What's the difference?
The new Lexus GX 550 showcases a brand new design for its third-generation iteration but the model is new to the Australian market.
And while it hasn't been as hotly anticipated as its cousin, the Toyota Prado, it's still one that should excite. It's a capable full-time four-wheel drive that manages to look good on- and off-road! It feels like a breath of fresh air.
Will it find itself more likely adorning the garage of a city slicker? Perhaps, but you can't deny it has some star power now with its design and it couldn't have come soon enough. Especially when you compare the flagship Sports Luxury grade my family and I have on test to its European luxury rivals, the BMW X7 and Land Rover Defender.
When the BMW iX first showed up a few years ago, it was a promising look at what BMW seemed capable of when it comes to electric cars.
While mildly flawed, the iX was fast, comfortable and felt properly premium. Now it’s had a decent update, with the iX xDrive45 M Sport here to replace the former entry-level xDrive 40.
BMW claims among other mechanical and tech updates a power increase of 25 per cent, a 30 per cent greater energy content for the battery, a 38 per cent increase in driving range and a 17 per cent faster charging rate.
But in the time since the iX launched, there have been big strides in the premium electric SUV space, including new arrivals from European opposition like the Polestar 3; even a new American in the form of the Cadillac Lyriq.
The new Lexus GX 550 Sports Luxury looks fantastic and has enough mod cons to satisfy a family but it’s not as luxurious as you’d expect from a premium brand and the fuel economy and driving range will turn off some. But if you’re still interested, there’s a lot here that will make you happy and it’s one of the smoothest 4WDs I’ve driven.
If anyone was worried that it would be too late to get a decent bit of value out of an entry-level iX, there's reassuring news.
With more power, range and features added to the model and the cost remaining close to its former sticker price, the iX has held up well despite now existing in a more competitive environment.
The new GX 550 looks massive and while it shares the same platform as the Toyota LandCruiser 300 series, it doesn't share all of its bulk. They both stand at 1980mm wide but differ on length (5015mm vs 4980mm) and height (1670mm vs 1950mm), respectively.
The new design is fabulously rugged but each body panel looks meticulously crafted and is just the right size. This just means the proportions look right and your eye sort of glides over the big body rather than stopping on any one feature.
But having said that, there are a lot of nice features to focus on, like the long LED headlights and rear strip light, auto-folding side steps, 22-inch alloy wheels and sharply styled rectangular side mirrors.
The tailgate window can also be opened if you need to pop something into the boot but don't want, or have the space, to open the tailgate itself.
The styling takes a minor nose dive once you hit the cabin, though, because it doesn't look as sumptuous as you'd expect in a premium SUV.
I love the utilitarian and military vibe of the vertical dashboard, chunky air vents and relatively small windscreen. It looks great but some trims are plasticky and the touchpoints, while soft, are not Lexus-plush.
However, the technology looks gorgeous with an integrated 14-inch multimedia display and a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster. The fixed sunroof with its two settings (clear or opaque) is also a lovely feature.
But on a whole, the GX 550's European rivals outclass it with their flashier cabins.
The iX was a bit divisive upon its original launch, because it was one of the early adopters of BMW’s current ‘big grille’ era.
The good news for the iX is that many have adjusted their expectations on that front and it now feels pretty well at home in the brand’s line-up.
The addition of the 'Iconic Glow' grille surround might be a step too far for some, but overall the iX has aged well and its exterior design hasn’t changed much because of that.
The adaptive LED headlights have new DRL elements, and the M Sport pack is now standard, but if you were only casually familiar with the iX you’d have to be looking closely to spot the update.
The new colour palette for the iX also includes the pictured 'Arctic Race Blue metallic', though I’m personally a fan of the iX in all black, giving it a more monolithic look.
Inside, it’s a similar story - what was once perhaps ahead of its time is now the expectation in an electric SUV. Minimalism in terms of physical controls, but plenty of space.
Helping the feeling of spaciousness is the now-standard panoramic sunroof, though a lack of physical shade is one of the iX’s few interior let-downs. Instead, it can electrochromatically ‘shade’, which still lets in plenty of light.
At night, ambient lighting joins the glow of the iX’s rather large 14.9-inch multimedia touchscreen and 12.3-inch driver display.
The cabin of the new GX 550 is fairly practical with plenty of head- and legroom in each row (yep, even the third!). When you first hop in, it can feel a big snug on elbow-room but this feeling quickly dissipates.
