2025 Lexus GX

Other midsize luxury SUVs offer impressive luxury and good off-road performance, but the truck-based architecture that underpins the Lexus GX sets it apart from the midsize field. Add to that its 7-occupant capacity, Lexus-grade cabin materials and design, a host of modern tech, and a muscular turbocharged engine, and you have a recipe for a truly impressive machine. As an eminently civilized way to explore completely uncivilized territory, the Lexus GX is hard to beat.

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

The Lexus GX was all-new for the 2024 model year and mostly carries forward for 2025 with just a couple of minor feature updates. The Lexus Memory System — which stores driver’s seat, side mirror, and steering column settings — is now standard on all GX trims, as is a tilting/telescoping steering column. Overtrail and Overtrail+ models also receive a standard one-inch suspension lift.

The 2025 GX starts in the mid-$60,000 region and runs up through to the mid-$80,000 bracket. That gives it a similar range to its nearest natural competitor, the equally luxurious and off-road-capable 2025 Land Rover Defender 110 — up to a point, anyway. The Defender carries on into the $170,000 area, thanks to its high-performance V8 and Octa variants. Likewise, the Mercedes-Benz G-Class starts around $150,000 and heads upward from there. Compared with more typical luxury SUVs, the GX’s pricing is about on par with the likes of Audi Q7, BMW X5, and Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Before buying a new Lexus GX midsize luxury SUV, be sure to check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should be paying. Previous generations of the Lexus GX have held their value well, and we expect the same of this latest version. Recouping more money when selling a vehicle can mean a bigger down payment and lower monthly payments on the next one.

Despite being a truck-based, body-on-frame SUV, the 2025 Lexus GX has a composed and crisp driving demeanor. The brakes and steering are responsive, yet it’s also comfortable and compliant, as expected of an off-roader. Despite the day-to-day ease of driving and maneuvering, especially compared with the previous generations, this GX remains decidedly rugged and not car-like.

The 349-horsepower, twin-turbocharged V6 is potent, and a massive 479 lb-ft of torque helps accelerate the GX from a standstill to 60 mph in an athletic 6.5 seconds. That much power and acceleration mean zero issues when making a fast freeway merge, and all that torque helps the GX conquer surprisingly steep gradients. The even more capable Overtrail and Overtrail+ models get an extra inch of ride height for 2025, enabling excursions further into the wild.

Fuel Economy

The GX’s fuel economy isn’t great — about the same as a Chevrolet Suburban — but it’s not wildly off-target among off-road-focused luxury SUVs. At 17 mpg combined, the GX 550 fits between the combined ratings of the Mercedes-Benz G550 (18 mpg) and the Land Rover Defender 110 (16 mpg).

Even compared to something like the efficiency-focused plug-in hybrid BMW X5 xDrive50e, it’s not all doom and gloom for the GX. Once the X5 PHEV’s batteries are depleted, it gets just 22 mpg combined. Options like the Audi Q7 (20 mpg) and Mercedes-Benz GLE 450 4Matic (21 mpg) achieve noticeably better gas mileage at the expense of much less off-road ability.

Bold, high-tech, and ruggedly luxurious, the GX’s cabin is one of our favorites. Contrasting with its more avant-garde exterior, the GX’s interior is more conventional and businesslike.

Three-row seating for up to seven occupants (except in 2-row-only, 5-seat Overtrail trims) is spacious and comfortable until you get to the third row, which is a bit short on legroom (31.9 inches) and other space. It’s fine for occasional use, but those who regularly need a third row will be better served by a vehicle like the Lexus TX. Second-row legroom is also fair at 36.7 inches, an inch less than the BMW X5 and more than four inches less than the Mercedes-Benz GLE.

Cargo room is good for the class, with 10.3 cubic feet behind the third row, or 40.2 cubic feet behind the second row with the third row folded, or 45.6 cubic feet in Overtrail models that skip the third row. For comparison, the Land Rover Defender 110 offers 34 cubic feet behind its second row, and the BMW X5 has 33.9 cubic feet.

Like a futuristic movie’s hero vehicle, the 2025 Lexus GX’s rugged, carved-from-a-block-of-silicon styling is eye-catching. From the iconic spindle grille to the bluff rear and its wide LED light bar, the overall effect is one of rugged elegance.

Traffic Jam Assist
Taking over the steering, throttle, and braking — in the right conditions — this feature basically drives itself in stop-and-go traffic. It’s a welcome feature for anyone who deals with traffic regularly.

Overtrail trims
The Overtrail and Overtrail+ trims of the GX add real off-road extras like a limited-slip locking center differential, larger all-terrain tires, detachable front and rear stabilizer bars, and a host of off-road electronic aids. For 2025, they also gain an extra inch of ground clearance.

Proactive Driving Assist
Rather than a self-driving system, Lexus’ Proactive Driving Assist takes a subtler approach, gently adjusting steering and speed in anticipation of corners, other vehicles, cyclists, and pedestrians. Basically, it takes some of the cognitive load off the driver’s shoulders.

Dynamic Sky roof
Opt for the top-of-the-line GX 550 Luxury+, and this massive panoramic glass roof is included. Its defining magic trick is switching from transparent to opaque at the push of a button.

21-speaker surround-sound
Mark Levinson audio systems are always excellent, and this 21-speaker surround-sound example underlines that reputation.

Phone as a key
Who wants to carry a bulky key fob if they don’t have to? If you’re like most Americans, your phone is rarely out of reach, so using an app to make it work like a key is a no-brainer for convenience. As a bonus, you can send digital keys to friends or family if you need to.

The 2025 GX 550 employs a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 making 349 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque in all trims and variants. All four wheels are driven with standard 4-wheel drive (4WD) via a 10-speed automatic transmission. The GX can tow up to 8,000 pounds.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

Like many other luxury models, the Lexus GX’s basic warranty lasts four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first. At six years or 70,000 miles, the powertrain warranty is better than most luxury rivals. Lexus also includes complimentary maintenance for the first year or 10,000 miles.

Safety

The previous Lexus GX earned a 4-Star overall safety rating (out of five stars) from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). We expect the new model to do as well or better. Every GX includes Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which bundles features like automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection, all-speed adaptive cruise control, lane-tracing assistance, lane departure warning with steering assistance, road-sign recognition, and more.