Luxury Off

Discover the new standard of opulence with the 2024 Lexus GX as we explore its advanced features and groundbreaking innovations.

Lexus

It has been nearly 20 years since Lexus introduced the GX family of mid-size SUVs that intended to bring the luxury the automaker is known for and take you into the wild where rivals would get stuck. The 2024 model is the first member of the generation of the GX series and is still fulfilling Lexus' original goals.

Lexus has overhauled the technology, styling, and underpinnings of this GX to compete in today's high-end SUVs market. For instance, it is built on the TNGA-F platform, which is expected to improve the vehicle's off-road capabilities. The 2024 GX is visibly boxier than anything we've ever seen from Lexus but not to the level of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon. The new GX is, however, larger and more imposing than the outgoing generation and competitors such as the 2024 Land Rover Defender.

RELATED:Here's What You Need To Know Before Buying A New Land Rover Defender

The OVERTRAIL variant of the 2024 GX is a no-nonsense off-roading monster intended to drive rivals out of relevance as it packs more off-road goodies than most competitors. If you think the electronic locking rear differential is a showstopper in the new GX, you have yet to learn that the OVERTRAIL variant comes with 33-inch tires on factory 18-inch wheels ready for adventure in mud and rocks.

Let's dig deeper into Lexus GX's innovative features.

The 2024 GX is boxier than any member in previous GX generations, but the major design makeover you will see at first glance is the sharply creased sides. The squared-off design on this GX resembles the 2024 Jeep Wagoneer, Kia EV9, and 2024 Land Rover Defender, except that it keeps the familiar Lexus design DNA we’ve known for years. Most SUVs try to accommodate the so-called “jelly bean” aerodynamic design. The 2024 GX is a direct antithesis of this design philosophy and instead opts for a radical boxy look with minimal curves. For instance, the curve on the windshield is so subtle that a single flat pane of clear glass can replace this part. The usual aggressive-looking Lexus “Spindle” grille covers much of the front but appears less menacing than previous models.

The looks are functional too. For instance, the front overhang is about an inch short compared to the outgoing generation, giving it more ground approach clearance. The headlights are slightly higher than usual to avoid contact. Moreover, this SUV is 3.75-inches wider (about 4.52-inches when equipped with bigger OVERTRAIL tires) than previous models to ensure more stability. With an exterior polished to perfection, the 2024 Lexus GX is what happens to a Land Cruiser at finishing school.

The rugged exterior of Lexus GX is complemented by a roomy, luxurious, and simplified interior that creates an oasis on the road, exactly what you need on long trips. The door panels are made from luxurious, easy-to-clean, soft-touch material. The padded armrest and great stitching on the seats and doors are also nice. The highly rated Mark Levinson sound system sits almost concealed under the front edge of the doors.

The 2024 GX can comfortably accommodate up to seven people (including the driver). However, the guy in the middle of the second row will have a less fun trip because of the limited legroom due to the protruding command center that extends from the central console. The headroom on both rows is large enough to leave a clearance of about 5 inches on the head of a 6-feet tall passenger. The interior has ergonomic measures that reduce work and load and permit great sitting and driving posture through lush seat cushions, headrest improvements, and setback bolster. The rear seats don't slide, but they do recline.

RELATED:10 Reasons The 2024 Lexus GX Should Be Your Next Luxury SUV

Before TNGA (Toyota New Global Architectures), Lexus and Toyota produced about 100 distinct platform variants. At the start of 2020, most variants were reduced to just five TNGA platforms for simplicity. TNGA aims to reduce the number of Lexus and Toyota models sold worldwide to a few easily manageable platforms.

The outgoing GX was the first LEXUS to feature TNGA. The 2024 GX comes with TNGA-F, a subtle improvement of what we saw in the last variant. While the TNGA-F retains the ladder frame construction (sometimes called “body-on-frames chassis”) from the outgoing generation, it is now stronger and lighter. A lightweight chassis is important in off-road conditions as it improves handling and performance.

