell lighting

Nearly Non-Descript: Sub waist coarse grain cabin panels; Drab upper door card inserts

HOW CONNECTED: √ Lexus Human Machine Interface 14.0" landscape touch LCD media screen, in a shared frame with the instrument cluster; √ Voice command, Bluetooth hands-free communications x 5 devices; √ GPS HDD cloud Navigation w/ 3-D map, voice guidance, Google POI data, OTA updates; √ SMS voice to text messaging; √ USB-C x 6, 12V x 1; 400W 120V AC x 1 (cargo bay); √ Qi inductive wireless device charging pad

• +1 Lexus Interface infotainment user interface enhances intuitive voice command functions; +1.5" screen vs. Toyota Land Cruiser J250
• Drive Connect "Hey Lexus" system voice interaction, Google queries
• -1 Non-concealed forward center console wireless device storage shelf
• -1 Low instrument cluster & infotainment display color contrast

HOW AUDIBLY: √ 21 speaker, 1800 Watt, 16-channel 7.1 DTS HD radio 30GB jukebox Mark Levinson + Clari-Fi streaming audio, HD radio = crisp strings percussion & high vocals limited low frequency punch ^{(250 watt, 10 speaker 4-channel streaming audio standard)}

HOW "APP" -LICABLE:

Free Apps: ♦ Lexus Human Machine Interface; ♦ wireless Android Auto / Apple CarPlay projection; ♦ Amazon Alexa

By Subscription (trial): ♦ Sirius XM radio (3 months); ♦ WiFi by AT&T (3 GB, 30 day trial); ♦ Lexus Connected Services including Safety + Service (10 years) & Remote functions (3 years); ♦ available Connected Navigation

• -1 Lexus Connected voice query occasionally hiccups

HOW MUCH: $71,455 = as tested 2024 Lexus GX 550 Premium Plus 4x4 M.S.R.P^{($65,600 Premium 4x4)}

WHAT'S MISSING: More supportive & pliant bucket seats; Wider field of view wing mirrors

ANY COMPETITION: Jeep Grand Cherokee L: smooth ride, car-like cabin, available hands-free driving; Land Rover Defender 130: +1 inline-6 engine, ingot grade construction, off-road instrumentation; Toyota Land Cruiser J250: four-cylinder hybrid efficiency, Multi-Terrain management standard