FYI: The 2024 Lexus GX 550 has set the stage for adventurous small families who relish road trips. Let’s dive into its features and performance as tested on an 836-mile journey from Los Angeles to Bend, Oregon.
### The Ideal Road Trip Companion?
During the first-drive press launch of the 2024 Lexus GX 550 in Bend, Oregon, Lexus marketers enthusiastically noted that the new model is perfect for small families on road trips. Skeptical? Perhaps. But as someone planning an outdoor road trip with my family, I was intrigued. Fast forward a few months, and the GX 550 Premium+ in the eye-catching Noli Green color, priced at $69,250, was in my driveway. Additionally, a $1,580 Low Profile Roof Rack joined the apparatus to carry my kayak efficiently around Bend’s picturesque settings.
### Packed and Ready for Adventure
The GX’s standard tow hitch was replaced with a Yakima Stage Two bike rack and an electric Gazelle bicycle – essentials for woodsy trails and cycling paths in Bend. Evaluating the 40.2 cubic feet of cargo space, albeit favorable for two-row luxury SUVs, proved barely sufficient for a three-row model. Once fully packed, it accommodated kids’ bikes, inflatable rafts, camping gear, and more astonishingly well.
### Solo Drive from Los Angeles to Bend
Embarking on the 836-mile solo drive from LA to Bend, my family chose the convenience of air travel to meet me there. This journey spotlighted the necessity of three rows, excluding the slightly more rugged Overtrail trim but meeting the demands with the versatile Premium and Luxury trims.
### Road Noise: The Not-So-Silent Companion
The journey wasn’t without minor annoyances. Installing a metal platform on a boxy vehicle introduces notable noise, contrasting with Lexus’s reputation for serenity. Maintaining speeds under 70 mph helped manage the roar but didn’t eliminate it entirely.
### Fuel Economy: Room for Improvement
Switching from a 4.6-liter V8 to a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 with a 10-speed automatic gearbox didn’t revolutionize fuel economy. The EPA rates it at 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. My test model achieved 20.4 mpg over 1,772 miles, which, though an improvement, still translated to $424.26 spent on premium fuel across nine stops.
### Performance and Power on the Road
One area where the GX 550 shined was highway acceleration. With 301 horsepower and a significant torque boost from 329 lb-ft to 479 lb-ft, passing power was nothing short of impressive. The engine’s performance was smooth and quiet, characteristic of the Lexus brand, standing out against the Land Cruiser’s four-cylinder hybrid setup.
The transmission responded promptly on the variable gradients of Lake Shasta and Mt. Shasta. Sport mode marginally enhanced steering firmness without altering the suspension, reserved for higher trims. Nonetheless, the GX maintained an exceptionally smooth ride, remaining stable even with its body-on-frame construction.
### Lexus’s Signature Ride
Despite the standard suspension setup of the Premium+ trim, the vehicle delivered a stellar driving experience. Lexus’s detailed tuning paid off, setting it apart from its Land Cruiser sibling. The “Lexus Driving Signature” suggests uniform driving dynamics across their range, and the GX lives up to it, striking a balance between a luxurious and adventurous ride.
### Handling and Dynamics
The GX’s handling varied from the LC 500 or even the RX. Its body-on-frame build contributes to a unique driving feel with controlled body roll, making each ride a tad more engaging. Unlike more nimble competitors like the BMW X5, the GX’s less dynamic feel can be entertaining, emphasizing its robust, adventure-ready personality.
### User Experience and Driver Assistance
However, the user experience faced a few hitches from overzealous driver assistance systems. The automatic emergency rear braking misinterpreted the bike rack as potential hazards, causing abrupt stops. Disabling these systems became a somewhat routine task but was manageable once the correct switch was identified.
The Driver Monitor Alert system, while designed with safety in mind, proved overly sensitive and somewhat intrusive on long stretches of road. However, this was another feature that could be manually turned off, restoring a more pleasant driving experience.
### Conclusion
In summary, the 2024 Lexus GX 550 resiliently faced the trials of a long-distance journey, blending power, comfort, and luxury. Despite a few technological quirks, its adventurous spirit and well-rounded performance make it ideal for family road trips. Stay tuned to automotive.fyi for a detailed review of its interior functionality, passenger comfort, and more.
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Jack Carney, Editor of Automotive.fyi
