Revealed: Third-gen Lexus GX SUV Ain’t For The Faint Hearted

• Third-gen Lexus GX revealed globally.

• Boxy styling and upright stance inspires a go-anywhere attitude.

• Gets an Overtrail edition for even more capable off-road skills

• Powertrain options include turbocharged petrol 3.5-litre V6 and a 2.4-litre hybrid unit.

• Gets both 6- and 7-seater layouts.

• Lexus will begin launching it in various markets by the end of 2023.

Lexus has finally taken the wraps off the new-gen GX SUV and it looks mean. It continues to be a ladder on-frame SUV and is underpinned by the heavily overhauled GA-F platform shared with the flagship LX SUV. Lexus also sang praises of its dynamic ability, thanks to revised suspension and a host of electrical wizardry to keep the dynamics in check. Here’s what you need to know about it:

Design

It does borrow design cues from its bigger sibling, the LX SUV. But while that is a bit soft and rounded off on the edges, the GX is anything but, with sharp edges and a proper boxy silhouette reminiscent of a typical old-school no-nonsense SUV. 

The similarities with the LX can be found in the headlights and the grille, which takes a similar shape but is a tad bit smaller. The bonnet looks jacked and is part of the strong shoulder line which runs parallel to the absolutely flat roof line. 

The huge squared-off wheel arches, smooth and flat body panels and the window line that tapers upwards towards the rear section make up the styling cues in profile. The rear end also sports an upright stance with a hefty bumper and the connected LED taillights look chic.

Oh and there’s also a "Overtrail" line-up, which takes everything up a notch or two by adding exclusive bits that make the GX even more off-road ready - if it wasn’t already ready enough. You get bits like all-terrain tires, new interior and exterior colours, an E-KDSS system that optimises traction, crawl function, and specially designed seats to minimise head toss.

Interior

The cabin layout is as Lexus-y as it gets. A huge 14-inch touchscreen system takes centre stage of a rather upright dashboard. The central console, which is nearly as wide as the screen, splits the front row of seats and the driver gets a 12.3-inch digital screen displaying all the necessary information. 

The most thoughtfully integrated part of the cabin has to be the physical knobs for the HVAC controls, which seem to be part of the huge touchscreen system somehow. The button for the 360-degree camera view has been placed within the driver’s range of motion, just behind the right hand side of the steering wheel so you don’t have to shuffle through a range of menus to activate it. And you are gonna need it, considering the size of this barge.

There are two seating configurations available: 6-seater with captain chairs in the middle row and a 7-seater layout with bench seats in the middle.

Powertrain

Even the biggest and toughest of the SUVs are falling prey to downsizing and the Lexus GX is no different. Gone is the V8 and in comes a new 354PS, 3.5L V6 twin-turbocharged engine paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. There’s also a more environmentally friendly mildly electrified 2.4L turbo-hybrid variant, which is a first for any body-on-frame Lexus ever.

Also Read: Mahindra BE.05’s Test Mule Spied For The First Time

Lexus has said that the rollout of the GX will be done in a phased manner starting from late 2023 and the possibility of the GX coming to India isn’t ruled out, considering we get the flagship LX model as well. It’ll rival the likes of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon and Land Rover Defender in the country.