2024 Lexus GX550 Overtrail Plus 2,500 MILE Road Trip Report....was it RELIABLE?

Total trip length approx 2,500 miles
4 Days. Dallas, Denver, Jackson Hole, NW Montana
Lot of bugs and one rock chip.
Fuel economy was 17.9 mpg avg but not getting the advertised 21 mpg but was some mixed driving in small towns combined with high speeds. Averaging 280-315 miles per tank.
Likes:
Auto Steer worked great 90% of the time, helps with fatigue
Excellent torque for passing power and maintaining speed. Leagues above previous V8 and V6 of LC200 and 4Runner.
Seat Massagers help with lower back and legs for circulation
Comfortable Seats
“Great Brakes!!!!!! The best. Doesn’t feel like you are braking.” Layla
Excellent Handling at Highway speeds with min body roll
Car Play worked well, no issues
Excellent Cargo Space and good size rear seats for 3 smaller dogs. “With extra space”
Dislikes:
Auto Steer tends to veer off towards turning lanes and has some issues with long bends, causing the truck to make small corrections throughout turns.
Carpet in trunk and on back of rear seats is too thin. Already have scratches on cargo floor and indentations from luggage wheels on back of rear seats. Will be getting rubber cargo mat and rear seat protectors soon.
Fuel economy still not great for a 6 cylinder. Still would like bigger gas tank as well. Perhaps aftermarket will release second tank option soon. 17.9 avg mpg
AC hard to point at your face. Vent direction very sensitive. Like a BMW.
Transmission is a little laggy on downshifting for passing.
Light exhaust drone around 60-70 when in 10th gear.
Conclusion:
Overall love the truck even more after the long journey. The autopilot was a game changer for my physical fatigue compared to LC200 with heavy steering wheel and wandering suspension characteristics and weak brakes! Min body roll really helped with confidence taking big bends and for passenger comfort. Felt like a good mix between our X5 and a Toyota off roader. It’s what I imagine an X5 Safari will be. Most likely will no longer take LC200 on bigger trips now because GX550 just makes things so much easier and more comfortable for the driver and passengers and I feel not nearly as tired and had no muscle fatigue or knots and end of trip. The added torque also made maintaining speeds and passion much easier. Engine didn’t feel stressed at all regardless of altitude thanks to the turbos. Can’t recommend the GX enough after spending more time with it!
“Wife overall was very happy with the performance with minimal body rolls for her and the dogs. Her main focus is making sure the dogs are comfortable on this long journey to our vacation home.”

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#lexus #lexusgx550 #roadtrip

[@corpnupe85]

I love your real owner review! I wish more people would do what you do.

[@TRDJon]

Sper glad you enjoyed the GX out to MT! That Lane Keep Assist is nice!!!

[@ronarmfield913]

Thanks for the video . Have a caviar overtrail plus for a week with only 88 miles on it, just some errands . Public transportation for work in manhattan. Surprised with the amount of manuals in the glove box . Came to KZbin for the cheat codes lol. Will get protection for cargo area ,good advice .wife likes to garden,lots of soil and plants spring time . Looking forward to our first trip. Subbed

[@Why2k]

Thanks for the sub! Glad my cargo mat advice was helpful. Enjoy it in good health!

[@brandon_leeroy135]

Just reserved the same from Rich at Lexus Manhattan. Very excited. Should be able to pick it up early September. Very surprised how easy it was to source. I was under the impression that they were hard to find. Honesty had a harder time finding a TRD Pro 4Runner. To be fair, no dealer where I am in the Poconos could do better than putting me on a list.

[@SammyAt4]

Happy owner of a 23’ LX, but I Love the Exterior styling of the GX 550 and definitely would consider one down the road. Great review

[@Why2k]

Yes I wish they would go for a more rugged/boxy look on the full size as well. I’ve got an LC200 and like the looks of GX more. I’m sure that LX is true luxury though!

[@harry-qy2fz]

​@@Why2kdo you also have the LC300 3.3 V6 diesel? Im kind of between that and this GX..

