2025 Lexus GX assessment | CarExpert

There was a relatively huge hullabaloo concerning the new Toyota Prado 250 Collection lastly touchdown in Australia, but it surely’s value taking into account the carefully associated Lexus GX arrived right here first.

WATCH: Paul’s video assessment of the 2025 Lexus GX550 Overtrail

Whereas the 250 Collection is the primary all-new Prado in 15 years, that is the primary time the Lexus GX – an equally huge, however extra luxurious massive off-road SUV – has been made accessible in Australia. It has beforehand solely been produced in left-hand drive guise.

The third-generation GX relies on the identical TNGA-F ladder-frame platform that underpins not solely the 250 Collection, however the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Collection wagon and the brand new Toyota Tundra pickup, plus the US-market Sequoia and Tacoma, in addition to the Lexus LX.

For now, there are three variants on provide – Luxurious, Overtrail and Sports activities Luxurious – and all of them are powered by a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine.

On check right here is the entry-level variant within the vary, the Lexus GX550 Luxurious. Is V6 petrol energy and extra luxurious well worth the worth premium over the four-cylinder diesel-only Prado? Learn alongside to search out out.

How a lot does the Lexus GX value?

At $116,000 earlier than on-road prices, the Lexus GX550 Luxurious is priced about $16,000 larger than the top-of-the-range Prado Kakadu, and a giant $43,500 greater than the most cost effective Prado variant, which considerably confusingly continues to put on the GX badge.

To see how the Lexus GX shapes up towards the competitors, try our comparability software

What’s the Lexus GX like on the within?

Just like the Prado, the GX550 Luxurious has a boxy stance that’s imposing and stands out from the gang however, if something, its extra premium and up to date exterior design exudes extra highway presence than the Toyota’s retro styling.

Due to the big facet steps – that are conveniently illuminated at evening time – and chunky seize handles, it’s fairly simple to get into, particularly for such a big wagon.

When you’re inside, there are delicious-looking and feeling NuLuxe upholstered seats which can be superbly supportive. That is the form of seat you can simply sink into for a protracted highway journey.

Each the entrance seats provide eight methods of electrical adjustment, together with loads of thigh help, which will likely be particularly appreciated by taller people. There’s additionally two-way lumbar help, which is sweet for these with criminal backs, like myself.

One other nice normal inclusion is heating and air flow for the entrance seats. The automated mode can also be a intelligent contact, and really Lexus.

Forward of the motive force is a gentle leather-wrapped steering wheel that’s completely sized and feels good within the fingers. {The electrical} steering column adjustment feels fairly bougie, however finally the Ford Everest’s handbook system affords extra tilt and attain adjustment.

All of the buttons on the steering wheel are simple to grasp and have a satisfying click on. On the finish of the day, that is only a Lexus steering wheel and it’s similar to what different fashions get. Fortunately it doesn’t have these completely silly trackpads.

Behind the steering wheel the stalks for the indicator and wipers are tremendous satisfying to make use of. They function with a strong thunk that feels premium.

As normal, there’s a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that’s quite common amongst plenty of present Lexus and Toyota fashions. It appears nice and is high-resolution, plus you’ll be able to configure it with totally different info to your coronary heart’s content material.

Whereas it’s good having a crisp digital instrument cluster, it’s additionally nice to have such a big head-up show as normal, and it’s able to projecting an array of data onto the windscreen. You may select from three totally different views, starting from minimal to full.

Transferring throughout, whilst you might simply mistake the GX for a Toyota primarily based on the digital instrument cluster and head-up show alone, the central 14.0-inch touchscreen infotainment system is significantly bigger than the one within the Prado.

The massive, landscape-shaped display screen is high-resolution and it’s simple to swipe across the menus and click on on icons, principally like an iPad. Fortunately, the menu system isn’t overly convoluted, which means you’ll be able to’t actually get misplaced.

Whereas there may be each wired and wi-fi types of Apple CarPlay, Android Auto is barely accessible with a cable to your telephone. With my iPhone 15 Professional Max related wirelessly, I did expertise a couple of dropouts in identified interference factors, although it could sometimes reconnect with no points.

An annoying a part of the bigger touchscreen is that the local weather management capabilities are constructed into it, and so they’re always proven on the underside. However I do recognize the 2 bodily dials hooked up to the display screen, that are used to regulate the temperature for the dual-zone local weather management system.

