The new generation of the mid-size three-row luxury SUV is finally arriving. After years of speculations, the GX is being redesigned. We knew it when the company filed for the new nameplate. It didn’t take too long before the 2025 Lexus GX 550 became official. The SUV is sharing platform with the Land Cruiser Prado, which is slightly older. The J250 series is a smaller sibling to the big Land Cruiser J300.
There are a lot of notable changes on the 2025 Lexus GX 550. First of all, it looks different than before, outside and inside. The body is nearly 4 inches larger. Under the hood will be a new 3.4-liter engine instead of a big V8. The company already announced the hybrid unit. There are some familiar trim levels, while Overtrail is new package. The SUV was already a good performer on all surfaces. New trims will enhance an off-road drive experience.
New Engine Specs
As we all suspected, the luxury SUV dropped a thirsty V8 engine. The company replaced it with a more efficient V6 mill. Of course, it needed turbochargers to make up the power due to loss of two cylinders. A 3.4-liter plant is also under the hood of the new LX 600 (also instead of a V8). For the 2025 Lexus GX 550, it produces 349 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Larger LX gets 60 ponies more. The transmission is also new – a 10-speed automatic gearbox. A RWD is standard and you can select a 4WD (standard for the Overtrail trim). EPA numbers are not official yet, so we need to wait to see precise gas mileage numbers. The towing capacity is increased compared to the previous version and it is now 8,000 pounds.
2025 Lexus GX 550 Hybrid
Lexus already announced a hybrid version for the SUV. The iForce Max configuration is coming out with enhanced power and torque outputs while keeping the fuel economy at the same level. If you want gas mileage improvements, then the power doesn’t go up. Such sacrifice is available on the non-premium Toyota Highlander. The SUV of similar size delivers 254 hp, but its mileage is 35 mpg.
Land Cruiser Prado has more engines available right from the start. The 2025 Lexus GX 550 hybrid won’t use a system based around a four-pot mill, or diesel plant. Anyway, just as a comparison – the old GX with a V8 engine could do 301 hp, while the new Toyota Land Cruiser Prado gets 275 hp from a turbocharged four-banger. A hybrid model is going to use the same petrol powertrain and thanks to the electric support, we can expect the J250 model to offer up to 330 horsepower.
Trims and Equipment
The new model carried over Premium and Luxury editions. Now, there are also Premium+ and Luxury+ with additional options. Nevertheless, the model that draws the most attention is the 2025 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail, designed for an off-road drive. Detailed features list and optional upgrades are not announced yet. We know the Overtrail is coming with massive 33-inch tires, 4WD, locking rear differential by leading manufacturer Torsen, crawl control and adaptive suspension. At this point, we know the GX Overtrail is getting special paintjobs and Ultrasuede details on the leather interior.
Some of the tech highlights on the new GX550 are a 14-inch touchscreen with hands-free commands, a surround audio system, a wireless phone connection, and the next-gen Lexus Interface infotainment. The company also introduced the 3D Multi Terrain feature. Of course, the safety suite offers the best options: pre-collision system, lane keep and lane departure assistance, road sign recognition, pedestrian detention, and many more.
2025 Lexus GX 550 Price and Release Date
The SUV is available for pre-orders and the company promised the production to start by the end of 2023. So, the GX 550 will be on the roads pretty soon. The price is not announced yet. The next-gen model will be significantly more expensive than the predecessor. The GX460 costed from $60,000 and the new edition is larger and better equipped. Plus, Lexus added the new SUV between the GX and RX. Pricing of the Lexus TX ranges from $55,000 to $75,000. Fans think the GX 550 Overtrain will cost even more.
Verdict
After 15 years, the GX is totally redesigned and updated. That won’t leave too much room for critics, since everything is going to be better. Lexus was focused on a few things. First, there is the driving experience. Drivers will have more assistance than ever. Of course, there is the safety as important as anything else. The new engine fixes one of the main issues of the GX460 – the fuel economy. It even provides extra power. However, we’ll see how drivers and fans will accept a V8 replacement. It won’t be easy. The price is going up and that is probably the biggest flaw of the 2025 Lexus GX 550.