[@Miguel.Rosado7224]

Great video. Thanks for sharing. Quick question; have you performed an oil change during your the first 1,000 miles of ownership? or prior to trip from FL ti Montana? I still own a 2018 GX460 with 63,000 miles and debating the switch to the new GX550. thanks!!

[@Why2k]

No, just following factory service intervals.

[@fourseasonsMTB]

Thx for the review. Would you consider switching to a more street friendly tire for more comfort and/or fuel efficiency? Also, any thoughts on if AVS helps make the ride on pavement more comfortable?

[@Why2k]

No, we got the overtrail specifically for the all terrain tires. Can’t comment at this time if AVS rides better than standard suspension.

[@scottbaker6820]

Time for some window tint. Thank you for review. Receive my OT+ late august/early sept.

[@Why2k]

You’re welcome! We actually just tinted the front windows to match the back. Didn’t go crazy dark. You’re gonna love it!

[@Gonejahmon]

How long did yours take to come in? I just ordered mine, mid May.

[@scottbaker6820]

@@Why2k i should have taken a closer look at the thumbnail! I can’t wait to see a side by side comparison of your LC 200. I was soo close to pulling trigger on 21’ low mileage LC. I wasn’t encouraged I would receive an allocation anytime soon but I did so…. Back on the GX train.

[@Why2k]

I think you made the right choice if it’s your everyday car. LC200 is great but is an older truck at end of day. GX is much better just because of the tech and driver assist on trips.

[@Why2k]

10 months.

[@justin2icy]

Does eco mode truly make a difference? How was the mpg on eco mode? Was it still 17-18?

[@Why2k]

It makes the throttle too laggy so never used it more then a few seconds.

[@patricklambert5810]

Great review! The OT's are finally starting to trickle in Lexus dealers in Southern NY (they've all been bought so far) so tomorrow Im finally getting a chance to see (my dream) a Nori Green with black roof. Coming from a 5th gen 4runner (both built ) , I'm treating it like my last truck I may own. I'd love to get your perspective on the interior size compared to the 5th gen. My 16' 4runner is at 146K, so its time for a change....and although the 6th gens have peaked my interest....nothing like the OT!! Thanks in advance!

[@Why2k]

I actually just posted a video comparing our 17 TRD Pro 4Runner to our OT. 4Runner feels “slightly” roomier but rear cargo area in GX “seems” bigger. Technically the GX is wider by a few inches so might just come down to interior packaging. Regardless I think you’ll find the GX is the perfect blend of ruggedness and tech plus the powertrain is a lot more powerful than the 4.0 V6 in the 4Runner which I greatly appreciate up here at altitude in Montana and when passing on the highway, etc.

[@patricklambert5810]

@Why2k thank you so much for the reply...Ill check out the video!

[@akajimbo1]

Thanks for posting the video. How is the road noise at highway speed? I had 22 Ford Bronco and couldn't stand the noise at 70mph or higher. Ended up selling it.

[@Why2k]

Minimal road noise! It has acoustic glass. Can hear tires a little but nothing crazy. It’s night and day compared to a Bronco.

[@akajimbo1]

Thanks. Thus just might be what I've been looking for

[@brianlowe753]

We are in Tally Fl area and have GX 550 OT also not Plus and love it. Taken it To Savana and E Coast. Good to hear how it does at altitude.

[@RockStarKidsMom]

Regarding the transmission, did you have it in a comfort mode versus a sport mode? There may be a difference in the way the transmission responds for passing.

[@BlakeMorarGroup]

Nice review! Where are you in the panhandle of florida?

[@jessebettis501]

Both mats are available. OEM has a dip behind the second row where 3rd row feet would be.

[@Why2k]

Good to know!

[@derekp1651]

Love the video! As a current X5 owner, it's great to hear the comparison in performance. I was initially leaning towards the LC for the fuel economy, but I think I'm all aboard the GX train from everything I've seen. Regarding the downshifts when overtaking, is that only in Normal or Eco modes, or is that across all modes to include Sport modes?

[@Why2k]

Didn’t really try in sport mode as I was too lazy to do it 😅 so not sure.

