The thrill surrounding the 2024 Lexus GX 550 appears warranted. It’s the primary time in 14 years the nameplate is new.
A method the brand new GX improves over the outgoing mannequin is in towing capability, which improves from 6,500 to 9,063 kilos.
I connected 5,000 kilos of fiberglass walleye boat to see how properly the GX tows.
Throughout per week of towing boats with my dad, schlepping youngsters to actions, and working errands round city, livability issues arose that both didn’t floor throughout my first drive or turned extra irritating whereas truly residing with the GX.
Right here’s a deeper take a look at the professionals and cons of towing and residing with the 2024 Lexus GX 550.
2024 Lexus GX 550
Professional: Lexus GX 550 can tow so much properly
Throughout the launch of the GX 550 Lexus upped its most towing score from 8,000 kilos to 9,063 kilos. The Premium+ seven-seater I had was rated to tow 9,041 kilos. That’s a variety of weight for an SUV with a comparatively brief 112.2-inch wheelbase (an extended wheelbase makes for extra secure towing). For perspective, the 2011-2021 Grand Cherokee had a 114.8-inch wheelbase and was rated to tow as much as 7,200 kilos with its non-obligatory V-8 engine. A Chevy Suburban has a wheelbase of 134.1 inches and is rated to tow as much as 7,800 kilos.
I towed the 5,000-pound boat on a dual-axle trailer for 153 miles. At over 70 mph, I felt like I used to be in management, however throughout a passing maneuver on a two-lane freeway I felt the tail wag ever so barely. I used to be all the time conscious the load was again there identical to with the 2022 Toyota Tundra, which shares its TNGA-F body structure with the GX, and that made me much more cautious than I usually am. Tow mode knocked out the highest two gears to make sure the 10-speed automated stayed within the energy band and delivered fast shifts on the proper time. The dual-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 stayed out of increase for many of the drive, and when it did go into increase, the turbos would spool as much as about 15 psi briefly, then again down to five psi earlier than winding down and going again to sleep. I had the alternative expertise with a Ford F-150’s twin-turbo V-6, which was nearly all the time in increase whereas towing this similar load.
I don’t suppose I’d advise towing 9,000 kilos. How a lot do you have to tow with the GX? I’d say 5,000 kilos was fairly comfy, 7,000 kilos would in all probability be high-quality however looks like so much. Far more than that and also you’d eat into the buffer zone that makes for comfy towing with out straining the tow car.
2024 Lexus GX 550
2024 Lexus GX 550
2024 Lexus GX 550
Con: Towing with the Lexus GX 550 additionally has its annoyances
To place a hitch within the receiver two plastic push pins first need to be pried out of their holes on the underside of the rear bumper. This may be completed with a key or a flat-head screwdriver. Most different autos use easy twist-and-pull pins that require nothing greater than a finger. The 2 plastic covers then need to be eliminated. The primary cowl slides down, then the second cowl slides down and out to disclose the receiver. Be sure that a 4.0-inch hitch pin is available as a result of something shorter gained’t clear the double-walled receiver design. No different producer makes use of a double-wall design. The Toyota engineering staff informed me it’s for power. Hooking up the trailer lights additionally requires crawling on the bottom to search out the plug on the left facet of the receiver beneath the bumper. Hope that trailer isn’t parked within the grime, mud, or moist grass.
2024 Lexus GX 550
It is harmful that Tow Mode doesn’t disable the rear automated emergency braking. The car will sense there’s one thing behind it—like a ship—and slam on the brakes. If somebody is within the boat it might throw them out and onto the bottom. A button on the left facet of the dashboard turns off the system, thus permitting the GX to again up with a trailer connected. This could occur routinely when Tow Mode is engaged.
