2024 Lexus GX: How Does It Stack Up Against The Jeep Grand Cherokee And Land Rover Defender?

Lexus has a brand new GX for 2024, and that’s vital as a result of it’s solely the third all-new GX within the mannequin’s 20-year run and replaces an SUV that first went on sale in 2010.

However what’s actually fascinating about this new Lexus three-row SUV is that it’s considered one of two such automobiles the model is introducing for 2024. The opposite is the Lexus TX. Confused? Take into consideration how Land Rover provides each the Discovery and Defender. One majors on house, luxurious and refinement, whereas the opposite locations an emphasis on outright off-road functionality and funky, trendy utilitarian design.

So getting again to Lexus, the TX is aimed on the Discovery, BMW X5 and Genesis GV80. It additionally has a unibody design primarily based on the TNGA-Ok platform discovered on the Toyota Grand Highlander that ought to make it easy on the freeway. The GX, then again is a tricky, conventional body-on-frame truck constructed round a model of the TNGA-F chassis discovered beneath the Lexus LX 600 and the full-size Toyota Land Cruiser offered abroad. Whereas it may additionally steal some gross sales from city-dwelling SUVs just like the X5 and GV80, and even the TX, the GX’s extra pure rivals are the Defender and Jeep Grand Cherokee.

So how does the GX stack up towards these two rivals? Let’s dig into the specs and have a look.

Lexus GX 550

Associated: Field-tastic 2024 Lexus GX Proves You Can Have Each Model And Substance

GX? Is that basically you? Discuss a radical redesign. The bloated, chintzy dad-bod look of the previous GX has been changed by one thing infinitely extra confident and trendy. The acquainted Lexus ‘spindle’ grille remains to be there, however there’s one thing virtually retro in regards to the design that units it other than each different one of many model’s automobiles. Regardless of the Lexus design crew is smoking, somebody roll them one other one.

The brand new GX seems like it will possibly’t wait to leap off the asphalt and hit some trails, and as with each earlier GX, that’s not an empty promise. The GX’s body-on-frame development makes it distinctive within the midsize luxurious SUV class, and means it’s going to make a terrific tow car (as much as 8,000 lbs / 3,630 kg) and show useful on actually robust trails, not like most posh SUVs.

Each mannequin will get full-time all-wheel drive and a lockable Torsen limited-slip middle differential, whereas off-road centered Overtrail fashions add a locking rear differential in addition to an aluminum skid plates, 33-inch tires, a crawl-control characteristic and an adaptive suspension system that may disconnect the sway bars for extra articulation.

That is nonetheless a Lexus although, so the inside is all about luxurious. The previous analog gauge cluster makes approach for a 12.3-inch digital one, the ten.3-inch infotainment system is upgraded to 14 inches and the aniline leather-based seats could be configured as three pairs or with a bench within the second row for seven-person transport. An entry-level Premium-trim GX ought to are available in at simply over $60,000 when gross sales begin in early 2024, however you’ll be able to count on to pay round $70k for a mid-spec Luxurious grade mannequin and possibly $80k for a top-spec Overtrail+.

Configuration prospects are somewhat much less quite a few in terms of powertrains, nevertheless. The one mannequin out there at launch is the GX 550 that comes geared up with a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 and 10-speed computerized transmission. It makes 349 hp (354 PS) and 479 lb-ft (650 Nm), which compares effectively with the previous GX 460’s 301 hp (305 PS) and 329 lb-ft (446 Nm), however economic system is disappointing at 17 mpg, versus 16 mpg for the outgoing V8.

One factor value making an allowance for is that Toyota is about to unveil a brand new Land Cruiser within the U.S. (Land Cruiser Prado in different markets) primarily based on the GX part set, and whereas it gained’t have the GX’s luxurious badge or inside, it’s going to do a lot the identical factor for much less cash.

Jeep Grand Cherokee L

Jeep is pumping our some significantly competent and fascinating SUVs lately, and the Grand Cherokee is considered one of them. The five-seat Grand and its three-row Grand Cherokee L brother had been solely launched a few years again, so that they’re nonetheless pretty contemporary, and it’s the larger of the pair that GX consumers are going to seek out most fascinating.

Just like the GX, the Grand Cherokee L favors blocky straight strains, somewhat than curves, however the Jeep seems barely softer, much less like an escapee from a covert navy {hardware} compound and extra like what we’ve come to count on from a luxurious SUV.

There’s additionally loads of what you count on from a luxurious SUV on the within, not less than in case you go for the flowery Summit and Overland grades that may characteristic luxuries like quilted leather-based, open-pore wooden trim, therapeutic massage seats and a 3rd display for the entrance passenger above the glovebox. Issues look barely extra ‘rental’ on the different finish of the lineup, the entry-level Altitude making do with fabric seats and a puny 8.4-inch middle touchscreen. However then the Jeep’s $42k beginning value is nearly $20k under the GX’s, so you’ll be able to afford to maneuver up the vary in case you’re contemplating a Grand as an alternative of the Lexus.

