2024 Lexus GX550 Review Video: Is it the Best Luxury SUV?

Enter the 2024 Lexus GX550, which has come bumbling into the world of luxury SUVs as if it owns the joint. Sporting a completely redesigned, edgy new look, advanced tech aplenty, and an appealing balance of rugged off-road capability and upscale comfort, the GX550 is designed to make an impact. But does it strike all the right notes, or have compromises been lurking behind the new (admittedly lovely and swoopy and fast-looking) skin? Let’s get in there and see what Lexus’ new baby is all about.

A Bold New Look

From its 2024 redesign, Lexus has finally caught the GX up to the modern era. The angular, boxy shape is fresh and aggressive, inspired by its larger sibling, the LX 460, but it is a design that remains all its own.

Exterior Design:

• Bold door handles with mesh inserts
• Sharp LED headlights and taillights
• Chunky silhouette to look more like a traditional SUV
• 18 or 22-inch wheels, depending on the trim

Urban and Wild The 2024 GX550 is equally at home on city streets as it is off-road, a dichotomy not all SUVs can easily dispatch.

Power & Performance

The GX550 features a powertrain that can handle challenging terrain with smoothness.

• Engine: 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6
• Horsepower: 349 hp
• Torque: 479 lb-ft
• Transmission: 10-speed auto
• Drivetrain: Full-time four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer case

Whether you’re pulling a boat, crawling up rocky trails, or whizzing down the Interstate, the GX550’s powertrain offers performance and versatility.

Off-Road Capability

For those who want to leave the pavement behind, the GX550 has some serious off-road tech:

Off-Road Goodies:

• Multi-Terrain Select for different types of terrains
• Crawl Copilot for off-road use at a low pace
• 8.1 inches of ground clearance
• Available Adaptive Variable Suspension (if equipped on higher trim)

This isn’t a purely for-show lux SUV—it’s a real adventurer at its core.

Luxury Meets Functionality

The GX550’s interior is a lesson in combining luxury with practicality. And despite making a large SUV with plenty of room to carry around people or stuff, Lexus was not about to skimp on a nice interior.

Interior Highlights:

• Available seven-passenger, three-row seating
• Leather is premium with wood and aluminum accents.
• 14-inch touch screen infotainment with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
• Mark Levinson high-end audio system (available) 
• Two USB-C ports and wireless charging

Cargo & Storage Space

• 64.7 cubic feet of cargo space (well, with the second and third rows folded all the way down)
• Power-folding third-row seats for convenience

Pros & Cons

Every car has its pros and cons, and the GX550 is no different. Here are a few…

The Pros:

• Bold new design that demands attention in this class
• Off-road-proof to embarrass dedicated trail SUVs
• Luxurious and tech-laden interior
• Can tow up to 8,000 lbs!

The Cons:

• The twin-turbo V6, while efficient, lacks the V8 rumble and charm from prior model years
• Gas mileage is not as good (17 mpg city/21 mpg highway)
• Price tag escalates quickly with the upper trims

GX550 Competitors: How Does it Compare?

It’s a crowded and competitive field, this luxury SUV segment. So how does the GX550 stack up against some of the competition?:

Land Rover Defender 130

• Price: Starts around $69,000
• Engine: Inline-six with mild hybrid assist (395 hp)
• Towing Capacity: 8,200 lbs
• Why It’s a Contender: Rugged off-road capability with a modern British design
• GX Advantage: Quieter interior and more car-like on-road manners

BMW X5 xDrive40i

• Price: Starts at $65,200
• Engine: Turbocharged inline-six with mild hybrid tech (375 hp)
• Towing Capacity: 7,200 lbs
• Why It’s a Contender: Outstanding road manners and deluxe tech
• GX Advantage: Better off-road talent and a masculine look

Jeep Grand Wagoneer

• Price: Starts at $89,995
• Engine: 6.4-liter V8 (471 hp)
• Towing Capacity: 9,850 lbs
• Why It’s a Contender: Top-shelf luxury with higher towing capacity than anything else
• GX Advantage: Cheaper and more immediately off-road ready

Mercedes GLE 450 4MATIC

• Price: Starts at $66,450
• Engine: Turbocharged inline-six with EQ Boost (362 hp)
• Towing Capacity: 7,700 lbs
• Why It’s a Contender: Silken luxury that comes bristling with high-tech amenities
• GX Advantage: More off-road credibility and rugged construction

GX Pricing & Trims

The 2024 Lexus GX550 is available in multiple trim levels adapted to different needs and budgets.

• Base: Begins at about $60,000 with minimal options
• Premium: Comes with even more luxury touches and tech, for $67,000
• Overtrail: Off-road adventure trim with more off-road gear, from $75,000
• Luxury: Top-of-the-line fill with all the trimmings, north of $80,000

So, is the 2024 Lexus GX550 Worth It?

If you want a luxury SUV that can handle the school drop-off, weekend camping trip, and a supermarket run, the GX550 is a perfect vehicle. It has a blend of rugged capability and upscale comfort that few competitors can match, and it won’t break the bank with future maintenance costs, given the fact that Lexus is one of the most reliable brands.

But it’s not without its compromises. Potential buyers may miss the V8 grunt of the previous generation, and the price for higher trims can escalate rapidly into six-figure territory. The Lexus GX550 is proof that Lexus can continue to innovate, while continuing to honor those who came before, and it’s obvious this luxury SUV is here to make an impact. Whether or not it’s the right SUV for you probably comes down to your priorities — luxury, capability, or a mixture of both.

Now let’s cut to the chase. Is the 2024 Lexus GX550 worth picking over rivals such as the Land Rover Defender or the BMW X5?