Read more
Third generation GX debuts as a first for South Africa with clear differences from its Toyota sibling to warrant serious segment consideration.
Third generation GX has debuted in South Africa as first for the nameplate. Images: Charl Bosch
A surprise debutant at parent company Toyota’s annual State of the Motor Industry conference in January, the Lexus GX has wasted little time in becoming the marque’s second best-selling model after only a month.
Introduced just under two years ago as the preview model for the new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, the March sales figures by National Association of Automobile Manufacturers of South Africa (Naamsa) registered the GX as having sold 63 units in its first month.
ALSO READ: Prado-based Lexus GX in South Africa soon, along with LX hybrid
Officially, this places it behind the NX, which as amassed 92 signatures since January.
An addition that moves Lexus into the rugged SUV segment for the first time, despite the presence of the Land Cruiser 300-based LX, the GX arrives on the back of having sold 540 000 units over its preceding two generations based on the third and fourth generation Prado.
A trend that continues with the new J250 Prado, the third generation GX has been radically uprated and in places, redesigned from its sibling both inside and out, even to the body-on-frame TNGA-F platform that underpins both models.
Benchmarked against the “Land Rover” Defender 110 P400, and positioned between the RX and LX, the GX’s local market launch in the Eastern Cape this week involved an unequally unusual Lexus feel by comprising mostly off-road driving from Gqeberha along backroads the Shamwari Private Game Reserve on the outskirts of Grahamstown.
Indirectly replacing the previous generation petrol-engine Prado, the GX will for the moment only derive motivation from a single powerplant; the 3.5-litre badged 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 and carry the GX 550 name.
The second application of the engine in South Africa, the first being the Land Cruiser 300, the internally named V35A-FTS bent-six – which displaces 3 444 cc instead of more than 3 500 cc – has, however, been detuned from that of its sibling to 260kW/650Nm.
Down 45kW/50Nm but up 110kW/150Nm on the Prado’s 2.8 GD-6, the unit is paired to a 10-speed automatic gearbox, with drive going to all four wheels via a permanent four-wheel-drive system inclusive of a low range transfer case.
Deliberately without the option of a diesel engine as in global markets, Lexus did, however, indicate that a hybrid version is being worked on, mostly likely based on – but not confirmed – the 2.4-litre turbocharged i-Force Max petrol.
On the model front, the initial range comprise two derivatives; the luxury focused SE that provides seating for seven, and the off-road adapted Overtrail that seats five and comes with amongst others, fixed as opposed to electrically deployable side-steps, a steel underbody protection bashplate and black plastic cladding around the wheel arches versus the former’s colour coded surrounds.
A further Overtrail exclusive is an optional bi-tone roof, 17-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-terrain tyres instead of the SE’s 22-inches, and, before the end of year, an Off-Road variant with a series of accessories that made its showing at the launch as a preview.
On the colour side, five hues have been available for both grades; White Quartz, Sonic Titanium, Graphite Black, Titanium Carbide Silver, Terrance Khaki from 2026, and Mercury Silver bespoke to the SE.
For the Overtrail, the bi-tone finish sees a black roof contrasting the sonic and titanium body colours, as well as the model unique Desert Moonlight finish.
Appearing suitably more aggressive with sharper lines than the more “softly styled” Prado, the GX 550’s new exterior hasn’t resulted in its interior being a simple cut-and-paste from that of its Toyota sibling.
Instead, opening the doors reveals a completely new dashboard with a concave design on the passenger’s side, plus a new housing for the Lexus specific 14-inch infotainment system as well as the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster.
Not stopping there, the GX 550 gets a redesigned centre console, significantly upgraded and premium feeling materials, new air vents, the traditional Lexus start/stop button to the side of the infotainment display, plus a choice of two interior colours for each grades.
Going further, Lexus has also furnished the GX with significantly more features than the Prado, namely the pair of displays, Head-Up Display, heated, ventilated and electric front seats, a wireless smartphone charger, refrigerated centre console glove compartment, electric tailgate and its latest Safety Sense system.
For the SE, an electrically folding third row comes standard, along with a heated steering wheel, massaging function for the front seats, a rear roller blind, a panoramic sunroof instead of the Overtrail’s conventional glass sunroof, semi-aniline leather upholstery and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system versus its sibling’s “premium” 10-speaker audio.
At the end of the spectrum, the Overtrail gets Downhill Assist Control, the Multi-Terrain Monitor camera system, a Torsen limited slip differential, the electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension system and the Multi-Terrain Control system six modes; Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Snow and Rock.
Along with a rear locking differential to go with the centre fitted on the SE, the Overtrial also receives a Crawl function only active when switched to low range.
While the Adaptive Variable Suspension comes standard on both variants, the GX 550 does without air assistance, which on tar and off-road, made an immediate impact.
Although based on the same platform as the Prado as mentioned, Lexus has increased the GX 550’s length by 90 mm to 5 015 mm and its width by 20 mm to 2 000 mm.
At the same time, ground clearance increases from 216 mm to 220 mm, while the approach angle now stands at 27-degrees versus the Prado’s 30-degrees, the breakover at 23-degrees and departure at 22-degrees compared to the Toyota’s 17-degrees.
Comparatively, only the Overtrail retains the 3 500 kg tow rating from the Prado, as that of the SE falls to 3 130 kg.
For the first leg of the trek from the city previously known as Port Elizabeth to the witch-less – what could be determined – enclave of Salem, the SE felt and rode smooth despite its 22-inch footwear, with little to no noise intrusion inside.
Its ride being composed and overall feel stable when the tar surface turned into gravel, the GX 550’s biggest centrepiece involves its drivetrain.
While anticipated to be smoother and more powerful than the Prado’s four-cylinder GD-6 from the off, the twin-blown V6 goes a step further by responding a lot quicker than expected, and with a low-down surge that seemingly doesn’t taper off.
Accompanied when a melodic six-cylinder soundtrack, switching the drive mode selector to Sport S+ mode – the others being Eco, Normal, Comfort, Sport and Custom – sees the exhaust note change to a deep bellow, the shifts for the already slick 10-speed ‘box quicker, and the throttle sharpened-up dramatically.
Shrugging off its mass with ease, the GX 550’s dual personality becomes as prevalent in the SE as in the Overtrail.
Taking on a relatively trickly off-road course, the latter never flinched or “hit through” despite a serious of high contours, washaways and inclines.
In fact, the main gripe involves the all-terrain wheels sending unwanted vibrations into the cabin on both tar and gravel.
This can, however, be speculated as having been a result of the tyre pressures having been pumped-up for road use rather than off-road driving.
While it plans on parting with 40 units a month, the initial allocation of 63, plus its complete difference from the Prado on all fronts, more than warrants Lexus’ break from its usual luxury on-road focused norm with the GX 550.
Dearer than its Toyota sibling indeed, but also just as capable and arguably more of a visual stunner, its segment entry has resulted in a thoroughly surprising package worth serious consideration regardless of the selected grade.
Included with the GX 550’s sticker price is a seven-year/100 000 km maintenance plan. Opting for the bi-tone option on the Overtrail will require an additional R10 200.
NOW READ: Prado-previewing, rugged new Lexus GX officially revealed
Download our app
