In a sea of car-based crossovers, the Lexus GX is likely one of the few remaining truck-based luxurious SUVs, trying to mix fashionable expectations for consolation with old-school off-road efficiency. The present technology has lasted for what looks like eons, with solely a handful of updates to distinguish in the present day’s GX from the one which debuted in 2010.

However issues are about to alter for the midsize bruiser. The brand new 2024 Lexus GX lastly will get a contemporary powertrain, an up to date security tech suite, a refined inside with a extra cohesive design, and an aggressive, boxy exterior that cribs a bit from the Land Rover playbook.

Whereas Lexus has lastly moved the GX into the fashionable period, it didn’t forgo the SUV’s rugged roots. It rides on the identical GA-F platform because the bigger and dearer LX 600 — which encompasses a conventional ladder body — and comes commonplace with four-wheel drive. There’s even a brand new Overtrail trim that leans into the GX’s off-road prowess, including helpful objects like 33-inch all-terrain tires wrapped round 18-inch wheels, an digital locking rear differential for higher traction, and an aluminum skid plate. It is visually distinguished from different GX fashions with black protecting exterior fender cladding and an obtainable two-tone exterior paint scheme.

The 2024 Lexus GX will launch with one powertrain: a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 paired to a 10-speed automated. It produces a stout 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque — a significant improve from the present mannequin’s modest 301 horsepower and 329 lb-ft of torque. It additionally makes the brand new GX extra aggressive with the 355-horsepower turbocharged inline-six engine present in greater trims of the Land Rover Discovery. This powertrain presents a towing capability of 8,000 kilos, which is lower than the Discovery’s max however rather more than rivals just like the BMW X5 or Genesis GV80.

Trying into the longer term, Lexus says {that a} hybrid powertrain will probably be obtainable within the USA at a later time. Our intestine tells us that it’ll seemingly be one to 2 years down the highway and is prone to be much like the 437-hp hybrid unit within the associated Toyota Tundra and Sequoia.

Regardless that the brand new GX downsizes from a V8 to a V6, gas financial system is not anticipated to be considerably higher. The outgoing GX will get 16 mpg within the EPA’s mixed cycle, and Toyota estimates the brand new one will earn a 17 mpg ranking. Suffice to say, that hybrid cannot come quickly sufficient.

We will not speak powertrains with out all of the Lexus acronyms like Multi-Terrain Choose (MTS) — which helps you select a really perfect terrain focus for the car — Downhill Help Management (DAC) to assist with descending a steep hill and the Digital-Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS), which helps enhance wheel articulation. These can be found alongside Crawl Management (a type of off-road cruise management) and the 3D Multi-Terrain Monitor, which supplies you totally different viewpoints across the car. The complete-time 4WD system additionally comes with a Torsen limited-slip heart differential with a locking function to help in various terrain.

The 2024 GX’s inside presents a extra refined and cohesive design than the outgoing technology. The infotainment display not looks like a pill connected to the middle stack, and there is a good move from the instrument panel to the touchscreen. Seating for seven throughout three rows continues to be the usual, although second-row captain’s chairs can be found for elevated second-row consolation (in the event you’re OK with decreasing capability to 6).

There’s loads of headroom and legroom for many occupants besides in the midst of the second row, the place the passenger should straddle what appears to be an extension of the middle console. The entrance seats are fairly snug and have ample cushioning for the thigh and facet bolsters. Nevertheless, the rear seats lack a lot lateral help, so individuals within the again may slide facet to facet a bit on bumpy off-road trails. Cushioning is not dangerous, however it’s nowhere as good because the entrance seats. The trim we noticed in individual on the Lexus reveal was an Overtrail trim that lacked a 3rd row, so we won’t give our impressions of rear seat room simply but.

Lexus’ touchscreen system has vastly improved in recent times, however the GX is poised to ship a significant improve in performance. The consumer interface loaded into the 14-inch touchscreen is much like those in latest Toyota and Lexus merchandise, and we discover it intuitive and pretty user-friendly. The GX even helps wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto — a coup for a car that did not supply these functions in any respect just some years in the past. Additionally new for this yr is an elective head-up show, which is beneficial for retaining pertinent data in your direct line of sight whilst you think about navigating round pesky boulders.

To prime all of it off, Lexus presents a formidable array of digital driver help programs that can assist you on the transfer. Normal on each GX is the Lexus Security System+ 3.0, which incorporates adaptive cruise management, precollision security programs, and lane retaining and lane departure programs with steering help, simply to call a number of. These driver aids might assist cut back stress and fatigue on lengthy commutes or highway journeys.

The 2024 GX is obtainable in six trims. The Premium is the introductory trim, with function highlights that embrace heated and ventilated entrance seats, a 10-speaker audio system, and the aforementioned wi-fi smartphone connectivity and driver aids. The Premium+ grade provides extra options, and from there, you may go the off-road route with the Overtrail and Overtrail+ or totally loaded with the Luxurious and Luxurious+. We’re not precisely certain which trims supply which options, however we do know that heated second-row seats, a power-folding third row, and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio system are all on the choices menu.

Functionally, the 2024 Lexus GX is geared toward foiling the Land Rover Discovery’s off-road efficiency. However in the event you’re one to stay extra to the pavement, you may be higher served by the Audi Q7 or Acura MDX — car-based crossovers that provide much less rock-crawling means however may be extra soft on the highway. We’ll wait to order our last judgment till we will get behind the wheel of the brand new GX for ourselves.