Teased last week, the new third-generation Lexus GX has finally been launched in Malaysia, hitting the local website some two years after its world premiere. Built on the bones of the latest Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, the premium off-roader is a more luxurious version of the much-loved mid-size 4×4 and is priced to match.
A total of two variants are offered, starting with the more robust GX550 Overtrail RM780,000 and the more stylish GX550 Luxury+ for whopping RM830,000. Both prices are valid for on the road without insurance, including a five-year warranty without mileage limitation.
The GX may be pricey, but with that money you at least buy a large engine with many cylinders. While the Prado is only available with four-cylinder mills, the petrol GX550 is powered by a 3.5 liter V35A-FTS twin-turbo V6, delivering 354 hp from 4,800 to 5,200 rpm and 650 Nm of torque from 2,000 to 3,600 rpm.
With a ten-speed automatic transmission and permanent all-wheel drive, this Leviathan accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in seven seconds, although top speed is limited to a paltry 175 km/h. Fuel consumption according to the NEDC cycle is 12.3 liters per 100 km.
Based on the ladder frame version of the Toyota New Global Architecture (GA-F), the new GX gets optimized suspension geometry for a more stable ride and increased body rigidity for a quieter, more comfortable ride and sharper steering feel, the latter combined with the adoption of electric power steering. The car is suspended at the front via double wishbones and at the rear a fixed axle with four links, fitted with coil springs all around.
The off-road equipment varies depending on the variant chosen. The Overtrail is, as the name suggests, the one most ready for when the going gets tough, with a limited-slip rear differential and a Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) system with Dirt, Sand, Mud and Rocks modes, plus a new Auto setting and Crawl Control off-road cruise control.
Also making its debut on the Overtrail is an electronic-kinetic dynamic suspension system (E-KDSS) that can automatically disengage the anti-roll bars depending on the terrain, increasing wheel articulation. The Luxury+ ditches all that in favor of a Torsen limited-slip center differential, a conventional drive mode selector and adaptive dampers.
Both models come with a selectable low-range gearbox and an approach, breakover and departure angle of 26 degrees, 23 degrees and 23 degrees respectively. The towing capacity is 3,130 kg for the Luxury+ and 3,500 kg for the Overtrail.
At 4,950 mm long, 1,980 mm wide and 1,865 mm high, the GX is 25 mm longer and five millimeters lower, while retaining the same width and wheelbase of 2,850 mm. The Overtrail is 20mm wider (exactly two metres) and 25mm higher, thanks to wider front and rear tracks and higher roof rails.
While the cabin area is recognizable from the Prado, the GX is distinguished by a unique front fascia with sleek triple-projector LED headlights, arrow-shaped daytime running lights and a new version of Lexus’ spindle grille that integrates the front skid plate.
At the rear, you’ll find full-width U-shaped LED taillights and the now ubiquitous Lexus script, as well as a power tailgate (the Luxury+ can be operated hands-free) with a fold-out windshield. The Luxury+ rides on massive 22-inch dark gray multi-spoke alloy wheels, while the Overtrail replaces these with 18-inch matte gray alloy wheels wrapped in knobby all-terrain tires.
Inside, the GX is much classier than the Prado, with its blunt, upright dashboard with Tsuyasumi or oak faux-finish and Lexus’s Tazuna cockpit concept. This consists of a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 14-inch touchscreen (the much-maligned Remote Touch interface is long gone) with integrated physical buttons for the dual-zone automatic climate control – the latter comes with Lexus Climate Concierge. Of course you get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Qi wireless charger and a head-up display as standard.
The plush, eight-way power-adjustable front seats are upholstered in leatherette on the Overtrail and genuine semi-aniline leather and come with heating, ventilation and memory on the driver’s side. The Luxury + features lumbar support adjustment for driver and passenger (driver’s side only on the Overtrail) and four-way adjustable headrests; it’s also the only one with seven seats and two additional USB-C ports to the Overtrail’s three. A heated second row of seats is also standard.
Other standard features include an auto-dimming rearview mirror, customizable ambient lighting, active noise cancellation and a 10-speaker Pioneer sound system, while the Luxury+ adds a panoramic glass roof, a digital rearview mirror and a 23-speaker Mark Levinson Premium system.
On the safety front, the GX comes standard with seven airbags (including a central airbag) and a full suite of Lexus Safety System+ driver assistance systems, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centering assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, parking AEB, traffic sign recognition, door opening warning, pedal misuse control and automatic high beams.
The Luxury+ activates adaptive high beams via Lexus’ unique BladeScan headlights, while the Overtrail does this with Hill Descent Control and expands the standard 360-degree camera system with an off-road-focused Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM). This adds a lower-mounted front camera and a transparent view.
GALLERY: Official photos of Lexus GX
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