2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail+ In-depth Review // Off-Road Beast or Just a Luxury Cruiser?

2024 Lexus GX550 Review: Luxury Meets Rugged Adventure

After 14 long years, Lexus has finally blessed us with a full redesign of the GX, and boy, was it worth the wait. The old GX460 was like that awkward middle child—unsure of whether it wanted to hit the trails or cruise to the country club. But the 2024 Lexus GX550? It knows exactly what it is: a bold, boxy, go-anywhere luxury SUV that doesn’t just talk the talk but walks the walk.

Whether you’re planning to conquer the trail or just dominate the Costco parking lot, the new GX is here to impress.

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Off-Road Driving: Built for the Wild

Under the hood lies a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 making 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque—an upgrade of 48 horses and 150 lb-ft over the outgoing V8. And yes, that torque comes alive at just 1,500 RPM, making this beast ready to tackle steep inclines and gnarly trails without breaking a sweat.

Pair that with a buttery smooth 10-speed automatic transmission, and you’ve got yourself an off-road machine that feels refined even when it’s working hard.

The GX shines in its natural habitat: the great outdoors. The Overtrail trims come decked out with proper off-road gear like:

- **33-inch all-terrain tires** mounted on 18-inch wheels

- **An aluminum skid plate** for belly protection

- **Adaptive suspension** with impressive wheel articulation

- **Crawl control and terrain modes**, including mud, sand, and snow

- **An electronic locking rear differential**

Need to navigate a tricky hill? The GX’s 360-degree camera and off-road info pages will help guide you, although the camera shuts off above 15 km/h, which is a bit annoying.

What sets the GX apart from hardcore off-roaders like the Ford Bronco or Jeep Wrangler is its Lexus-level refinement. It can handle rough trails like a champ but does so in comfort, offering a smoother, quieter ride thanks to its body-on-frame construction and **Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (e-KDSS)**. This fancy tech disconnects the sway bars when needed, increasing wheel travel (up to 24 inches!) and making even the bumpiest trails feel like a Sunday drive.

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On-Road Driving: The Everyday Adventure

Unlike some off-road-focused SUVs, the GX isn’t just a one-trick pony. It’s just as competent on the pavement as it is off of it. The steering is precise and nicely weighted, and the throttle response is sharp without being jerky. Lexus even managed to make this body-on-frame SUV feel a little more like a unibody on the road—a feat that’s no small task.

Hit Sport Plus mode, and the GX surprises with a 0-60 mph time of around **6.5 seconds**. Not bad for a 5,700-pound boxy SUV! While it doesn’t deliver sports car thrills, the GX proves it can hustle when it needs to. And if towing is your thing, it can haul over **9,000 pounds**, more than most competitors in this segment.

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Design: The Bold Box is Back

Let’s talk about that design. The GX550 is unapologetically boxy, and it wears its angular lines like a badge of honor. It’s the perfect mix of rugged and premium, with aggressive fender flares, sleek LED headlights, and that unmistakable Lexus spindle grille.

The Overtrail trims add their own flair with wider fender flares and more off-road-ready details, while the GX’s vertical windshield and boxy proportions make it easy to see out of and place on the trail. And yes, the FJ Cruiser-inspired side mirrors look cool, even if they compromise visibility a bit.

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Interior: Lexus Luxury Meets Practicality

Step inside the GX550, and it’s clear that Lexus didn’t just stop at rugged capability—they made sure the interior screams luxury. The materials are top-notch, with soft-touch surfaces, perforated leather, and padded knee pads where you need them most.

The **14-inch infotainment screen** is a highlight, running Toyota’s intuitive system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Lexus even flattened the dashboard to double as a horizon line when off-roading—practical and stylish.

Other tech goodies include:

- A **digital gauge cluster** with detailed drive mode animations

- **Massage seats** (a Lexus first!) with multiple settings for those long trips or bumpy trails

- A **Mark Levinson sound system** that’s perfect for blasting your off-road adventure playlist

- An optional **cool box** in the center console to keep your drinks chilled

Passengers in the second row will appreciate the reclining seats and excellent headroom, though the lack of captain’s chairs in the Overtrail trim might be a dealbreaker for some. As for cargo? The GX offers **45.6 cubic feet** of space behind the second row, expandable to a cavernous **90 cubic feet** with the seats folded.

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Competitors and Final Thoughts

The 2024 Lexus GX550 sits in a unique position in the luxury SUV market. Its most direct competitors include:

- Land Rover Defender: Great off-road, but notorious for electrical issues.

- Ford Bronco Raptor: Fantastic off-road, but far less refined on-road.

- BMW X5/X7: Luxurious and sporty, but not as off-road capable.

Starting at $60,000 and climbing to nearly $100,000 for the fully loaded Overtrail Plus trim, the GX isn’t cheap. But considering its blend of off-road prowess, luxury, and reliability, it’s a solid investment—especially compared to pricier and less reliable options.

The GX550 is proof that Lexus knows how to do it all. It’s rugged enough to handle serious trails, refined enough for long road trips, and luxurious enough to remind you why you’re paying a premium. And with Lexus’ reputation for reliability, this is one SUV you can feel confident owning long after the warranty expires.

If you’ve been waiting for a luxury off-roader that truly delivers, the 2024 Lexus GX550 might just be your perfect match.