Lexus GX 550 Overtrail - It's the One You Want

This is our 2nd time driving the Lexus GX 550. The first was a Premium+. And this time it’s the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail+… the most desirable for me personally. All-in-all, we’ve now driven the GX 550 on two significant roadtrips… from icy roads to palm trees. We’ve spent time with it; we understand it. And I can say with absolute certainty, that Lexus knocked it out of the park. The longer I spend with it, the better it gets. Lexus understands the GX assignment, and they executed without making compromises or watering down the mission. And this GX 550 will be highly sought after not only now, but for decades to come.

Lexus GX 550 vs Toyota Land Cruiser…

That’s what everyone wants to know. And we haven’t had the opportunity to drive the Toyota Land Cruiser yet. But when it comes to which one we’d purchase (and hopefully will soon)… there’s no contest. Here’s why: The GX 550 comes with a 3.4 twin-turbo V6 mated to a 10-speed transmission. It makes 350hp and 479tq. Aka: that’s pushin’ almost 500lbs of torque. The Toyota Landcruiser also makes similar numbers to be honest. But it’s through a battery… so it’s really not apples to apples. That’s right, the Land Cruiser only comes as a hybrid with a 4-cylinder turbo, mated to an 8-speed transmission. Hybrids have their place. But personally, when looking at a true body-on-frame 4×4 like a Land Cruiser or a GX 550, I’m looking for capability, longevity, no-nonsense design/engineering, and industry-best longterm resale value. More MPGs are welcomed, but not at the expense of the above. And frankly, I don’t want to start-up my 4×4 on a brisk snowy day (or even a warm sunny parking lot)…. only to have the engine shut itself off & go silent/electric after 10 seconds. At the most fundamental/instinctual level, buying a car that shuts the engine off without your control is lame. That’s my 2-cents. But hey, that’s why there’s chocolate & vanilla… and that’s why there’s a Land Cruiser & a GX 550.

The Lexus GX 550 is reassuring…

There’s an undeniable sense of reassurance & confidence driving the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail. When you start it – it starts like it means it. And as mentioned, it doesn’t shut off in the parking lot & make fairy hybrid noises. The Lexus GX 550 is burly on the outside, but impressively refined on the inside. It’s not overdone or pandering though – no gimmicks here. The GX 550 presents itself as a solid, confident, capable vehicle… built to stand the test of time.

GX 550 Overtrail…

The Lexus GX 550 platform features full-time 4wd with 4-lo. Additionally, Overtrail models offer increased ride height, but I believe most (if not all) of that ride height is due to the larger 33-inch tires – the largest ever sold on a Lexus. This is a 2024 model. But for 2025, the Overtrail gets an additional 1” lift over the 2024s, which should allow them to clear 35s. All Overtrails also come equipped with a rear locker, as well as electronic assist features like crawl-control, hill-descent, selectable off-road settings/maps, etc. Wider black fender flares are a quick giveaway that you’re looking at an Overtrail model. The panoramic sunroof is not offered on the Overtrail… only the standard sunroof. And the reason for that is: Lexus does not want the large pano sunroof to potentially crack due to harsher off-road environments. There’s also no 3rd row on the Overtrail for now. It’s worth noting that the Overtrail can tow an impressive 9,096 pounds. And for a quick look at some US-made aftermarket accessories for the GX 550, check out our friends/contributors at Victory 4×4.

On long drives…

The GX 550 is exceedingly comfortable. It’s the kind of comfort where you don’t squirm in the seat, or feel the need to fiddle with things. The kind of comfort that comes from being genuinely well-built. You can feel the road a little bit in the GX 550. But make no mistake… that’s a good thing! Being refined does NOT mean you have to be numbed-out to the driving experience. Suspension-wise – The GX550 feels reassuringly (there’s that word again) solid & planted. You don’t feel the weight/wobble/bobble of a hybrid… because it isn’t one. On the same note, you get a solid & consistent brake pedal… because the brakes are not also regenerating a battery. The gas tank seems a few gallons smaller than expected for the size & price of an SUV like this… giving you about 250-miles on a full tank.

Lexus GX 550 engine…

Yes it’s true, Toyota initially had some issues with their new twin-turbo V6s early on. But those issue have been corrected. And through those issues, we’ve seen Toyota/Lexus fully stand behind their vehicles & their customers… rather than just band-aid the problem. That says a lot about a brand. The 3.4-liter twin-turbo is robust & responsive. And with the 10-speed transmission backing it up, it surges up to speed with gusto. It’s a dominating platform. Many longtime Toyota/Lexus fans love the V8 in the last-generation GX… and I get it. But if we’re being honest here, the new twin-turbo V6 + 10-speed combo kills the V8 from performance & responsiveness aspects. I would say this: If you’re having a hard time letting go of the V8 in the Lexus GX, go drive this twin-turbo V6 & then get back to me.

Gripes…

There’s no such thing as a perfect car, and if there’s one annoyance (for me personally) on the GX 550… it’s the infotainment screen. Over 1 week and well over 1,000 miles… we never figured out how to scroll through the satellite radio stations lol. Now admittedly, I’m a bit of an old-soul, but this is so overcomplicated it’s comical. Why are we making it so difficult? Knobs & buttons people… bring back knobs & buttons! Screens honestly aren’t even that cool anymore. Hell, Olive Garden has screens on every table lol. And I would hate to see someone crash their new GX just because they were trying to change a radio station. In my opinion, the only thing that would make the Lexus GX 550 any more desirable, would be a simplified stereo/infotainment option.