2026 Lexus GX Review, Pricing, and Specs

Car and Driver

16 hours ago

Overview
The Lexus GX is now a thoroughly modern luxury off-roader, sharing much with the recently downsized Toyota Land Cruiser. But while the LC uses a hybrid four-cylinder for motivation, the GX gets a 349-hp twin-turbo V-6 engine backed by a four-wheel-drive system with a low range. Creature comforts abound in all versions of the Lexus, while the Overtrail is set up for the most serious off-roading. One compromise of the off-road-ready Overtrail trims is the loss of the available third-row seat, limiting the passenger count to five. That said, the GX's rearmost row is pretty tight, so you may not miss it all that much.
What's New for 2026?
There are no major changes expected for the GX this year.
Pricing and Which One to Buy
The price of the 2026 Lexus GX is expected to start around $66,000 and go up to $82,000 depending on the trim and options.
Premium
$66,000 (est)
Premium+
$70,000 (est)
Overtrail
$73,000 (est)
Luxury
$78,000 (est)
Overtrail+
$81,000 (est)
Luxury+
$82,000 (est)
The GX550 has two personalities: luxury on-roader and trail-conquering off-roader. For buyers who plan on spending the majority of their time on asphalt, we'd suggest the Luxury trim, as it classes up the GX550's interior with plenty of nice-to-have features, including semi-aniline leather upholstery; 10-way-adjustable front seats with massage, heat, and ventilation; illuminated door sill plates; and second-row window shades. It also comes with the bigger 22-inch wheels that better fill the GX's large wheel wells for a more upscale look. For a bit more, the Overtrail+ trim provides a more rugged appearance and significantly more capability for off-roading, but the compromise is that it eliminates the GX's third row of seats and some of the luxury items listed above. But if you're planning outdoor adventures that include traversing challenging terrain, the Overtrail is well worth consideration.
Engine, Transmission, and Performance
A twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 engine that makes 349 horsepower is standard in the GX550. A 10-speed automatic is also standard, and all models come with four-wheel drive. Overtrail and Overtrail+ trims are decked out with more off-road goodies than the other models, including 18-inch wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tires, an aluminum skid plate, an adaptive suspension system with more wheel articulation, a crawl-control feature, and selectable drive modes for differing terrains. The GX550 feels punchy off the line, but on the highway we noticed a disconcerting amount of hood flutter. The ride is fairly stiff, especially on the available upsized wheels. Steering is crisp, but the GX's handling is about what you'd expect for the tall, boxy SUV, meaning there's plenty of body roll. The Overtrail shines off-road; outward visibility is excellent, which is especially handy when navigating tight trails. We confirmed as much in an off-road-oriented comparison test. The transfer case allows the driver to select the low-range gearset without locking the center differential, which allows for a tighter turning radius, and the Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) can disconnect the front or rear anti-roll bars independently of one another to help improve stability, reduce head toss, and increase traction over rough terrain.
0–60-MPH Times
At our test track, a GX550 Premium hit 60 mph in a respectable 6.2 seconds. That's a full second quicker than the previous-generation GX managed at our track. It's also quicker than the Land Cruiser's 7.7-second effort.
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Michael Simari
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Car and Driver
Towing and Payload Capacity
The GX550 can tow up to 9096 pounds, which far exceeds the previous-gen GX460's 6500 pounds as well as the Land Cruiser's 6000-pound rating. The GX also tows more than luxury-brand rivals such as the Audi Q7 and the BMW X5.
Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
The EPA hasn't released any fuel economy information for the 2026 GX yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. On our 75-mph highway route, the GX550 Premium we tested delivered on its 21-mpg estimate. The GX is well in arrears of the four-cylinder hybrid Land Cruiser's EPA numbers: 22 mpg city and 25 mpg highway. For more information about the GX's fuel economy, visit the EPA's website.
Interior, Comfort, and Cargo
Despite the GX's rugged exterior styling, luxurious environs await you once you climb aboard. Faux- or genuine-leather upholstery is available in a variety of colors, and Overtrail variants offer faux-suede accents in a dark green shade. Premium and Luxury trims have three rows of seats with space for up to seven with the standard second-row bench; a pair of captain's chairs is optional and brings the seating capacity down to six. Third-row space is severely limited, however; the Lexus TX crossover has a big advantage here. Overtrail models skip the third row altogether and seat five, but the middle passenger's foot room is compromised by the plastic base of the center console. A cooled storage bin, a head-up display, and a digital key fob are all available as options. In our testing, the GX550 Overtrail swallowed 18 carry-on-sized boxes behind the second-row seat and 33 with the rear seats folded, but the cargo floor is high off the ground making it awkward to load heavy items.
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Michael Simari
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Car and Driver
Infotainment and Connectivity
All GX models come with a 14.0-inch infotainment system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a separate 12.3-inch digital gauge display that can be reconfigured to show a variety of information to the driver. Nearly all climate controls are in the touchscreen. Most models have six USB-C ports spread throughout the interior, but Overtrail and Overtrail+ models get just four; a wireless smartphone charging pad is optional and positions the phone up and at an angle. A 10-speaker stereo is standard, but audiophiles can upgrade to a 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system.
Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
The GX comes equipped with a suite of driver-assistance features that includes automated emergency braking, pedestrian detection, and lane-departure warning. For more information about the GX's crash test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites. Key safety features include:
Standard automated emergency braking with pedestrian detection
Standard lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist
Standard adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
Warranty and Maintenance Coverage
When it comes to warranty coverage, Lexus outpaces rivals such as BMW and Mercedes-Benz.
Limited warranty covers four years or 50,000 miles
Powertrain warranty covers six years or 70,000 miles
Complimentary maintenance is covered for one year or 10,000 miles
Specifications
Specifications
2024 Lexus GX550 Premium
Vehicle Type: front-engine, 4-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $64,250/$66,450
Options: head-up display, $900; traffic jam assist (power tilt-telescope steering column, driver attention monitor, lane change assist, front cross-traffic alert), $840; cold area package (heated steering wheel, windshield wiper de-icer, headlamp washer, fast-response interior heater), $350; tonneau cover, $110
ENGINE
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port and direct fuel injection
Displacement: 210 in3, 3445 cm3
Power: 349 hp @ 5200 rpm
Torque: 479 lb-ft @ 2000 rpm
TRANSMISSION
10-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/live axle
Brakes, F/R: 13.9-in vented disc/13.2-in vented disc
Tires: Yokohama Geolander X-CV G057
265/55R-20 113V Extra Load M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 197.1 in
Width: 78.0 in
Height: 75.6 in
Passenger Volume, F/M/R: 56/52/34 ft3
Cargo Volume, Behind F/M/R: 77/40/10 ft3
Curb Weight: 5517 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 6.2 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.7 sec @ 95 mph
100 mph: 16.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.8 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.6 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.9 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 105 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 172 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.75 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 16 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 21 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 440 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 17/15/21 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINED
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