Lexus has always been really good about making luxury SUVs for all lifestyles, including those who like to go off the beaten path. As a matter of fact, they have two luxury SUVs that are very luxurious, very capable, and similar-sized: the Lexus GX and the Lexus LX. But we must ask the question, which one of them is the best all-around choice? Well, let’s dive into this 2024 Lexus GX vs. 2024 Lexus LX battle!
Pricing and Equipment
Now before we get into it, let’s get into the pricing, which is quite different for these two.
Beginning with the all-new GX 550, we have the fully loaded version which is called the Luxury+ trim. This version starts a bit under $80,000 and after we add a few extra options, we arrive at $83,895.
Starting: $64,250 | Luxury+ 4WD: $79,900 | Options: $2,645 | Destination: $1,350 | Total: $83,895
The LX 600, on the other hand, starts at about 10 grand more than that. Our F-Sport variant carries an as-test price tag of about $113,000.
Starting: $93,950 | F-Sport 4WD: $107,125 | Options: $4,890 | Destination: $1,350 | Total: $113,365
By the way, if you want to get the best price from local dealerships and access to invoice pricing info for these two models or any vehicle, we have a tool on our website to do just that. Click here for more information!
Exterior Design
We will start off with the outsides, where both Lexus SUVs are unmistakably premium yet rugged looking. The new GX has gone for a more dialed-back interpretation of the Lexus spindle grille, while the LX continues with maximum boldness, all blacked out. On the sides of both spindles, you’ll find premium projector triple-beam LEDs as standard equipment in addition to headlamp washers and LED fog lamps.
But circling back to that tough look, it’s worth noting that both these SUVs are indeed very off-road capable and can certainly handle going off the beaten path with 8.7 and 8.9 inches of ground clearance respectively. They both also have center locking diffs, but it’s only the LX that has a height-adjustable suspension.
- LX: 8.9-inches
- GX: 8.7-inches
Heading on around to the sides, both will include large multi-spoke 22-inch alloys, which look nice against the boxy side profiles. And this would be a great time to mention how they size up against each other. You might be surprised to learn that the LX is only 3 inches longer than the GX making them very similar in size despite the not-so-similar price and segmentation.
Lengths: LX: 200.6-inches | GX: 197.4-inches
Later, we’ll see how that translates to interior space, but for now, around back, the boxy shapes continue, and they have fully LED taillights as expected. Neither have exposed exhaust tips, and their tow ratings come in at 7,800 lbs in the GX Luxury+ and 8,000 pounds in the LX, not enough of a difference to score a point.
Towing: GX: 7,800 lbs. | LX: 8,000 lbs.
Additional Features
Now as far as some other features, both have fully loaded mirrors, and they both also have the latest safety packages, which include every single active safety system as standard equipment.
Warranty coverage will also be the same.
LEX: Warranty: Basic Warranty: 4yr/50k mi | Powertrain: 6yr/70k mi | Comp Main: 2 visits
That’s it for the exteriors, so now we can get to the more-important uber-luxury interiors.
Interior Design
So, walking up the vehicles, both are obviously going to have smart entry systems to unlock the doors, and the new GX now has power-deploying running boards, something that’s surprisingly not offered on the LX.
Now checking out the interiors themselves, as you can see, both obviously look luxurious even though the color schemes are vastly different. In the GX we have the standard black, while the LX F-Sport has a bold red and black design. Regardless, though, both have ultra-premium semi-analine leather seating surfaces and highly adjustable seats. While both have power thy extension, the GX only has 2-way lumbar support for some reason.
Lastly, both have heating, ventilation and memory, but only the GX has front massage.
Let’s fully climb inside and talk about the overall cabin materials. As you would expect, the flagship Lexus SUV does deliver a more opulent selection of materials, with more leather covering common areas and lots of real aluminum trim. The GX has more plastic and only a small amount of wood, so the LX will get the point here.
Now after we start them up, you will be greeted by two digital screens, a full 12.3-inch one on the GX and smaller 8-inch one on the LX.
Regardless, both have vivid head-up displays projected out, as well as rain-sensing wipers and power-adjusting steering wheels.
Storage and Technology
Now the next major area to evaluate is interior storage. The LX is a wider SUV, so it’s cool box is larger than the GX’s, and it also accommodates more storage in the area around the shifter for objects.
A lot of you guys will be happy that they haven’t changed the shifters to electronic ones like most of the rest of the Lexus lineup. When in reverse, we have 360-degree cameras on both.
Note: both of them have wireless phone charging pads
For the climate controls, we do have some differences. The LX has an additional zone, 4 total, and it also has a separate screen to change some of the settings.
This screen is also where many of the special off-road menus are located, but the GX also has the same systems for going off the beaten path, just with physical buttons.
Alrighty, that brings us to the audio systems, so let’s sample them. Both sound systems are terrific, but the LX does have a small advantage.
GX: 21-speaker Mark Levinson Premium audio
LX: 25-speaker Mark Levinson Premium audio
Now moving on to the screens, these are obviously very important aspects of a modern interior, and they are distinctly different. The LX’s screen is the smaller of the two with a 12.3-inch screen compared to a 14-inch screen in the GX. However, since the lower section of the GX’s display is devoted to climate controls, so, in effect, they have the same amount of useable space.
The actual software experience is the same, with dynamic built in navigation, as well as wireless AA and ACP.
