Most vehicles based on the Toyota Land Cruiser have been completely overhauled to follow the Land Cruiser’s new design. The Lexus GX, the Land Cruiser’s closest relative, is no exception. However, it outshines its Toyota sibling in a few ways.
At a Glance
- Better balance between luxury and capability
- There's still a bulky third row
- New engine, but little improvement in fuel economy
The 2024 model year brings the third generation of the Lexus GX. Always the “more luxurious Land Cruiser,” the line between this Toyota model and the Lexus version has often been a bit blurry. But with the new Land Cruiser, Toyota is definitely differentiating itself with a less premium offering that no longer strays too far into luxury territory, though its top trims come close to the Lexus GX.
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
Styling for the 2024 Lexus GX starts with its boxier shape and more aggressive appearance. It retains some contemporary Lexus design elements, particularly in the front grille and wheel arches, but stands more upright with squared-off panels.
Under the hood, significant mechanical changes make this new GX more modern. Ride height and ground clearance are nearly the same, but the V8 that powered the previous generation has been replaced with a turbocharged V6. The 3.4-liter engine produces 349 horsepower (257 kW) to a new 10-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is still standard and permanently active. A Torsen limited-slip and locking rear differential remains key to preserving the GX’s heritage for off-pavement capability. Towing is also rated at an impressive 9,000 lb (4,082 kg).
But all these changes don’t mean the new GX is any more a fuel-efficient SUV. It’s still hard to get over 20 mpg (11.8 l/100km) with this trim, but it’s barely on the throttle. Lexus hasn’t announced any hybrid options for the 2024 GX yet, but a hybrid GX is likely coming soon. A Land Cruiser hybrid is already available for the Asian market, but it uses a different (turbo-4) engine.
The base model 2024 Lexus GX starts at around $64,000. It includes 20-inch alloy wheels, three-row seats in synthetic leather, a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and a digital instrument cluster — plus a long list of advanced driver aids and safety systems. Later models up the ante with more luxury or more off-road capability.
The Luxury+ model, for example, gives the GX a variety of tech upgrades and on-road driving improvements, such as a digital rearview mirror and electronic suspension dampers. Meanwhile, the Overtrail and Overtrail+ models reduce the wheel size to 18 inches while adding all-terrain tires and Toyota’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System for those who really want to get off the trail.
The third row in the 2024 GX is standard on all but the off-road Overtrail trims. It’s cramped and not very useful, but at least it folds mostly flat and doesn’t create a multi-level cargo area like in the past.
Aaron Turpen / New Atlas
On the road, I enjoyed the more powerful turbo-6 and well-balanced 4WD setup. Still a large SUV, the 2024 Lexus GX feels a lot like a truck in maneuverability and road absorption. But upgrades with electronic dampers could alleviate some of that. This is a much more road-legal GX than the previous generation.
My overall assessment is that unless a luxury vehicle with an “L” on the front is absolutely essential for you, it's worth looking at the very similar Toyota Land Cruiser as a lower-cost and equally capable option.
Product Page: 2024 Lexus GX