2025 Lexus GX550 Luxury
While the 2025 Toyota Land Cruiser has made a high-profile return to Canada, its luxurious sibling, the Lexus GX, has remained available all along. For years, the GX served a loyal group of drivers who appreciated its authentic body-on-frame construction, real off-road ability, and the quiet confidence of Lexus refinement. With a complete redesign introduced last year and subtle updates for 2025, the GX550 now feels like the vehicle it was always meant to be.
Although it shares its underlying platform with the Land Cruiser, the GX550 is tuned for a different kind of customer. Where the Toyota aims for rugged functionality, the Lexus leans into comfort, smoothness, and premium materials without giving up its four-wheel drive roots.
I spent a week driving the GX550 Luxury trim, which in Canada is positioned above the Signature and Premium models. It sits just below the more trail-oriented Overtrail and Overtrail Plus editions. The Luxury version is an excellent middle ground, offering robust equipment and elevated comfort without the niche hardware of the dedicated off-road variants.
What’s New for 2025?
Now in its second model year since the major overhaul, the 2025 GX550 sees only minor changes. These are mostly refinements to feature packaging and trim availability, rather than mechanical or design overhauls.
That said, the upgrades introduced last year still feel fresh. The GX gets a new twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 engine that replaces the older, less efficient V8. It also adopts a modern 10-speed automatic transmission and a more intuitive infotainment interface. Inside, the cabin is completely redesigned, and the once-frustrating side-hinged tailgate is gone. It has been replaced by a traditional liftgate, which works far better in tight parking situations.
Another big change is in the rear seating. Lexus now offers fold-flat third row seats that improve cargo usability. It’s a small change that makes a major difference.
Under the surface, the GX rides on Toyota’s TNGA-F truck platform, which is shared with the new Land Cruiser, Tundra, and Sequoia. The result is a vehicle that feels more stable, better insulated, and easier to drive every day.
Exterior Styling
Lexus has nailed the proportions and detailing on the latest GX. The styling is tall and upright with squared shoulders and a clean silhouette. It feels intentional and robust rather than flashy or ornamental.
The front fascia is anchored by a refined take on the Lexus spindle grille. Slim LED headlights flank either side, and the lower bumper integrates functional air channels and silver accents that hint at the GX’s off-road intentions. Thankfully, Lexus avoided excessive chrome or unnecessary design flourishes.
The side profile is clean and strong, with well-defined fenders and generous wheel arches. Even on the Luxury trim’s large wheels, it maintains an honest, truck-based stance. Roof rails and gloss black mirror caps add a touch of sophistication, while keeping the look grounded.
At the rear, a horizontal light bar and bold Lexus script give the tailgate a modern, cohesive appearance. The new top-hinged liftgate makes loading easier in parkades or on ferry decks where space is limited. Small details like the rear wiper tucking up under the spoiler show a focus on everyday usability.
Cabin Technology and Interior
Inside, the GX550 is perhaps the most dramatically improved Lexus SUV in recent memory. The overall layout feels intuitive and functional, while the materials and textures are luxurious without being fragile. My test vehicle came with a Black interior accented with semi-anilined leather, which added richness and a bit of warmth to the otherwise businesslike cabin.
Front seating is generously padded and extremely comfortable. The chairs are heated and ventilated, and adjust in nearly every direction. Soft-touch materials cover the dash and doors, while real wood accents and high-quality controls elevate the tactile experience. It feels like a true luxury space, not just a dressed-up off-roader.
The centerpiece is a large 14-inch touchscreen that runs the Lexus Interface software. It’s fast, sharp, and supports wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. Critically, Lexus retains physical buttons and knobs for climate and audio controls, avoiding the over-digitization that plagues many competitors.
Second-row captain’s chairs, which are included on the Luxury trim, are also heated and slide fore and aft. They offer excellent comfort and room for adults, even on longer trips. These chairs also tilt and slide to give better access to the third row.