[@rollingthunder9851]

Is there a little red light on the dash that keeps flashing when your car is turned off? Have seen that it continually flashes once the car is turned off and no way to shut it off except to start the engine. This makes sitting in your car with the engine turned off impossible, especially at night.

[@Why2k]

Can’t say I’ve seen that happen! I’ll be sure to report back if something changes.

[@rollingthunder9851]

The red blinking light is part of the security system that activates when the engine is turned off. It sits right on top of the dash next to the windshield. Blinks BRIGHT RED when the engine is turned off even if you're sitting inside with the key fob.

[@PSTPolamalu43]

How did you get the screen to stay locked into the larger map format? Without the options bar with the various seat and hvac controls.

[@Why2k]

I just pressed the arrow button for the map.

[@tomkillsall]

Thanks for the review. Does your GX overtrail have both side mirrors auto dim mirrors? I ordered and waiting an overtrail + myself and cannot seem to find that information anywhere. Thanks

[@TXJ232]

I've been searching for the answer to that question for both the LC and GX as well, and haven't found an answer. Auto-dimming side mirrors is a non-negotiable feature for me.

[@tomkillsall]

@@TXJ232 same here, specially for so called luxury cars

[@Why2k]

I do see an etched square around the perimeter of the glass so I think it does but not 100% certain. Honestly we’ve never driven it at night. Now that we are in Montana very low odds as sun goes down around 11pm!

[@TXJ232]

@@Why2k If you see an outline around the perimeter of the mirror, it likely has auto-dimming mirrors. Are the outlines in both driver and passenger mirrors?

[@Why2k]

Just the driver side it appears.

[@kea4464]

Did you experience any hood flutter, several owners of the GX550 complained about that, thx.

[@Why2k]

Yep! It doesn’t really bother me though.

[@kea4464]

@@Why2k Thanks, I guess I will move forward with my purchase, everyone said it was a deal breaker with that hood flutter.

[@willito1211]

Every Toyota hood flutters. 4R hood flutters

[@niteshb.2515]

How’s the road noise and comfort on the highway or at higher speeds?

[@Why2k]

Low noise and great comfort. Seat massagers are very nice as well.

[@championhairpuller]

What year Landcruiser do you keep referring to?

[@Why2k]

2021.

[@jessebettis501]

did you upgrade both air filters to performance dry filter to test mpg?

[@Why2k]

Nope.

[@vietn803]

Did you at any point during your 2500 mile drive use the "eco" mode? and how high was the highest instantaneous cruising MPG?

[@Why2k]

Didn’t use Eco on trip. Didn’t really monitor the instant mpg very much. Think I saw over 20 on it occasionally but hard to recall. It moves around a lot so hard to gauge.

[@1psydlogic]

does GX overtrail plus have three zone heating and cooling? ty

[@Why2k]

It does not. Luxury Plus has separate rear AC though 👍

[@RK777PL]

Please tell me you are joking about the fuel economy on premium I got GX 460 I'm getting 22 miles per gallon and I'm getting 14 miles per gallon with the trailer with three ATVs double axle and people in the car And no trailer about 22 or something's 23 per gallon. What about nice highway drive 70 mph what are you getting

[@Why2k]

Highway 17.8-17.9 range.

[@RK777PL]

@@Why2k NOT GOOD AT ALL

[@RK777PL]

@@Why2k KI WILL KEEP MY GX 2016 FOR NOW NEW STUF MAKS ME NERVICE TO GE I DONT TRUST IT

[@williamgalicia6219]

have you tried running regular 87 octane in it.... some say it fine just a little less peppy, but the car wont going wonky on you, so I heard

[@Why2k]

Have not 👍

[@williamgalicia6219]

@@Why2k I know I will eventually try it, if I do, I will let you know how it goes, please do the same. I have an over trail too.

[@williamgalicia6219]

@@Why2k FYI I called Lexus/Toyota and they said putting premium is recommended for performance, but the truck can run on 87 octane and will not have any issues or void warranty.

[@Why2k]

@@williamgalicia6219 good to know! Thanks for sharing.

[@CJ-rk5eg]

Great review because it’s real life user experience. Are you looking to put larger tires 35”?

