We like
Strong acceleration and accessible torque, smooth shifting 10-speed automatic, visual appeal inside and out, easy to use HVAC controls, poised dynamics on sealed and unsealed roads

Room for improvement
Expensive list and service pricing, over-eager step-off acceleration, high fuel consumption, some road and wind noise, less convenient centre console layout than LandCruiser Prado

Overview

 

LEXUS landed its LandCruiser Prado-based GX 550 range towards the latter part of 2024, marking the first time it has offered the line-up in the land Down Under.

 

Priced from $116,000 plus on-road costs in base form – and from $128,200 for the flagship Overtrail on test – the lux’ed up LandCruiser is a petrol-powered version of the tried-and-true and cheaper turbo-diesel Prado, and a worthy rival to the likes of the Land Rover Defender or Discovery.

 

In five-seat Overtrail form – an off-road-focused variant that could be considered an upmarket alternative to the LandCruiser Prado Altitude – we find equipment highlights including adaptive damping, rear locking differential, and electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension (eKDSS) joining a multi-terrain monitor (360-degree camera system), downhill assist and multi-stage crawl control, and a higher capacity 240A alternator.

 

Visually the GX 550 Overtail is characterised by more rugged exterior styling including black 18-inch alloy wheels with Toyo Open Country all-terrain tyres, extended wheel arch mouldings, unique bumpers, black trim elements, and bridge-type roof rails.

 

The variant further features all-LED lighting, olive green Ultrasuede accents and stitching on the front seats, stiffer seat bases with softer side bolsters, specific door ornamentation, garnish and finish, an additional card-shaped smart key and a refrigerated cool box in addition to heated and ventilated seating, tri-zone climate control, and eight-way powered driver seat adjustment.

 

Dual instrumentation and infotainment screens measure in at 12.3- and 14.0 inches respectively, the latter including Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, Bluetooth telephony, digital radio reception, native sat nav, and more.

 

The five-seat Lexus GX 550 Overtrail offers USB-C outlets and wireless device charging pads in the expected places, a domestic power outlet in the rear, and ventilation outlets throughout.

 

Cargo space is listed at 1063 litres in five-seat mode and up to 2000 litres with the rear bench folded. Payload is rated to 595kg and conveniently we find a full-size spare wheel slung externally beneath the cargo area floor.

 

All Lexus GX variants are powered by the same 3445cc twin-turbocharged V6 petrol engine producing 260kW from 4800-5200rpm, and a strong 650Nm of torque from 2000-3600rpm.

 

Power is channelled through a 10-speed automatic transmission with manual shift mode and second gear start function, driving all four wheels though a full-time 4WD system with low-range gearing and a locking centre differential.

 

Lexus quotes a Combined cycle fuel use figure of 12.3 litres per 100km, which might be the case if you stick to the open road…

 

The vehicle requires 95RON or higher premium unleaded petrol and offers an 80-litre fuel tank. Given the as tested fuel figure of the vehicle on test returned 15.9L/100km in mixed conditions, you can expect a theoretical driving range of just over 500km between fills.

 

Against the tape, the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail measures 5015mm in length, 2000mm in width, 1935mm in height, and rides upon a 2850mm wheelbase. The vehicle’s kerb mass is listed at 2515kg and braked towing for the Overtrail grade is listed at 3500kg.

 

Seven exterior colours are available for the Luxury and Sports Luxury, while Overtrail is offered with two single colour finishes and four two-tone colours featuring a black roof.

 

A full suite of Lexus Safety Sense active safety technologies is included across the GX range for maximum occupant protection, along with a panoramic view monitor, tyre pressure monitor, and nine SRS airbags.

 

The warranty period for the Lexus GX range is five years / unlimited kilometres with service intervals set at six months or 10,000km (whichever comes first). Service pricing is set at a rather expensive $595 per visit, or $5950 over the warranty period.

 

Driving Impressions

 

The 3.5-litre V6 powering the GX 550 is an eager unit that offers prompt throttle response from idle and is generally keen to respond to throttle input irrespective of road speed. Torque is extremely accessible, the 10-speed transmission reacting in step to provide fuss-free motivation when and as required.

 

It’s a major character difference in sampling the GX against the Prado, and one we think truly sets the pair apart.

 

Of course, that added performance does come at the cost of fuel economy – and we’d be very keen to sample the GX 550 Overtrail against a LandCruiser Prado Altitude to see just how a typical 1000km journey would pan out given a) the cost of premium unleaded in the former, and b) the price of the latter’s AdBlue exhaust additive.

 

Away from driveline performance, we note a similar level of road and acoustic noise between the GX and the Prado, having now spent considerable time (separately) in both. Our notes show the Prado offers similar wind rustle over the wing mirrors and across the roof rails as the GX, but again, without back-to-back testing, we’d be hard pressed to say which is quieter.

 

In terms of ride quality, we feel the GX 550 Overtrail has a notable edge over its less expensive derivative. The body feels better controlled in flowing corners while continuing to offer the characteristic Lexus ride over broken surfaces.

 

Couple this level of compliance with a fast-acting 4WD system and sweetly metered electrically-assisted steering and it is no surprise the Overtrail is a winner over unsealed roads – it takes a fair-sized pothole to disrupt the Lexus’ ride, we assure you.

 

The ground clearance and all-terrain rubber contribute their part to a confidence-inspiring feel behind the ‘wheel, and while we didn’t go ‘hard core’ off-roading in this $130K vehicle, we did spend considerable time on loose fire trails, finding the ride quality and body control to be a good fit for a luxury four-wheel drive.

 

Moving inside, and subjectively of course, we must say that we prefer the console layout of the Prado believing it makes better use of the space. The GX feels more cluttered ahead of the gearshift and toward the console bin, where the Prado is more open and easier to access.

 

It’s a triviality at the end of the day, and one we doubt will dissuade Lexus shoppers. In every other way the GX 550 Overtrail is a confident, capable, and comfortable four-wheel drive that we think will win a lot of favour not only with the luxury-car set, but also with those for whom the Prado’s diesel power and compromised cargo area has missed the mark.