I Drove the 2025 Lexus GX 550 Luxury+, Here’s My Honest Review

Plush ruggedness

The Lexus GX has always been known for its rugged capability, but spending real time with the new GX 550 Luxury+ approaches the legendary body-on-frame three-row SUV from a slightly different angle. Having been redesigned last year, the GX now has trims that speak to different buyers. The trim levels, including Premium (base), Luxury, and Overtrail, each receive another “+” trim permutation, with additional standard features, bringing the total iterations to six.

My test vehicle was a 2025 GX 550 Luxury+ with a base price of $80,700. The standard feature highlights included 22-inch alloy wheels, triple beam LED headlights, LED taillights, power-folding mirrors, power retractable running boards, Semi-Aniline leather seats, heated and ventilated front seats with massage, a panoramic glass roof, a 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system, Wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto, and a Mark Levinson premium audio system.

Options highlights included heated 2nd-row Captain’s Chairs, a head-up display, roof rail cross bars, and a Cold Weather Package with headlamp washers and a windshield wiper de-icer. Standard safety features included Full-Speed Range Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist. Lane Tracing Assist, Road Sign Assist, Automatic High Beams, and Proactive Driving Assist, Intuitive Parking Assist with Auto Braking, and Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. The total price came to $85,189, including a $1,450 destination charge.

Exterior and interior styling – 9/10

The 2025 Lexus GX 550 doesn’t look much like its predecessor, and that’s a good thing. The prior generation stopped looking even remotely cohesive once it up-sized its spindle grille and made the entire front fascia angular. The redesign has fully embraced boxiness, which was the right move for a premium off-roader. The spindle grille gets redefined in a Space Invaders alien attacker sort of way. It’s a little busy up front, but the look is tougher and more menacing. The deep hood sculpting is both unique-looking and functional for easier peering over the squarish front end. It looks like what it is, a luxury SUV built on a foundation of toughness.

The profile view shows off the angles and creases that make the GX special. It doesn’t mimic anything else in the Lexus lineup, looking more like the Toyota Land Cruiser with which it shares the body and chassis. The GX, however, is longer and taller, whereas the Land Cruiser is a bit wider and doesn’t offer a third row. Black trim bits, angular fenders, the rear door uptick, and a conspicuous absence of chrome give the GX 550 Luxury+ more of a rugged/sporty vibe. The only giveaway that it leans toward anything remotely fancy is the big 22″ 12-spoke wheels.

The Luxury+ two-tone interior is well-made and handsome, stopping short of going toe-to-toe with the likes of fancier fare from Land Rover and Mercedes. The leather feels rich, the stitching is clean, and the overall layout balances rugged functionality with premium design. While it makes the old GX seem Jurassic by comparison, the new GX 550 Luxury+ interior feels like it errs on the side of pragmatic. There’s no diamond quilting on the seats, no crystal shift knob, no Alcantara headliner, and no leather on the dashboard. Even the center armrest is devoid of any defining style, just a flat leather slab. It’s a nice place to be, but calling it Luxury+ is a bit of an overstatement.

Comfort and technology – 8.5/10

For a body-on-frame SUV, the GX is quite good at everyday family accommodations, despite the tight rear seat. When it comes to on-road manners, the suspension tuning is firm but still compliant. After driving it for several days on rippled, half-finished construction surfaces, the GX proved comfortable. The firmness isn’t upsetting, and the build quality seemed solid with no rattles or creaks that we noticed.

The front seats offer heating, ventilation, massage, and multiple power adjustments, and they maintain that signature Lexus plushness even over rough pavement. Passengers in the second row have 36.73 inches of legroom and their own climate controls. It’s not huge, but average-sized adults will be just fine. The Captain’s Chairs strike a nice balance between cushy and firm, similar to the front seats.

The only weak point in the GX seating mix is the third row. It’s good for occasional use only, but it adds useful flexibility for families who need seven seats in a pinch. It works for kids and short trips and it folds flat when you need cargo space, but it is not the place for adults on long drives, unless they enjoy having their knees pushed up due to the low seating position. Two can fit back there, but they won’t be thrilled about it.

