Driving the Lexus GX550 4WD – the GX550, a dressed-up luxury take on the popular Toyota Prado 4WD. Importantly, the Lexus GX550 is a full on 4WD not an SUV – it comes in three seven-seat grades- I tested the entry GX550 Luxury at $130,554 drive-away. It shares the Prado’s proven 4WD underpinnings but instead of the Prado’s 2.8-litre diesel the GX550 is powered by a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine paired with a 10-speed automatic - a full time 4WD with locking centre differential, so a serious off- roader despite its luxury pretensions. And that’s where I have trouble getting my head around it – its loaded with safety gear including nine airbags and a full list of active safety elements, and a number of elements to give it a luxury touch as you’d expect for $130,000. But it still feels and drives like a truck – heavy and cumbersome and best only in the rough – as an around town luxury cruiser it doesn’t work for me – too good to bash off road so why wouldn’t you just buy the more workmanlike Prado and save money. And if you want a luxury 7-seater there are far better car like luxury SUVs that better suit around town motoring.

Driving the Lexus GX550 4WD &ndash; the GX550, a dressed-up luxury take on the popular Toyota Prado 4WD. Importantly, the Lexus GX550 is a full on 4WD not an SUV &ndash; it comes in three seven-seat grades- I tested the entry GX550 Luxury at $130,554 drive-away. It shares the Prado&rsquo;s proven 4WD underpinnings but instead of the Prado&rsquo;s 2.8-litre diesel the GX550 is powered by a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine paired with a 10-speed automatic - a full time 4WD with locking centre differential, so a serious off- roader despite its luxury pretensions. And that&rsquo;s where I have trouble getting my head around it &ndash; its loaded with safety gear including nine airbags and a full list of active safety elements, and a number of elements to give it a luxury touch as you&rsquo;d expect for $130,000. But it still feels and drives like a truck &ndash; heavy and cumbersome and best only in the rough &ndash; as an around town luxury cruiser it doesn&rsquo;t work for me &ndash; too good to bash off road so why wouldn&rsquo;t you just buy the more workmanlike Prado and save money. And if you want a luxury 7-seater there are far better car like luxury SUVs that better suit around town motoring.

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873.

Motor Torque with David Berthon

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon. 

For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873 

A weekly show with all the latest information and news in the motoring industry. Hosted by 2GB's very own motoring corespondent David Berthon.&nbsp;
For more engaging content visit the 2GB website, or listen live to 2GB 873&nbsp;

Advertisement