Lexus has launched its GX in South Africa. Was it worth the wait, or is this just a Toyota Land Cruiser Prado with some premium appointments? I drove the GX in flagship SE guise recently.
Related: Toyota Land Cruiser Prado (2024) First Drive Review
Pros
- Beautifully executed interior and exterior design
- Feels like a high-quality product
- Performance and off-road ability are impressive
Cons
- It is rather heavy on fuel
- Considerably more expensive than the Toyota on which it is based
Styling
The GX is quite an attention grabber and an automotive flex in a segment where many are looking at the GX's sibling, the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. There's still the same squared-off, somewhat rugged aesthetic, but with a bit more emphasis on refinement and luxury, particularly the SE-spec model. The brand's signature spindle grille is integrated with slim LED headlights, while the L-shaped light bar at the rear with the updated Lexus logo adds the brand's own premium touch to the package. As with its Toyota sibling, a key design change at the rear is transitioning from a side-swinging tailgate to a power rear lift bootlid with a pop-out window, which was done based on customer feedback.
While the SE trim tested here offers a more on-road focused appearance with 22-inch wheels and electrically deploying side sills, the Overtrail trim leans into the off-road arena with a more rugged look, including a beefed-up roof rack, static side sills, and 18-inch wheels fitted with all-terrain tyres. Overall, the design, to my eyes at least, is brilliantly executed, resonating with those who want a premium version of the Land Cruiser Prado, or an alternative to the Land Rover Defender.
Interior and Space
The interior of the GX takes the modern and simplified layout of the Land Cruiser Prado, and adds premium touches. One big bugbear I had with the Toyota on which the Lexus is based was its infotainment system; however, the 14.0-inch touchscreen in the Lexus is paired with a superb 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, is a nice upgrade. That being said, I still find this infotainment system less intuitive at this price point than the systems in Land Rover, BMW and Mercedes-Benz, despite the high-resolution display and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Interestingly, the climate control also forms part of the screen, but there is a dedicated portion on which the user can control the ventilation, which is good to see.
The GX is a seven-seat luxury SUV; however, the third row is best reserved for children or small adults on shorter trips. The second and first rows are truly premium in terms of space, material quality, and amenities for occupants, while the general fit and finish, in true Lexus fashion, are impressive.
Practicality is impressive, and if used as a two-row, five-seat model, there's 1 063 litres of boot space, while braked towing capacity is 3 175kg. The GX also features a Multi-Terrain Select system, an Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System and an electronically-controlled locking rear differential in addition to the following off-road credentials:
| Ground clearance | 220mm |
| Approach angle | 27.0-degrees |
| Breakover angle | 23-degrees |
| Departure angle | 22.0-degrees |
| Wading depth | 700mm |
Drivetrain
The Lexus GX is powered by a twin-turbocharged V35A-FTS 3.4-litre V6 engine paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. This powertrain delivers a substantial performance upgrade compared to the diesel engine in the Land Cruiser Prado, with 260kW and 650Nm of torque. The engine and gearbox make the GX a monster when heading off-road.
Driving Impression
The GX is undoubtedly a more dynamic proposition than the Toyota on which it is based, with the potent V6 petrol engine and the road-bias tyres of our press unit making the car feel more at home on the road. While there's loads of power, I wouldn't deem the GX as fast in a traditional sense. At the same time, the fuel consumption is truly daunting at times, making me think that the brand's big diesel motor may be a better fit for this package, but I suppose this wouldn't be popular in Europe and America, where the GX is pitched. There's also the consideration that an individual willing to spend close to R1.9-million for a premium off-roader is likely not bothered by its fuel consumption.
While our time with the SE grade didn't involve extreme off-road testing, its body-on-frame construction and advanced 4x4 features provide a strong foundation for venturing beyond the tarmac. We have requested an Overtrail variant to test, which we will compare with a key rival in an off-road challenge soon.
Safety
The GX come comprehensively equipped, with the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite of driver-assistance technologies. This includes features such as Automated Emergency Braking with Pedestrian Detection and Intersection Support, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist, Lane Tracing Assist (which helps keep the vehicle centred in its lane), All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Curve Speed Management, Intelligent High Beams, and Road Sign Assist.
The GX has yet to be crash tested; however, the ANCAP safety programme has tested the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, which shares its underpinnings with the GX. The Prado received a 5-star rating, including 85% for adult occupant safety, 89% for child occupant safety, 84% for pedestrian safety, and 82% for its safety systems.
Fuel Economy
Lexus claims the GX model's fuel consumption is 12.3 L/100km, but our week with the vehicle resulted in combined fuel consumption of 13.9 L/100km.
Pricing*
The Lexus GX 550 SE 3.5T costs R1 829 000. It competes with the Land Rover Defender in 110 P400 X-Dynamic HSE guise (R 1 929 300) and the Ineos Grenadier 3.0T station wagon Fieldmaster Edition (R 1 862 100), which is admittedly more utilitarian.
*Pricing includes a 7-year/100 000km warranty and maintenance plan
Verdict
The Lexus GX is a fantastic premium off-road SUV for those looking at an alternative to the Land Rover Defender, or want a more potent and premium take on the Land Cruiser Prado. For me, the GX would be the ultimate lifestyle off-roader with the 3.3-litre V6 turbodiesel engine found in the Land Cruiser 300, as the petrol motor is both heavy on fuel and not particularly accelerative. Still, there seems to be a healthy demand for the model, and for good reason, although I'd personally recommend the Overtrail model for its added versatility.