Despite a 215mm ground clearance, access is pretty good for the front and middle rows due to the wide door apertures and side-steps. Third row access is a bit awkward for an adult but my eight-year old loved scampering back there this week.
The electric front seats are comfortable with their extra functions and I like the way the massage feature extends to the seat cushion as it limits fatigue on longer journeys. However, you sit on top of them rather sink into them which makes it feel a little trucky at times.
The wide middle row has a bench seat that will be comfortable for kids but an adult might get a sore behind on a long trip. The transmission tunnel also compromises foot room for adults but the seat is wide enough to make use of all three top-tether anchor points (there are ISOFIX mounts too).
It was a little bit of an effort to lift my big booster seat into the back because the GX 550 sits so tall but otherwise, there's plenty of room around a child seat for them not to feel like a sardine.
Individual storage is made up of a glove box that fits an owner's manual, a small shelf in the dashboard and a middle console that doubles as a cool box (mini fridge) and can fit up to four cans or bottles in it.
Each row gets four drinkholders and two USB-C ports but the front also enjoys a 12-volt socket and wireless charging pad. There's a 220V domestic plug port in the boot for larger appliances, too.
It's sometimes awkward to use the wireless charging pad because it's easy for your phone to slide around on it and it quite often disengaged from charging.
My son enjoyed all of the other amenities in the middle row, like the reading lights, climate control, two USB-C ports and retractable sunblinds and I applaud carmakers when they position rear directional air vents in the pillars and/or roof. It just makes it so much easier to cool down sweaty kids!
The 14-inch multimedia display has clear graphics and a responsive touchscreen. The layout is easy enough to get used to after spending some time with it and the sat nav is simple to use.
I like that the sat nav directions can be pulled into the 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and head-up display.
There is a Lexus connected services app, which you get a three-year subscription to. It's easy to connect to the wireless Apple CarPlay and there is also wireless Android Auto.
The system also has Bluetooth and digital radio, which is a delight to use through the 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.
The cabin is rounded out by the well-shaped boot which has a massive 1063L of capacity when the third-row is folded. That's been more than enough for my family's needs this week and my German Shepherd was pretty comfy back there, too. The powered tailgate has a kick-function and there is a full-size spare wheel underneath the car.
The space on offer in both rows of the iX is a huge plus, and it might even be enough to make you look past some of the small downsides to the electric Bimmer’s interior.
The iX’s clever two-level central console has the phone charger pad and drinks holders down out of the way and means you can put distractions (phone) and your tall bottles out of the way. There's a slot above for your phone to sit upright with a gap under for charging, too.
The storage bin under the armrest also has plenty of space as well as a little shelf for smaller items you don't want to go hunting for, but the iX’s control panel and dial are still reflective and, at certain times of the day, this means distracting light getting in your eyes.
Speaking of distracting, I have found BMW’s multimedia software to be less intuitive and more complicated with each major update, and ‘OS 8.5’ is no different. At this point, using the brand’s touchscreen feels like operating an iPad on the move, with dozens of menu tiles to sort through.
But back to the physical space that is the iX’s interior - the big EV makes a lot of sense as a family car, especially if your kids are old enough to appreciate (and keep clean) the fit and finish.
Not only does the drive have a nicely adjustable and comfortable sports seat thanks to the M Sport pack, there's also heating and a massage function.
The front passenger gets the same, and the second row is borderline palatial. There's heaps of kneeroom, headroom, and even space under the front seats at their lowest setting to slot your feet.
The four-zone climate controls mean arguments are avoided, there is of course a central armrest, though even with it folded up and a person in the centre there's enough room in the back to be comfortable.
Behind that, the iX’s 500 litres of boot space could probably be expanded but at the expense of rear legroom, so it's acceptable. There is space under the floor for cables, but no space saver spare, just a repair kit.
There's a switch that allows you to fold the seats down from the tailgate, but you can also manually fold the middle seat for a 40/20/40 split rather than the more expected 60/40.
The Lexus GX 550 shares the same platform as the recently introduced Toyota Prado but both models are now based on the same 'body-on-frame' platform shared by the beastie Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series. So it's bigger and features a more rigid chassis than before.
Surprisingly, that hasn't translated to a massive price tag for the GX 550 and you can pick up the flagship grade on test for this review for $128,200, MSRP.
Which sounds inexpensive when you compare it to the BMW X7 xDrive 40i M Sport which is priced from $171,300 MSRP but the Land Rover Defender 110 P400 X-Dynamic HSE is a lot closer at $128,815 MSRP.
