2025 Lexus GX Expert Review
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
Whether it’s mall crawling or rock crawling, the Lexus GX is ready for it. The luxury off-roader with an available third row sits in the brand’s SUV range between the smaller TX and larger LX. Trail-ready direct competitors are extremely rare, but one of the best is the Land Rover Defender 130.
Need even more space? Read about the full-size three-row Lexus LX here.
What’s New
·Power tilt-and-telescoping steering column standard on all models
·All grades now standard with driver’s seat, steering wheel, and mirror memory system
·Overtrail and Overtrail+ trims gain a standard 1.0-inch suspension lift and prewired auxiliary switches
What We Think
Whether used to its maximum terrain-conquering potential or for everyday driving, the GX is mostly ready to oblige. We’re fans of the redesigned model for its blend of trail-readiness, on-road cushiness, and brand-specific styling. Lexus’ twin-turbo V-6 delivers good grunt, and interior build quality is up to the brand’s high standards, though materials could be better.
For its strengths, the GX is something of a vanilla all-arounder. Competitors are either more upscale or more hardcore off-roaders. However, its off-road prowess could further improve with some of the changes this year. Fuel economy is still below average, even with a smaller displacing turbo V-6 that replaced the last model’s V-8. The almost-as-niche Land Cruiser might be the GX’s biggest problem, though—it offers much of the quirkiness and capability at a lower price.
Performance and MPGs
The powertrain in the gas 2025 GX features a 3.4-liter turbocharged V-6 and 10-speed automatic transmission. Output is rated at 349 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, and it’s sent through the SUV’s full-time 4WD system.
Premium, Premium+, and Overtrail trim levels with the standard tow hitch deliver the lineup’s most towing capacity: 8,000 pounds. Unfortunately, for any gas GX, fuel economy won’t be great, likely matching last year’s 15/21 mpg city/highway.
2025 GX Off-Road Readiness Improves
The GX may be a fancy Lexus, but the off-road community has known for a while about its capabilities beyond paved surfaces and connection to the go-anywhere Land Cruiser. Those capabilities grow for the 2025 Overtrail and Overtrail+ models, as the off-road trim levels pick up a standard 1.0-inch suspension lift, taking ground clearance to 9.9 inches. The increase should also improve approach, departure, and breakover angles on the top GX models, as well as wading depth. Last year’s models came with a 26-degree angle of approach, between 21 and 23 degrees angle of departure, 23 to 24 degrees breakover angle (the last two depending on model), and wading depth of 27.6 inches.
Prewired auxiliary switches are also new this year for the Overtrail and Overtrail+, which should allow owners to integrate more easily aftermarket accessories including light bars, winches, or air compressors. Features already standard on Overtrail models include automatic anti-sway bar disconnects, an electronically locking rear differential, 33-inch tires, and skid plates. These two models also get downhill assist control and crawl control with turn assist, the latter of which could use some improving. There are also packages to add a windshield wiper deicer and headlight washers to help preserve visibility while you’re out in the rough stuff.
Every 2025 Lexus GX comes with a torque-sensing center locking differential, and non-Overtrail models come with 8.7 inches of ground clearance. LED foglights are standard on all trims except the Premium base model, and cornering lights and an adaptive variable suspension are included with the midgrade Luxury+ and up.
Safety Ratings and Features
Every Lexus comes with the brand’s Safety System+ suite of active safety technology, and the GX is on the new 3.0 version. Standard features include automatic emergency braking and steering, lane keeping and centering, traffic sign recognition, adaptive cruise control, and automatic high-beams. Blind-spot monitoring with a rear cross-traffic alert and parking sensors with low-speed braking are also standard. A 360-degree camera is standard with the Premium+ model.
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Lexus has GX seating configurations for five or seven passengers. First and third-row legroom, as well as cargo capacity with the second and third rows folded, compares favorably to the Land Rover Defender 130.
Cargo Space (behind third/second/first rows)
·2025 Lexus GX: 10.3/40.2/76.9 cubic feet
·2024 Land Rover Defender 130: 15.3/35.8/76.1 cubic feet
Legroom (first/second/third rows)
·2025 Lexus GX: 41.2/36.7/31.9 inches
·2024 Land Rover Defender 130: 39.1/38.4/31.7 inches
Technology
Boasting a standard 14.0-inch infotainment touchscreen, as well as a 12.3-inch driver information display, there’s no shortage of digital real estate in the GX. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, heated and ventilated front seats, 10-speaker audio, and a power liftgate are also standard on the base model. This year, Lexus adds even more standard tech, namely a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column as well as driver’s seat, steering wheel, and mirror memory. Move up through the trim walk to unlock a head-up display, wireless charger, 21-speaker Mark Levinson audio, hands-free liftgate, heated second row seats, and power-folding third row seats. The Overtrail+ is standard with massaging front seats.
Which 2025 Lexus GX Trim Level Is Best?
The 2025 Lexus GX is expected to be available in six trims this year: Premium, Premium+, Luxury, Luxury+, Overtrail, and Overtrail+. We think the Overtrail trim is the best, as it best combines the GX’s off-road capability with the model’s dynamic refinement and creature comforts. The 2025 GX550 Premium base model starts at around $65,000, while the Luxury+ top model comes in just under $82,000.
