2025 Lexus GX550 - Best Large Off-Road SUV!

Thanks: PRIDE CARS 2025 Lexus GX Starting at $ Highs: Punchy turbo V-6 powertrain, high maximum towing capacity, Overtrail models are tailor-made for off-roading. Lows: Mediocre fuel-economy, third row is best left for small kids, getting the best capability means going without the third row altogether. Verdict: With a premium cabin, available third-row seating, and a host of optional advanced off-road gear, the 2024 Lexus GX is an SUV with dual personalities. Overview The Lexus GX, the brand’s mid-size, off-road SUV, has been overdue for a redesign, and it’s finally happened for the 2024 model year. Riding on an all-new platform with an updated powertrain and a load of more modern features, the new GX550’s rugged appearance is about the only thing that ties it to its outdated forbear. The new model’s boxy, Land Cruiser-inspired exterior looks like it will age well—a good thing since the GX has a history of lengthy product cycles. The 2024 GX550 rides on the same body-on-frame platform as the Toyota Sequoia and the Toyota Tundra and will be available with a twin-turbo V-6 powertrain—offered with and without hybrid assist—rather than the V-8 of the outgoing model. It slots into the Lexus SUV lineup between the flagship LX luxury off-roader and the TX SUV, the latter of which is similar in size but focused more on interior space and on-road refinement. Engine, Transmission, and Performance A twin-turbocharged V-6 engine is standard in the GX550. At 349 horsepower, the blown V-6 makes more power than the previous generation GX’s V-8. A 10-speed automatic is also standard and all models come with four-wheel drive. Overtrail and Overtrail trims are decked out with more off-road goodies than the standard trims, including 18-inch wheels with 33-inch All-Terrain tires, an aluminum skid plate, an adaptive suspension system with more wheel articulation, a crawl-control feature, and selectable drive modes for differing terrains. On the road, performance is plentiful and the GX550 feels punchy off the line. The ride is stiff, especially on the available upsized wheels. Steering is crisp and the GX’s handling is appropriate for the tall, boxy SUV that it is, but the Lexus truly shines off-road. Outward visibility is excellent, which is especially handy when navigating tight trails. We had the chance to try out the Overtrail model’s advanced off-road tech during our initial test drive of the GX550 and came away impressed. The transfer case allows the driver to select the low-range gearset without locking the center differential, which allows for a tighter turning radius, and the Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS ) can disconnect the front or rear anti-roll bars independently of one another to help improve stability and reduce head-toss. Read More 📌 Instagram ▶ 📌 Tiktok ▶ @cartvpress