Good vs. Bad - first impressions driving the 2024 Lexus GX 550
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- čas přidán 15. 06. 2024
- GearJunkie Motors Editor Bryon Dorr was one of the first to get behind the wheel of the 2024 Lexus GX 550. For a full day he tested the vehicle on and off-road in southern Arizona. These are his first impressions of what Lexus got right with the latest model, and where they went wrong. He’s a GX 460 owner and enthusiast, so he knows a thing or two about all things Lexus off-road SUVs.
For an even deeper dive from Bryon on the new GX be sure to check out his full review on GearJunkie.com, linked below:
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0:00 - 0:42 - Introduction
0:42 - 5:09 - The GOOD of the GX 550
5:09 - 8:01 - The BAD of the GX 550
8:01 - 8:40 - Overall Impression of the GX 550 - Jak na to + styl
Let us know what you all think about the new 2024 Lexus GX 550. Are you buying???
If you're looking to read our editors full review of the vehicle, click on the link below: gearjunkie.com/motors/2024-lexus-gx-overtrail-first-drive-review
i wish they have (the option) to have the big glass roof on the overtrail, and with the barn door have the spare on the back and larger fuel tank
one good thing is that Toyota offer the land cruiser (prado) as cheaper option for the one that want to hit the trail at a bargain price and don't need all the extra luxury from the GX and get mostly the same car with better gas mileage because of the hybrid
Good points but disagree about the lift gate. The swing door of the current GX460 is one of the biggest complaints owners have. We've now owned our 2023 GX for 11 months and it is the number one complaint of my wife. I just remind her that she knew it when we bought it. Just saying for 99% of the users, the lift gate is good. For those who want access to the roof and use the door for overlanding they may not like the lift gate.
Thanks for watching.
Different strokes for different folks. You're spot on with the roof access and overlanding use case... but we agree, it's not for everyone.
However no more KDSS unless buying overtrail . Top $$$ so lower models will be more 4 runner like on highway
eKDSS doesn't do much on the highway, so you really won't notice much of a difference with the different trims of GX while on the highway@@jd2plus2 . The slightly, less than an inch, wider stance of the Overtrail models and the AT tires wrapped on 18" wheels will give you a ride difference, however. Also, active suspension equipped models vs those without will give you a difference, especially in the corners. - Bryon
I only bought it for that retro door.
Yea we love our barn door on our 17 GX, imo it was one more thing that would separate it from other suvs. The real complaint should be how none of the trims except overtrail has EKDSS….
Wait a few years before buying the GX 550, which you well have to do anyway considering all the deposits placed down for the entire first year of production.
I just ran into your channel. I have seen numerous reviews of the new GX but yours point out some bads about the GX that no one else did. I was going to get one with HUD but now I won't, no one pointed this out. I just subscribed, hope to see more of your videos about the new GX.
Check out the Topher’s review of the Premium Plus. Loves the looks, power, comfortable ride and the quietness. Hates the screens and some plasticky interior bits, the flaccid handling (no KDSS), engine vibrations at higher revs and some wonky transmission tuning. Real world mpg remains to be seen.
We appreciate the subscription and hope to keep you informed.
It's a solid vehicle, and our motors editor loves the GX family... he fully customized his personal 2013 GX 460 for overland travel - you can check out his build in the link here: www.exploringelements.com/exploring-elements-gx460-build-intro/.
There's a lot to love about the 2024 GX 550... just a few areas where they could improve future models.
Thanks! I tried hard to bring you the info others won't, and that you can't find in press releases or marketing materials. Be sure to read the full review, linked in the caption, for an even deeper dive into the new GX. Cheers... Bryon
Solid and unique new info thanks!
Right on, glad you enjoyed!
We have one of these on deposit. Happy to hear the negatives are not that bad. That premium gas though... oof
Nice! Give us the report once you get it.
The review is very well done. You covered points that most reviewers overlook, especially the one about ease of use with the touchscreen and massaging function. Nice job !
Much appreciated! Glad you enjoyed it.
GX470 and GX460 do NOT automatically lock the center diff in 4L... fyi
You are correct. That is for sure my error. Sorry for the confusion. -Bryon
I have gx460 and 4 low does not automatically engage center lock.
That was very much my error. I got some bad info at the event on that front and was too tired to remember exactly how it worked on my 460. Thanks for pointing it out. You are correct. - Bryon
Thank you so much for this review. Very much appreciated. The barn door never bothered me. I loved that I could fit in my underground parking with being able to lower the unit. Deal breaker for me. Thanks again.
Glad it was helpful! Bryon, our motors editor, is a big fan of the barn door... but it's not for everyone.
We want this car in South Africa ❤
How do you know that there are 30,000 deposits? I called a dozen dealers in California and none would take my deposit because the vehicle was not in the inventory system yet. Sounds like many dealers are not being honest by taking a deposit?
No opening sun roof, marginal wood trim and EKDSS is not standard across all models! The price of the 550 is at least $5K over the 460. Oh, exterior and interior colour options are few! Finally, the 550 mpg is just about equal to that of the 460!
Better looks, comfy ride, better performance than the 460; on road flaccid handling on non-KDSS models, engine vibrations/harshness at higher rpms, occasional lethargic transmission response, still bad fuel economy and interior looks cheaper than the GX460. The GX550 may be awesome off road but on road performance isn’t perfect.