And the excellent news is that even the finances variations get three rows as normal. The L positive aspects an extra 5-in of (127 mm) of wheelbase over the five-seat automobile and the additional row it permits comes as two particular person seats as normal, with a three-person bench out there as an choice.

We’re nonetheless ready for Jeep to make a 4xe hybrid powertrain out there to the prolonged Grand Cherokee, so for now the engine alternative comes all the way down to a 3.6-liter V6 with 293 hp (297 PS) or a 5.7-liter Hemi V8 pushing out 357 hp (362 PS). You’ll be able to have both of these with both rear- or all-wheel drive however whichever you choose it’ll be fed by way of an eight-speed computerized.

We’d go for the V8 for its additional 130 lb-ft (176 Nm) of torque. It makes a nicer noise, gained’t be round for lengthy, will make simpler work of hills and hauling, and talking of towing, going the V8 route ups the ranking from 6,200-7,200 lbs (2,810-3,266 kg).

Land Rover Defender 110 /130

You solely want take one have a look at the brand new GX and know that Lexus’ design crew has been carefully finding out the Land Rover Defender. We’ll go away you to resolve who does boxy finest, however there’s no arguing that the Landie seems nice, or that it’s a ton extra fascinating than a Land Rover Discovery, even when it isn’t fairly as roomy or luxurious inside.

The Defender is available in three lengths named 90, 110 and 130, however potential Lexus consumers will need to skip the primary, a stumpy two-door, and give attention to the remaining pair. The 110 and 130 journey on the identical 119-in (3,023 mm) wheelbase, however the huge man will get an additional 13.4-in (340 mm) of rear bodywork that improves each passenger and cargo room.

Belief us, in case you’re planning on ticking the third row choice and utilizing it commonly, the Defender 130 is certainly the way in which to go, as a result of in 110 guise the rearmost passengers have a whopping 10-in (254 mm) much less legroom than these at the back of Grand Cherokee L, and trunk house behind the 110’s seats is nearly nonexistent. Disgrace the 110 seems so a lot better.

Just like the GX, and in contrast to the Jeep, the Defender comes with all-wheel drive as normal. However the place it differs from each is that the bottom engine within the 110 is a turbo 4, somewhat than a V6. The P300 2.0 Ingenium motor’s 296 hp (300 PS) greater than matches the Grand Cherokee’s 293 hp (297 PS), and out-torques it to the tune of 35 lb-ft (47 lb-ft), too.

Likewise, the optionally available P400 3.0-liter, mild-hybrid inline six beats each the GX’s 3.4 V6 and the Jeep’s out there V8 with its 395 hp (400 PS) and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm), and for consumers with deep pockets and lots time to kill at gasoline stations, there’s the $111,500, 518 hp (525 hp) P525 V8 Defender 110. Go for the Defender 130 and also you’re not capable of order the entrance soar seat and the V8 choice is downgraded to 493 hp (500 PS), however you do get air suspension and a milder (296 hp / 300 PS) model of the I6 as normal rather than the 110’s I4.

Lexus TX

Associated: 2024 Lexus TX Debuts With Grownup-Pleasant Third-Row And Out there 406 HP PHEV

Yeah, we all know we spent our opening 200 phrases explaining why the Lexus TX and GX had been completely totally different, however it’s important to think about that somebody dropping in on their native Lexus vendor to try the GX would possibly not less than spend a minute nosing across the TX.

And although we expect it seems significantly unexciting compared, there are a couple of the reason why they may be persuaded that the TX is the higher purchase. For one, it has virtually 4 inches (100 mm) of extra wheelbase, a 3rd row of seats higher suited to common, and never simply occasional use, plus way more baggage house. And although it doesn’t have a hope of maintaining with a GX on tough floor, that unibody chassis means its on-road dynamics are going to miles higher.

The TX additionally has two engines at launch to the GX’s one, a front-wheel drive choice for consumers positive they’ll by no means enterprise off the ball stuff, and which can eat far much less gasoline. The bottom engine is a 2.4-liter turbo 4 with 275 hp (279 PS) and 317 lb-ft (430 Nm) of torque, whereas the TX 500 h provides hybrid help to carry output to 366 hp (371 PS) and 409 lb-ft (555 Nm).

A 406 hp (412 PS) PHEV comes later with a 33-mile (53 km) claimed electrical vary, however in case you’re extra desirous about hauling boats to the ocean than the rising temperature of the ocean itself, the TX’s inferior towing capability means you’ll be higher off with the gas-hungry, non-hybrid GX.

Which trail-ready luxurious SUV would get your money? Drop a remark under and tell us your alternative.