RUMOR: 2024 Lexus GX550 Coming in 2023? (Goodbye, V8)

We’ve been dying for a next-gen GX for years. Well, according to YouTube and a trademark filing, Lexus GX550 is just around the corner.

If you’re a fan of off-road-capable luxury SUVs, then you’ll be excited to hear that the GX550 is essentially guaranteed at this point. In a recent video, Kirk Kreifels predicts that we’ll be seeing the (long-awaited) next generation of the Lexus GX in 2023.

Is this timeline realistic? Let’s dive in.

New Name. Who ‘Dis?

The current generation of the Lexus GX was introduced in 2009, receiving a mid-cycle refresh for the 2014 model year. While it’s been a good run, it’s starting to show its age. The competition has moved on to new things and fans of the SUV have been clamoring for an update.

Well, it’s all but confirmed that they’ll finally get their wish.

MotorTrend first broke the news that Toyota sought to trademark the GX550 tag in the lovely nation of Costa Rica. In the past, Lexus model names have been derivative of the size of their engines, which typically got bigger. But, MotorTrend argues this is unlikely this time around.

We didn’t need this year’s rise in gas prices to inform us the 4.6 L 301 horsepower V8 is coming to a swift end. But here we are. Expectations are that a variant of the 3.5 L twin-turbo V6 found in the 300-series Land Cruiser, Toyota Tundra, and Lexus LX 600 will take its place.

Lexus GX550 on the Horizon

“I think we’re about a year away from a brand new Lexus GX,” shares Kreifels. Kreifels expects that the new GX550 will likely house a de-tuned version of the turbo V6 — perhaps from the Tundra SR5 — making around 348 ponies. The sole transmission option would be a ten-speed automatic as well.

All told, this should result in better performance as well as fuel economy over the outgoing model. As an added bonus, those who frequently find themselves on rough terrain or steep grades will appreciate the drop in weight that the turbo six affords.

While we don’t have any official confirmation from Lexus just yet, it’s certainly exciting to think about what the next generation of GX might bring.

End of the V8 Confirmed?

But one Kreifels viewer remarked on his recent interactions with his local dealer that shed some light on what to expect in the future.

“I had placed an order of GX460 Luxury since November 2021. Still no word from Lexus. Just got a phone call a few months ago, Lexus had accepted my order. Any order placed before January 24, 2022 had been rejected by Lexus,” shares the viewer.

The comment goes on to tell of how he got a call from the dealership that morning divulging that the 2022 GX would also be the last year of the V8.

But he saved the best for last.

“Possible 2024 model will have new interior and exterior and will arrive in early 2023. It will be powered by [the] 3.5L V6 turbo.”

Kreifels chimed in to say that he had also “double-confirmed” through his Lexus contacts that the 2022 GX would be the final iteration of this generation. Furthermore, Kreifels says the next-gen Lexus GX would be built on the new TNGA-F platform from Toyota/Lexus.

Kreifels has a pretty good track record when it comes to these sorts of predictions, so we’ll be sure to keep you updated as we learn more.

We hope they’re right.

In the meantime, what do you think about the possibility of a turbocharged V6 GX?

Images: Lexus, Kirk Kreifels