The only issue here is that shared platform, because while they don't share the same powertrain, the flagship Toyota Prado Kakadu ($99,990 MSRP) is still almost $30K more affordable and boasts a similar equipment list. So, ask yourself, is it the brand and engine you're after or the new good looks?
The standard equipment is well-rounded with a 14-inch touchscreen media display with satellite navigation and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
A fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster, colour head-up display, three-zone climate control and a 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system round out multimedia requirements.
Other technology includes a digital rear view mirror, two USB-C ports in each row, a 12-volt socket, a 220-volt domestic outlet and a wireless charging pad.
There are two particularly handy features for families, the 'cool box' (basically a mini fridge) middle console and rear retractable sun-blinds.
The fixed panoramic sunroof features two settings allowing you to make it clear or opaque. The electric front seats feature heat, ventilation and massage functions and the rear outboard seats are heated as well. The third row electrically adjusts and there are multiple buttons throughout the car to access this feature.
Upgraded leather-accented upholstery is standard in the flagship grade and is available in three combinations. The Sports Luxury also features 22-inch alloy wheels, a full-size spare wheel and a powered tailgate with kick-function.
The sole entry-grade iX is the xDrive45 M Sport, which brings with it more than the original base xDrive40, but also a price a few thousand dollars higher.
It starts from $142,900 but can quickly become much more expensive when you start ticking options boxes. But in this market segment, it's not that unusual, especially considering recent arrivals like the Polestar 3.
Given it’s only a little more expensive than before, the extra kit and higher grade that now forms the iX entry-point is impressive.
The 'M Sport' pack is now standard as the name suggests, plus there’s M trim inside like the steering wheel, the M seats and silver design highlights.
The LED lights are now adaptive and the glowing grille surround has also been added.
There’s also now a panoramic glass roof as standard, rather than an option, plus the steering wheel is heated and there’s now a tyre pressure monitor.
Aside from that, there’s plenty that carries over, like the wireless phone charging, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 18-speaker surround sound by Harman Kardon, four-zone climate control and heated front seats.
There’s also an 'Executive Pack' which adds some comfort features like soft-close doors, privacy glass and front seat ventilation with rear seat heating. That one’s $6500.
Then there’s active steering, which brings the rear wheels into play for more manoeuvrability and stability for $3000.
Adaptive air suspension is $4000, while the most expensive option is a 30-speaker Bowers & Wilkins ‘Diamond’ surround sound system for $9500.
All GX 550 grades share the same 3.5L V6 twin turbo-petrol engine which produces up to 260kW of power and 650Nm of torque.
This 4WD has high- and low-gearing, as well as a bunch of driving modes to suit most occasions, like 'Eco', 'Comfort', 'Sport' and 'Sport+'.
The 10-speed automatic transmission shifts through its gears smoothly and it always feels like it's engaged in the right gear. Which isn't always the case for a big SUV!
The Sports Luxury is fitted with a towing hitch and cover but unlike the base Sports grade which has a 3.5-tonne braked towing capacity, this model only has a 3130kg capacity which might not appeal to families with big toys to tow.
The iX has, as the xDrive part of its name would suggest, a dual-motor electric set-up with all-wheel drive.
Power and torque now total 300kW and 700Nm for the system in the xDrive45 M Sport, up from the 240kW and 630Nm on offer in the outgoing xDrive40.
BMW says the iX is now good to hit 100km/h from a standstill in 5.1 seconds, with its claimed top speed a nice, rounded 200km/h.
I didn’t have high hopes for fuel economy because the official combined (urban/extra-urban cycle figure is a hefty 12.3L/100km but after mostly open-road driving, with some urban stuff mixed in, my real-world average came in at 11.8L.100km! This figure is based on my actual km travelled (358km) and litres of fuel used (42.41L).
While I’m surprised by the fuel usage result, I wouldn’t say this car has good fuel economy compared to its diesel-powered counterparts but it’s not terrible!
The GX 550 has a relatively small fuel tank compared to its Toyota cousins at 80L and based on the combined fuel cycle, you’ll get a theoretical driving range of up to 650km.
Not all that great. Not for a big family mover and not if you’re typically driving in the city, where fuel usage will be a lot higher.
The GX 550 only accepts premium unleaded petrol (95 RON), too.
The iX’s 94.8kWh battery allows a range up to 522km, but relatively low efficiency because of the size and weight.
Its 20kWh/100km is on the higher side of power use for cars around this size and this is part of the reason its huge battery capacity results in a fairly average driving range.
