2023 Lexus GX vs 2024 Lexus GX

The 2023 Lexus GX 460 exhibited distinctive visual presence with its imposing spindle grille, ample ground clearance of 8.1 inches, and an overall height of 74.2 inches (slightly lower for the Luxury trim). The front end, designed to dominate the road ahead, was flanked by massive headlights that accentuated the vehicle's unique face. Lexus re-introduced the GX Black Line Special Edition for 2023, limited to 3,000 units, offering exclusive colors such as Obsidian, Eminent White Pearl, and Nori Green Pearl. While the GX’s front appeared large and commanding, its side profile conveyed a different story. The vehicle's 109.8-inch wheelbase seemed relatively short, with minimal overhangs at the bumper. Despite being a luxury SUV, the 2023 GX 460 conveyed a readiness for off-road challenges, reinforced by its flared fenders and its overall sleek aesthetic. The interior, although luxurious, was somewhat marred by the use of plastic materials, detracting from its high-end image and lofty price tag. Despite this, the vehicle boasted several luxury features such as heated and cooled front seats, a power-retracting steering wheel, and impressive leather upholstery. This blend of luxury and practicality was punctuated by the model's relatively low sales volume, suggesting that it was more about maintaining the vehicle's availability than significantly upgrading it. In contrast, the 2024 Lexus GX 550 presented a marked evolution in design. It departed from its predecessor's softer corners, embracing geometric styling from the headlights to the tail lights. The spindle grille was less pronounced, framed by standard triple-beam LED headlights. The front end stood more vertically, giving the SUV a more aggressive stance. Functionally, the left and right side humps on the otherwise flat hood were strategically positioned above the front wheels to help drivers with positional awareness while off-roading. The 2024 model's side profile resembled a solid metal block, with minimal character lines and a relatively horizontal path. The low window beltline improved visibility, complemented by standard running boards (with powered units available on the Luxury+ trim). Lexus expanded the GX lineup with six trim levels: Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, Overtrail, and Overtrail+. While Premium+ aimed at being the best seller, Luxury+ and Overtrail+ emphasized luxury features and off-road capabilities respectively. Inside, the 2024 GX balanced luxurious appointments like standard heated and ventilated front seats with robust utilitarian materials. The 14-inch touchscreen took center stage on the flat, upright dashboard, flanked by physical controls for off-road features and rotary knobs. The overall aesthetic was less opulent than rivals like the Land Rover Defender or Mercedes-Benz G-Class, but it embodied a premium feel geared toward durability.

The 2023 Lexus GX 460 was defined by its reliable 4.6-liter V8 engine, delivering 301 horsepower and 329 pound-feet of torque through a six-speed automatic transmission. Unlike the growl of a typical V6, the V8's power curve felt linear and satisfying, with ample power in the lower rev range. However, compared to modern engines like Toyota’s 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 hybrid, the GX 460’s power and efficiency lagged. The GX could tow up to 6,500 pounds but posted rather unimpressive fuel economy figures of 15 mpg city, 19 highway, and 16 combined. The weight of the GX was another point of concern; it handled corners predictably but felt top-heavy. Road feel was commendable for its class, with reliable though heavy braking. The Torsen torque-sensing limited-slip differential allowed for a customizable 40:60 front-to-rear power distribution, providing improved traction in challenging terrains. Switching gears to the 2024 Lexus GX 550, the most significant change was the shift from a V8 to a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine. Despite losing two cylinders, the new engine generated a hearty 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. This substantial power increase, available lower in the rev range, was perfect for off-road driving. The 2024 GX, built on the GA-F truck platform, offered improved chassis stiffness, enhancing on-road stability and off-road agility. The 10-speed automatic transmission, standard full-time 4WD with a locking Torsen limited-slip center differential, and available rear locking differential in Overtrail trims added to its robust performance credentials. The Overtrail trims were further endowed with the Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS), capable of increasing wheel articulation up to 25 inches, ensuring better contact with the ground while navigating obstacles. During test drives, the new GX 550 accelerated confidently and maintained composure through corners, a notable improvement from the previous generation. However, the rigorous off-road testing was cut short due to weather-induced terrain issues, limiting full evaluation of its advanced driving modes.

The 2023 Lexus GX 460 excelled at providing ample small-item storage. The deep center console bin, side-by-side cupholders, and a phone cubby ahead of the shifter were practical touches. However, the USB ports were dated USB-A types, and the door pockets were inadequately sized for larger bottles. Retaining hard buttons over touchscreens was a considerate choice for those who appreciated physical controls. The center armrest was adjustable, adding comfort for varying driver and front passenger sizes. In the second row, both captain’s chairs and bench-seat configurations offered good legroom and headroom—sufficient for most adults. The third row, unfortunately, was highly restrictive—suitable only for short-term use or small children. The rear cargo space was also compromised by the side-hinged, manually operated door. Cargo capacity included 11.6 cubic feet behind the third row, 46.7 cubic feet with the third row folded, and 64.7 cubic feet with both rows folded—less than a Toyota RAV4's 69.8 cubic feet. In the 2024 Lexus GX 550, a more minimalist and sophisticated interior design was evident. It featured fewer physical buttons while keeping key controls within easy reach. The vehicle provided 41.2 inches of front legroom and 36.7 inches in the second row, ensuring comfort for taller adults. The optional third row, available in Premium and Luxury models, was tight and best reserved for children, confirming that the GX was ideally a two-row SUV. Compared to rivals like the Land Rover Defender 110, the GX had more front and somewhat less second-row space but ultimately trumped the Defender in cargo capacity. The GX’s cargo space ranged from 10.3 cubic feet behind the third row, expanding to 40.2 cubic feet with it folded. Total cargo space reached an impressive 76.9 cubic feet. Overtrail models, which forego the third row, offered increased cargo capacities of 45.6 cubic feet behind the second row and 90.5 cubic feet overall.

The 2023 Lexus GX 460 had its infotainment system updated in 2022, featuring a 10.3-inch touchscreen. This display, equipped with Apple CarPlay, Android Auto, and Amazon Alexa, was a significant improvement over previous iterations. Despite this, the system felt outdated compared to other Lexus models. The inclusion of Remote Touch Interface was redundant given the touchscreen's enhanced functionality. Three years of Lexus Enform Remote services, including a smartphone-operated remote start feature, were available. The Luxury trim offered a 17-speaker Mark Levinson premium stereo and a CD player, further underlining its somewhat dated tech feel. Moreover, while the off-road tech was robust, featuring real 4WD systems and various off-road assists, the overall infotainment lagged behind. For the 2024 Lexus GX 550, a 14-inch touchscreen became the centerpiece of the tech offerings. Enhanced with USB-C ports and an optional wireless charging pad, it catered to modern connectivity needs. The vehicle boasted Wireless Apple CarPlay, Wireless Android Auto, and the Drive Connect service with intelligent voice assistance. While initial services were free for three years, post-trial subscriptions ranged from $15 to $25 per month. The audio system varied, with a standard 10-speaker setup on base trims and an optional 21-speaker Mark Levinson system on higher trims. Although visually and functionally impressive, the reliance on subscription models for maintaining services after the trial period might deter long-term users.

The 2023 Lexus GX 460 hadn’t been crash-tested by the NHTSA or IIHS, due to its outdated 2010 engineering foundations. Despite this, it came with several ADAS features like automatic emergency braking, lane-departure alert, adaptive cruise control, parking assist, and automatic high beams. While comprehensive, it lacked cutting-edge features like lane-tracing assist and road-sign recognition.