[@Why2k]

Thank you! We will be sticking with the stock size 33’s.

[@CJ-rk5eg]

@@Why2k How did the OEM tires perform? Quiet , noisy, compliant?

[@Why2k]

@@CJ-rk5eg Quiet for an All Terrain no issues with noise for us. Similar to K02 but little less noise probably.

[@ironwillbowman6402]

Nice review, I just picked up my GX 550 OT last week and noticed some vibration at interstate speeds. The dealer balanced tires and said it all checked out.. Have you felt any out side of a body on frame SUV. Also the engine noise is piped in, you can turn off.

[@Why2k]

Thank You! Normal and Eco mode has no piped in noise. No vibrations on ours outside of what I would deem normal for a body on frame SUV.

[@acousticriff7579]

how do you "turn it off"?

[@ironwillbowman6402]

@acousticriff7579 a dealer can do it or you can get a 3rd party device and do it yourself

[@ethanm840]

s flow has nothing to do with sensing where people are. It is just to prioritze those in the front. Turns off the rear ac to give you stronger ac upfront lol.

[@Why2k]

Ah! I stand corrected then! It does appear it does sense who’s in the front seats though. My wife read it to me quickly one day in the owner’s manual.. I actually feel better air flow with it off. Just found this. The S-Flow button on a Lexus is a climate control feature that automatically adjusts the air conditioning airflow to prioritize the front seats. The S-Flow system uses sensors to detect if the front passenger seat is occupied, and if it's not, it will only send air to the driver's seat.

[@Chris-vt4gc]

Thanks for reporting mpg across your trip. Was 280-315 miles the various points at which you filled up?

[@Why2k]

No, that was the stated range I saw throughout the trip. Took awhile for the tank range calculator to catch to with mpg avg going up since we had been doing only in town driving before then. We filled up with any between 10-60 miles reserve on the range indicator depending on the route.

[@BeeCreekPhotographySpicewood]

What color is the interior?

[@Why2k]

Black 👍

[@stevehinkley9099]

Range might improve on the way home - if you were calculating MPG driving east to west, you were likely working against the wind. Might not be a huge factor, but my experience driving between nashville and Utah twice in the last year has proven that the trip back to nashville was better on fuel economy. Would love to know if that is your experience as well.

[@Why2k]

I will keep that in mind!

[@Booster6969]

How long did you wait to get yours? I’m trying to get one in the Atlanta area and it’s near impossible

[@Why2k]

Ordered last June. Got it delivered in late May. I heard there was a production delay shortly after we took delivery. I imagine that’s the hold up.

[@Booster6969]

@@Why2k wow that’s a long wait! I put a deposit down but don’t think I “ordered” one. Just on a list when one comes in. How do you actually order a spec you want?

[@Why2k]

I called day it came out and just told them I was ok with an Overtrail Plus in Incognito, Earth or Nori Green. I think being early was the key :)

[@user-cx2bk6pm2f]

This guy must have some good meds.

[@1GulFF]

With the overtrail did back passengers felt any heat because over trailer doesn’t get ac vents in the bank only in middle

[@Why2k]

More vents would be better. Haven’t sat back there personally. No different than 4Runner, etc though. LC has the dual zone which would be better for rear passengers comfort. It feels a little hotter in rear when you stick your head back there. My wife made sure to crank the AC a little higher every once in awhile for our dogs just to keep them comfortable on the trip!

[@Shadownian]

The one thing i have heard that i dont like is the driver....attention alarm thing. I dont need my vehicle yelling at me because i looked away for a second.

[@Why2k]

You can easily turn it off :)

[@Shadownian]

@@Why2k u can? nice.

[@karl5056]

Great review. How was the wind noise with the roof rack over the 2500k? Is the carpet covered under warranty? Any odd creaks or quarky things you noticed?

[@Why2k]

We removed the cross bars on roof rack so that was no longer an issue. Doubt carpet is covered since it’s wear/tear thing. Nothing odd besides the small vibration in rear at lower rpm at slower speeds.

