by Pros: Bold design, powerful twin-turbo V6 engine, high-quality interior materials.
Cons: Weak audio system, limited off-road modes, sense of heaviness.
The 2026 Lexus GX 550 doesn’t just update a familiar vehicle; it completely changes its positioning. The new SUV, although built on the same platform as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado 250 Series, significantly surpasses it. In fact, it can compete with vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Land Rover Defender in the category of luxury off-roaders ready for challenging terrain.
As the time spent with the GX 550 Sports Luxury version showed, this is Lexus at the peak of its capabilities. It not only continues the predecessor’s lineage but also in many aspects opens new horizons that could even tempt buyers of the flagship LX model.
Key Specifications
Model Range and Platform
In Australia, where the test was conducted, three versions of the GX 550 are available. The base Luxury trim starts from AU$133,680. The Sports Luxury version we worked with costs AU$147,012. There is also a more off-road-oriented Overtrail version from AU$140,662.
In the US, the model range is similar: Premium from $66,935, Luxury from $79,400, and Overtrail from $74,580.
The GX 550, like the modern Land Cruiser Prado, is built on Toyota’s GA-F ladder-frame platform. To improve comfort, Lexus uses steel of varying thickness for the frame rails and crossmembers. The front suspension is double wishbone, the rear is a 4-link setup. The Sports Luxury and Overtrail versions have adaptive suspension. Instead of the old naturally aspirated V8, a 3.4-liter twin-turbo gasoline V6 is now installed.
Design and Interior
Sharp lines and an aggressive shape make the new GX 550, in the reviewer’s opinion, the most beautiful SUV in the Toyota and Lexus family.
The interior is completely different from the Land Cruiser and matches the high price. A large digital instrument cluster and a 14-inch central screen are integrated into the dashboard. The system supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, but the software, as in other Lexus models, could be faster.
The Sports Luxury trim includes semi-aniline leather seats, a digital rearview mirror, ambient lighting, heated and ventilated seats, massage for driver and passenger seats (though its controls are hidden in a menu), a head-up display, a cool box in the center console, and second-row sunshades.
The third row is quite spacious even for tall passengers, and the seats fold electrically. The main disappointment of the cabin turned out to be the 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, which doesn’t sound as rich and high-quality as expected. Among the useful features are a “transparent view” camera mode that allows seeing the space under the vehicle, and a panoramic roof with electronically adjustable dimming.
Dynamics and Handling
Compared to the Prado’s diesel engine, the 3.4-liter V6 in the GX 550 is a true revelation. This is exactly the engine a vehicle of this size needs. Paired with the 10-speed automatic transmission, it accelerates the SUV to 100 km/h in 7 seconds and has a pleasant sound, especially in dynamic mode.
This is exactly the engine that should have been in the Prado, although then sales of the GX would certainly have become more complicated.
Fuel consumption according to test results was 16 L/100 km, which is only slightly better than the significantly larger Nissan Patrol with a V8 engine.
On the road, the GX 550 feels excellent: the adaptive suspension effectively absorbs bumps, and steering is light. Despite the ladder-frame construction, the vehicle handles corners quite neatly.
The Sports Luxury version, even with 22-inch wheels and road tires, performed confidently off-road. It is large and heavy, but that’s expected. However, unlike the Overtrail, it lacks specialized off-road modes (such as for sand, mud, or rocks), having only H4, L4, and center differential lock modes.
Impressions and Conclusions
The new Lexus GX 550 is one of those rare vehicles with few obvious flaws. Lexus has successfully implemented the design and created an interior that matches its price. Perhaps it could use a bit more luxury, but the manufacturer likely deliberately approached this cautiously to avoid encroaching on the flagship LX’s territory.
Combined with the brand’s reputation for reliability and, finally, an appropriate powertrain, the GX 550 carves out its place. In a segment where one often has to choose between comfort and practicality, this model doesn’t force such a choice.
The arrival of the GX 550 clearly outlines a new niche for Lexus, where the Land Cruiser’s technical heritage combines with premium ambitions. The absence of a hybrid setup, unlike the Prado, might seem like a step back from an efficiency standpoint, but it allowed preserving the practicality of a flat cargo floor. Interestingly, in the market, it may appeal to two different types of buyers: those looking for an alternative to traditional European SUVs, and those upgrading from an older GX model, receiving a radically new level of product. Its success could influence Toyota’s further strategy regarding the differentiation between its own SUVs and their luxury derivatives.
