2024 Lexus GX initial features confirmed, due mid-year

Lexus Australia has confirmed the new GX 550 will be offered in Luxury, Overtrail and Sports Luxury variants, with all models powered by a 260kW/650Nm 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 petrol.

The powertrain, borrowed from the related Lexus LX 600 flagship SUV and overseas versions of the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, is matched to a 10-speed torque-converter automatic transmission, a second-start function, and full-time four-wheel-drive with low-range and a locking centre differential.

A petrol-electric hybrid Lexus GX with a 2.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder could arrive later – but a diesel version seems unlikely.

The Lexus GX 550Luxury and Sports Luxury will offer seven seats, while the off-road-focused Overtrail variant will be limited to five seats – like a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series GR Sport.

Individual second-row captain’s chairs will not be offered in the Lexus GX for the Australian market.

Eight-way power-adjustable front seats with lumbar and memory functions, heated and ventilated front seats, heated outer second-row seats, three-zone climate control, and power-folding third-row seats are also standard for the GX 550 Luxury.

Inside, all variants will be fitted with a 14-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, five USB-C ports, a wireless phone charger, a windscreen-projected colour head-up display, and a 220-volt rear power outlet.

A “full suite of Lexus Safety Suite active safety technologies” will be standard, along with nine airbags, a 360-degree camera system, and tyre pressure monitoring.

It also features multi-colour interior ambient lighting, 10-way power-adjustable front seats with massage function, a refrigerated centre console storage unit, a heated steering wheel, adaptive variable suspension, and five configurable drive modes (up from three).

The Luxury and Overtrail feature an unbranded 10-speaker audio system, while the Sports Luxury adds a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system.

Under the skin, the GX 550 Overtail has adaptive variable suspension, a locking rear differential, and the electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System – which debuted in the LandCruiser