If only we could get this great Lexus in the Netherlands…

Have we driven this Lexus GX yet? NO. So how can we say this huge SUV is brilliant? Because it looks brilliant. We like a little bit of boxy design, like the Land Rover Defender and Suzuki Jimny have.

The current Lexus GX is very old. It has been on the market in the US since 2009 and has seen several updates and facelifts during that time. Well, even this GX is not quite up to date under the skin. It has a separate ladder chassis, making it more of an off-roader than an SUV.

Lexus GX with chunky tonka styling

And that’s what it looks like, with its chunky tonka design. The huge Lexus grille is actually understated on the GX. No more open predator mouth, but plain, black grid.

No more V8, but a six-cylinder

Previously, the GX was available with a V8. No longer. Under the hood is a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 with 354 hp and 650 Nm. This makes the model 45 hp and 46 Nm more powerful. In time there will also be a hybrid version of the GX.

The driver does not have to shift gears himself. Lexus installed a ten-speed automatic. Permanent all-wheel drive is standard, as is a Torsen center differential, a low gear ratio and a maximum trailer weight of more than 3,600 kilograms.

The Overtrail version is designed for off-road use

The new GX – somewhat reminiscent of the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser J70 – is 5 meters long and 2.1 meters wide. It is available as an overtrail, a variant that is clearly geared towards off-road use.

The Overtrail is equipped with aluminum skid plates, an electronically locking rear axle differential and a special chassis with increased suspension travel and anti-roll bars that can be switched off.

Seven seats and twelve cup holders

The fact that the Lexus GX should primarily appeal to Americans is shown by the fact that there are no fewer than twelve (!) cup holders on board. The large SUV is available with six or seven seats.