The rearmost seats are not large, but they’re useful for children or short trips. Unlike the new Land Cruiser, which lacks a third row due to its hybrid battery packaging, the GX offers a folding rear bench that stores neatly beneath the cargo floor. This flexibility gives the Lexus an important advantage for families.
Cargo room is generous with the third row folded down, and the flat floor makes loading gear, groceries, or sports equipment easier. The cabin is also impressively quiet at speed, with little road or wind noise intruding.
Under the Hood
The 2025 GX550 is powered by a 3.4-litre twin-turbocharged V6 engine that delivers 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. It’s mated to a smooth 10-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel drive system that includes a locking center differential and low-range gearing.
This powertrain is a massive improvement over the previous V8. The new engine pulls strongly from low RPM, and its torque makes merging and passing feel easy. The transmission stays composed even in stop-and-go traffic and doesn’t hesitate when called on for quick downshifts.
Compared to the Land Cruiser, which uses a similar engine in a hybrid setup, the GX feels quicker and less strained. The Land Cruiser’s engine can get a bit noisy when pushed hard. The GX, by contrast, feels smoother and slightly more muscular. It even emits a refined growl under throttle that hints at the engine’s performance capability.
Fuel economy is significantly better than the outgoing V8, though still not fantastic. During a week of mixed driving, I averaged around 14 litres per 100 kilometres—not great by crossover standards, but reasonable for a full-frame SUV with true towing and off-road capability.
How Does It Drive?
In daily driving around Vancouver, the GX550 Luxury surprised me with its composure and comfort. Whether it was navigating rush hour traffic on Highway 1 or pulling into tight downtown lots, the GX proved easy to live with.
Ride quality is firm, but rarely harsh. The adaptive suspension smooths out road imperfections and manages body movement well, even over broken pavement or train track crossings. Steering is nicely weighted for its size, light enough for low-speed maneuvering but stable on the highway.
Visibility is excellent thanks to the tall seating position and large windows. The 360-degree camera system, standard on this trim, makes tight spaces less stressful. Backing into an underground stall or aligning with curbs in Kerrisdale or Gastown feels natural after a few days behind the wheel.
Where the GX really distinguishes itself is in how it compares to the Toyota Land Cruiser. Although the two share a platform and engine architecture, they feel different in execution. The GX delivers more power and smoother throttle response. It doesn’t need to work as hard when merging or climbing hills, and the engine stays quieter. The result is a more relaxed driving experience that better suits its luxury branding.
The GX may be tall and truck-based, but it never feels crude. It’s more refined than many crossovers, and far more capable when the weather turns bad or the road gets rough.
Standout TechDriven approved features
Beyond the engine and design, the GX550 Luxury trim includes thoughtful features that support real-world use:
Towing capacity of up to 8,000 pounds, with a built-in trailer brake controller
Surround-view camera with underbody monitoring for trail or city driving
Multi-mode drive selector with Snow, Sport, and Custom settings
Digital rearview mirror and head-up display for better visibility in bad weather
Power liftgate with kick sensor, ideal when your hands are full
Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, including adaptive cruise and proactive driver assist
These aren’t gimmicks. They’re tools that make the GX easier to use in Canada’s varied terrain and weather.
Final Thoughts
The 2025 Lexus GX550 Luxury is exactly what it claims to be: a true SUV that doesn’t ask you to give up comfort, technology, or daily usability.
It’s more powerful and polished than the Toyota Land Cruiser, with an interior that feels richer and more adaptable for family needs. The third row and improved ride quality make it practical, while the engine and suspension deliver real confidence on pavement and gravel alike.
If you need capability but don’t want to sacrifice refinement, this is the vehicle to consider. It’s a rare thing today: a luxury SUV that still knows how to get dirty—but prefers to do so in style.
5 Key Takeaways
Authentic utility with a full-frame platform, real four-wheel drive, and a usable third row
Strong, refined power from a twin-turbo V6 that outpaces the old V8 and the new Land Cruiser
Comfort-first interior with practical tech and luxury appointments
Excellent real-world drivability, from city errands to weekend cabin trips
Built for Canada, with towing tools, snow-ready features, and real off-road capability