[@Lucaslikestofish]

mine is horribly loud with the cross bars. going to take them off this weekend

[@kickassgoat]

17 mpg on mostly highway? Ouch!

[@brownmcpherson5724]

I have a LC 200. How does the fuel mileage on the 550 compare to the 200? That rear carpet is pretty shocking . The LC is seems better built to me.

[@Why2k]

Around town it appears LC is better I’m averaging 15.2 versus low 14’s in GX, we like to feel the boost 😅. I never reset the mpg on LC for our annual Montana road trip but it seems on highway it’s a little worse than the GX. I usually get low 300’s range estimate on the Cruiser for long trips with 24.6 gallon tank and GX showing 315 range now with 21.1 gallon tank. Factory literature states 13/17 for LC200 and 15/21 for GX. Agree the LC200 feels screwed together better.

[@CJ-rk5eg]

@@brownmcpherson5724 I visited a local dealership to see the GX in person finally. I too noticed the “thin” rear cargo carpet. It’s possible that the first year imperfections will be addressed later. But I would definitely get any authorized rubber mat when available.

[@brownmcpherson5724]

I did a test on my Land Cruiser. Set the cruise at about 60 for a 180 round-trip on a flat road. I got 21.4 on the trip computer. Obviously I don't get that at 75-80. Probably gets similar to the 550. My LC only has 50,000 miles. So I'm thinking of cancelling the deposit I put on a new 550. Not sure I see much of an upside.

[@Why2k]

@@brownmcpherson5724 if reliability is #1 priority I'd say keep LC. If you want newer tech and better performance I'd say GX. I have no plans to sell either for now :)

[@brownmcpherson5724]

​@@Why2kfor me at least, my 2018 has plenty of tech. I drive it mostly on roads in Los Cabos, Baja California. So the advanced driver aids are more of a nuisance. And as to the power, mine has plenty for me.

[@jessebettis501]

Any lovebug issues? Massage seats come in handy on the 2500 miles? Will you swap it for the GX 550h? OEM all weather mat or WeatherTech?

[@Why2k]

We certainly hit many bugs, they seemed to be far bigger than your standard Love Bug, not sure exactly which type they were..lol! There are some giant ones out this way. Definitely spent a lot of time cleaning the windshield at gas stations. Massage seats were used frequently and definitely helped with muscle fatigue and circulation. Not against switching to the hybrid will wait and see if the added cost is worth it. We have oem all weather mats minus the cargo floor. I will probably see what Lexus offers and compare with Weather Tech, I would assume Weather Tech is cheaper but I prefer the oem look.

[@Marc-nc9yv]

Whitefish? I’ve been on that road and staid in ABB up there

[@samvandiver3146]

But do the dogs like it?

[@Why2k]

Haha! Yes they do Samantha.

[@Master-Blaster-4x4]

14:13 Hands on the WHEEL 😮😅 🛞

[@haze1123]

Never buy the first model year of ANY new powertrain. Tundra owners learned this the hard way. 👈

[@TvWebNews]

5th Gen 4 Runner is the way to go still for proven reliability and still very run to drive.

[@rayandolina11]

Enjoyed this review. The rattle might be the hanging chain in the spare tire underneath. Just a thought. Thanks!

[@Why2k]

Thanks for the tip!

[@beeraydee9079]

i assume you can't turn off that annoying car-in-front-of-you beep.

[@Why2k]

Haven’t found a way to do that just yet!

[@1GulFF]

Any chance to order bigger fuel tank from the dealer

[@CJ-rk5eg]

That’s not available via the dealer. Check out the configurator

[@Why2k]

No, but I anticipate aftermarket options will start to become available in near future. If they did offer it I would certainly check that box!

[@SuperMacmac74]

Can’t compare to an X5, X5 is luxury this thing is far from it

[@RockStarKidsMom]

Regarding the transmission, did you have it in a comfort mode versus a sport mode? There may be a difference in the way the transmission responds for passing.

[@Why2k]

Tried both didn’t seem to change much.

[@cesarcastelo1600]

Did you wait the 1000 miles break in period before your 2500 road trip? did you make a oil change after the break in period?. Thank you.

[@Why2k]

No and no 👍