Considering GX550 as first Lexus purchase (Test Drive Impressions)

[jfalabrino]

You can't go wrong with Lexus. The reliability is beyond anything out on the market today. I have owned 4 GX's, 470's and 460's and now a new 550 OT I got a month ago. I put a lot of miles on my autos.
Yes the tech on the Beamers is at the top but it comes at the expense of reliability. I've never had any mechanical issues with any of the GXs. The only thing I had to repair was a water pump on one with 150,000 miles and the suspension air bags on one with 225,000. That 470 went 280,000 miles before it got totaled by a guy running from the police. Slammed into the front of it trying to turn off a freeway at high speed. At 280,000 it ran like it was new. I do all the services required an change oil at 5,000 miles even though the say change oil every 10,000 miles. By the way maintenance costs is much lower on Lexus vehicles.
The new 550 is the best one in my opinion so far. From looks to comfort and utility you can't beat it. It rides a bit rougher than the 470 and 460 but that eliminated the excessive lean around corners. It seems to be much more stable and a pleasure to drive. Some of the complaints I agree with like the cooler box, useless, hood flutter, annoying and small gas tank also annoying. Tech for me is perfect. Plenty of customizations are available from ride, type of terrain, configuration of the metering, safety choices and many other selections.

You won't find anything out there that combines luxury, off road ability and reliability that the GX offers. All that said this is a new model GX so I am hoping the reliability is on par with my last 4 GX's.
I will also add that Lexus hit the mark with the styling of the vehicle. The only thing close is the LR Defender and we all know the poor reliability record of LR.

 

[Yrag57]

I’ve owned my GX550 Luxury (not the Plus) for a couple months now. It’s a 2024, but it’s new and came with full warranty.
I’ve read most of the posts in this thread and some others. Having just returned from our first bonafide road trip, I thought I’d share my impressions—both good and bad.
Firstly, my bride (of 41 years next month) both agree that we will be keeping the GX. So our overall experience after a 3,900 drive from East Tennessee to Las Vegas and back was very positive.
We did catch a rock that cracked the windshield. So I don’t yet know how much trouble it’s going to be getting it replaced—especially since I’ve seen several posts about backlogs. It’s only run about 6” over 10 days. Unless it spreads I can wait.
The stuff about small fuel tank size hasn’t been a factor. The displayed range above the fuel gauge is an “instant” calculation, based on recent mileage data. If you drive around town, it will read barely above 300 miles. After driving from the Oklahoma border to East Tennessee today, I filled up and it was reading 368. It’s not terrific, but at average speeds between 75 and 80 mph (don’t tell anyone) and two major traffic jams for an 18-wheeler on its side and road construction work (both causing three lanes into one), it isn’t terrible either.
In hotter weather I love the climate control system and zoned temperature controls (she freezes when I’m overheating)…
But in outside temperatures closer to what you want inside (≈72°F), I have issues with the system factoring that into its behavior. For instance if you set the thermostat at 72° and it’s 65° outside, it’s blowing hot air on you. I don’t care what it is outside. I just want 72° in the cabin.
It also has a mind of its own about fan speed. At moderate outside temperatures it will start blowing hard, regardless of the fan setting. I’m due for its first service and am hoping this is a malfunction, not its programming.
Besides those couple of issues the vehicle was very comfortable. For a body on frame design, it rides better and quieter than the 4Runner we traded for it, with quite a bit more roomy feel. We love the leather too. The heated and ventilated seats work well.
We use iPhones and the Apple CarPlay is quite nifty. Keep in mind that only apps programmed for CarPlay will show up for use. I could have used a good weather radar map our first day of the trip. So my wife used her phone to keep me updated. It got nasty with lightning, blowing sideways rain, and hail. And we found out later that a tornado had hit just north of our position in Arkansas.
But Google Maps and Waze work great onscreen and kept us aware of everything going on along the route. And phone calls and texting is all hands free, of course. The auto setting for the wipers performed exactly as needed for a given rain intensity.
I had previously tried out the 4-wheel drive system in both high and low range. It worked flawlessly in deep loose sand. I haven’t towed with it yet, but it has a full towing package installed.
My average overall mileage is at 18.4 mpg. Not bad for a small V6 engine. The twin turbos provide excellent acceleration. It doesn’t brake like my Porsche, but probably weighs twice as much. So no real issues there.
It has tons of bells and whistles. Many are geared for safety and perform well. I think my favorite is the automatic dimmer on the headlamps. It sees and responds perfectly.
The heads up display is ok, but I wear polarized sunglasses, making it fairly useless in daytime.
I’m still learning a lot about all the GX’s functions, but many are pretty intuitive. A few, not so much. But I came up using DOS, so some of the new code writing is a bit over my head…
Also, since this evaluation was for a road trip, I should add that my wife’s suitcase and three other must haves on this trek probably equated to an additional 150 lbs. With my 25 lbs bag factored in, the fuel mileage is actually not bad. I suspect the mileage was better on the return trip since most trips to Vegas result in a lower weight of cash being carried…
That’s a fairly comprehensive assessment of one 10-day road trip in our new GX.
Peace and love.

 

[Razor488]

Thank you for the review!

 

[richord]

Great experience report thanks.

I have 13,000 miles on my 2024. We just completed a 1,000-mile trip. Small annoyances but I think these reflect that Lexus designers are sloppy. We went into Canada and trying to change the units to kilometers is a poor design. On my Jeep Gladiator all you had to do is push one button. The Lexus requires you go through multiple screens. The hood flutter which they did improve with a warranty repair is inexcusable.

Temperature control is always "off". Have to set it much lower in hot weather and higher in cold weather. It also appears to be erratic and slow in responding to temperature changes.

We used the three rows a number of times. The plastic handles to fold the captain's chairs forward are cheap, flimsy plastic. Just waiting for them to break.

The tow hitch cover is ascetically awful and flimsy plastic.

The rear wind deflector looks like something from K-Mart. Once again, flimsy plastic.

The truck is fine but appears more like a cheap knockoff rather than a Lexus. Looks great!

I also have a 2024 Subaru Outback and except for the engine power and the VCT transmission, this car is overall better, and I could but 2 Subarus for the price of one GX550!

 

[Warrantero]

Bought my Lux + May 2024 , did a 3100 road trip from Wa state to San Diego and back.

It took a little bit to get used to the smaller size, I have a 17 tundra and a 08 sequoia. It’s my retirement car . Still amazed how much stuff you can put in it.

Rides great, most of the time in comfort or sport if I want to play a little bit. Did upgrade the the tires to 275/50r-22 and put on A/T tires.

Love all the tech, apple carplay is nice. Sound system is good for me. HUD is nice but sunglasses makes it useless.

Gas mileage about 17 or so in town, was getting 20-21.5 down to San Diego , about 18 coming back into a headwind. I usually stopped every 300 miles to fill up, I need to stretch.
I kept speed to about 75, gas mileage takes a hit above that.

Love the interior, nicest vehicle I have owned. The massaging seats are nice on road trips. Heated and cooled seat are great. Climate control works fine lots things to adjust to make it right.

Did remove the roof rack, it was causing noise, don’t use it anyway. Give a cleaner look.

Love the power, nice to have to get out of traffic situations, its amazing how fast the rig is.

Lack of interior storage space is an area I wish Lexus would improve, have bought some things from Amazon that helped.

Bought and installed the OEM mud flaps, helps with keeping things cleaner. Also bought and installed wheel well liners that keep the lower inside portion of the door clean. Next is weather tech floor mats.