Trying across the cabin, it’s relatively blocky and likewise very broad. Just like the Prados on which the Lexus GX has been traditionally primarily based, there’s a lot house between the entrance two seats, which is smart given its deal with the North American market.

Regardless of this wealth of house, storage up entrance within the GX just isn’t standout, and relatively enough. There are two cupholders, a large and deep centre console field and smallish glovebox, plus a wi-fi charger that’s flat and doesn’t have any rubber grip to safe your telephone.

A wierd ingredient of the GX’s cabin up entrance is that there’s a pronounced part on the base of the centre stack that appears prefer it ought to serve a objective, however as a substitute it’s simply an elaborate retracting cowl for the 12V socket.

The spacious cabin feels even bigger, brighter and airier due to the sunroof that may tilt and slide to permit for extra airflow.

It’s a hike to hop into the second row, particularly for smaller children, however fortunately the facet steps and seize handles make the method simpler. When you’re again, the GX’s Prado roots are very evident.

There’s a beneficiant quantity of house within the second row, even for adults, and pushing it to 3 abreast isn’t too squishy. The one factor to think about is there’s a pronounced transmission hump, which implies back-seat passengers might want to share foot house.

However to assist with consolation, the second-row seats recline, identical to within the Prado. In fact, this impacts knee house within the third row, and the second-row seats don’t slide forwards or backwards, which is a disgrace as it could additional support middle-row consolation or improve the legroom or cargo house behind them.

One other Prado function that’s current within the GX550 Luxurious is the separate third zone of local weather management for rear passengers. The very best a part of that is the roof-mounted air vents, that are a Godsend once you hop again into the automobile on a scorching day.

Different second-row facilities embody USB-C ports, and a fold-down armrest with cupholders.

Whereas each the Luxurious and Sports activities Luxurious (however not the off-road-focussed mid-range Overtrail) variations of the three-variant Lexus GX vary include seven seats, the brand new five-grade Prado lineup affords a 3rd row of seats as normal – aside from the bottom GX and the overlanding-oriented Altitude variant.

However not like any model of the Prado, the GX550 Luxurious examined right here has electrically folding third-row seats. It is a fairly luxurious function, but it surely takes without end for the seat to go up or down, which is annoying in case you’re antsy to hop in.

When you’re within the third row there’s an okay quantity of house, although at a leggy 182cm tall I used to be very a lot knees-up, which isn’t nice for lengthy drives. The third row is significantly better suited to children or smaller adults.

Third-row facilities fortunately embody roof-mounted air vents, in addition to USB-C ports and cupholders. It’s somewhat bit extra sparse than the second-row and the finishes are a bit tougher and plasticky.

Across the again there’s an influence tailgate that opens and closes shortly. There’s additionally a separate opening glass window panel that’s useful to seize issues out of the boot in case you’re in a decent house and don’t wish to open the tailgate solely.

With the tailgate open, the cargo space is significantly higher packaged than within the Prado. It is because the GX doesn’t have a 48V lithium-ion battery pack beneath the boot flooring, as in all variations of the mild-hybrid diesel Prado.

It’s not good, nevertheless, as a result of when all three rows of seating are in place, there’s barely any boot house accessible. Fortunately, it’s significantly higher once you fold the third row down, however this in fact dispenses with the practicality of seven seats.

Lastly, there’s a cargo cowl that can be utilized when the third row is stowed, however when it’s in use there’s no house to stow the quilt. This implies your passengers will both want to carry it or stand on it, otherwise you’ll want to go away it at dwelling.

To see how the Lexus GX shapes up towards the competitors, try our comparability software

What’s beneath the bonnet?

For now, the Lexus GX is powered completely by a 3.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V6, which is a detuned model of the engine within the bigger LandCruiser 300 Collection-based LX600.

There’s a 2.4-litre turbo-petrol/electrical hybrid powertrain supplied in different markets, but it surely hasn’t been confirmed for the Australian market simply but.

To see how the Lexus GX shapes up towards the competitors, try our comparability software

How does the Lexus GX drive?

On startup, there’s a guttural engine rev surge from the twin-turbo petrol V6. It’s one thing to behold and it sounds feels robust, not like many equal four-cylinder turbo-diesel powered fashions.

If you take off you’re acutely conscious there’s loads of energy on faucet, and in typical on a regular basis driving you barely scratch the floor of this engine’s efficiency. It’s tremendous simple to modulate acceleration with the throttle, because it has a protracted journey, so much just like the Land Rover Defender.

