2025 Lexus GX 550 Luxury review (video)

Lexus has finally introduced the GX in Australia, giving buyers a more luxurious alternative to the Toyota Prado while maintaining its serious off-road credentials.

Previously unavailable in local showrooms, the GX 550 slots somewhere between the RX crossover and the full-size LX, targeting those who need proper off-road capability but don’t want to sacrifice premium comfort and refinement.

It’s based on the Prado and its TNGA-F platform, but the GX 550 arrives with a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, unlike the diesel-only Prado in Australia. Here we’re sampling the base-spec GX 550 Luxury to see if its strikes the right balance between on-road luxury and genuine 4×4 ability.

2025 Lexus GX 550 Luxury: Specifications

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol
Output: 260kW@4800-5200rpm / 650Nm@2000-3600rpm
Gearbox: 10-speed auto
Drive type: Four-wheel drive, 2-speed transfer case
Wheels: F & R: 20×7.5, 265/55
ANCAP: Not tested
Kerb weight: 2525kg
Power-to-weight: 9.71:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 12.3L/100km
Our consumption: 12.9L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 80L/95 RON

Power efficiency: 21.13kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 3.27 seconds*
0-100km/h: 6.72 seconds*
60-110km/h: 4.53 seconds*
1/4 mile: 14.88 seconds at 155.7km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.757g*
100-0km/h braking: 41.18m in 3.43 seconds*
Max deceleration: -1.200g*
Decibel at idle: 40*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 78*
Starting price: $116,000

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2025 Lexus GX 550 Luxury: How much does it cost?

It’s priced somewhere in between the RX and the LX, as you’d expect, and a decent bit higher than the equivalent Prado. This base Luxury kicks off from $116,000, for example – the priciest Prado is around $100k.

Luckily for the GX, there doesn’t appear to be any direct competitors, so the price doesn’t really have a reference in that regard. Sure, there are plenty of large luxury SUVs on the market but none that offer proper off-road capability like this.

According to VFACTS vehicle classification, the GX competes in the same class as its bigger brother, the LX, as well as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and big daddy Range Rover. This is more affordable than all of those.

2025 Lexus GX 550 Luxury: Interior & packaging

I love what Lexus has done with this interior, and Toyota for that matter. This cabin features an old-school upright glasshouse orientation with tall side windows, lots of rugged-inspired character in the design of the fixtures and fittings, and grab handles and so on. It’s cool.

And then being a Lexus it immediately impresses with high-grade materials and attention to detail. You’ve got soft, high-quality leather, smooth-touch surfaces, and precise stitching throughout. Unlike some rugged SUVs that prioritise durability over finesse, the GX certainly delivers an upmarket atmosphere, albeit with some cheaper Toyota switchgear and plastics if you look hard enough.

Up on the dash is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14-inch infotainment touch-screen, both providing crisp graphics albeit lacking some colour in the case of the media screen, with lots of blank space in certain menus. Fortunately, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come standard and these instantly transform the screen into a more colourful arrangement, with your usual apps presented in a grid layout.

Going for the Sports Luxury adds a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, but as standard the Luxury gets a 10-speaker unit. It’s still pretty good, just not as immersive as the big one. Digital radio is standard as well, along with sat-nav, voice command, and multi-zone climate control. There are plenty of charging ports around as well to keep all the family happy.

Seating comfort is good. The front seats offer heating, ventilation, and power adjustment, while the second row provides reasonable legroom and plush cushioning, with recline adjustment. Middle passenger legroom is more limiting, with a large driveline hump on the floor. But it’s not as big as the Prado’s setup with its intrusive plastic cladding.

The third row of seats, though usable, are best suited to kids or shorter adults. Headroom is actually really good but foot space and legroom are limited, partly due to the fact the second row doesn’t slide forward and back. That’s disappointing to see for this class. However, cup holders and a USB-C socket are presented for the third-row guests.

Boot space is rated at 171L with both rear rows up, which is not heaps but pretty average for this sort of thing, and then the space expands to 949L with it down. Both rear rows down opens up 1875L.

Unlike the Prado which features battery components for its 48V mild-hybrid system mounted under the boot floor, the GX’s floor is completely flat right to the edge. Convenience is enhanced by a power-folding third row, and the seats fold flush into the floor. A full-size spare sits under the back, outside.

2025 Lexus GX 550 Luxury: Powertrain & handling

Under the bonnet the GX 550 Luxury packs a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol, producing 260kW and 650Nm. This is ‘detuned/retuned’ from higher outputs offered elsewhere in the Lexus range, with the LS 600 pumping out 310kW and 600Nm. It looks like peak power is spread wider, covering 4800-5200rpm, whereas the 310kW tune needs 6000rpm. That makes sense given this is a rugged SUV that needs to perform off road, not in top speed runs.

Paired to that is a 10-speed automatic transmission and a full-time 4WD system. Specifically, Lexus says it has tuned this engine to deliver smooth, linear acceleration, while making towing feel effortless. There is no 0-100km/h claim for Australia but we tested it using a private road and our Vbox, clocking a best result of 6.72 seconds. That, in our books, is impressive for a 2525kg off-road SUV with 260kW.

However, fuel consumption is on the higher side, as expected from a big, turbocharged petrol V6 pushing that much weigh and mechanical drag. Lexus claims 12.3L/100km, but real-world figures are likely to be higher, especially when towing or off-roading. Our average for the week, including plenty of highway driving and performance testing, ended up at 12.9L/100km.

Despite its rugged ladder-frame chassis, the GX Luxury remains comfortable and composed on the road. It misses out on the Adaptive Variable Suspension offered in the Overtrail, but this does a great job of absorbing bumps while remaining planted and stable, even for a big and tall unit.

The steering feels light yet reasonably precise and engaging, with enough feedback coming through to support enjoyable drives in the mountains. Body roll is well-controlled for a serious off-roader, but that means it’s not as flat or as nice as some of the crossover-style rivals. This is fun enough for what it is.

Off road, the GX 550’s underpinnings shine. With full-time 4WD, a locking centre differential, and low-range gearing, it is highly capable on rough terrain. That said, the Luxury trim’s lower-profile 265/55 tyres on 20-inch wheels may limit its ability on rocky trails or deep mud, leaving the Overtrail variant as the better pick for serious adventurers.

2025 Lexus GX 550 Luxury: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• Proper off-road capability: Shares its platform with the Toyota Prado, featuring full-time 4WD, low-range gearing, and a centre diff lock.
• Powerful and smooth twin-turbo V6: This engine delivers strong performance and refined power delivery, with more than enough torque to support off-road stuff and its 3500kg towing capacity.
• Spacious and practical: Seven-seat layout, decent boot space, and clever storage solutions make it family-friendly.
• Finally available in Australia: This is the first time the GX is being offered here, expanding Lexus’s off-road SUV lineup but also sliding into a relatively vacant segment.

2025 Lexus GX 550 Luxury: Key considerations before you buy

• No diesel or hybrid option: Some buyers may prefer more fuel-efficient alternatives, including the platform-sharing Prado with its more frugal 2.8L diesel. A hybrid is offered overseas as well.
• Some features missing for a base model: Obviously the base misses some kit but things like Multi-Terrain Select and Adaptive Variable Suspension should be standard for this price in our opinion.