550 handles well on-road, even without eKDSS and especially with the responsive suspension @@paulbugoni2846 . I'm also super impressed with the smooth linear power delivery of the engine and transmission, especially when compared to the 460. The interior materials and touch points are also much more premium in the 550 than the 460. I like the 550's on-road performance, but it is a body-on-frame design and not as refined on-road as a unibody design. -Bryon
I agree that eKDSS should be an option on more models and the fuel economy is rough. Yes it's also quite expensive. I think there are plenty of exterior color options, but yes more interior options would be awesome. -Bryon
Can someone explain why there is both a center locker and a rear locker?
Thank you for pointing out that we lost one of the best features of GX, which was the big barn door
After just getting back from Costa Rica and having a 2024 diesel Prado there (Gx460 here in the States), the biggest mistake Toyota/Lexus is making is not offering the diesel engine in the US models. The fuel efficiency/torque, etc, would be a huge win, especially for us overlanders. Please, Toyota, bring the diesel engine over. I’d love to buy it in the new GX. ❤. New GX looks awesome. Great review. Thank you.
I like the new GX550 overall but few things I’m concerned about how much wider includes the side mirrors compare to the GX460. The new GX probably fits tight in my driveway or garage with 2 cars parked side by side. And another thing it didn’t improve mpg that much compare to the GX460 even though it’s downgraded to turbo 6 despite more power and it will be more expensive. It holds me off from consider to replace my current GX460. Thanks for the video. BTW I don’t like the rear lights designed across all the way in the back.
Do you think we can fit 35 inch tires on the stock suspension or would we need to do a lift?
For sure would need a lift for 35s. Read the full review for more details. - Bryon
We're differing to our motors editor, Bryon, on this one! See his comment below :)
#1 complaint about old GXs: the "barn door"
A Few thoughts. This is not a luxury vehicle. At its core, it is designed, engineered, and built as though it were a Land Cruiser. Because it essentially is a version of it. That is an "eternal" overlanding and off-road trail truck platform with off-road capabilities and long-lasting reliability...THEN it is other things, including having substantial amounts of luxury added as a Lexus badge.
At least the market availability isn't a functional or design issue. A few years will cure that popularity surge. Probably.
Loaded up and built ruggedly, it is a 5700+ lbs curb weight even though smaller than a half-ton platform. That's what you want. It has pretty good horsepower and great torque for it's size. That's also what you want. Suburbans used to weight about that. That isn't going to chase 30+ mpg and so forth. Vehicles at that weight with 300 horse and 300 lbs-ft of torque used to get 12-13 mpg in town and maybe 14-15 all around. This increased power gets 15/21 and 17 average? It's more power without going lightweight and getting better fuel mileage...the math is only going to get so good. It's relatively reasonable on fuel for the power actually.
Noted on the brake calipers, but not needed. The button thing is noteworthy. The sunglasses thing is noted. We're not actually supposed to where sunglasses all day anyway, but all these things are noted. Not major.
The suspension? Keep that air suspension away. They are an additional maintenance risk and cost. Off-road performance doesn't benefit with them. The suspension without is great. I think they nailed that decision. Don't need to copy Defender because that thing has all kinds of issues and hyper-sensitive support codes and just all around is high maintenance...don't need it.
The wheels are good at 18" but I think they should have done 17". The tires are good at 33" but I hope they can effectively fit 35s in that wheel well with that suspension. 1 more inch of radius. That seems more optimal in tire and sidewall size.
All around great rugged, reliable offroading SUV with a luxury trim. I think they nailed the design. Maybe in a few years, it will be time.
Agree on most of your points. 34s might fit pretty easily, but 35s will take a ton of work to make work properly. -Bryon
In fairness, air suspension doesn't work the same on solid axels as it does on independent suspension. You gain ground clearance with Ind. susp.... you do not with solid axels. You are just raising the body away from the axels which have the exact same ground clearance. There are advantages to both systems.
Nice one but expensive one
Agree, but the price point is in line with the competition. It's definitely a quality vehicle!
Nice vehicle. WAY out of my price range.
tbh, if the barn door swings the other direction, it'd be nice. however, the fact it swings out, in a parallel parking stand point, it's terrible.
Fair point. Definitely a consideration if you're often parking in the city!
Good video, but the last con was kinda silly. The rear finally opens the proper way. There's a reason every other vehicle opens that way. You said the pro's about it, and then gave no reason why it's a con other then the fact it used to open the other way haha.
Yep, and I said as much, an in more detail in my full review on the site. For most people this new lift gate will be better, but I still prefer the barn door. Long kayaks on the roof, style, and feel are my main reasons, as silly as they may be. - Bryon
Different strokes for different folks :). The roof access provided by the barn door can be helpful for accessing the roof for large items like surfboards and kayaks. BUT there are plenty of benefits to the more traditional lift gate.
Lexus probably didn't put air suspension on the new GX 550 due to the fact that air suspension systems in all vehicles will fail. BMW, Land Rover, Audi, Cadillac, Lincoln etc all have these problematic systems. When they work it's all good. When they go flat, it is a very costly fix.
E-KDSS only comes on the over trail + all other trims get absolutely nothing but a stiff none level ride a nasty cut back by Lexus to save extra money
For sure price point is something Lexus was highly considering, and this vehicle isn't inexpensive to start with. I agree that it would be nice to have eKDSS as an option on other trim levels. -Bryon
You okay, bro???