You can, but would you?

By Gary S. Vasilash

The Lexus GX 550 is a vehicle that seems to be a finely orchestrated mashup of two different things.

On the one hand it is a Lexus. And as such it has all of the craftsmanship and amenities that the marque has been known for since it first became available in the US in 1989. Remember the pyramid of 15 champagne coupes on the hood of the LS 400 that held their places even when the vehicle went to a simulated speed of 145 mph in that early TV ad?

That is the level of quality and refinement that is indicative of Lexus in real life.

In 2002 Lexus launched the GX in the US market.

It is now in its third generation.

Then as now there’s the other part of that mashup: the GX is a vehicle that functionally and capably drive on and in places that aren’t country-club manicured.

The current model is based on the company’s GA-F global body-on-frame platform.

That’s right: not a unibody structure. Something engineered to take it.

In fact, that GA-F platform is also used by the Toyota Land Cruiser 250, and while the word “legendary” is often thrown about in articles like this, the Land Cruiser has absolutely earned its illustrious status.

The GX is available as Premium and Premium+, Luxury and Luxury+, and Overtrail and Overtrail+.

All of them come with a 349-hp 3.4-liter V6 that produces 479 lb-ft of torque. There is a 10-speed automatic.

There is standard full-time 4WD.

There is a Torsen limited-slip locking differential.

There is the ability to tow over 9,000 pounds.

If you looked at those attributes and they were associated with some sort of work truck you’d agree they’re appropriate.

But this is a Lexus.

The Overtrail+ driven here has all of the lux amenities, but a 9.34-inch ground clearance. Even with the optional running board rock rail I suspect that anyone wearing an evening dress to a country club fete is going to have one heck of a time trying to clamber into the SUV.

However, that challenge might be more than mediated by the fact that when rolling up to that country club the purposeful exterior design will undoubtedly cause more than slight pangs of jealousy by those who arrived in something less fashionable and less functional.

The Overtrail+ has something called an “Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System.” It will lock or unlock the front and rear stabilizer bars as needed, based on the driving conditions, speed, steering input and the setting the driver selects (when in four-low there are Auto, Sand, Mud, and Rock; when in four-high there are Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, and Deep Snow) through the Multi-Terrain Select lever. There are 26-degree approach, 24-degree breakover and 21-degree departure angles, which aren’t Jeep-like, but then again Jeeps aren’t Lexus-like.

The GX 550 Overtrail+ starts at $82,845.

And here’s the thing: What is the likelihood that very many people are going to take a vehicle like that out in the wild where the paint might get scratched?

One could, of course. But would one? I surely wouldn’t, but I must admit liking the idea that while cossetted in Lexus quality I could.