Tough SUVs smeared with a dollop of luxury are very much the most desirable iteration of this expanding genre. With the likes of the Land Rover Defender and the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen showing how tough utilitarian roots are juxtaposed against a luxury SUV canvas, Lexus is also entering this segment with its tough-looking GX. The GX is a popular car name in the US but this time, this moniker will also probably enter Australia along with its butch Overtrail trim.
Related: Lexus Unveils Overtrail Project and Futuristic RZ Sport Concept
The new generation Lexus GX will share its underpinnings with the upcoming Land Cruiser Prado, copping both hybrid and V6 power. However, the boxy styling will likely be the major talking point for the new SUV. The 2024 Lexus GX arrives with decidedly squared-off proportions, helping to add some much-needed attitude to the iconic silhouette.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, the off-road-oriented Overtrail will land with a thud, courtesy of its 33-inch tyres. These beefy new additions come wrapped around 18-inch wheels, further adding to Lexus’ new-look. Meaner and more hardcore than ever before, Lexus’ vision looks firmly planted in the realm of serious mud-plugger. Throw in a bevy of other off-road-oriented features, such as crawl control, multi-terrain select and a locking rear differential, and it’s hard to see anywhere other than the dirt for the Overtrail to call home.
Of course, the body-on-frame construction lined up with a low-range gearbox provides the base for the Overtrail. Compared to its predecessor, the new generation GX is also much longer with a length of 4949mm and a width of 1980mm.
The GX is based on the new LX platform and hence, shares its roots with the LC300 although interestingly the new GX despite being smaller has almost the same wheelbase as the much bigger LX. Three-row seating is available, alongside a crisp-looking cabin design that features two large screens. A 14-inch touchscreen and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster dominate your attention but some physical controls have been spared along with proper controls for off-road functions like differential locks.
The Overtrail version gets suede on the inside while faux leather is standard. A twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V-6 comes as standard fitment with a 10-speed automatic but a hybrid is coming soon which would be a lot more efficient.
The GX has always been limited to the US market and has never made it to Australian shores but times would be changing with right-hand drive versions most likely due for an Australia launch by next year. Hence, along with the new generation diesel Land Cruiser Prado, we will also get its more luxurious sibling too. Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen watch out!
