2024 Lexus GX revealed: All-new Prado-based 4x4 likely for Australia

February 2024: Lexus GX Australian details confirmed

The 2024 Lexus GX – heavily based on the all-new Toyota Prado – is due in Australia soon, and now the company has confirmed more of what we can expect.

July: Lexus GX confirmed for Australia!

As expected, the Prado's luxo cousin, the Lexus GX, is on its way to Australia. Details at the link below.

June: 2024 Lexus GX unveiled

The 2024 Lexus GX off-road large SUV has debuted – and it is likely for Australia.

As the upmarket Lexus version of the Toyota LandCruiser Prado, this is your first glimpse at the first all-new Prado in 14 years.

The 2024 Toyota Prado should debut around October or November, with Australian arrivals likely in the first half of next year.

For everything you need to know about the new Prado, click the link below.

Like the new LBX baby SUV revealed this week, Lexus Australia said it “continues to assess models that may be suitable for the needs of local customers, with the GX no exception”.

It said, “a decision on GX will be made at a later stage”, but the sharing of local press material for the GX – while nothing locally has been said of the new Toyota Grand Highlander-based TX – suggests the GX is all but confirmed for our market.

If not yet confirmed internally, the local arm may have been proactively testing market interest in the GX by releasing teasers here – but it seems hard to believe Australian buyers would not be interested in a luxury version of the Prado.

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If it arrives here, it will be the first time the Prado-based GX is built in right-hand drive.

The model – first introduced in 2002 – was previously focused on the North American, Middle Eastern and Chinese markets.

As with the larger Lexus LX’s connection to the full-size Toyota LandCruiser 300, the GX should share its body with the new Prado, but with unique Lexus touches.

The current Lexus GX is based on the Toyota Prado available in showrooms today – dating back to 2009 – with a 4.6-litre naturally-aspirated petrol V8.

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The new GX will be available with two powertrains at launch, including a Lexus-first body-on-frame hybrid variant.

While full details are yet to be confirmed, Lexus has confirmed the GX will be fitted with a 2.4-litre turbo-petrol hybrid powertrain. This is the electrified powertrain tipped for the new Prado.

It is the same unit found in the new Lexus RX500h, but the GX’s body-on-frame platform means it’s likely to be similar to the new Tacoma hybrid, which features a single electric motor and a 1.87kWh lithium-ion battery pack.

The Tacoma's hybrid system is more truck-like, with the electric motor sandwiched between the engine and transmission.

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It has a 243kW and 630Nm total system output and an eight-speed automatic transmission in the Tacoma.

As expected, the GX is also powered by a 3.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 taken from the LX in GX 550 guise.

It produces 260kW and 649Nm – down 45kW over the LX – and is matched to a 10-speed automatic transmission, replacing the antiquated 227kW/439Nm naturally-aspirated V8 and six-speed transmission found in today’s GX.

Lexus has confirmed all GXs, including the hybrid, have a full-time all-wheel drive with a low-range transfer case and a locking Torsen limited-slip centre differential – pointing to a conventional system for the electrified Prado.

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The new GX rides on Toyota’s latest TNGA-F body-on-frame platform shared with the LX and LandCruiser 300.

It measures 4949mm long, 1980mm wide and 1920mm tall in standard guise, roughly matching the rumoured dimensions for the new Prado.

This is 70mm longer, 95mm wider and 35mm taller than the current GX, while the off-road-focused Overland variant further increases height by 15mm to 1935mm.

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It has an identical 2850-millimetre wheelbase to the LX and LandCruiser 300 – up 60mm over the current Prado and GX.

In addition, the Overtrail – exclusively available with five seats – adds 33-inch all-terrain tyres, 18-inch alloy wheels, black extended wheel arches, an aluminium skid plate, an electronic locking rear differential, and the E-KDSS system first introduced on the LandCruiser 300 GR Sport.

This system works on the front and rear sway bars to lighten tension when driving at low speeds off-road but tightens for firmer body control at higher speeds on the road. It can also automatically disconnect the sway bars when required off-road to improve axle articulation.

The GX’s 26-degree approach angle is up five degrees to boost off-road credentials, while the front overhang is reduced by 20mm.

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The Overtrail includes additional off-road functions, including multi-terrain select, crawl control, downhill assist, and a 3D multi-terrain camera system.

Under the skin, the GX has high-mount double-wishbone front suspension, with Lexus’s engineers employing a ‘finetuned’ coil spring rate, while “increasing the caster trail and minimising the king pin offset to promote excellent stability during straight-line driving, cornering and braking”.

It features a four-link rigid axle with lateral control arms at the rear, while the standard-fit adaptive variable suspension is said to improve on-road comfort and stability. The front and rear suspension feature independent telescopic valves and friction control modules.

Electric power steering replaces the hydraulic system to increase steering feel “on and off-road”.

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Towing capacity has increased to 3628 kilograms in North America, suggesting the GX and Prado could feature an Everest and MU-X-matching 3500-kilogram capacity in Australia – up 500kg over the Prado’s current 3000kg limit.

As with all Toyota-derived Lexus models, the GX should build on the new Prado's appearance, with its own 'spindle' grille and L-hooked headlights similar to the LX.

It has a more-rugged body similar to the Land Rover Defender off-road SUV, with a squared-off rear end, a boxier front end with an upright A-pillar and high bonnet line, and an available two-tone roof.

The chiselled bonnet – first introduced on the facelifted Prado in 2017 – is widened to improve forward visibility.

As with other Lexus vehicles, a full-width LED light strip runs across the tailgate that terminates at compact tail-lights, giving the GX a more practical look than most of its stablemates.

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The GX’s barn door – a characteristic taken from the Prado – is replaced by a lift-up hands-free electric tailgate similar to the LX and other SUVs, with an opening upper glass compartment.

Inside, the new GX is a technological step forward over its predecessor, with a large 14-inch infotainment system running Lexus’s latest software. It has wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while over-the-air software updates and ‘Hey, Lexus’ voice recognition are also expected.

A 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster sits ahead of the driver, replacing the current analogue dials and small multi-information display – and beating the flagship LX’s 8-inch gauge cluster.

As before, there is seating for up to seven passengers, with a conventional 60:40 split-folding second-row bench or available captain’s chairs.

Available features include heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row seats, a power-folding third-row, six illuminated USB-C charge ports, a 21-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system, a digital key, and a head-up display.

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The 2024 Lexus LX will continue to be manufactured alongside the Prado at Toyota’s Tahara plant in Japan, with North American sales to commence in early 2024.

The GX remains under evaluation for Australia, with a final decision likely soon.

With the demise of the seven-seat Lexus RX L, the new GX would provide Lexus Australia with a more-affordable three-row SUV positioned below the larger LX.

As such, it would also help to fill the difference between the RX and LX, with a circa-$27,000 gap between the flagship RX550h and the entry-level LX500.

August 2: New 2024 Prado revealed!

New Prado makes global debut ahead of 2024 Australian launch.

Here it is. If you're patient and keen on Toyota's very latest 4x4 offering, the links below hold everything you need to know.