2026 Lexus GX

Many have tried to combine off-road capability with a genuinely luxurious motoring experience, but few have perfected that formula as well as the Lexus GX. The GX delivers what Lexus buyers love about the brand, like top-notch build quality, excellent resale value, and a premium cabin. These virtues are expected. What’s less expected is just how expertly the GX can tackle off-road adventures, especially in the capable Overtrail trims. To top it all off, the GX has a head-turning style that perfectly matches its rugged, yet refined personality.

We’ve logged hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of midsize luxury SUVs, including the Lexus GX.

The Lexus GX has a starting price similar to the Land Rover Defender 110, and it’s a little pricier than the Land Rover Discovery. The right GX for you depends on the terrain you’ll be driving on; we’d pick the Premium+ for a daily commuter and the Overtrail for going off the beaten path.

Before buying a GX, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. Lexus GX resale value is among the best in its segment. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

It’s hard to engineer a luxury SUV with a truck-like, body-on-frame architecture and deliver premium driving comfort on dry pavement, but Lexus has done it with the GX. In our time driving it, we found the GX to be an off-roader we’d be happy to use for daily errand-running. It’s especially comfy when equipped with the available Adaptive Variable Suspension system, which constantly adjusts to the surface beneath you for optimal comfort. The steering and braking have the predictable confidence of a luxury vehicle, and the GX never feels too much like a truck.

When the pavement ends, the GX is eager for off-road adventures thanks to its hardy 349-horsepower turbo V6, standard full-time 4-wheel drive (4WD) system, locking center differential, and 8.6-inch ground clearance (9.8 inches with the Overtrail models). It’s even a strong towing rig, capable of towing up to 9,096 pounds.

The GX Overtrail and Overtrail+ take the off-road capability to the next level with features like Multi-Terrain Select drive modes (Deep Snow, Mud, Sand, Dirt, Auto), a special suspension system that can detach and reattach swaybars for maximum wheel articulation, extra ground clearance, beefier tires, an electronic locking rear differential, and more. This is the Lexus SUV for the serious off-roader; it can handle just about any terrain without needing a slew of aftermarket upgrades.

Powertrain

The interior of the Lexus GX is just about as nice as any other Lexus SUV. Getting the athletic off-roader doesn’t mean downgrading in interior quality. It has seating for up to seven, but that third row is best reserved for kids. Even then, only for occasional use. We found the second-row seats to have adult-friendly space, but if you’re willing to trade off-road capability for more family-friendly interior space, the more PTA-ready Lexus TX is a better fit.

The GX has a diminutive 10.3 cubic feet of cargo space behind the third row, but a perfectly usable 40.2 cubic feet behind the second row. Without the bulk of the third-row seats in the way, the five-seater Overtrail models gain an extra 5.4 cubic feet of cargo room, but lose the versatility of having extra seats.

The Premium and Overtrail models come standard with NuLuxe faux leather upholstery, while the Luxury trims have genuine semi-aniline leather. Regardless of trim, everything we touched when we tested the GX felt right at home in a luxury vehicle. Lexus isn’t known to cut corners, and the GX’s interior is no exception. There are even some interesting interior color options; the Overtrail trims have Olive Ultrasuede trim, enhancing the outdoorsy personality.

Lexus Interface
The Lexus Interface, with its 14-inch touchscreen display, makes it effortless to control your maps, music, and more. It has an intuitive voice control system and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, which we always appreciate.

Overtrail models
The Lexus GX Overtrail models are the real deal in luxury off-roaders, rivaling the best that Land Rover has to offer. Tall ground clearance, meaty tires, locking differentials, and even detachable swaybars make this posh Lexus a seriously capable machine.

Dynamic Sky roof
Lots of SUVs in this class have a big sunroof, but the Dynamic Sky roof that comes with the Luxury+ trim can switch from transparent to opaque by pushing a button, with no physical shade required. It’s both a cool parlor trick and genuinely useful.