All new from the road to the roof, the 2024 Lexus GX arrives just in time to ride a wave of consumer interest in vehicles with enhanced off-road capabilities – or the appearance of them. In the GX’s case, its competence in the dirt is genuine, shared with the latest version of the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser, which is the same SUV without the luxury.
Photo: Ron Sessions
The 2024 Lexus GX is available in 5-, 6-, or 7-passenger seating configurations with two or three rows of seats. Full-time four-wheel drive (4WD) is standard.
Production of gas-only GX 550 models begins in February. Gas-electric hybrid versions are due later this year. Pricing for the GX 550 models is as follows, each value including the $1,350 destination charge:
I spent most of a day driving the top-of-the-line GX 550 Luxury+ model. In addition to the generous level of standard features found in all GX 550 trims, the Luxury+ model adds a standard Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system, a digital rear camera mirror, a panoramic glass roof, automatic power-operated running boards, a refrigerated console-mounted cool box, adaptive variable suspension damping, and 22-inch wheels.
As equipped with an optional head-up display, Cold Area package (heated windshield wipers, headlamp washers, and fast-acting cabin heater), heated second-row captain’s chairs, digital key technology, a cargo area tonneau cover, and Traffic Jam Assist, the test vehicle cost $83,895 including the $1,350 destination charge.
Photo: Ron Sessions
The all-new 2024 Lexus GX moves to a rugged, angular design motif that connotes strength and off-road capability. It shares its bones with the upcoming 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, which is fitting considering the new GX’s overall shape and proportions recall the rugged simplicity of previous Toyota Land Cruisers. Styling details include slab sides, rectangular wheel openings, near-upright windshield and door glass, a tall roof, and a contoured hood.
Overall, the new GX is larger and roomier than past GX iterations. The 2024 model gains 5 inches in length, up to 4.5 inches in width, and as much as 2 inches in height. This bigger footprint reaps benefits in the cabin, which now offers greater headroom and legroom in the second- and third-row seats.
Lexus enhances outward visibility to the front with a lower-mounted infotainment screen, lowered center section of the hood, and more upright windshield pillars. In addition, it is easier to see to the sides thanks to a lowered beltline at the front and rear doors.
Tall third-row head restraints partially obscure the view out the back, but you can collapse them when those seats are not in use (or just fold down the third row). When the cargo bay is fully loaded, the Luxury+ model’s standard digital rear camera mirror gives a clear view to the rear thanks to a video feed from a camera outside the rear liftgate.
Despite the GX’s generous 8.66 inches of ground clearance and traditional body/frame construction, the Luxury+ test vehicle was easy to climb into due to the model’s standard power deployable and retractable running boards. All other GX models feature fixed running boards.
Once aboard, the new GX offers the luxury and comfort you’d expect in a Lexus. All models have heated and ventilated front seats. The Luxury and Luxury+ trims build on that with creamy semi-aniline leather seat trim and a massage function that did wonders for my back.
The front storage area is limited due to the center console’s drive mode and off-road controls. Still, the console accommodates a pair of cup holders, an available wireless phone charger, and a covered bin under the center armrest, which Lexus converts into a refrigerated cool box in the Luxury+. It is roomy enough for a couple of small beverages.
Compared to the previous-generation GX, the front seat bottom cushions are raised an extra 1.18 inches off the floor, making for a more natural driving position. They provide decent lateral support, but the second- and third-row bench seats are nearly flat. The individual second-row captain’s chairs, optional in all Premium and Luxury trims, offer easier access to the third-row seats.
The 50/50 split-folding third-row seat holds two passengers. I could fit my 6-foot frame back there with plenty of headroom to spare, but my knees just cleared the second-row seatbacks, and the thinly padded, low-placed third-row bottom cushions made for a less-than-comfortable, knees-high seating position.
Lexus enhances cargo area access this year with a new power liftgate that swings up, replacing the previous model’s side-hinged back door design. The new liftgate’s glass window opens independently.
