Iconic, legendary, and highly capable are all terms that describe the current Land Rover Defender. If you can swing the price tag and aren’t a long-term owner, this is an excellent machine.

The 2024 Lexus GX 550 carries on with the adroit reputation of the GX series. Derived from the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser, the GX has long been the “Lexus Land Cruiser” for luxury buyers. This new, third generation SUV carries forward with that persona with a mixture of nostalgia and capability.

The square-bodied, body-on-frame design of the 2024 GX heralds a nostalgic look at sport utilities of the past while retaining a contemporary luxury appeal. Lexus loves lines in its bodywork and the GX shows that off through its clamshell hood that melds into the beltline across the upper panels and fenders. Sleek cuts accentuate the square design, but add curves to it. This blends well with a lot of reflective angles to showcase the highly-finished look of the GX.

Inside, the GX is a mix of modern technology and an old school lack of ergonomics. Seating up front is comfortable and well-done and the second row captain’s chairs are easy to access and ready for long trips. The third row, however, keeps with the Land Cruiser tradition of feeling like a last minute add-on that takes up valuable cargo space while offering little in the way of comfort.

Those hoping that the swap from a big V8 to a turbo-6 would result in better fuel economy will be happy to know that the GX delivers that. Though it still doesn’t manage to get over 20 most of the time. Highway MPG is rated at 21 by the EPA, but in the real world, breaking out of the teens is not very likely.

But that low fuel economy and truck-based loss of cargo room and third row comfort means that the excellent off-road capabilities of the Lexus GX remain intact for this new generation. Something many of the SUV’s buyers are likely more interested in.

Easily the GX’s equal off-road, the Grand Cherokee is a new, luxurious option from Jeep that pushes into the premium and luxury realm. It’s far cheaper in its lower trims, but its more comparable upper trims climb to nearly the same price point as the entry-level GX.

The closest competitor to the GX, the Defender 110 features a third row option and some legendary off-road chops. More luxurious on the road as well, the Land Rover competes in every way but price. While it begins at a cheaper point in its two-door model, the Defender easily ends up being pricier than the Lexus in its more luxurious trim points.

Not as off-road capable, the Infiniti QX80 is nonetheless a lot more comfortable than the Lexus when it comes to cargo ergonomics and daily driving. It’s priced at a more reasonable rate as well, so it’s worth comparing.

The GX 550 starts at about $64,000 plus delivery. Most buyers, however, are going to be into this SUV for at least $70,000 by the time those fees and desired added amenities are factored in.

The table below shows the most common trim levels and how much they will run you.

The 2024 Lexus GX is completely new, bringing a third generation for the big body-on-frame SUV. Lexus has kept the GX’s truck-based build, but has dropped the thirsty V8 engine of the previous generation in favor of a more lightweight and fuel efficient turbocharged V6. Oddly, however, no hybrid or plug-in hybrid option has been unveiled for this new-gen GX.

The new Lexus GX has a nostalgic squared-off design that doesn’t ignore contemporary good looks. Four-wheel drive is still standard and the excellent Toyota Land Cruiser-derived off-road capability is still there as well. Two off-road-oriented trim levels are offered among the six luxurious choices in the GX 550’s stable.

The outgoing generation of the GX featured a throaty V8 power plant. This new generation GX 550 utilizes a turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 that outputs a respectable 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. That pairs to a 10-speed automatic transmission with standard four-wheel drive through a two-speed transfer case.

This new engine is plenty powerful for the big GX, offering a good compromise for fuel economy without losing capability. The ten-speed transmission does a lot to smooth the jumpiness of the turbo, keeping the 2024 Lexus GX a comfortable ride.

On the road, the drive quality for the big GX is truck-like, but in a modern, sedan-like pickup truck way, not an old school rumbling giant kind of way. Maneuverability is good in the GX, but the SUV’s bulk cannot be ignored there. Off-road, though, the GX retains its well-earned reputation for luxurious capability off the pavement. Especially in the off-road-oriented Overtrail models with their added off-pavement gear.

Neither the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration nor the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety have published crash test results for the 2024 Lexus GX 550. Because of this, we cannot give much in the way of safety expectations for this new SUV.

There is very little reliability information for the all-new Lexus GX 550. But the Lexus brand has a strong reputation for reliability and a long history of being one of the top-rated automotive brands for that. So we expect that the GX will have excellent reliability when compared to other luxury models.

We think that most consumers will be happy with the base model GX 550 Premium with its 20-inch wheels and three rows of seating. The 10-speaker audio and navigation with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are nice standard features as well.

Those looking to go off-road more often, however, will definitely want to consider the Overtrail and Overtrail+ trim levels with this added off-road gear and amenities. The smaller 18-inch wheels will offer lower-cost tire replacement options and the locking rear differential and Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System bring plenty of capability when on the trail.

The warranty on the Lexus GX is about average for the luxury segments. Complimentary maintenance for the first two scheduled visits (6 months and 12 months) is a nice bonus, though. Also Enhanced Roadside Assistance can be added to cover the GX for 10 years if the optional Lexus Enform Safety Connect feature is added.

• Basic: 4 years / 50k miles
• PowerTrain: 6 years / 70k miles
• Wheel adjustment: 1 year / 12k miles
• 1st / 2nd scheduled maintenance free of charge
• Roadside Assistance: 4 years / Unlimited miles
• If buying used look at our best extended warranties

The new-generation GX 550 is completely new, so finding a used model is not likely. Older versions of the GX, however, are readily available on the used market and well worth looking into. With a reputation for reliability, GX 460 and earlier models are a great used vehicle choice.

Used GX models are not low cost, comparatively, but that is due to their dependability. Most owners tend to own them longer than do others who own luxury sport utilities.

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