Round city and with lighter throttle utility, the 10-speed automated transmission will flick by means of the gears shortly to maintain the revs low, which in flip minimises gasoline consumption. Extra on this later.

Fortunately there’s oodles of torque on faucet so it doesn’t need to always flick down gears to speed up, although in case you flex your proper foot it’ll drop plenty of gears to extend engine velocity. If you do that the engine makes a fantastic sound that oozes into the cabin in simply the correct amount.

It’s shocking simply how shortly this car strikes for such a giant wagon. It leans again and pulls onerous, which is addictive and smile-inducing. You’ll possible win each visitors gentle grand prix, although you’ll pay for this closely on the gasoline bowser.

The GX550 additionally requires a minimal of 95-octane premium unleaded petrol, which hurts the hip-pocket much more.

Not serving to issues is the shortage of an engine idle cease/begin perform, which makes city gasoline consumption tremendous excessive. On common, I recorded a lofty 15-20L/100km over every week of travelling to and from the workplace within the normal visitors with simply myself and my backpack onboard.

Behind the wheel, nevertheless, you shortly neglect about this because the GX is simply so rattling snug and satisfying to drive. The suspension setup is likely one of the most supple I’ve ever skilled, although it additionally leans a good bit within the corners, even at decrease speeds, and it nonetheless presents the attribute body-on-frame shimmies on tough surfaces.

It’s a very good compromise given this huge luxurious off-roader’s target market, and one other spotlight of the GX is an electrical energy steering system that makes manoeuvring this huge four-wheel drive simple and manageable. It’s properly weighted, if somewhat on the sunshine facet at low speeds.

At larger speeds the suspension soaks up just about every part you’ll be able to throw at it with out breaking a sweat. Regardless of this, the automobile has its dynamic limits and presents loads of physique roll in corners when pushed.

In contrast to higher-end GX variants, the entry-level Luxurious comes with passive dampers as a substitute of adaptive models, which in some respects is best as a result of the latter can typically amplify the softness of the suspension.

Though this 4×4 might be steered simply, it doesn’t disguise simply how huge it’s. At a smidge over 5 metres lengthy and virtually two metres broad, it fills a parking house with ease.

To make parking simpler, nevertheless, there are entrance and rear parking sensors, plus a surround-view digicam with improbable high quality.

Out on the open highway this automobile actually stretches its legs and settles into a snug groove. The transmission slots into prime gear, the place the engine revs simply above idle, and it’ll sit there until pushed.

The gasoline financial system drops significantly at freeway speeds too, however the comparatively small 80L gasoline tank limits its overlanding and touring potential. The gasoline vary readout on the digital instrument cluster confirmed round 400km with a full gasoline tank, which is way lower than the diesel Prado and likewise lower than many EVs can journey on a full cost.

That’s actually disappointing as a result of the GX seems like a correctly premium overlander with a robust, commanding driving place and all of the expertise you’d want. In the event you’re after long-distance journey capacity, you’d higher look elsewhere until you wish to cart soiled and smelly gasoline jerries round with you.

This time we didn’t have the chance to check the GX off-road, however as normal it comes with selectable low-range gearing by way of a switch case, in addition to a locking centre differential. It is advisable to go for the Overtrail variant in order for you extra off-road bells and whistles like a rear locking differential, amongst numerous others.

On the protection entrance, the adaptive cruise management is fairly good at managing the gap between your self and the automobile forward. It’s not essentially the most refined system I’ve skilled, however removed from the worst.

The lane centring system, or Lane Hint help in Lexus-speak, which works along side the adaptive cruise management, is an efficient support to minimise driver fatigue on longer drives, however on poorly marked roads it will get misplaced and pulls on the steering wheel.

Lastly, the GX550 Luxurious comes with shiny LED headlights, which is nice when driving on darkish roads in rural areas, however there’s no adaptive high-beam perform – solely auto high-beam.

If you’d like adaptive high-beam headlights it is advisable get the pricier Overtrail or Sports activities Luxurious variants, which is somewhat disappointing given this automobile prices properly over $120k drive-away, and when the Prado VX has them as normal regardless of being round $30k cheaper.

To see how the Lexus GX shapes up towards the competitors, try our comparability software

What do you get?

On check right here is the entry-level variant to the Lexus GX vary, the Luxurious.

