The new medium to large-size 2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail + 4WD is an eye-catcher, with its squared-off body lines, stylish headlights and high ground clearance.
While driving an ‘Earth’ color model to the Lexus 2024 US Open of Surfing in Huntington Beach, a motorcyclist pulled up beside me and gave me a thumbs up. He looked over and shouted, ‘I love your car.’ I laughed and said "I do too!"
This luxury SUV is as nice as the 2024 Land Rover Defender and 2024 Ford Bronco, but its even more fun to drive. It offers a cooler box in the middle of the driver and passenger seat to keep your water, sodas and snacks cold for a road trip.
Can you imagine putting grocery items in this box on a hot day for the drive home? What about filling it with juice boxes or drinks for the soccer team after a child's athletic practice or game? It is also a brilliant feature for a tailgate party to keep items cool, before going into a game.
Sitting up high, I used the illuminated door sill and interior grab handle to get into the driver’s seat easily. A Drive Mode can be selected to Economy, Normal, Sport S, Sport S+, and Custom for the type of driving mode you prefer.
Interior features that I appreciate are the NuLuxe trimmed with suede seats in soft black and olive colors. The 10-way driver and 8-way passenger ventilated power front driver's seat kept me cool while I drove the family to the beach in 100 degree So Cal summer weather.
My favorite feature is adaptive cruise control. I just push a button, set a speed and sit back with my hands on the heated leather-trimmed steering wheel. It also offers power tilt and telescoping capabilities, for a comfortable position.
Adaptive all-speed dynamic radar cruise control has curve speed management, lane departure alert with steering assist. It keeps the car at a safe car length distance from the vehicle in front, and accelerates and brakes depending on the driving traffic and conditions. When I doubted the Lexus GX 550 would brake in time, I would assist, yet the vehicle was always alert and stopped just as I pressed on the brake.
With a push of the + button, the vehicle would accelerate to catch up with traffic speed. This vehicle seemed to know what was ahead before my eyes registered to my brain. This safety aid in driving allows one to relax and not be as stressed while enjoying the ride.
The Intuitive Parking Assist has auto braking and rear pedestrian detection. There is also road sign assist and lane tracing.
Another safety feature I appreciated is the vehicle's visibility with extra tall, vertical side mirrors.
The second row of the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail + 4WD is well planned out with manual sun shades that can be pulled up and secured, to shield passengers' eyes from incoming sun rays. Even though I had only two rows, a third row can be ordered to accommodate seven passengers, instead of five passengers.
The rear seats also have multiple device chargers and the middle row can also be ordered with two Captain chairs. This is ideal for children and teenagers who need to charge their own devices and don't want anyone touching them on car trips.
This beautiful mid-size SUV has the capability to tow up to 8,000 pounds. For off-road driving, the vehicle has an electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS). Not only does it have an electronically controlled locking rear differential, but crawl control, downhill assist control, hill-start assist control, and multi-terrain selection.
Best of all when driving in the evening, the intelligent headlamps automatically switch to high beams when no other vehicle is detected. If a car approaches, the headlamps will switch to lower beams for oncoming traffic.
The manufacturer's estimated fuel consumption is 15 MPG, and 21 on the highway. Combined the estimate is 17 MPG.
The base model starts at around $65,000. Fully equipped the MSRP is around $80,000. To test drive one, visit your nearest Lexus.
