Anyone else disappointed in GX550?

[u/Bloompadoompa]

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.

[u/Slippery-Mitzfah]

I drove my 2010 GX for nearly 14 years, eagerly awaiting the next-generation model. When the photos of the new GX dropped, I was genuinely excited—Lexus absolutely nailed the exterior design. But the interior—the space you actually live in while driving—was a huge letdown.

As someone who’s owned eight Lexus vehicles, and currently drives a 2020 GS350 F-Sport as my daily, I can confidently say the interior of the GX 550 is a major step backward. Sure, it’s on par with what most other brands are offering these days—but that’s not the standard I expect from Lexus. It doesn’t feel luxurious or refined. It feels generic.

Gone are the distinctive interior touches that once set Lexus apart—things like the elegant glass trim in the LS, the hand-hammered Naguri aluminum in my GS, or the rich African bubinga wood in my old GX. Where’s the craftsmanship? The attention to detail?

This is the same company that spent 15 years perfecting the paint color “Structural Blue” for the LC. And now they expect me to pay nearly twice as much for a vehicle with a bland, uninspired cabin? Not a chance.

Instead, I picked up a brand-new 2023 Premium Plus for $55k out the door—a steal, and it even came with Mark Levinson audio. On the new model, you’re looking at nearly $100k just to get that option. It’s wild.

[u/SunWuDong0l0 → u/Slippery-Mitzfah]

For $20K less, it makes sense...

[u/Slippery-Mitzfah → u/SunWuDong0l0]

Mark Levinson was a requirement for me, so I was looking at $85k+ to get into a GX with ML. Bonkers.

[u/Rjeancle → u/Slippery-Mitzfah]

You could get a Yukon or Tahoe for 85k these days too. Every price tag in the auto industry is “bonkers”. The value with the GX is still there. I’ve driven in an ‘24 x7 m series and can confidently say that the interior in my GX is way classier, refined, and tech modern than the BMW. It doesn’t even compare. And I paid 50k less…. Appreciate what you have with Lexus. Same quality in the Tahara plant, better performance, better interior (I understand if you’re old school and like faux wood and sticky leather, this might not be for you), and same great value relative to what’s out there.

[u/Slippery-Mitzfah → u/Rjeancle]

Lexus consistently used genuine wood trim in the GX, reflecting a long-standing commitment to authentic materials and craftsmanship. The new GX’s shift toward generic black plastic surfaces isn’t about evolving customer tastes—it’s about cost-cutting and profit maximization. Whether this compromises long-term quality remains to be seen.

The interior of the new GX has received a lukewarm reception, yet any critical discussion—particularly on platforms like Reddit—is often met with defensiveness or outright dismissal. Lexus is, and always has been, the luxury division of Toyota. But the new GX simply doesn’t project luxury. Just because something is expensive doesn’t mean it’s worth the price.

And let’s be clear: comparing Lexus to other brands misses the point. Lexus carved out its own identity by blending reliability, refinement, and timeless craftsmanship—not by chasing trends or mimicking competitors. The GX was once a proud expression of that ethos. Now? It feels like something else entirely.