Lexus GX Overtrail
Teased last week, the new third-generation Lexus GX has finally been introduced in Malaysia, appearing on the local website some two years after making its world premiere. The premium off-roader, built on the bones of the latest Toyota Land Cruiser Prado, is a more luxurious take on the beloved mid-sized 4×4 and is priced to suit.
A total of two variants are being offered, starting with the more rugged GX550 Overtrail at RM780,000 and the classier GX550 Luxury+ at a whopping RM830,000. Both prices are on-the-road without insurance, inclusive of a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.
The GX may be pricey, but that money at least buys you a big engine with many cylinders. Whereas the Prado is only available with four-cylinder mills, the petrol GX550 is powered by a 3.5 litre V35A-FTS twin-turbo V6, churning out 354 PS from 4,800 to 5,200 rpm and 650 Nm of torque between 2,000 and 3,600 rpm.
With a ten-speed automatic transmission and a full-time all-wheel drive system, this leviathan accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in seven seconds flat, although its top speed is capped at a measly 175 km/h. Its fuel consumption is rated at 12.3 litres per 100 km on the NEDC cycle.
Based on the ladder frame version of the Toyota New Global Architecture (GA-F), the new GX receives optimised suspension geometry for more stable handling as well as increased body rigidity to deliver a quieter, more comfortable ride and sharper steering feel, the latter in concert with the adoption of electric power steering. The car is suspended through double wishbones at the front and a solid axle with four links at the rear, with coil springs fitted all around.
The off-road equipment varies depending on the variant chosen. The Overtrail, as the name suggests, is the one most ready for when the going gets tough, with a locking rear differential and a Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) system with Dirt, Sand, Mud and Rocks modes, plus a new Auto setting and Crawl Control off-road cruise control.
Lexus GX Overtrail
Also debuting on the Overtrail is an Electronic-Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) that can decouple the anti-roll bars automatically depending on the terrain, increasing wheel articulation. The Luxury+ ditches all that in favour of a Torsen limited-slip centre differential, a conventional drive mode selector and adaptive dampers.
Both models come with a selectable low-range gearbox and approach, break-over and departure angles of 26 degrees, 23 degrees and 23 degrees respectively. Towing capacity is rated at 3,130 kg for the Luxury+ and 3,500 kg for the Overtrail.
Measuring 4,950 mm long, 1,980 mm wide and 1,865 mm tall, the GX is 25 mm longer and five millimetres lower while retaining the same width and 2,850 mm wheelbase. The Overtrail is 20 mm wider (exactly two metres) and 25 mm taller, due to wider front and rear tracks and taller roof rails.
Lexus GX Luxury+
Although the cabin section is recognisably from the Prado, the GX is differentiated through a unique front end with slim triple-projector LED headlights, arrow-shaped daytime running lights and a new version of Lexus’ spindle grille that integrates the front skid plate.
Moving to the rear, you’ll find U-shaped full-width LED taillights and the now ubiquitous Lexus script, as well as a powered tailgate (the Luxury+ gains hands-free operation) with a pop-out windscreen. The Luxury+ rides on massive 22-inch dark grey multi-spoke alloy wheels, while the Overtrail swaps these out for 18-inch matte grey alloys wrapped in knobbly all-terrain tyres.
Inside, the GX is far more posh than the Prado, with its bluff, upright dashboard adopting faux Tsuyasumi or oak wood trim and Lexus’ Tazuna cockpit concept. This consists of a 12.3-inch digital instrument display as well as a 14-inch touchscreen (the much-maligned Remote Touch interface is long gone) with integrated physical knobs for the dual-zone auto air-con – the latter coming with Lexus Climate Concierge. You of course get Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a Qi wireless charger and a head-up display as standard.
The plush eight-way power-adjustable front seats are upholstered in faux leather on the Overtrail and genuine semi-aniline leather and are fitted with heating, ventilation and driver’s side memory. The Luxury+ gains driver and passenger lumbar adjustment (driver’s side only on the Overtrail) and four-way adjustable headrests; it’s also the only one with seven seats and two additional USB-C ports to the Overtrail’s three. A heated second row is also standard.
Other standard features include an auto-dimming rear-view mirror, customisable ambient lighting, active noise cancellation and a ten-speaker Pioneer sound system, while the Luxury+ adds a panoramic glass roof, a digital rear-view mirror and a 23-speaker Mark Levinson Premium system.
Lexus GX Luxury+
Safety-wise, the GX comes as standard with seven airbags (including a centre airbag) and a full suite of Lexus Safety System+ driver assists, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop and go, lane centring assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, parking AEB, traffic sign recognition, a door opening warning, pedal misapplication control and auto high beam.
The Luxury+ throws on adaptive high beam through Lexus’ unique BladeScan headlights, while the Overtrail counters with hill descent control and augments the standard 360-degree camera system with an off-road-focused Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM). This adds a lower-mounted front camera and a transparency view.
GALLERY: Lexus GX official photos
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