2024 Lexus GX 550
Professional: Lexus GX 550 arguably presents worth
The bottom 2024 Lexus GX 550 Premium prices $64,250 together with a $1,350 vacation spot cost. That’s $5,125 lower than a comparable Land Rover Defender with a turbo-6 and $8,620 lower than a comparable Land Rover Discovery. It’s additionally $6,585 lower than a Grand Cherokee L Summit. My Premium+ tester began at $69,250 and its closing value was $71,455 because of non-obligatory extras corresponding to a $500 head-up show, a $200 Chilly Climate bundle, a $375 Digital Key with a card key, and a $620 Site visitors Jam Help system. That’s nonetheless a number of thousand {dollars} lower than a comparable Defender, and even a V-8-equipped Grand Cherokee L Summit. Nevertheless, my father famous that the Grand Cherokee L Summit is nicer inside, rides higher, will get comparable or higher gasoline economic system, and is quieter.
2024 Lexus GX 550
Con: Lexus GX 550 drinks gasoline, however not when towing
The 2024 Lexus GX’s twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 produces 349 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque and is EPA rated at 15 mpg metropolis, 21 freeway, and 17 mixed. The GX gained’t win any effectivity contests, and the V-6 is barely higher than the outgoing V-8. I averaged 16.3 mpg in 80 miles of blended suburban driving, a poor 16.1 mpg throughout 212 miles of freeway driving into a powerful headwind (aero issues), and 22.1 mpg over 74 miles of freeway driving with out the headwind.
Towing is not an environment friendly exercise. However whereas towing 5,000 kilos for 153 miles of freeway driving, the GX averaged 10.9 mpg. That’s higher than Ford’s twin-turbo V-6 within the F-150, which averaged 8.1 mpg whereas towing this boat, and it seemingly comes all the way down to the Lexus engine not staying within the increase as usually. It’s additionally barely higher than Jeep’s V-8 in a Grand Cherokee, which averages about 9.5 mpg with this boat. Nevertheless, it’s worse than GM’s giant 6.2-liter V-8, which averaged simply over 12 mpg with this load.
2024 Lexus GX 550
Professional: Lexus GX 550 can go low
Each GX comes customary with full-time four-wheel drive, a locking heart differential, and a 2-speed switch case. The complete-time four-wheel drive does add some drag to the driveline, which might have an effect on gasoline economic system, however when towing it offers extra confidence and stability when altering instructions or sustaining ahead momentum. The two-speed switch case is vital as a result of not all boat launches are created equally. Clicking the system into 4Lo will present additional grunt for hauling a ship up an incline. At a slippery boat launch the locking heart differential splits energy 50:50 entrance to rear to make sure traction to drag the trailer out of the water. Overtrail fashions add a rear locker, however that’s overkill for a ship launch although fairly helpful whereas off-roading.
2024 Lexus GX 550
Con: Lexus GX 550 feels low cost and loud
Opening and shutting the doorways of the GX is akin to banging round a tin can, a lot the identical because the 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser. The comparable Land Rover Defender sounds extra substantial than the skinny and hole sounds of the GX.
When driving down the freeway above 70 mph the hood’s skinny metallic deforms from the wind and the middle part bounces up and down. Quite a lot of wind noise comes off the side-view mirrors, upright A-pillars, and windshield, which simply provides to the stress of towing. Raised voices and greater than 35% radio quantity are wanted to drown out the wind noise. As soon as I finished after hours of freeway driving, my ears had been grateful for the break. Is that this luxurious? The place’s the sound deadening?
The 2024 Lexus GX 550 does an admirable job of towing, and its pricing presents some worth towards the competitors. Nevertheless it’s loud on the freeway, feels and sounds sort of low cost, and hooking up a trailer generally is a ache.
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2024 Lexus GX 550 Premium+
Base value: $64,250, together with $1,350 vacation spot
Worth as examined: $71,455
Powertrain: 349-hp twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6, 10-speed automated transmission, full-time four-wheel drive
EPA gasoline economic system: 15/21/17 mpg
The hits: Tows so much, worth pricing, good gasoline economic system whereas towing
The misses: Sounds low cost, loud inside, ache to hook up a trailer, nonetheless thirsty general
