Time to say Goodbye GX550 Lux+ (8 Viewers)

[Finn GX]

Actually, I can see how that would be misleading now that I reread it. Having never owned a GX before I was not comparing it to prior GX's, but since you have owned a few previous ownership of prior models would naturally be one of your main comparisons and apparently the 550 is massively different. I guess the silver lining is the resale/trade in is so high it's a relatively low cost mistake. Just imagine if you had bought the X5 first and then decided you needed a 550..

good points, I wonder how the percentage of dissatisfied buyers is for the OT vs Lux/Prem models. I was originally looking at the new LC but when I saw the GX550 it jumped out to me as a beefier LC, especially with better tranny, rear end, suspension, towing, etc. Coming from driving my 4x4 Tundra & Taco, and other 4x4's like a 1972 Bronco and modified/lifted 94 Jeep GC (don't hate me), my GX is all and more of what I wanted and a great ride. I'm not comparing my experience with a soft and plush luxury SUV.

 

[Capt CF]

good points, I wonder how the percentage of dissatisfied buyers is for the OT vs Lux/Prem models. I was originally looking at the new LC but when I saw the GX550 it jumped out to me as a beefier LC, especially with better tranny, rear end, suspension, towing, etc. Coming from driving my 4x4 Tundra & Taco, and other 4x4's like a 1972 Bronco and modified/lifted 94 Jeep GC (don't hate me), my GX is all and more of what I wanted and a great ride. I'm not comparing my experience with a soft and plush luxury SUV.

Shooting from the hip I would guess it has to be much higher on the non-OT trims. I think a lot of us (esp on this forum) bought it because it is an offroad capable body on frame truck and not because of ride quality, comfort, etc. and I would guess that demographic skews toward the OT and OT+ trims. Like you, we originally wanted the LC, but once the GX dropped it was a no brainer since we can actually use the increased towing capacity so we got the GX instead. The other demographic are people that wanted the OT but just had to have a third row. We have a few of those on the forum and some of them have kind of OT'd their lux/premium by switching up wheels/tires, etc. to have a more offroad oriented 3 row GX.

 

[ATDGUY]

Actually, I can see how that would be misleading now that I reread it. Having never owned a GX before I was not comparing it to prior GX's, but since you have owned a few previous ownership of prior models would naturally be one of your main comparisons and apparently the 550 is massively different. I guess the silver lining is the resale/trade in is so high it's a relatively low cost mistake. Just imagine if you had bought the X5 first and then decided you needed a 550..

Haha! True that.

To be clear, I appreciate what this vehicle is… a pretty amazing off road luxury suv. I also appreciate all the folks that love it and tweak it to make it even better. Just not my thing. And, unfortunately, that is simply not what the typical Lexus brand buyer signed up for.

 

[ATDGUY]

I just recently drove a GX460, a 2023 Premium with 25k miles, when we were looking for another car to add. Having only driven my 550, I was shocked to see how planted and calm the drive experience was in the 460 compared to the 550. Entirely different driving experience than the 550. I loved it. Wish I had a 460 to pair with my 550. But family didn't like the tech or the looks so it didn't happen.

I can see how anyone who had a 460 would make a logical rational guess that the 550 would be more of the same like 460 in terms of ride quality or better. But no.

Again, I think the use case is fairly narrow for the GX550, and it might be less confusing and more honest as an OT trim only.

Well said! The tech from 2010-2019 simply did not change! The dash was basically identical for 11 years! It was crazy. My 2019 GX460 did not even have Apple Car Play.

Think of that for a minute. 2019.

Also very limited safety features (2019 and no adaptive cruise?)

It’s like they put it on a shelf for 11 years then went all in on off-roading. Such an odd play.

 

[GR8Santini]

GX is really good, but it would be THE perfect tow vehicle for me if it had the 3.4L TT V-6 Sequoia hybrid system. Our ‘23 Sequoia was good, but the GX full-time 4wd w/ a hybrid system for power & torque would be awesome.

 

[bart]

Maybe I am weird but I deliberately chose PP over OT and I love mine . I know why I was getting it and for what - towing / camping / hiking / skiing / etc. PP is more than enough capable for my use case. I don’t need KDSS, AVS, etc and the maintenance cost that comes with them. I think PP with rear climate zone, vents in the roof, 3rd row, acoustic windows, hands free lift gate is better value than OT for an average Joe like myself

 

[ColoradoOutdoors]

Maybe I am weird but I deliberately chose PP over OT and I love mine . I know why I was getting it and for what - towing / camping / hiking / skiing / etc. PP is more than enough capable for my use case. I don’t need KDSS, AVS, etc and the maintenance cost that comes with them. I think PP with rear climate zone, vents in the roof, 3rd row, acoustic windows, hands free lift gate is better value than OT for an average Joe like myself

Not weird, you knew what you needed and wanted!

 

[280driver]

Maybe I am weird but I deliberately chose PP over OT and I love mine . I know why I was getting it and for what - towing / camping / hiking / skiing / etc. PP is more than enough capable for my use case. I don’t need KDSS, AVS, etc and the maintenance cost that comes with them. I think PP with rear climate zone, vents in the roof, 3rd row, acoustic windows, hands free lift gate is better value than OT for an average Joe like myself

Definitely not weird. We choose the Lux + and love it. This ride quality thing, while understandably an issue for some, is not as terrible is it’s being made out to be.