Maximum power input for DC fast charging is, however, up from 150kW to 175kW with the update, which is good news for those long drives.
Oh my goodness the Sports Luxury is a masterclass on 4WD refinement! You never feel the bulk or weight of this massive SUV when you’re driving it. The power delivery is effortless and there’s lots of grunt available when you hit hills.
The handling is also very good with responsive steering and enough road feedback as a driver to make you feel comfortable with what the car is doing. There is some roll in corners but it can tackle more corners at speed than I thought it would.
The high driving position makes me feel like I can see a long way ahead yet while visibility is mostly good, it can be compromised when you have the side window shades and the third row headrests up. Which is why I love the digital rear view mirror.
Overall, ride comfort is good with forgiving suspension and low cabin noise, even at higher speeds. It’s pretty easy to chat with all rows and there’s not a lot of engine noise which adds to the refinement. I do like hearing a V6 rumble but that’s just a personal preference.
I was a little worried about hitting my local Westfield car park but this is a nimble SUV to manoeuvre and parking it is a breeze with the 360-degree camera system and parking sensors.
The BMW iX was a relatively early entry into the catalogue of electric cars I’ve driven and because of that it had a couple of (in hindsight) unfair criticisms levelled at it.
For a start, it felt heavier than expected and its ride quality didn’t feel up to BMW’s standards - both things that plenty of electric SUVs have struggled with since.
But its drivetrain, design, and interior all impressed, aside from perhaps some of the aforementioned interior reflections.
Now years on, and the iX has aged well.
Some of the mechanicals and suspension also copped a tweak along with the entry iX now being a more powerful ‘45’. The result is a big electric SUV that holds up better than I remember.
‘Smooth’ is the key word that comes to mind in regards to a lot of the iX’s characteristics. While it’s still not perfect and feels heavy, the iX rides well in comparison to many SUVs on the market, including some of its close rivals.
Perhaps key to this is the fact its standard 21-inch wheels leave plenty of tyre to help the suspension soak up sharp edges on bumps, while we’re sure BMW’s handling engineers have learned more about getting the best out of a big, heavy electric vehicle in the last couple of years.
Road noise is well-muted as a result, and the shape of the iX doesn’t seem to lend itself to excessive wind noise. Even when you’re getting rather quick.
Despite being a 2525kg beast, its 5.1-second sprint to 100km/h is in the muscle car realm - the last of Holden’s V8 Commodores would do about that, for reference.
Its acceleration is also nicely progressive, rather than giving you an almighty but unnecessary jolt of torque right as you put your foot down. But once there’s traction and you’re rolling, the xDrive45 is impressive.
Meanwhile, its cornering and braking still reveal the heft behind the iX, it’s not something you can chuck around like a go-kart, but that’s also not really its area.
Anyone familiar with BMW’s steering characteristics will find the slightly higher force required for its weight (and thickness of the steering wheel rim) standard, though it’s still unnecessarily on the heavier side.
The new GX 550 hasn’t been tested by ANCAP and is unrated but its cousin, the Toyota Prado, which shares the same platform just achieved a maximum five-star rating from assessment in 2024. It's fair to expect a good result for this model.
Overall, the Sports Luxury has a long list of standard safety equipment and features nine airbags which is good for a family SUV.
Safety equipment includes adaptive cruise control, lane departure alert, lane keeping aid, traffic sign recognition, emergency steering assist, driver monitoring, safe exit assist, emergency call functionality, blind-spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert and tyre pressure monitoring.
The GX 550 has autonomous emergency braking (AEB) with pedestrian, cyclist, motorcyclist and junction turning assist.
The BMW iX holds a five-star ANCAP rating, which it earned under slightly more lenient testing back in 2021.
Seven airbags, auto emergency braking with cyclist and pedestrian detection up to 80km/h, lane-assist, rear-cross traffic alert and intersection assist, plus a surround view parking camera all help immensely.
Lexus offers the GX 550 with a five-year/unlimited km warranty, which is fairly standard compared to its Euro rivals.
You get five years capped-priced servicing which costs $5950 but the servicing schedule is a bit of a bear at every six months or 10,000km, whichever occurs first.
BMW offers a five-year/unlimited kilometre warranty with an eight-year/160,000km warranty on the battery.
BMW servicing takes place as needed rather than on a schedule, meaning you’ll be alerted via the car or app when a service is required in the near future.
For the iX a six-year all-inclusive service pack costs $3475, regardless of how many km you drive.
BMW has 54 servicing dealers listed in Australia, with each capital city covered and many more locations in the eastern states.