Lexus GX550 Luxurious tools highlights:

• 20-inch alloy wheels
• Auto LED headlights
• LED tail-lights
• Rain-sensing wipers
• Heated facet mirrors with puddle lamps
• Roof rails
• Privateness glass
• Illuminated facet steps
• Entrance and rear scuff plates
• Powered tailgate
• Rear opening glass hatch
• 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster
• 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Wi-fi Apple CarPlay
• Wired Android Auto
• “Hey Lexus” pure voice recognition
• Satellite tv for pc navigation
• DAB+ digital radio
• 10-speaker Pioneer sound system
• Color head-up show
• Wi-fi charger
• 2 x 12V sockets
• 220V outlet
• Three-zone local weather management
• Energy tilt and telescopic steering wheel column
• Paddle shifters
• Inside ambient lighting
• Leather-based-accented gear shift knob and steering wheel
• NuLuxe seat upholstery
• 8-way entrance seat electrical adjustment with 2-way lumbar
• Driver seat reminiscence
• Heated and ventilated entrance seats
• Heated outboard second-row seats
• Energy-folding third-row seats

To see how the Lexus GX shapes up towards the competitors, try our comparability software

Is the Lexus GX protected?

The Lexus GX hasn’t been examined by ANCAP simply but. The associated Toyota Prado, nevertheless, obtained a five-star ANCAP ranking in 2024.

Normal security tools consists of:

• 9 airbags
• Entrance, rear autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
  • Pedestrian detection (day/evening)
  • Bicycle owner detection (day/evening)
  • Bike detection (day)
• Adaptive cruise management
  • Curve velocity discount
  • Indicator-linked pre-acceleration
• Lane departure warning
• Lane Hint Help (lane centring)
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Secure Exit Help
• Rear cross-traffic alert
• Driver monitoring system
• Velocity signal recognition system
• Entrance, rear parking sensors
• 360-degree digicam
• Trailer sway management
• Trailer pre-wiring harness
• Tyre strain warning

To see how the Lexus GX shapes up towards the competitors, try our comparability software

How a lot does the Lexus GX value to run?

The Lexus GX is roofed by a five-year, unlimited-kilometre manufacturing unit guarantee. Logbook servicing is required each six months or 10,000km, whichever comes first, which is as much as double the frequency of different mainstream rivals.

GX patrons additionally get three years of complimentary entry to the Lexus Encore program, which will get you roadside help, a service mortgage automobile, Ampol gasoline affords, in addition to entry to unique occasions and affords.

To see how the Lexus GX shapes up towards the competitors, try our comparability software

CarExpert’s Tackle the Lexus GX

The Lexus GX, like many luxurious SUVs, isn’t the kind of automobile that makes rational sense to purchase.

As a substitute, it’s like that block of chocolate that’s sitting on the grocery store shelf. You understand you shouldn’t, however someway it leads to your buying basket regardless of how onerous you resist.

The dual-turbo petrol V6 drinks like a fish round city, but it surely has so a lot character. It feels relatively indulgent to push the throttle, and in return there’s a superbly sonorous and addictive sound that emanates into the cabin.

This automobile is up there as probably the greatest freeway tourers I’ve ever skilled. It’s so serene at excessive speeds, has oodles of energy left within the tank for overtakes, and its suspension feels prefer it soaks up each single highway imperfection.

For this reason it’s so disappointing the GX550 doesn’t provide a gasoline tank massive sufficient to reside as much as its overlanding potential. Many individuals who purchase these kind of automobiles wish to journey a minimum of 1000km between refuels, and this simply isn’t doable within the GX with out seeking to the aftermarket.

If this doesn’t fear you, nevertheless, the primary GX accessible in Australia nonetheless affords loads of enchantment. Its cabin is generously appointed with all the most recent tech, loads of soft-touch surfaces and superbly snug seats, and up entrance it’s totally different sufficient from the associated Toyota Prado.

However then there’s the worth. The Lexus GX is much from an reasonably priced car, and the four-cylinder turbo-diesel Prado is significantly cheaper. The very fact you will get a top-spec Prado Kakadu for about $16,000 lower than the bottom GX550 Luxurious will sway many away however, alternatively, in order for you a full-size Lexus SUV the LX prices a minimum of $40k extra.

And the GX can nonetheless be considered as a comparatively reasonably priced massive luxurious off-roader alongside the likes of a comparable Land Rover Defender, particularly when you tick a couple of choice packages.

Eager about shopping for a Lexus GX? Get in contact with certainly one of CarExpert’s trusted sellers right here

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