The Lexus GX had long been the fancier counterpart to the Toyota 4Runner. Both were known for their durability and their off-road ability, but also their truckish on-road demeanor and their advanced age. In 2024, we finally got an all-new GX that keeps most of the good and vanquishes much of the bad. This time, the GX550 is based on the new Toyota Land Cruiser (which is slightly smaller than the prior Cruiser). It retains a body-on-frame architecture and a focus on off-road capability, in contrast to the similarly sized Lexus TX SUV that prioritizes passenger accommodations and on-road refinement. All GX’s are powered by a 349-hp twin-turbo V-6 working through a 10-speed automatic and full-time four-wheel drive with low range. Most GX variants come with a third row of seats, but the off-road specialist Overtrail versions seat only five. In the two-dozen-strong mid-size luxury SUV class, the GX550 is one of a small group of vehicles that balance their upscale appointments with an equal amount of off-road capability. As one of our favorites in its segment, the Lexus GX has also earned a spot on our Editors’ Choice list for 2025.
In its sophomore season, the redesigned GX550 sees only minor changes to its standard equipment. A power-adjustable steering column is now standard across the lineup, and all GX models come with memory settings for the driver’s seat, steering wheel, and outside mirrors. The Overtrail and Overtrail+ off-road trims add a one-inch suspension lift for better obstacle clearance and a bank of auxiliary switches.
The price of the 2025 Lexus GX starts at $66,085 and goes up to $82,550 depending on the trim and options.
The GX550 has two personalities: luxury on-roader and trail-conquering off-roader. For buyers who plan on spending the majority of their time on asphalt, we’d suggest the Luxury trim, as it classes up the GX550’s interior with plenty of nice-to-have features, including semi-aniline leather upholstery, 10-way adjustable front seats with massage, heat, and ventilation, illuminated door sill plates, and second-row window shades. It also comes with the bigger 22-inch wheels that better fill the GX’s large wheel wells for a more upscale look. For a bit more, the Overtrail+ trim provides a more rugged appearance and significantly more capability for off-roading, but the compromise is that it eliminates the GX’s third row of seats and some of the luxury items listed above. But if you’re planning outdoor adventures that include traversing challenging terrain, the Overtrail is well worth consideration.
A twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter 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 and also more than the Land Cruiser’s turbocharged four-cylinder hybrid. 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 other models, 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. On the highway, though, we noticed a disconcerting amount of hood flutter. The ride is fairly stiff, especially on the available upsized wheels. Steering is crisp but the GX’s handling is about what you’d expect for the tall, boxy SUV, meaning there’s plenty of body roll. The Lexus Overtrail shines off-road; outward visibility is excellent, which is especially handy when navigating tight trails. We confirmed as much in an off-road-oriented comparison test. 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, reduce head toss, and increase traction over rough terrain.
At our test track, a GX550 Premium hit 60 mph in a respectable 6.2 seconds. That’s a full second quicker than the previous-generation GX managed at our track. It’s also quicker than the Land Cruiser’s 7.7-second effort.
