Refreshed from top to bottom, the 2024 Lexus GX is the premium brand’s most versatile mid-luxury SUV yet, offered in a range of six tiers. It serves as both a refined urban cruiser and a rugged off-road adventurer. It’s been eagerly anticipated, putting the Land Rover Defender on notice.
The 2024 GX surpasses previous GX generations with notable advancements in intuitive technology, thoughtful interior craftsmanship, and sustained off-road prowess. It performs seamlessly with a well-appointed interior and comfortable ride with ample power, accelerating from 0 to 60 in a rapid 6.5 seconds. Standout features comprise a 3.4L twin-turbo V6 producing 349 horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of torque; 10-speed automatic transmission; Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 and Lexus interface with 14-inch multimedia touchscreen; and an impressive towing capacity of 9,096 pounds.
The 2024 GX embraces the GA-F platform introduced on the current-generation LX 600. This robust and lightweight ladder frame enhances body rigidity and improves on-road handling, essential aspects of Lexus Driving Signature. This reinforced frame also enables owners to transport their dealership-available Lexus accessories and equipment, such as rooftop tents, recovery kits, and additional options.
This year’s GX delivers an improved EPA-estimated highway rating of 21 MPG. The twin-turbo V6 outperforms the previous generation V8’s 301 horsepower and torque output. Revered for its off-road prowess since inception, the 2024 GX continues that tradition with standard Full-Time 4WD, a Torsen limited-slip locking center differential which distributes the engine’s power 50:50 for exceptional vehicle stability and control in low traction scenarios and to prevent excess wheel spin.
The 2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail and Overtrail+ models feature a standard Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System that harmonizes off-road drivability and on-road handling stability. Crawl Control can be activated when the vehicle is in low range, enabling the SUV to move forward or backward at one of five driver-selected low-speed settings. Crawl Control is an adept aid, intuitively managing engine output and hydraulic braking pressure to reduce tire slippage and optimize chassis behavior.
The Lexus GX is genuinely a lavish all-terrain champion with a myriad of enhancements to enhance responsiveness to road conditions. Switching between high range (auto, dirt, sand, mud, and deep snow) and low range (auto, sand, mud, and rock) modes is now quicker compared to the previous generation GX. When Multi-Terrain Select is activated, a monitor comes into play to assist the driver with enhanced visibility under and around the vehicle when driving off-road. The Multi-Terrain Monitor employs four cameras within the Panoramic View Monitor System to display underfloor, front, side, and rear-view camera images on the 14-inch screen, allowing the driver to check road conditions, blind spots, and obstacles distance.
An unmistakably powerful exterior design bestows the all-new GX with rugged good looks that convey the off-road functionality of a genuine body-on-frame SUV. The stable stance is achieved with a wider track, fender flares, and an overall width increase of 3.75 inches (4.52 inches for the Overtrain). Triple-Beam LED headlamps and grille opening have been elevated to help avoid road impact, while the front overhang has been reduced by 0.78 inches for improved clearance.
Lexus listened to customer feedback, so the GX now presents a standard power rear-lift door (a GX first) with a pop-out window and an available kick sensor for hands-free convenience. Inside, some of our preferred features include the opulent interior, the driver-centric cockpit design, 6 illuminated power ports, 10-speaker Mark Levinson Surround Sound system, 12 cup-holders, seating for up to seven, and a more spacious front seat with heating, ventilation, and massage functions.
And let’s admire the lower, horizontal instrument panel design. It’s a substantial improvement that streamlines the driver and passenger seat experience, providing excellent front and side visibility. It also cleared an open space for the optional Head-Up Display (HUD) where the standard 14-inch Multimedia Touchscreen Display with Lexus Interface technology is found. Physical dials for frequently used controls such as air conditioning and audio volume remain, thankfully, and all available off-road controls are concentrated near the gear shifter to help minimize potential driver distraction.
A Wealth of Tech Options
The new Lexus GX offers an application for every need. It features standard wireless Apple CarPlay and has Android Auto capability, allowing users to access preferred apps and control menus via their mobile device. The wireless capability can register up to five Bluetooth devices, with up to two devices connected at a time.
The 10-year Service Connect and Safety Connect provide maintenance updates, and assistance in case of emergency or vehicle theft. An additional Drive Connect subscription enables other tech features like Cloud Navigation, voice-command assistance, and Traffic Jam Assist. Yet another Remote Connect subscription allows drivers to use their smartphone as a vehicle Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Pedestrian Detection as a warning system providing emergency braking under certain circumstances.
But wait, there’s more. Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist for even more collision avoidance; Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection/Braking to provide a warning and automatic braking if the system determines a driver is turning left in front of an oncoming vehicle (daytime only); and All-speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control system for highway use to keep the vehicle at a preset speed and distance from vehicles ahead, even in stop-and-go traffic. You’ve never had so many safety-minded assistance thanks to Road Sign Assist, Steering Assist, Proactive Driving Assist, and more.
The 2024 Lexus GX arrives soon, priced from $64,250 to $81,250. It’s available in six levels: Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, and Lexus’ first-ever Overtrail and Overtrail+ grades with standard 33-inch All-Terrain tires on 18-inch wheels. A hybrid powertrain will be introduced at a later date.
Image Source: Zoran Karapancev / Shutterstock
