Today we are reviewing all-new 2025 Lexus GX550, this luxury SUV is built for off-road adventures while still offering the comfort and sophistication expected from Lexus. Recently, we tested the new Toyota Land Cruiser, which shares the same platform as the GX, but there are key differences between the two. Let’s explore what sets the 2025 Lexus GX550 apart.
2025 Lexus GX Exterior Design
The exterior design of the 2025 Lexus GX550 is striking and distinctly modern. While style is subjective, there’s a lot to love about the sharp, angular look of the GX. Unlike the more traditional styling of the Land Cruiser, the GX features a wide, bold front end with prominent power domes on the hood.
The spindle grille, standard triple projector headlamps, and signature boomerang LED daytime running lights give the GX a commanding presence on the road.
Bumper Differences: Considerations for Off-Roaders
One significant difference between the GX and the Land Cruiser is the front bumper design. The Land Cruiser boasts a modular bumper, allowing for easy replacement of sections if you encounter obstacles like small trees during off-roading. In contrast, the GX has a one-piece bumper, meaning a more costly replacement if damaged. This is an important consideration for those planning to take their SUV off the beaten path.
Side Profile: Boxy and In-Vogue
The side profile of the GX is equally impressive with its boxy design, which seems to be trending in the automotive world. The 2025 GX is available in various trims, including the off-road-focused Overtrail and Overtrail Plus, as well as the more luxurious trims.
The base model comes with 20-inch wheels, while the luxury trim features 22-inch wheels. The Overtrail trims are equipped with 18-inch wheels wrapped in large 33-inch all-terrain tires, perfect for tackling rugged terrain.
Dimensions: Size Matters
The GX550 shares the same wheelbase as the Land Cruiser, but it’s a few inches longer and taller, though slightly narrower. This gives the GX a more imposing stance while maintaining the agility required for off-road driving.
2025 Lexus GX 550 Rear Design: Functional and Stylish
The rear of the GX550 continues the boxy, robust design seen throughout the vehicle. While the rear door opening is somewhat limited in its range, the rear window rolls down completely—a feature that adds both convenience and versatility. The substantial rear bumper and trailer hitch cover complete the look.
Rear Glass Hatch
One of the standout features of the GX550 is the rear glass hatch. With just the press of a button, the rear glass pops up, allowing quick access to the cargo area. This feature is perfect for tossing in a gym bag or groceries without the need to open the entire liftgate.
It’s also useful when you need to adjust cargo that might shift during travel, preventing items from spilling out when the hatch is opened.
2025 Lexus GX 550 Cargo Space and Third Row
Aside from the base trim, all GX550 models come standard with a hands-free power liftgate, offering ease of use when loading and unloading cargo. The square, flat rear design provides ample space, making it easy to utilize nearly every inch of the cargo area.
The GX550 is a three-row SUV, with the third row being power-operated. While the third-row seats are convenient, they don’t offer a significant amount of legroom. It’s worth noting that the Land Cruiser is only available as a two-row vehicle due to the hybrid system’s battery placement.
2025 Lexus GX 550 Interior Layout
Stepping inside the GX550, you’ll find a well-thought-out interior that combines luxury with practicality. The dashboard integrates the large screens seamlessly, avoiding the tacked-on look that some modern vehicles suffer from.
Screens and Interface: Bigger and Better
The GX550 comes with larger standard screens compared to the Land Cruiser, including a 12.3-inch driver display and a 14-inch Lexus interface, both of which offer crisp visuals and easy navigation. Additionally, the GX550 supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, allowing for seamless smartphone integration.
The Lexus interface was first introduced in the Lexus NX and has proven to be user-friendly. The standard panoramic camera provides an excellent view around the vehicle, adding to the ease of driving and parking.
Climate Control: A Blend of Old and New
For climate control, Lexus has opted for a mix of physical knobs and digital controls. Temperature adjustments are handled with actual knobs, while most other functions are accessed through the touchscreen. Fortunately, Lexus has created a hard dock for climate controls, ensuring they are always accessible, no matter what you’re doing on the screen.
Storage and Seating: Practicality Meets Comfort
The center console offers a decent amount of storage, with a glove box and a small CVT area in front of the passenger seat. However, the side pockets in the door panels are a bit narrow, making it challenging to fit a medium-sized Yeti mug or water bottle. The GX550 also includes a power sunroof with a shade, adding to the luxury feel.
Seating in the GX550 is both comfortable and functional. The front seats are power-adjustable with memory settings, and both the front and rear seats are heated. The front seats also come with ventilation and a massage feature, which includes both the back and seat—perfect for long drives.
Luxury Features: Enhanced Comfort
The luxury package available for the GX550 includes several premium features, such as a head-up display and a 23-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. This high-end audio system delivers impressive sound quality, making it a great addition to the vehicle’s luxury credentials.
Advanced Camera Systems: See More, Do More
The GX550’s large screen is perfect for displaying the panoramic or multi-terrain camera views, depending on the trim level. One particularly useful feature allows the driver to “see through” the vehicle, which is incredibly handy during off-road adventures.
Third Row and Seating Configurations: Versatility in Seating
A key difference between the GX550 and the Land Cruiser is the standard inclusion of three rows of seats in the GX. With the exception of the Overtrail and Overtrail Plus trims, which are more off-road-focused, the GX550 can accommodate up to seven passengers.
For those who prefer more comfort in the second row, the top-line Executive trim in Canada offers two captain’s chairs instead of a bench seat. Rear passengers also benefit from tri-zone climate control, ensuring everyone is comfortable.
On the Road Performance
When it comes to performance, the GX550 sets itself apart from the Land Cruiser with its more powerful engine. Under the hood, the GX550 is equipped with a 3.4L twin-turbo V6 engine, producing 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque—significantly more than the Land Cruiser. The GX550 also features a 10-speed automatic transmission, compared to the Land Cruiser’s 8-speed, resulting in a more responsive driving experience with minimal lag.
2025 Lexus GX Towing Capacity
The GX550 is designed to handle heavy loads, with a towing capacity of up to 9,000 lbs, depending on the trim level. Even the luxury trim, which is rated for just over 7,000 lbs, offers more towing capability than the Land Cruiser.
2025 Lexus GX 550 Trims and Features
The GX550 is available in several trims, including the regular, premium, luxury, executive (all featuring three rows), and the off-road-focused Overtrail trims. The Overtrail models come equipped with 18-inch wheels, all-terrain tires, skid plates, and an adaptive and dynamic kinetic suspension system. While the GX550 may not have the same approach and departure angles as the Land Cruiser, it’s still highly capable off-road.
Driving Modes and Suspension: Tailored for the Terrain
The Overtrail trims also include multi-terrain select, offering different off-road modes to suit various conditions. The standard and luxury trims do not feature this system but do offer drive modes like sport, normal, and eco. The GX550’s ride is more “trucky” than you might expect from a Lexus, but this vehicle is built for ruggedness rather than smooth city driving.
Safety and Driving Aids: Equipped for Modern Driving
As you’d expect from a Lexus, the GX550 is equipped with the latest safety and driver assistance features, including adaptive cruise control, lane tracking, and cross-traffic alert. A particularly useful feature is the audio warning for braking ahead, which can help prevent sudden stops on the freeway.
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