Anyone else considering the Lexus GX 550? - Test drive has me re-considering my future!

[Voodoo Rufus]

It's full time 4wd with a lockable torsen center and rear e-locker. And it can run high or low range with the center locked or unlocked.

 

[TRD_GUY]

It's full time 4wd with a lockable torsen center and rear e-locker. And it can run high or low range with the center locked or unlocked.

I believe that's all I need. How does it drive?

 

[Voodoo Rufus]

No idea. I'd love to test drive one against a 4runneer though. Owner reviews on Youtube seem favorable enough.

 

[TRD_GUY]

I owned and loved my 98 4Runner for seven years. I now own a Bronco on 35s with the V6 engine, but want something more quiet, comfortable and long-term reliable and capable. I was excited for the new 4Runner, but trim choices and prices have left me wanting. I never paid attention to the Lexus brand, but want Toyota ruggedness and reliability so decided to do some research. I knew nothing about the revered GX460 or the fact that it was introduced in 2010 and became the GX 550 last year after a total re-design.

I test drove a 550 Luxury last week since the Overtrail I had an appointment to drive sold before I arrived. Wow, how quickly one can fall in love! I had a chance to stomp on the 3.4L V6 and it feels and sounds great. I know myself and the enjoyment I can get from that engine for years to come has me thinking. Surprisingly, the vehicle was smaller than I had imagined and that's a good thing. It's also gorgeous in person. The new owner of the Overtrail I couldn't drive let me crawl through the interior and it looked great in Incognito. The cargo area in the Luxury with 3rd row seats and Overtrail without is quite large which is important to me. The 4Runner TRD Pro and the new Land Cruiser lose much of their cargo space to the battery which I don't like. To me, the design of both is a big fail by Toyota. They somehow managed to lower the battery in the upcoming LX 700h Overtrail giving it ample space for 3rd row seating. Why not do this in the 4Runner and Land Cruiser? Now, about that V6 vs the 4 cyl hybrid...

I've watched so many videos of the Land Cruiser hybrid on the highway and unfortunately it always sounds like the 4 cyl engine is struggling. Who wants to be constantly annoyed in their $70 vehicle? Longevity? Even though the numbers on paper for the 550's V6 and the LC's V4 hybrid are comparable, every person I've heard who has driven both say the GX powertrain is superior and more enjoyable to drive. I never thought I'd consider an $80k SUV but,,,

I'm planning on getting the 2025 GX 550 Overtrail when it hits lots (May, June?). Waiting for the 25 will give me time to drive the 4Runner when it comes out and see if I'm crazy or not. I want to drive the TRD Off-Road without battery to see how that feels and hopefully try a hybrid too. My gut tells me I'll end up in the 550, but who knows? I can rationalize the cost if I own it for 10+ years and after driving it I feel I'd be quite happy to do so.

Happy to hear your thoughts!

It's ironic to to hear your thoughts about the cargo space limitations due to the battery placement. I view this an epic design failure by their engineers. I mean what were they thinking. People actually offroad and sleep in these vehicles. Didn't the marketing department push this! Appearantly they had little voice at the table, which isn't surprising for an engineering led Japanese OEM.

I'm gonna try and find a GX550 Overtrail local to test drive to get some perspective.

 

[Voodoo Rufus]

Same applies to the Tundra and Sequoia. The Tundra sacrificed the rear underseat storage for the battery, and the Sequoia has abysmal storage between the battery and live axle compared to the Yukon and Expedition which have fold flat seats.

Fold flat second row would have been nice in the 4runner....

 

[TRD_GUY]

Same applies to the Tundra and Sequoia. The Tundra sacrificed the rear underseat storage for the battery, and the Sequoia has abysmal storage between the battery and live axle compared to the Yukon and Expedition which have fold flat seats.

Fold flat second row would have been nice in the 4runner....

Putting a larger spare underneath on the new Tacoma is also comical.

 

[TRD_GUY]

It's full time 4wd with a lockable torsen center and rear e-locker. And it can run high or low range with the center locked or unlocked.

I know this terrain well. After watching this, I'm blow-away by how well this SUV works in high speed, offroad baja terrain and sand. Check this out. Beyond impressed.

 

[Zaki]

I believe seeing and test driving the GX550, getting up close with the interior, the layout, the luggage area, the wheel/tire combo is the key.

The GX, especially the Overtrail trim is very impressive in reality and videos and pics do not do it justice. I love its stance.

I suspect the majority of people who are cross shopping the 4R TRD Pro with the GX550 Overtrail/+ will be swayed to choose the Lexus. The price difference, without any dealer markups, is about $12,000. In my opinion that difference is acceptable.


The Overtrail + is a luxury car and an off road vehicle in one. You will love the daily drive to work but feel confident that it can take you to Alaska and back with relative ease. It looks gentlemanly and suave and athletic. It is a bargain, considering you are getting two vehicles in one.

As you can tell, I am in love with the GX550 Overtrail +.

 

[retirementOwl]

I believe seeing and test driving the GX550, getting up close with the interior, the layout, the luggage area, the wheel/tire combo is the key.

The GX, especially the Overtrail trim is very impressive in reality and videos and pics do not do it justice. I love its stance.

I suspect the majority of people who are cross shopping the 4R TRD Pro with the GX550 Overtrail/+ will be swayed to choose the Lexus. The price difference, without any dealer markups, is about $12,000. In my opinion that difference is acceptable.


The Overtrail + is a luxury car and an off road vehicle in one. You will love the daily drive to work but feel confident that it can take you to Alaska and back with relative ease. It looks gentlemanly and suave and athletic. It is a bargain, considering you are getting two vehicles in one.

As you can tell, I am in love with the GX550 Overtrail +.

You are right. I planned to buy the new 4R TRD Pro, then started researching the 550 OT since the new 4R excited me less than hoped. I Watched countless videos and read many articles. Then I went and drove one and I was smitten. The 550 looks better in person than I expected, to me it's gorgeous. It's pretty much identical in size to the new 4R, albeit a little taller. I drove and loved my 1998 4Runner for many years and the 550 OT is the 4R of my dreams in a Lexus body.

People should realize, these two cars serve the exact same audience. The 550 gives you a sublime engine that is so satisfying to drive. Most will kid themselves to think they'd enjoy the hybrid 4 cyl nearly as much. From videos I've seen, EKDSS is a game changer that transforms the off-road experience and also helps on road. Interior refinement and tech is also nice and air-conditioned seats here in Miami are a godsend. I've come to realize that the price differential of the 550 OT is worth the extra enjoyment and happiness I'll get, especially amortized over 10 years.

Folks should drive both vehicles before pulling the trigger!