Technology is one of the GX 500 Luxury+ highlights. The infotainment screen is large and responsive, the graphics are crisp, and the menus are easy to navigate. Wireless smartphone integration, a charging deck, and a premium audio system all come standard on this trim. The digital gauge cluster is clear and customizable, and the head up display ties the whole tech suite together including turn-by-turn navigation.

Even with all the electronics, the cabin avoids feeling overwhelming and keeps the layout intuitive. We’re thankful it doesn’t have the overly layered steering wheel controls from the RX. Lexus also maintains some physical controls for key features, something owners will appreciate when wearing gloves or navigating rougher terrain. Sadly, most of the climate controls are operated via the touchscreen.

Cargo space is a mix of average and parsimonious. With both rear rows folded flat (made easier by the power folding third row buttons), the GX 550 Luxury+ provides 76.9 cubic feet, and with just the third row down, there’s 40.2. Those numbers are in the middle of the segment, but things change way in the back.

The problem is when you put all the seats in place. There’s a scant 10.3 cubic feet behind the third row, and it’s all height, not length. The Land Rover Defender 130 provides 15.3 cubic feet of trunk space behind the third row, which equates to 50 percent more. There’s maybe a foot of horizontal length between the back of the seats and the liftgate in the GX. The cargo area is high because of the frame, so lifting heavier items takes a bit more effort, too.

The dual-function liftgate carries over from the last GX, and it’s great for tossing items in by pressing the small button on the left bottom corner of the glass and lifting via the small handle under the rear wiper axis. Access doesn’t have to involve opening the entire liftgate. We’re glad to see important details like this, giving the GX added versatility where you might not expect it.

Driving experience – 9/10

When I drive big, heavy SUVs, I don’t have great expectations to enjoy myself on the road, but the GX 550 Luxury+ is rather enjoyable thanks to robust, responsive power and good balance. Although it can take quite a bit off-road, its 22-inch wheels remind you that this one is more urban-ready than the Overtrail variant. The bigger wheels also mean it’s a firmer ride, but still not punishing. All GXs, though, have full-time four-wheel drive and a Torsen locking limited-slip center differential, so it’s more capable than most.

Under the hood is a twin-turbo V6 that produces 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque for smooth and commanding acceleration, even at highway speeds. Throttle response is good, and the growl from the engine almost sounds like a V8. The 10-speed automatic keeps the engine in its sweet spot, and the full-time four wheel drive system gives the GX confident traction in any weather. Acceleration is more than adequate (0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds), and the SUV never feels underpowered even with passengers and cargo on board. Dial the drive mode into Sport or Sport+, and everything is more responsive. Getting into highway traffic is no obstacle. The GX moves with alacrity, and smaller automotive fare gets out of the way in response.

Handling is what you expect from a body-on-frame SUV that prioritizes strength over sportiness. The GX leans in corners and feels tall, but it’s still stable and planted. The steering is direct and predictable with good heft, and visibility from the tall driving position is excellent. It’s actually enjoyable to drive, unlike so many big SUVs that feel disconnected and mushy. It’s even better to drive on the road than the Toyota Land Cruiser and the Infiniti QX80.

Fuel economy remains the GX’s biggest compromise. This is not an efficiency-focused SUV, and drivers will notice it, especially in Sport and Sport+ modes. EPA estimates are 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined. We were able to get 17.7 mpg over the course of a week, and that’s mostly in Normal mode without being conservative on the throttle. Still, for shoppers who value ruggedness, power, and luxury in equal measure, the tradeoff may feel acceptable.

Final verdict – 9/10

When you combine legendary GX toughness with new levels of refinement in the Luxury+ trim and then add Lexus reliability, you have a rare mix. Sure, the third row is tight, and the fuel economy is not great, but the GX makes up for it with personality and capability that crossovers and lesser SUVs can’t match. If you want a luxury SUV that looks the part, feels premium inside, and can back up its rugged image with real performance, the GX 550 Luxury+ deserves a top spot on your list.

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