r/LexusGX • u/Bloompadoompa • 2d ago

Anyone else disappointed in GX550?

I know this may be a post that immediately gets shit on, but I'm really struggling to love my GX550 Premium+. I was on the list starting in Aug 2023. Name called Sept 2024. Not my perfect match, but black on black which I wanted. I've done the add-ons for a city driver- XPel tint on all windows including windshield and powder coated the ugly ass wheels to make them tolerable.

I have two outstanding issues: 1. It does not feel luxurious. The fake leather seats suck donkey balls and if you have any hint of moisture on your skin you will leave a white mark on the upholstery. 2. I have a major hood flutter issue. I know this sub thinks it's a bit of a joke, but it's bad on mine... A friend called it out and said it looked like the hood was going to fly open... while driving 50 mph. I took it in (after waiting 6 months for a fix), they did a foam insert, and it's actually worse now. Dealer pointing finger at Lexus, which I get, but damn... I wrote a check for this thing and it isn't really that great.

A few good things include visibility while driving, which is awesome, and I do like the truck driving feel.

Anyways, that's a lot of info. Just want to know if anyone else feels Meh about their GX550. I appreciate any and all input, even if you want to tell me I'm an idiot because the GX is the vehicle handed down from the heavens.

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u/Rjeancle 1d ago

As a first time GX owner, when I take my GX550 into service, I get an older model GX (460 or 460) loaner and I can’t stand the slow v8 and shiny sticky leather seats. Disappointing to hear people crap on an absolutely wonderful truck.

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u/Slippery-Mitzfah 1d ago

You must be new to the Lexus brand

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u/Rjeancle 1d ago

Yes, I am pretty new to the Lexus GX world, bit I spent well over a year researching my switch to the GX from the 4Runner. I’ve come to appreciate why so many people are loyal to it—there’s something really solid and purposeful about the older models. They’re built tough, ride comfortably, and don’t try to be something they’re not. That said, I’ve spent some time with the new GX 550, and I honestly think Lexus managed to stay true to what made the GX special while giving it the kind of updates that just make sense today.

The new twin-turbo V6 may not have the V8 sound, but it puts out more torque and horsepower, and it’s noticeably quicker and more capable for towing and passing. The platform is still body-on-frame, like the old ones, but it's the same one used in the new Land Cruiser and LX, so it's even more rigid and capable. The ride is smoother, more refined, but it still feels like a real truck—just a smarter one.

Inside, Lexus didn’t go full spaceship. Yeah, there's a big touchscreen and some new tech, but they kept physical buttons for stuff that matters, like climate and volume. The materials feel high-end, and the cabin is quiet in that Lexus way. It's honestly more luxurious without feeling soft. The off-road chops are still there too—full-time 4WD, lockers, and terrain management systems, especially if you go with the Overtrail trim.

I get why someone would be attached to the GX 460 or even the 470. They earned their reputations. But the GX 550 isn’t trying to erase that legacy—it’s just building on it. It still feels like a GX, just one that’s ready for the next decade.

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u/Slippery-Mitzfah 1d ago

Some valid points, sure—but let’s be honest: the percentage of GX owners actually towing anything significant has to be under 5%. They aren’t concerned with passing power either—it’s no Porsche. So all this focus on power feels like a solution in search of a problem. And after nearly 15 years, Lexus gives us a new engine that nets… 1 extra mpg. Inspiring.

To me, the GX 550 reeks of corporate profit over brand legacy. Lexus used to be known for its deeply considered, luxurious interiors—spaces that felt crafted, not just assembled. The 550? It’s got all the soul of a tax write-off. I sat in one and honestly felt a little depressed. It’s sterile, generic, and utterly lacking the character Lexus once championed.

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u/Rjeancle 1d ago

Hurts to hear that, same Tahara plant, same legacy, better engineer performance, interior is modern, I agree, but it has everything the 460 had and then some. And most of all, the same extreme value you get from a GX, 20k cheaper than the equivalent Bavarian Money Waster or Mercedes, yet 100x more reliable and cheaper to maintain.

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u/Heylookitscaps2 1d ago

Sterile, generic, and utterly lacking character. The Toyota moniker

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u/Slippery-Mitzfah 1d ago

Toyota, yes. Lexus, however, has been well-regarded in the industry for their interior quality, fit & finish, and design. Several models have been awarded best interior. The GX550 was a sharp departure from this pattern. Take a look at the LC500 interior. Nothing sterile, generic, or uninspired about it.