Posted this over in the quiet cigar lounge that is the LX600 section, and a few of us Lx600 guys have chatted about it a bit. Figured you dedicated true overlanders might be interested over here in the LC250 section.
I've been on the Gx550 list for about 8 months now, and just had a chance to drive a GX550 (Premium, with a Luxury+ available for looks and starts and sits but not drives). Having driven my '22 LX600 for two years and 30,000 miles, I think I'm in a good position to compare. Multiple people on YouTube and various blogs have super detailed reviews, and so this is an overall impression.
In short, while the refinement of the LX600 is considerably higher than the GX550, with more supple suspension, softer inside materials, quieter ride, more muted engine notes, the GX is a good deal "lighter." It's much lighter to steer, quicker to turn, doors are easier to open and close, buttons are all quicker to depress and respond. The LX600 has a good deal of "weight," or "inertia," and that characterizes the steering, the acceleration, and heft of the doors, etc.
Masculine vs. feminine is probably not a very popular way to characterize them, but that's what comes to mind. While I've been working on selling my GX460, my wife has been driving my LX, and after test driving a 2019 Landcruiser, she was able to tease out this idea of "heft," or "inertia." The LX600 has it, though it's a good deal easier to drive about than the Lc200. That said, she doesn't care for the Lx. Feels too heavy to whisk around town with our three kids.
I'll be keeping my LX600, and my wife will be getting a GX550 as soon as ours rolls in. I like the weight, the solidity, the presence of the LX600. But I also think Lexus did an awesome job with the new GX, and they are going to sell a bunch of them. What a great set of vehicles!
I've been on the Gx550 list for about 8 months now, and just had a chance to drive a GX550 (Premium, with a Luxury+ available for looks and starts and sits but not drives). Having driven my '22 LX600 for two years and 30,000 miles, I think I'm in a good position to compare. Multiple people on YouTube and various blogs have super detailed reviews, and so this is an overall impression.
In short, while the refinement of the LX600 is considerably higher than the GX550, with more supple suspension, softer inside materials, quieter ride, more muted engine notes, the GX is a good deal "lighter." It's much lighter to steer, quicker to turn, doors are easier to open and close, buttons are all quicker to depress and respond. The LX600 has a good deal of "weight," or "inertia," and that characterizes the steering, the acceleration, and heft of the doors, etc.
Masculine vs. feminine is probably not a very popular way to characterize them, but that's what comes to mind. While I've been working on selling my GX460, my wife has been driving my LX, and after test driving a 2019 Landcruiser, she was able to tease out this idea of "heft," or "inertia." The LX600 has it, though it's a good deal easier to drive about than the Lc200. That said, she doesn't care for the Lx. Feels too heavy to whisk around town with our three kids.
I'll be keeping my LX600, and my wife will be getting a GX550 as soon as ours rolls in. I like the weight, the solidity, the presence of the LX600. But I also think Lexus did an awesome job with the new GX, and they are going to sell a bunch of them. What a great set of vehicles!
