Simplicity is the keynote of good design: ask any mechanical engineer or industrial designer worth his or her salt. Cue the Lexus GX 550, which, the maker says, is designed to act as an extension of the driver’s hands. Simple!
The new Lexus GX 550 Overtrail controls have no supersensitive touch pad or buttons and switches of New Age automobiles, just knobs and levers of days of yore.
At first glance, the iconoclastic off-roader with the looks of a bare-fisted bush basher, on the bitumen, behaves like a silver service limousine.
Despite a rugged set of off-road tyres, the square shouldered wagon makes its almost silent way on the street, little road or wind noise intruding into the cabin.
The Overtrail is one of three new-to-Australia Lexus off-roaders, which slot in between the family five-seater RX and top-notch LX. The range gets off the mark with the seven-seat Luxury from $116,000, plus on-road costs; the Overtrail weighs in with five seats at $122,250; while the flagship Sports Luxury, also with three rows of seats, earns a $128,200 price tag.
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, VIP offers from Lexus luxury hotel partners, invitations to exclusive events, movie discounts, and Ampol premium fuels and more.
Encore Elevate is a cost option to up owner access to a fleet of vehicles through Lexus on Demand, as ell as valet parking at shopping centres and travel lounges worldwide.
STYLING
The GX 550 is unmistakenly Lexus, with its spindle shaped black frameless grille
supported by the front edge of the bonnet and lower bumper.
In profile, muscular proportions and squared off edges could well have seemed old fashioned. Somehow, they don’t. Perhaps the stylish large alloy wheels and the latest in LED lighting.
The Overtrail off-road capability lies with its rigid GA-F ladder-frame structure and is supported with 18-inch alloy wheels shod with Toyo Open Country all-terrain tyres, unique tough-guy front and rear bumpers, black wheelarch mouldings, door handles and exterior mirrors, plus optional two-tone roof.
INTERIOR
In the cabin, the Overtrail settles for five unique seats with olive green Ultrasuede front accents and stitching, special garnish, slim credit card-style key fob and refrigerated cool box.
The seven-seat Sports Luxury gains Adaptive Variable Suspension, unique 22-inch alloy wheels, high grade LED headlamps with adaptive high beam and Blade Scan tech, fixed panoramic roof, with opaque dimming, kick hands-free power tailgate and automatic extending and folding side steps.
Occupants can settle into semi-aniline leather accented upholstery, with massaging front seats with ten-way adjustment, ambient interior lighting, illuminated scuff plates and manual rear sunshades.
INFOTAINMENT
Rough ‘n’ ready? Despite the GX’s rugged image, there is plenty of the latter, with the latest technology, offering a 14-inch multimedia display for wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and full-colour windscreen head-up image across the range.
Luxury grades incorporate a 10-speaker audio system, wireless phone charger and a total of six USB-C ports.
All vehicles include Lexus Connected Services courtesy of a data communication module inside the vehicle putting safety, security and other GX information at the owner’s fingertips.
ENGINE/TRANSMISSION
All GX grades take advantage of the torquey 3.5-litre twin turbo V6 petrol engine, which puts out 260kW from 4800 to 5200rpm and 650Nm of pulling power between 2000 and 3600 revs. Power is put to ground via a ten-speed torque-converter automatic multi-plate lock-up clutch. Towing capacity is 3500kg for a braked trailer.
The maker optimistically claims combined urban/highway fuel consumption of 12.3 litres per 100 kilometres. A week’s on-road work with then test Overtrail returned figures of 12.7 litres on the motorway and up to 16 litres around the CBD and suburbs.
SAFETY
A comprehensive suite of Lexus Safety System+ protection is standard across the GX range. This includes the Pre-Collision System with dynamic radar cruise control, lane trace assist, front rear parking support brake and panoramic view monitor.
DRIVE
Is the afore mentioned GX limo-like character too good to be true? Do the quality ride and handling end where the bitumen does? Technology says: ‘No.’
The Overtrail sets itself apart from its siblings with mechanical enhancements such as Adaptive Variable Suspension and a Lexus-first electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System which constantly engages and disengages the front and rear stabiliser bars to maximise traction and comfort off road.
The systems are paired with traction aids including Multi-Terrain Select (high range: Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow; low range: Auto, Sand, Mud, Rock), Crawl Control, Downhill Assist Control and rear electronic locking differential, along with an upgraded alternator and Multi-Terrain Monitor which can allow drivers to gain a full view of the vehicle undercarriage and surroundings
SUMMARY
Lexus says the first year’s allocation of the GX 550 is spoken for in Australia, where the Overtrail is top of the pops, with the queue rapidly running out to 12 months. Hybrid versions are on the way, in line with the maker’s promise to sell only hybrids and EVs by the end of the decade. Be quick.
RATINGS
Looks: 8/10
Performance: 8/10
Safety: 8/10
Thirst: 6/10
Practicality: 7/10
Comfort: 7/10
Tech: 8/10
Value: 7/10
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 Lexus dealer for derive-away prices.
SPECIFICATIONS (Lexus GX 550 Overtrail 3.5L twin turbo V6 petrol, 10sp auto, AWD
ENGINE
Capacity: 3445cc
Configuration: Six cylinders in V
Maximum power: 260kW @ 4800-5200rpm
Maximum torque: 650Nm between 2000 and 5200rpm
Fuel type: Premium unleaded petrol 95RON
Combined fuel cycle: 12.3L/100km
CO2 emissions: 279g/km
DRIVELINE Ten speed automatic, AWD low range transfer case, centre and rear diff locks
DIMENSIONS, WIEGHT AND CAPACITY:
Length: 5015mm
Width: 2000mm
Height: 1935mm
Wheelbase: 2850mm
Ground clearance: 225mm
Turning circle: 12.8m
Kerb weight: 2515kg
Fuel tank: 80 litres
BRAKES
Front: Ventilated disc
Rear: Ventilated disc
STANDARD WARRANTY
Five years, unlimited kilometres
