2025 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail+ Review & Test Drive

I have long been enamored with Lexus SUVs, finding the GX and LX to be unique in that they are some of the most reliable vehicles on the road, standing the test of time. Often enough, because of the durability of the GX and LX, you find many of them being modified to perform hardcore off-roading duties. Such a notion has been noticed by Lexus, and their answer to it is vehicles like the new GX 550 Overtrail+, which I had a full week to check out.

The new Lexus GX is already a winner in my book, as I reviewed it last year in its Luxury+ trim. Walking away, I was pleased to find a well-designed successor to the outgoing GX. With the complete redesign, the new GX goes about things to pave a rather unique path, one that may compete directly with vehicles like the new Land Rover Defender, but Lexus seemingly does their own thing with the long-touted reliability aspect – far beyond any Land Rover can dream.

As far as styling goes, the new Lexus GX 550 Overtrail+ tends to turn more heads than I thought. Dressed in its pleasant Nori Green Pearl paint, my test vehicle and its tall stature had some in new Defenders wondering if they made the wrong choice as they were on the way to the service center – again. Lexus seems to have got things right for the boxy and still upright stature of the new GX.

Performance and Driving Character

Powering the new Lexus GX remains to be a singular task for the brand’s new 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 engine with 349 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. That power is sent through a smooth and smartly-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive setup with a a two-speed transfer case throughout all trim levels. However, for the Overtrail+ trim in my possession this week it gets not only a Torsen center locking differential but also a rear locking differential, an electronic kinetic dynamic suspension system (E-KDSS) that’s lifted 1 inch over other trims, and 33-inch all-terrain tires wrapping 18-inch wheels, giving it an edge for its off-roading prowess. Additionally, the Overtrail+ trim gets utility roof rails, making it easy to attach my test vehicle’s optional off-road roof rack, which happens to produce an abundance of wind noise, and the option of having the side rock rails as an option – also found on my test vehicle.

In terms of performance on the road, the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail+ does well in balancing its off-roading abilities, yet it gives you a smooth and refined ride quality even as a body-on-frame SUV. A 0-60 mph run takes about 6.5 seconds, while the GX feels very well damped in its body rigidity and steering feel. Though that nicely weighted feeling doesn’t translate well to its lateral handling, as the GX tends to roll about in hard turns at speed, it seemingly has a nicely tuned stability management system to keep things mostly in check when the all-terrain tires lose grip. The many drive modes and off-roading management tech do wonders to help conquer loose terrain or adapt to your preferred ride quality. However, Comfort mode tends to put the E-KDSS in an overly soft setting where the body may drift around to the point of concern. In Normal mode, it feels just right, and in the Sport mode or Customized mode to set the dampers in the firm Sport setting, things tighten up, but not to the point of being jarring. In all, the GX 550 Overtrail+ is nicely suited to delicately balance on the line of being a smooth road-going SUV and one that can tackle some serious off-roading terrain without being shy in wearing its luxury badge.

Fuel Economy

Fuel economy comes in a bit short of expectations, but after giving it a second thought, the EPA estimates of 15 mpg city, 21 mpg highway, and 17 mpg combined make sense for the GX 550 Overtrail+ and its off-roading disposition. After all, you have 33-inch knobby all-terrain tires, a lifted suspension, and that wind-noise-producing off-road roof rack to contend with. The 21.1-gallon fuel tank full of recommended premium unleaded will yield a highway cruising range of about 443 miles.

Interior and Technology

Inside the cabin is mostly what you expect out of a new Lexus, with the proper refinement, along with impeccable fit and finish. The only small disappointment was that the upper door trim surfaces seemed to be harder than they should be for such a vehicle. Still, the Lexus quality shows through with the central focus being on the latest 14-inch infotainment touchscreen that’s proven to be very straightforward in its operation, with a short learning curve to overcome.

The digital gauge cluster continues to be somewhat of a confusing feat, but once you get things set up, you’re good to go. The seating areas are comfy, as the front heating, ventilation, and massaging seats not only look good with their many accents but also feel good on long trips without setting in fatigue. The one issue I have up front is the leg tunnel being somewhat narrow, and taller folks like myself, who are well over 6 feet tall, end up with my legs hitting both sides of the tunnel with no extra room to spread out. Otherwise, the two-row setup on the Overtrail+ omits the third row, has good space, and a large cargo area amounting to just over 45 cubic feet with the rear seatbacks in place. Fold them down and you’ll have just over 90 cubic feet of storage. Also, you get to tow as much as 9,063 pounds in the GX 550 Overtrail+.

Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration can be paired up wirelessly or through a USB connection. I do like how Lexus (and Toyota) allow for the infotainment’s core functions to be quickly accessed on a set of function icons on the left while Apple CarPlay is loaded – or you can simply go completely full screen for CarPlay. There’s a convenient wireless smartphone charger as well just behind the traditional gear shifter lever.

Safety

Safety remains paramount for Lexus as they include all of the expected active safety features, including lane departure warning, lane keep assist, blind spot monitoring, forward collision warning/emergency braking, rear cross-path detection/emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and even a forward cross-path warning system that often becomes an annoyance when you’re an astute driver to begin with. Once again, I do enjoy the trick 360-degree surround view camera system that records and overlays what is underneath the vehicle.

Pricing

The totality of what the new Lexus GX is all about keeps with the tradition of a body-on-frame midsized luxury SUV that serves many purposes, and in the Overtrail+ trim, can conquer less-traveled trails with luxury appointments to boot. With such, you’ll expect to pay a little extra, and that you do with my test vehicle coming in at $86,365, which includes a $1,450 delivery, processing, and handling fee. Though a base GX 550 with the same powertrain minus the extra locking rear differential and a lot of other luxury equipment starts at $66,185 before any fees or options.

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