Total cargo space improves in the new GX, but three-row models offer just 10.3 cubic feet behind the third-row seats. That climbs to 40.6 cubic feet with the third-row seats folded flat and 76.9 cubic feet with the second-row seats dropped. The two-row Overtrail models are more accommodating, providing a generous 45.6 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second-row seats and 90.5 cubic feet with the second row folded flat.
Photo: Ron Sessions
For 2024, the GX finally ditches the previous model’s quirky and space-robbing infotainment screen remote touchpad controller on the center console. Instead, it has a Lexus Interface infotainment system with a large 14-inch touchscreen display.
Lost in the transition is a physical radio tuning knob, but Lexus wisely kept a volume knob for quick adjustments on the fly. In addition, the driver gets volume and tuning adjustment buttons on the steering wheel. Most other Lexus Interface interactions occur through the large display.
The system includes wireless Apple CarPlay and wireless Android Auto smartphone integration. However, the native Drive Connect software’s cloud-based navigation and Intelligent Assistant conversational voice control features are so good that many people may want to stick with the Lexus system. Lexus includes a complimentary 3-year trial subscription to Drive Connect with every GX purchase or lease, but afterward you must pay for it.
On the safety front, the 2024 GX upgrades to the latest version of the Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+ 3.0). Highlights compared to the old GX include adaptive cruise control with curve speed management, lane-keeping assistance, lane-centering assistance, and front cross-traffic alert.Most versions of the 2024 GX also have a standard surround-view camera, and a low-speed Traffic Jam Assist system is also available.
All GX driving assist systems functioned as advertised. However, the front cross-traffic alert warning beep frequently sounded at four-way-stop intersections just as I took my turn among the other vehicles in the queue proceeding through the intersection. It can be distracting and confusing.
On the road, the 2024 GX 550 Luxury+ offers all the luxury and traditional Lexus comfort you expect. However, compared to the previous-generation GX, it demonstrates greater finesse, more power and torque, finer steering precision, a smoother ride, and more responsive brakes.
Under the hood, the GX replaces the previous model’s 301-horsepower 4.6-liter V8 and 6-speed automatic transmission with a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 hooked to a 10-speed automatic. It makes 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, 48 hp and 150 lb-ftmore than before.
Thanks to its broad torque curve, the new twin-turbo V6 makes the 2024 GX livelier when accelerating in town, merging into fast-flowing freeway traffic, and overtaking slower vehicles. The new automatic transmission also improves powertrain responsiveness, and shifts are seamlessly smooth.
In addition, the GX’s new electric steering feels more linear and enables Lexus to equip the GX with added driving assistance systems such as lane-keeping assistance and lane-centering assistance.
Unfortunately, a significant rainstorm washed out most of the off-road course Lexus built for journalists to evaluate the purpose-built GX 550 Overtrail model. However, some sections remained navigable enough to ascertain the Overtrail’s capabilities.
Highlights include the increased bite of the Overtrail’s 33-inch all-terrain tires and locking Torsen center differential, the impressive wheel articulation of the new electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (e-KDSS), and the relaxed controllability of the Crawl Control off-road cruise control system.
Shown above, the Overtrail’s standard Multi-Terrain Monitor with various camera views was also helpful, especially the one providing a virtual glimpse of the terrain under the engine compartment and the placement of the front wheels.
Photo: Ron Sessions
The redesigned 2024 Lexus GX raises the bar in the off-road-capable three-row midsize SUV segment with a distinctive and luxurious look. In addition, the 2024 GX shines with the amenities, comfort, and technology you expect from a Lexus, and now more than ever, it should appeal to buyers looking for something a bit more adventurous. Here’s looking at you, Land Rover Defender.
Ron Sessions is a seasoned vehicle evaluator with more than three decades of experience. He has penned hundreds of road tests for automotive and consumer websites, enthusiast magazines, newsletters, technical journals, and newspapers.
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