Experienced by Kimatni D. Rawlins
It was extremely cold in Maryland during the worst snowstorm of the winter in late January. We received 10” of packed snow that is still sitting in piles on the side of roads three weeks later. For the rescue mission in the extreme wintry conditions, I was scheduled to test the 2025 Lexus GX 550 Luxury.
With a strong focus on off-roading and the Overland community, Lexus upgraded the body-on-frame SUV’s styling with a boxy, rugged design to suit its active lifestyle. Since 2002, when the first GX hit the scene, SUV enthusiasts have been able to expect greater capability, modern comfort features, advanced technology, and an assertive attitude. Although, Lexus SUVs are too narrow for my taste, including the larger LX.
I was certainly looking forward to the GX 550’s full-time 4WD to get me through the horrid streets. However, instead of the 18s and 33” Toyo Open Country all-terrain tires to handle the conditions, the Luxury model was outfitted with 22” alloy rims wrapped in Dunlop Grandtrek H/T, a highway-terrain-specific all-season tire. In this case, the rubber is better suited to luxury SUVs, offering a quiet, comfortable ride. Suffice to say, they were not ideal for the snowy conditions, as I had to park the stately utility until the county salted my roads. What a bummer because the GX is a beast.
The 4WD GX 550 is available in various trims, including my GX 550 Luxury test model, the GX 550 Luxury+, GX 550 Premium, GX 550 Premium+, and, for adventurers, the GX 550 OVERTRAIL and GX 550 OVERTRAIL+. This go-anywhere pair revamps the portfolio with bravado and is enhanced by the following:
- Standard 33″ all-terrain Toyo Open Country tires and 6-spoke 18” alloy wheels
- Lower bumper inserts to handle rough riding
- Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System
- Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)
- Electronically Controlled Locking Rear Differential
- Crawl Control with Downhill Assist
- 6-mode Multi-Terrain Select (Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow, and Rock)
Now imagine if the GX 550 Luxury were paired with Michelin CrossClimate2s, featuring a unique V-shaped tread pattern for tackling snowy conditions and a special rubber compound that withstands lower temperatures. My wife owns an Audi Q8 quattro, which I outfitted with this particular tire, and she had no problem trekking through the snow and sleet.
The GX is powered by a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6, allowing the resilient SUV to tow up to 9,063 pounds, depending on the model you select. United with an upgraded 10-speed direct-shift automatic transmission (replacing the previous 6-speed), the powertrain produces 349-horsepower and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. It felt pretty good on highway runs once the main roads were cleared out, but not so confident off the beaten path with those Dunlops! Expect just 15 city mpg and 21 highway.
Stylistically, there are numerous exterior hues to choose from, including Incognito, Nightfall Mica, Nori Green, Caviar, and my favorite Earth, as well as two-tone combos with black rooftops. Lexus revamped the GX’s body for a robust silhouette, beginning with an aggressive, high-mounted hood with bulges on both sides that align with the wheel placements. A traditional power tailgate with kick sensors and an exterior release button for the tailgate window replaces the previous and inconvenient barn door. Moreover, the A-pillars are pushed back, the headlights are placed as high as possible to avoid off-road debris, and the wheels are pushed to the corners.
Inside the technical cabin, the GX is much cleaner and more organized than the prior generation. The new 14” Lexus Interface touchscreen display is your nucleus for Alexa, Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto, and the Mark Levinson premium sound system. Three typical colors are available—Black, Tan, and Gray—and up to 6 USB-C ports and 5-passenger or 7-passenger configurations are available, including optional captain chairs. I’m also a fan of the physical knobs for volume, temperature, and Drive Mode Select. Semi-Aniline leather seats and ambient illumination are also at your disposal. Available depending on your model or option upgrade are massaging seats, Dynamic Sky panorama glass roof, a 10″ color Head-Up Display, Traffic Jam Assist, Digital Key, and a cool box.
If you are concerned about safety, standard features will ease your worries, as active protection is always a top priority for Lexus engineers. Thus, the GX is equipped with the Lexus Safety System + 3.0, which includes over-the-air updates. It enhances the GX with Lane Departure Alert and Steering Assist, Road Sign Assist, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection and Intersection Support, and Lane Tracing Assist to help keep your SUV centered in its lane. Sounds safe to me!
Competing in the mid-luxury SUV segment along with the Land Rover Defender, Mercedes-Benz GLE, and BMW X5/X7, the GX 550 Luxury has a starting MSRP of $83,294, excluding the $1,450 delivery and processing fee. Lexus believes 30% of sales will come from the OVERTRAIL models. Stay warm!
