Overview

ON TEST this week is the Lexus GX550 Luxury (entry) model priced from $118,320 excluding on-road costs. 

The Toyota LandCruiser Prado-based GX 550 ditches its donor’s 2.8-litre turbo diesel four-cylinder engine for a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 similar to that found in the Toyota Tundra “full size” pick-up and the larger, LandCruiser 300 Series-based Lexus LX 600.

Strangely, the GX 550 is classified as an Upper Large segment SUV while the same-size Prado is one step down in the Large SUV segment. Go figure…

It looks similar to the blocky Prado with a Lexus front grafted on and other detail changes, the Prado roots clearly obvious across the Lexus’ flanks.

Above the GX 550 Luxury tested is a ruggedised Overtrail model with a fully featured Sports Luxury variant topping out the local line-up.

Given its level and quality of standard features you’d never guess the Luxury model is the entry level GX 550.

There are few competitors at the money apart from the larger, 15-year-old and soon to be replaced Nissan Patrol V8 starting at $90,600 featuring more power but less torque than the GX 550.

Maximum outputs from the high-tech V6 are 260kW with 650Nm of torque delivered through a 10-speed automatic transmission to a full-time four-wheel-drive system with low-range gearing and a locking centre differential.

Extrapolated into real world driving it means the ladder-framed GX 550 is a ridgey-didge fourbie with all that entails and not a soft road “wannabe” SUV like many others in the segment.

Available since the second half of 2024, the pricey GX 550 has been overshadowed a tad by Toyota’s super popular diesel Prado despite delivering a mix of rugged capability, torque-rich turbocharged performance and practical luxury.

The test vehicle was replete with dark grey (or black) leather-accented upholstery across three rows, with front seats featuring eight-way electric adjustment including lumbar and memory functions along with three-stage heating and ventilation.

The outboard second-row seats are also heated, the centre pews offering 60:40 split-fold functionality for added versatility.

The rear of the cabin is also equipped with its own climate zone while the third row has push-button folding and moving further back, the tailgate is equipped with electric opening and closing and a separate fold-out glass hatch.

Our test drive vehicle had a 14.0-inch touchscreen multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, a 10-speaker audio system, a 12.3-inch digital multi-information display and colour head-up display.

Also included are “ample” charging options with five USB-C ports, a 12-volt front port and 220-volt rear socket in addition to a Qi wireless charging pad.

Other cool kit includes 20-inch alloy wheels (with matching spare), LED lighting, dynamic levelling headlights, rear privacy glass, a rear spoiler, and flush-style roof rails.

The GX 550 Luxury (and the Overtrail) are rated at 3500kg braked towing capacity while the Sports Luxury is rated at 370kg less.

All three are equipped with a full suite of Lexus Safety Sense active safety technologies.

Driving Impressions

We started out with a degree of trepidation relating to how much fuel a 2500kg twin-turbo, 3.5-litre petrol V6 fourbie might consume but as it turned out the 12.0 litres per 100km recorded average was actually pretty reasonable in general running around.

That stepped up considerably driving harder and when towing a 2000kg rig to around 15.0L/100km or more which, all things considered still isn’t too bad given what’s on offer.

And that dear reader is surprisingly sporty performance from such a big, heavy off-road-capable vehicle that responds strongly when you plant the right foot even when towing, a sensation we have rarely experienced before except from Nissan’s Patrol Warrior.

The raunchy sounding V6 delivers a slab of torque available from a low 2000rpm to 3600rpm and after that, power takes over from around 4000rpm to 6500rpm giving the GX 550 impressive response across most of the engine operating range and despite hefting its portly weight.

It’s a detuned version of the Toyota Tundra’s (290kW) petrol engine without MHEV assistance and the complexities that entails.

With a long tow in front of us, something usually undertaken with diesel power, we hooked up the trailer, fuelled the 80-litre tank with 98RON premium unleaded and headed off noticing how level the whole rig sat on the road.

The second thing we noticed was how tight the vehicle’s turning circle is which is a boon for towing as it simplifies parking, roundabouts and negotiating cul-de-sacs.

On the other side of the coin and revealing itself almost immediately was the GX 550’s super annoying trait of panic brake application when reversing with a trailer despite switching off all electronic “aids” engaging tow/haul mode and then the opposite sequence and everything in between … it still jabbed on the brakes.

A second annoyance was the “unavailable” cruise control when towing for some reason which we find perplexing as that’s precisely when you want cruise control on a long highway drive.

Balanced against that is the level of available performance towing 2000kg which is nothing short of phenomenal. Not once did the GX 550 peg back on an uphill run and it always, always had plenty left under the right foot to accelerate as required.

It comes as a shock when accustomed to a tow vehicle slowing, sometimes markedly uphill.

The GX 550 has adaptive variable suspension that holds the vehicle level and eliminates porpoising that often accompanies towing on undulating roads.

Once up to speed, the GX 550 is “Lexus quiet” with barely a wind rustle audible, minimal tyre roar or mirror whistling and certainly no engine noise.

The 10-speed auto functions precisely almost predictively dropping down a cog or two as needed then slips imperceptibly back up through the range to (eventually) top gear.

We used the paddle shift at times but in reality, found it unnecessary such is the precise calibration and smoothness of the ‘box.

On our 1600km tow, the GX 550 chewed petrol at an average of 14.9L/100km which is somewhat more than a similar size diesel powered vehicle but given the variable price of each fuel, and available performance the additional cost was not a deal breaker.

Unhitched, freed, the GX 550 takes on a different character offering up decidedly sporty performance and competent dynamics unexpected in something this size and weight limited of course by tyre grip and brake resilience.

It’s a serene thing to drive around town or on a trip thanks in part to the myriad luxury accoutrement inside starting with the firm leather clad and heated front seats and running through the premium audio, multi zone climate control and other useful tech.

However, the test vehicle couldn’t maintain a Bluetooth connection dropping out randomly then reconnecting so perhaps there was a loose wire in there somewhere.

We couldn’t resist taking it for a bounce on our usual fourbie test track which presented absolutely no challenge to the big Lexus as it rolled over large rocks, across deep erosions, up muddy rutted hills and through rocky creek crossings all while providing a high level of luxury to its occupants.

Overall, we found the Lexus GX 550 Luxury seven-seater a capable, powerful and practical luxury SUV that we would be happy to have in the garage. It’s expensive compared to the Toyota LandCruiser Prado but would leave that model in its wake on the road and most probably off-road too.