Up above, only the more affordable GX has a digital camera rearview mirror and oddly-enough, only the GX also has a panoramic sunroof. Just keep in mind that if you want the breeze in your hair, then the LX is the better option because that panoramic GX roof is fixed in place.
Rear Seats and Cargo
Even though both are large SUV’s, one is considered a mid-sizer and the other a full-sizer by pricing segmentation. But as far as actual space is concerned, there isn’t a great deal to differentiate between them. As a matter of fact, 2nd row legroom is nearly identical, and headroom is better in the GX by about 7%.
GX: 36.7-inches of legroom | 41.8-inches of headroom
LX: 36.6-inches of legroom | 38.9-inches of headroom
But since these are luxury 3-row SUV’s, there is still a lot to talk about in the back seats. We have with climate controls, heated seats and window sunshades. The seats are also ventilated on the LX but not the GX.
But only the GX has USB ports.
LX has available executive lounge seating with massage but that’s only on the Ultra Luxury model for $135,000.
Now let’s move on to the third rows. Getting into the way-back, both models have second rows that tumble forward. And first of all, there are only 2 third row seats for both models, so max seating is 6 passengers, as equipped with captain’s chairs.
Note: the GX Overtrail trims and LX Ultra Luxury trim do not have third rows
Now as far as space and comfort, these seats appear to be exactly the same in shape, size and positioning. They are very flat and close to the floor due to these SUV’s body-on-frame designs, meaning you don’t get much thy support at all. The legroom measures, however, are decent for both of them, even if both of their headroom’s are almost inadequate for 5’9” adults.
GX: 31.8 inches of legroom | 35.3 inches of headroom
LX: Legroom: 31.1 inches | Headroom: 35.2 inches
Features-wise, both have USB ports, vents and power recline.
Moving around back to the cargo, both have hands-free power tailgates, but only the GX can pop the rear glass independently.
Once the gates open up, you’ll see that there isn’t much space behind either of their third rows, again due to the old-school rugged suspensions that favor off-road abilities. Nevertheless, the LX technically has a 6.5% advantage behind the third rows, 7% advantage behind the second rows and then, an 18% disadvantage in maximum capacity? That’s right, because of the odd LX packaging, the GX has more maximum space with all the seats folded down.
GX: Behind 3rd Row: 10.3 cu.ft | 2nd Row: 40.2 cu.ft | Max: 76.9 cu.ft
LX: Behind the 3rd row: 11.0 cu.ft | 2nd row: 44.0 cu.ft | Max: 64.0 cu.ft
Both have spare tires and now let’s take them out on the road and see how they stack up there!
Powertrains
So, you might have been surprised so far at how similar these two are, and that is largely going to continue out on the streets. They both have 3.4L twin-turbo V-6 engines but with different power outputs, 349 hp and 409 hp in the GX and LX respectively. Torque figures are the same at 479 lb.ft, but the thing to remember here is that the LX is generally 300-600 lbs heavier depending on the trim. That means that overall acceleration is almost identical between then, with 0-60 MPH ties in the low 6 seconds.
GX: 3.4L Twin-turbo V-6: 349 hp | 479 lb.ft of torque | 0-60 MPH: 6.2s (C&D)
LX: 3.4L Twin-Turbo V-6: 409 hp and 479 lb.ft | 0-60 MPH: 6.1s (C&D)
As far as the transmissions are concerned, both have the same 10-speed automatic transmission, which is nice and responsive.
Test Drive and Fuel Economy
But perhaps as important as power and responsiveness, is ride quality. Both models are using adaptive dampers which isolate out all the largest road imperfections very well. But they are still body-on-frame SUV’s though, so the smaller vibrations are generally felt inside the cabins. It’s not of much importance but I do want to mention that both have moderate body roll due to their soft suspension tunes.
Here at Car Confections, something we like to do is take sound level readings for all the models we test so that we can compare them. At 55 MPH on a local Kentucky road, here’s how the two of them compare to each other.
GX: 53.5 dB @ 55 MPH
LX: 52.1 dB @ 55 MPH
Finally, when it comes to fuel economy, the more powerful and heavier LX beats the GX for some reason by 2 MPG. Lexus says that a GX hybrid will eventually join the lineup, but at the time of this comparison, it remains unavailable, and we have no further details.
GX 4×4: 15/21/17 MPG
LX 4×4: 17/22/19 MPG
Resale and Reliability
Alright, now it’s time to revisit the elephant in the room, which is the pricing difference. The LX is $29,470 more expensive than our loaded GX.
I want to emphasize that if money matters less to you personally, feel free to disregard these points.
I want to emphasize that if money, reliability or resale value matter less to you personally, feel free to disregard these points. And if you’d like to check out all our data about reliability and resale values, as well as learn about our methodology, make sure to head to www.carconfections.com/resale and www.carconfections.com/reliability. Buying a car is a big decision, and this is a great place to compare all the makes you might be cross-shopping.
2024 LEXUS GX vs. 2024 Lexus LX winner!
So, the GX takes this family rivalry video but now let’s talk about who is “your” winner:
GX:
- More affordable (by A LOT)
- Same size in most places and MORE max cargo capacity
- Exclusive luxury features: Massaging seats, cool pano roof
LX:
- More powerful and better fuel economy
- A couple extra features for rear occupants (optional Ultra Lux seats)
- Boujee design and prestige from owning the flagship
Now we want to know your opinions, so make sure to head to the comment section and let us know which one you would pick!
Thanks for joining us for another Car Confections Comparison! We’ll catch you next time as we sample the latest automotive delicacies!
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