It is well-known that off-road suspensions usually underperform in on-road conditions. The 2024 Lexus GX comes with the revolutionary E-KDSS suspension designed to deliver a fulfilling off-road experience without sacrificing everyday drivability. Many big SUVs still use stabilizer bars to control body roll while cornering. The main drawback of these bars is that they limit the wheel’s vertical motion. The E-KDSS solves this problem by attaching electronically controlled hydraulic cylinders on the front and rear stabilizer bars before linking those cylinders with a two-way pipe. So, when you drive the vehicle in off-road conditions, the pistons in the cylinders move freely, sending the fluid between the rear and front bars, effectively "unlocking" them. During this process, one cylinder expands as the other compresses and vice versa, increasing the vertical range of the wheels.

Meanwhile, in on-road conditions, both cylinders are level and become fixed, hence "locking" the car's stabilizer bars. This causes them to twist normally, providing the resistance required to reduce body roll. The best thing about E-KDSS is that it is automatic and will adjust to changing ground conditions in real-time.

The GX family of luxury SUVs is known for its superb off-road process, and this model is no different. Consistent responsiveness is achieved by allowing the standard 4WD (full-time) to work with the Torsen limited-slip center differential and a locking feature to deliver more torque wherever it is best used. The combination is crucial in achieving better-controlled performance in off-road conditions or negotiating a turn. When driving in a straight line, this combination helps the vehicle respond well to any changes in ground conditions, improving the overall vehicle stability. Switching between 4lo and 4hi is faster than the previous model, thanks to the enhancements to this model's electronic transfer case.

The E-KDSS mentioned above is a huge plus because it is electronically controlled, automatically adjusting to the ground dynamics to deliver the fulfilling off-road driving experience you deserve.

RELATED:10 SUVs That Merged Luxury And Off-Road Performance

The new beast eliminates the V8, replacing it with a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 engine capable of putting out 349 horsepower and 479 lb. ft. of torque. Don't get sad about the outgoing V8 because the new V6 delivers more horsepower and torque than you got in all previous generations of the GX. The 10-speed automatic transmission is a major upgrade from the outgoing 6-speed automatic transmission. However, the load size you can tow will depend on your chosen trim. It comes in six trims: Premium (entry-level trim), Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, OVERTRAIL, and OVERTRAIL+.

Trim

GX-550PremiumPremium+

GX-550OVERTRAIL,OVERTRAIL+

GX-550 Luxury

GX-550 Luxury+

Transmission

10-Speed Automatic

10-Speed Automatic

10-Speed Automatic

10-Speed Automatic

Engine

3.4-Liter Twin-Turbo V6

3.4-Liter Twin-Turbo V6

3.4-Liter Twin-Turbo V6

3.4-Liter Twin-Turbo V6

Drivetrain

4WD, Standard

4WD, Standard

4WD, Standard

4WD, Standard

Horsepower (HP)

349

349

349

349

Torque (lb.ft.)

479

479

479

479

Towing Capacity (lbs.)

8,000

8,000

6,990

6,780

Here’s how the new Lexus GX compares to rivals in terms of power. Note that the vehicles under comparison are standard or entry-level trims.

2024 LEXUS GX-550

2024 Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon

2024 Jeep Wagoneer

Transmission

10-Speed Automatic

9-Speed Automatic

8-Speed Automatic

Engine

3.4-Liter Twin-Turbo V6

4.0-Liter Turbocharged V8

5.7-Liter V8

Drivetrain

4WD

4WD

RWD (optional)

Horsepower (HP)

349

416

420

Torque (lb.ft.)

479

450

486

Towing Capacity (lbs.)

8,000

7,000

10,000

If there is any Lexus GX worth waiting for, then it is the OVERTRAIL and OVERTRAIL+. They offer a perfect combination of innovative features and let you push the limits the lower four trims can't. The OVERTRAIL, in particular, comes with a few unique features:

The massive 14-inch infotainment center deserves special mention. It is one of the few things that this model inherited from the outgoing generation. Its AC control provides three stages of heated seats, three stages of ventilated seats, and two stages of a heated steering wheel. Automakers are updating their Advanced Driving Assistance System (ADAS), and Lexus isn't playing catchup. The 2024 GX is equipped with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 to elevate driver confidence and safety. Lexus Safety System+ helps address three crucial areas of accident prevention: mitigating or preventing frontal collisions, keeping the driver in their lane, and enhancing safety during nighttime driving. The system is made of these features, although they may vary depending on the trim of the GX you choose: