If you look carefully, you can just make out the Toyota Prado that lurks under the
skin of the Lexus GX 550.
It’s more evident if you look at the car in profile, with its rising rear belt line, courtesy
of the 1971 Holden HG Belmont wagon.
Lexus has done a very good job disguising the Prado and the styling looks as though
it has not strayed fast from the concept, especially the bold face with its spindle
grille.
The result is an arguably better-looking car than the donor, or is that the other way
round, because the GX was actually revealed two months before the Prado.
Prado is in its fifth generation, but GX is only up to number three and it’s our first
encounter with this model because the first two versions never made it here.
Why now? Guess Toyota/Lexus must have identified a market opportunity (chance
to make some money) or decided to plug the hole left by the departure three years
ago of the seven-seat RX L.
STYLING
GX slots between the family-sized five-seater RX and top-of-the-line LX.
Prices for the new-to-Australia 4×4 wagon start at $116,000 for the seven-seat
Luxury, followed by the five-seat Overlander at $122,250 and flagship Sports Luxury
at $128,200 (also a seven-seater).
Our test vehicle was the entry Luxury grade finished in a dark blue that looks almost
black in some light.
Although it comes with three rows of seats as standard, the third-row packs flat when
not required, freeing up valuable space.
Bear in mind this is a real 4×4 wagon with a high degree of off-road ability. More than
the average punter will ever use or even contemplate.
Does the average Lexus buyer need or want this kind of ability? Perhaps, perhaps
not, but then the vast majority of 4×4 owners never venture off road anyway — they
just like the idea of being able to do so.
One thing the new boxy shape has achieved is to shrink the size of the vehicle, or at
least make it appear smaller, sitting on rather than perched over its wheels.
With its spindle-shaped, black frameless grille supported by the front edge of the
bonnet and lower bumper, there’s no mistaking the Lexus for any other brand.
All GX grades are powered by the same 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine.
Standard equipment includes 20-inch alloys, LED lights all round, with self-levelling
headlights, power-operated moon roof, flat roof rails, rear spoiler, rear privacy glass
and body-coloured door handles.
Inside the seats are trimmed in artificial leather, with three-zone climate control, rear
air vents with controls and nanoeX air filtering.
The front seats are heated and cooled, with power adjustment, with a power-adjust
steering wheel, plus two-way lumbar adjustment and memory function for the driver
(passenger misses out).
Second row outer seats are also heated with power-folding third-row seats, as well
as power tailgate with a window that opens separately, illuminated side steps, smart
entry and start and one-touch power windows.
There are also head-up display, adaptive cruise control, auto high beam, speed sign
recognition, auto lights and wipers, auto-dimming rear view mirror and front and rear
parking sensors.
The Lexus Warranty Experience covers all GX grades for five years and unlimited
kilometres, plus five years capped price servicing.
Owners also enjoy a free three-year subscription to Lexus Encore owner benefits,
providing access to 24-hour roadside assistance, among other things.
Talking about servicing, it’s due every 6 months or 10,000km, fixed at $595 a visit.
INFOTAINMENT
A 14.0-inch touchscreen fronts the infotainment system, provides Bluetooth, with
voice recognition, satellite navigation, AM/FM and DAB+ digital radio, wireless Apple
CarPlay and wired Android Auto plus 10-speaker Pioneer audio.
There are also wireless phone charging and a total of six USB-C ports, two in front,
two for the second row and another two on the side for the third row plus a 12-volt
socket in the front and 220-volt boot outlet.
All grades come with Lexus Connected Services facilitated by a pre-installed 4G
data module that is guaranteed to work until 2033. It provides access to a range of
safety, security and vehicle information.
SAFETY
Prado has a five-star safety rating, but the GX 550 remains unrated as yet (it’s not a
given).
A comprehensive suite of safety systems includes nine airbags, 360-degree camera
and the Pre-Collision System with auto emergency braking, that detects pedestrians
(day/night), cyclists (day/night) and motorcycles (day).
There’s also intersection assistance, emergency steering assist, lane trace assist,
curve speed reduction, front and rear parking support brake and a panoramic view
monitor.
Blind spot monitoring includes safe exit assist and rear-cross traffic alert.
ENGINES / TRANSMISSIONS
The 3.4-litre V6 delivers 260kW of power at 4800 revs and 650Nm of torque from
2000-3600 revs.
Prado has an eight-speed auto; GX ups the ante with a 10-speed automatic that has
three drive modes and paddles to facilitate manual gear shifts.
DRIVING
It’s 25mm longer than Prado, but is the same width and height, and has the same
wheelbase (that’s distance between axles).
While Prado is powered by a hybrid 2.8-litre turbo-diesel drivetrain, GX gets a twin
turbo 3.4-litre petrol V6 (no mention of a hybrid of any kind).
There’s also second gear start which is an advantage when it comes to getting out of
sticky situations off-road.
It’s a permanent four-wheel drive system, with proper dual range gearing, plus a
lockable centre differential.
If you plan to use the car off road these are important factors to consider, not so
much if you’re not.
On road the dash from 0-100km/h takes 7.0 seconds and it has a top speed of
175km/h.
With an 80-litre tank GX takes premium 95 RON unleaded, with fuel consumption a
claimed 12.3L/100km on the combined cycle, topping out at 17.0L around town.
Engine emissions are a whacking 279g/km of CO2 on the combined cycle; or 385g
around town. A hybrid RAV4 produces 147g/km of CO2.
GX can tow a 3500kg braked load and comes with an integrated trailer wiring
harness and tow hitch receiver.
A full-size spare is provided in the event of a puncture and is located underneath the
rear.
It’s an SUV, so getting in and out requires some athleticism, but illuminated side
steps are provided with grab handles at each door to make the transition easier.
Accessing the rear seats is via a 60:40 split, fold and slide second row, with buttons
either side of the luggage area to control power operated third row seats.
However, the second row needs to be in the correct position to facilitate this and
there is the question of what to do with the luggage screen once it is removed.
Rear legroom is okay, but nothing special surprisingly given the size of the vehicle,
while the third row as is the norm is suitable only for small children.
The front seats are comfy and the big 14.0-inch touchscreen is easy on the eye, with
separate controls for air and volume.
There’s plenty of room for CarPlay or Android Auto to do their thing, but if it’s the
latter you’ll need a cable.
The driver gets a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that can be customised in minor
ways.
GX also comes with head-up display which magically projects essential information
on the lower part of the windscreen.
It’s a great idea, but as always invisible to those of us who wear polarised
sunglasses.
Although the turbocharged V6 is smooth and offers plenty of low-end grunt, the
wagon feels big and cumbersome to drive — more truck than car-like.
In fact, the engine sounds very diesel-like, but is a little coarse for our liking and a
long way from the whisper-quiet Lexus powertrains of the past.
The engineers have done a great job with the 10-speed auto which is as smooth as it
is intuitive, making timely subtle changes as required.
Despite being equipped with adaptive suspension, ride quality is decidedly un-Lexus
like, deteriorating quickly on secondary roads where bumps can set off annoying
jiggle.
There’s no other way to really describe it and a reflection of its ladder frame
construction.
But GX handles pretty well for a biggish 4×4 and can be pushed fairly hard without
undesired consequences.
The electronic systems are not intrusive, apart that is from rear auto braking which
had a thing for our hedge.
Slammed the anchors on hard, scaring the bejesus out of us.
Dare we suggest, in closing, that V6s like this one have had their day with their high
fuel and emissions figures.
We were getting 14.5L/100km after around 300km of mixed driving.
Seriously, this kind of fuel consumption just doesn’t cut it in this day and age.
SUMMING UP
If you’re into off-road adventure, the GX 550 could be for you.
If you just want a luxury SUV, there are other models to consider.
If you want seven seats, then you might have to look elsewhere.
As always, the choice is yours.
RATINGS:
Looks: 7.5
Performance: 7.5
Safety: 8
Thirst: 5
Practicality: 7
Comfort: 7
Tech: 7.5
Value: 6
Overall: 6.9
AT A GLANCE
MODEL LINE-UP
GX 550 Luxury, $116,000
GX 550 Overtrail, $122,250
GX 550 Sports Luxury, $128,200
Note: These prices do not include government or dealer delivery charges. Contact
your local Lexus dealer for drive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS
Lexus GX 550 Luxury, 3.4-litre V6 twin turbo petrol, 10sp auto, 4 4, seven-seat SUV
ENGINE
Capacity: 3.4-litre
Configuration: Twin-turbo V6 with intercooler
Maximum power: 260 kW @ 4800 rpm
Maximum torque: 650 Nm @ 2000-3600 rpm
Fuel type: 95 RON premium unleaded petrol
Combined fuel cycle: (ADR 81/02) 12.3 L/100km
CO2 emissions: 279 g/km
DRIVELINE
10sp automatic, permanent AWD with low-range transfer case
DIMENSIONS, WEIGHT, AND CAPACITIES
Length: 5015mm
Width: 2000mm
Height: 1925mm
Wheelbase: 2850mm
Kerb weight: 2525kg
Turning circle: 12.8 m
Fuel tank: 80 l
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Five years / unlimited kilometres
