I put my deposit down 5 months ago on a 2024 GX Luxury Plus. I currently drive a 2019 Ford Expedition Max Platinum with 125,000 miles. I wanted to downsize a little so I thought the Lexus was a good choice. Recently my business partner purchased a 2024 GMC Yukon Denali, full loaded. Wow. The Denali is a great vehicle loaded with features. The Super Cruise is great! I looked at several models prior to putting my deposit on the Lexus, including Escalade, Expedition, Grand Wagoneer and Navigator. I cannot stand the interior of the new Expedition. The screen is odd and looks like you stuck a small TV sideways into the center of the dash. The Escalade is dated and needs an update. It lacks tech and features. The Grand Wagoneer and Navigator Black Label were great. Now as we enter 2024 both Grand Wagoneer and Navigator '23 prices have plummeted! I found a new black label Navigator for $20K below sticker. (I'm a sucker for suede headliners!) I am starting to wonder, will the 2024 GX be too much of a size downgrade? I think the LX is dated and not an option, plus that grill! Ugh. Not being able to see or drive the GX has me wondering. How do this group think the '24 GX will compare to other large luxury SUV's? Thanks for your feedback in advance.

 

We have been Lexus owners for a while. We've had 2 GS 350s and when my wife totaled hers, we bought a '23 GX 460.
My general observation with Lexus are as follows:
1. Good build quality and craftsmanship (built in Tahara plan in Japan)
2. Materials tend to last 10+ years (my GS 350 is a 2013 and is running perfectly)
3. Maintenance is relatively cheap. Mostly oil changes every 9-10K
4. Quiet and insulated inside
5. Tech is typically a few years behind
6. Performance is ok, but not a priority

I think the new GX 550 will have much better build quality and craftsmanship than its competitors. The materials will out last those of others as well and will preserve itself (if well taken care of) nicely over the years. The tech will be better than the current 460, but may not be on par as the others. The twin-turbo V6 will have much better performance numbers, but will most likely not go 500K miles without issue like the V8.

In summary, if you are looking for a long haul ownership of a vehicle and make build quality, reliability and craftsmanship a priority, then Lexus is a good bet. You'll have years and years of worry free ownership and years and years of NOT having a car payment. However, if you prioritize max performance, tech and are looking to lease a vehicle then I would buy the competitors or one from Germany. To me, luxury is about being in a nice space for decades and not worrying about it. Lexus are like 1980s Japanese appliances. They will outlast anything in the market.

 

I have an 2023 x7 and it is very luxurious and I too have a deposit for a GX in the OT+ trim. I love the x7 with the alcantara (suede) headliner and full leather (leather on dash and on lower door panels / glove box), lighted bowers and wilkins stereo is beautiful in the cabin. Most luxurious car I have ever owned.. IMO, the GX is not "luxury" compared to the x7 but I wanted a vehicle that sits up a little higher, I really like the looks of the GX550 and I don't need a full time 3rd row. I have used the 3rd row twice in my x7 since I have owned it.

My thinking is that the GX550 will hold its value good for the first 2 years and if I don't like it after 12 to 18 months, I will switch to something else at that time and not be hurt too much on a trade in.

 

Its hard to say if its a size downgrade without knowing how you use the vehicle. Are you hauling 5+ people around all the time? Do you tow? Do you have a bunch of dogs?

I can tell you that our last mini vacation with 2 kids and 2 dogs would have been an absolute pain in the butt had I not had my F150. Trying to fit all the stuff in the GX460 would have been really tough and I dont think the 550 is going to be much bigger if at all.

 

Except, of course, the seats. They look like garbage in my GX but are still nearly new in my F150 with more miles. They looked bad and were losing their shape at 70k miles never mind now at 110k.

I also think that you are seriously stretching the truth that the V8's have zero issues up to 500k. There are/were plenty of issues with the 1UR that are extremely common and well known that need to be taken care of before 100k. Secondary Air injection system, valley cover plate leak, rear main seals, the radiators are known to leak after 100k. And that is not even getting into the issues with the transfer case actuator leaks or the A760 transmission failures.

 

You are right. No engine has zero issues up to 500K. That was certainly hyperbole and a bit of a stretch. However, my family has been a Toyota owners: 4 Runners, Tacomas, GX, GS, LS and all have had long service life. Honda and Acura also do a great job in longevity, but from my experience and I would say many others all over the world, Toyota has the best reputation for reliability and durability. Why would the United Nations buy Landcruisers to bring life-saving assistance to third-world countries? Also, these vehicles are favorites of Saudi oil men and runners of "material" in South America who make reliability a priority. All cars are mechanical machinery and need care, maintenance and sometimes love. Just a quick search in many cars in the known world, it appears Toyota makes them the most durable, but there are exceptions to that rule and there are other brands that may also last as long. If durability and reliability is your highest priority, then Toyota is the first place to look, but may not be the only option.

Regarding the seats, I learned this the hard way on my Acura RSX Type S. I condition the leather seats everytime I wash the car. It appears that this helped with the Acura and on my GS. My GX has Nu-Lux leather, so we will see how it holds up over time.

 

The Denali and the Escalade are essentially the same vehicle, not sure how you think the tech differs between same MY GM luxo barges?

The LX600 was launched MY22, tech is Lexus 2.5+. Granted it’s not 3.0, but it’s still less than 3 years since launch

GX is not on par with any of the vehicles mentioned size wise

 

GX500 is a much, much, much smaller SUV than your full size Expedition or friend's Denali. It's wider up top than the current GX460, but has taller floors, thicker dash and doors and less legroom & space below than a current GX460.

I love the size of a current GX460 but was too cramped and couldn't get comfortable in a GX500, but I'm also tall. If you like the idea of a much narrower, shorter, bulky body on frame truck SUV that's easier to park & drive around, and don't have any use for a 3rd row, so you'll keep it folded, a GX550 is kind of like a Grand Cherokee but with less space, and taller ride height. Wait until you can see and sit in one to decide for sure.

 

I also have a Luxury+ on order since June. We actually got to sit in one about a week or so ago at the San Diego auto show. It was a Luxury+ trim. I do agree that this car is not for larger people. The third row is not intended for 100% usage (e.g., if you have >2 kids). Its really more of an emergency usage when you have some family visiting or kids' friends to cart around here or there. That is our use-case. We don't need the 3rd row 95% of the time, but it sure is nice when you need it. Also, I would say if you are tall, you will need to move the front seat back and the 2nd row can get a little cramped. If these are not concerns, it was an amazing vehicle to sit in. Cannot wait to actually test drive to confirm the benefits of the adaptive variable suspension as it pertains to comfort. It is a bit annoying that some of the really great features are only on the Lux+

 

I’m not sure what you do and use the Expedition Max for. You seem like someone who drives a lot, 125K for a 2019, that is above average.

if a smaller size with about similar gas mileage is what you are aiming for, I guess the GX will work for you.

Congrats on the new GX!

 

Alcantara = luxury? I have trouble getting behind the idea that a nonwoven fabric made from polyester is in the same class of materials as a suede derived from leather hides. Alcantara is made by the same process that cleaning and baby wipes (using the same materials). It is a very high basis weight that is imparted with novel texturing and coloring, but still just an attempt to cost save out expensive materials to drive profits. I've seen the original Alcantara production line in operation for myself and I've also seen baby wipes made on the same line. For that reason alone, I could never consider it a luxury material.

 

it definitely upgrades the cabin