Living and towing with the 2024 Lexus GX 550 reveals some strengths and weaknesses of embracing its new SUV body.
The excitement surrounding the 2024 Lexus GX 550 seems warranted. It’s the first time in 14 years the nameplate is new.
One way the new GX improves over the outgoing model is in towing capacity, which improves from 6,500 to 9,063 pounds.During a week of towing boats with my dad, schlepping kids to activities, and running errands around town, livability concerns arose that either didn’t surface during my first drive or became more irritating while actually living with the GX.During the launch of the GX 550 Lexus upped its maximum towing rating from 8,000 pounds to 9,063 pounds.
I towed the 5,000-pound boat on a dual-axle trailer for 153 miles. At over 70 mph, I felt like I was in control, but during a passing maneuver on a two-lane highway I felt the tail wag ever so slightly. I was always aware the load was back there just like with the, which shares its TNGA-F frame architecture with the GX, and that made me even more cautious than I normally am.
Towing isn't an efficient activity. But while towing 5,000 pounds for 153 miles of highway driving, the GX averaged 10.9 mpg. That’s better than Ford’s twin-turbo V-6 in the F-150, which averaged 8.1 mpg while towing this boat, and it seemingly comes down to the Lexus engine not staying in the boost as often. It’s also slightly better than Jeep’s V-8 in a Grand Cherokee, which averages about 9.5 mpg with this boat. However, it’s worse than GM’s large 6.
The 2024 Lexus GX 550 does an admirable job of towing, and its pricing presents some value against the competition. But it’s loud on the highway, feels and sounds kind of cheap, and hooking up a trailer can be a pain.
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