Lexus GX makes great strides with this new generation, but Overtail trim is overkill for average camping adventure and suburban life.
Recommended Videos
It should be noted that I was not alone in thinking that the GX is a good-looking vehicle that fit the scenery, and perhaps it is the fresh return of the Land Cruiser and this spinoff, but I was fielding questions at gas stations and saw passersby doing full walkarounds checking it out and clearly telling their significant others that this is the glorious return of a hardcore Toyota off-roader. This Overtrail+ trim is on trend too, in a desert-camo shade called “Earth” with two-tone black roof and black grille and wheel arches making for good contrast and a dramatically square profile maximizing practicality for the footprint.
Lexus GX 550 Engine and Driving Impressions
- 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6; 349 hp, 479 lb-ft of torque
- 10-speed automatic transmission
Lexus did not hold back when equipping the GX 550 engine, the 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 pumping out 349 horsepower at 4,800 rpm and 479 lb-ft of torque at 2,000-3,600 rpm. The torquey V6 is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and routed through four-wheel drive with locking centre and rear differentials, and specific Drive settings for Deep Snow, Mud, Sand, and Dirt, Crawl mode, plus on-road settings for the Sport, Comfort, and Eco modes. It would take months or years of ownerships to find a need for all the variations of capability the GX 550 offers, but we put on over a thousand kilometres on paved and gravel roads, so we got a thorough taste of its strengths and weaknesses in more average driving conditions.
With that much torque and a 10-speed automatic, the GX gets going quickly in any situation, and the power and chassis are rated for up to 4,110 kg (9,063 pounds) in this Overtrail, Signature, and Premium trims (Luxury and Executive trims are limited to 3638 kg/8,020 lb and 3,448 kg/7601 lb respectively). Building up to highway speeds is effortless with nothing but camping payload, and the engine settle into a nice purr at any speed. For the ride north, we used our waterproof roof bag to add storage, but that resulted in dreadful wind noise, so we packed all our gear in a bit tighter for the trip home, which yielded a much quieter highway cruise, though the big knobby tires. The adaptive cruise was a great relief for the long haul up to Lake Superior, but this fully loaded model also had Traffic Jam Assist that helped ease the stress in city driving.
Lexus GX 550 Fuel Efficiency
- City/Highway/Combined 15.2 / 11.2 / 13.5 L/100 km
- 13.2 L/100 km combined in mostly highway driving
With the majority of our driving on highways, we did come in below the combined rating, finishing at 13.2 L/100 km after a couple of weeks, and the first trip north with a roof bag overhead had us at a slightly worse 13.5. No doubt more city driving and/or towing would significantly increase that fuel consumption.
Lexus GX 550 Interior and Practicality
- Cargo space behind 2nd row: 1,291 L (45.6 cu. ft.); max cargo space: 2,563 L (90.5 cu. ft.)
- 14-inch touchscreen infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto
With the exception of the wind noise caused by the roof bag and some tire noise, the Lexus GX 550 cabin was an oasis of comfort on the long haul up to Lake Superior and back. The tall, boxy design means there is plenty of headroom, legroom, and hiproom and excellent visibility for first- and second-row passengers. While most trims feature a pretty cramped third row, the Overtrail did not, and so its minimum cargo capacity was 1,291 litres (45.6 cubic feet), and up to 2,563 L (90.5 cu. ft.) if both side of the split 60/40 second row are folded down.
When it came time for snacks, we dipped into the armrest cooler box between the front seats, and I was surprised to find that it had almost frozen my chocolate bars, so it would also keep your cold beverages at an ideal temperature. While the cool box lived up to its intended function, it eats up that centre armrest storage that is normally used for purses and other bulky items, and overall the GX did not have as many cabin storage spaces as many other SUVs, but it did have the cool little tray over the glove box that is great for glasses, or keys, or a wallet.
2024 GX 550 Canadian Pricing
Similarly, the Luxury and Overtrail+ packages clock in at an $18,350 increase over base ($104,555) and Overtrail+ gets most of the amenities from the Premium package and all the off-roading goodies, while the Luxury ramps up amenities with 22-inch forged alloy wheels, 10-way power driver and passenger seats, rear window sunshades, leather seats, massage seats, lane change assist, Traffic Jam Assist, driver monitor camera, 21 Speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system, illuminated scuff plates, Front Cross Traffic Alert (FCTA). Finally, Executive tops them all with digital rearview mirror panoramic moonroof with dimming feature, power-adjustable second-row captain’s chairs and power running boards for $22,350 ($108,555 total).
Lexus GX Competitors
The Lexus GX was a niche vehicle that has maintained a loyal following from those that wanted the previous generation’s off-road chops or three-row versatility, but the 2024 model makes a giant leap forward in quality and daily livability with this generation, with a lineup set up for the premium off-roading and overlanding crowd or the suburban family that might like to get a little muddy every once in a while. Those not planning to do any serious off-roading are advised to steer clear of the Overtrail models and stick with the roadgoing wheel and tire packages. While it was not the ideal choice for my long road trip and more conventional camping adventure, the Lexus GX 550 still impressed with its comfort, power, and luxury, and its bold, boxy styling stands out from the jelly bean crossover crowd.
Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on X, Tiktok and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.