Pricing scoop! Here’s how much the new Lexus GX 550 – the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado’s luxury twin but with V6 turbopetrol power – will cost in South Africa…
In July 2024, Cars.co.za broke the news that the new Lexus GX 550 will be coming to South Africa. Then, in October last year, we uncovered fresh details about the local range. Now we can confirm pricing for this highly anticipated luxury twin to Toyota’s Land Cruiser Prado .
As a reminder, the new GX – a nameplate never before offered in Mzansi – is scheduled to launch in South Africa at some point in March 2025. From what we understand, this luxury ladder-frame SUV will effectively be available in 4 forms (though, interestingly, only 3 at launch).
Yes, the local GX line-up looks set to eventually comprise a quartet of derivatives, each powered by the Japanese firm’s twin-turbocharged 3.4-litre V6 petrol engine – and each thus wearing the “GX 550” moniker. That means the hybrid powertrain (GX 550h) available in certain overseas markets seemingly isn’t on the cards for a local introduction (just yet, anyway).
Familiar from both the Land Cruiser 300 and the since-discontinued LX 600 (the latter having recently been replaced by the new LX 700h ) but here detuned slightly to 260 kW and 650 Nm , the V35A-FTS engine is mated to all 4 wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission. This petrol motor will serve to further differentiate the GX from the Prado, with the latter offered exclusively in 2.8-litre, 4-cylinder turbodiesel guise.
So, how much will the new GX cost you in South Africa? Well, the local portfolio will kick off with the GX 550 Overtrail , which our information suggests will be priced from R1 766 000 . This derivative will furthermore be available as a 2nd variant in 2-tone form, known as the GX 550 Overtrail Bi-Tone and starting at R1 776 000 (for those averse to maths, that’s a premium of R10 000). Both will ship standard in 5-seater guise.
Meanwhile, the seemingly more road-biased GX 550 SE will be priced from R1 829 000 and offer 7 seats as standard. Finally, the 5-seater GX 550 Overtrail Off-Road will top the local line-up, distinguished by various 4×4-specific pieces of equipment (we’re thinking additional underbody protection, off-road side steps, a side-mounted gear carrier, a roof rack, all-weather floormats and a luggage-compartment liner) and coming in at R1 867 000 . However, take note the Off-Road derivative won’t be available from launch and will instead join the range at a later stage.
Effectively positioned between the Lexus RX (currently running from R1 457 300 to R1 799 800) and flagship LX (with current pricing bookends of R2 557 500 and R3 092 100), the GX shares various elements – though not its powertrain – with the latest Land Cruiser Prado, right down to its “J250” model code. The 2 derivatives in the Prado range, for the record, are currently priced at R1 315 700 and R1 470 600, respectively.
So, what sort of standard features will be offered in the new Lexus GX? Well, the Overtrail derivatives will ship with LED headlamps (including auto high beams), a tilt-and-slide moonroof, a powered tailgate, an electro-chromatic rear-view mirror, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 14.0-inch touchscreen, a multi-terrain monitor, a head-up display, a 10-speaker sound system, wireless smartphone charging, a refrigerated cooler box, faux-leather upholstery and electrically adjustable (plus heated-and-ventilated) front seats.
Furthermore, all Overtrail variants will boast a rear differential lock, along with Toyota’s familiar multi-terrain select system, downhill assist control, crawl control and the brand’s trick e-KDSS suspension system. From what we understand, the 7-seater SE will do without the aforementioned off-road enhancements, though will likewise feature a locking centre differential, full-time 4×4 and low-range gearing.
The 3-row SE derivative will furthermore score high-end features like a 21-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, semi-aniline leather upholstery, a front-seat massaging function, 2nd-row seat heating, a fixed panoramic glass roof, adaptive high beams, a panoramic-view monitor, a digital rear-view mirror and even automatically deploying side steps.
According to our information, the GX will be available in the following 5 monotone exterior colours: White Quartz, Sonic Titanium, Titanium Carbide Grey, Graphite Black and Mercury Grey (with the latter hue exclusive to the SE grade). The bi-tone version of the Overtrail, meanwhile, will be offered in Sonic Titanium, Titanium Carbide Grey and Desert Moonlight, each paired with a black finish for the roof and side-mirror caps.
To refresh your memory, the Lexus GX is a body-on-frame SUV that traces its roots all the way back to 2002. While the opening 2 generations were produced exclusively in left-hand-drive guise (catering primarily to North America), this 3rd iteration is also manufactured in right-hand drive, opening the door to introductions in its domestic market of Japan as well as in Australia and indeed now SA.
For the record, Toyota Motor Corporation applied to trademark the “GX 550” badge in South Africa back in June 2023, about 2 weeks after the 3rd-generation GX was revealed on the global stage.
How much will the new Lexus GX cost in South Africa?
Lexus GX 550 Overtrail (5-seater) – R1 766 000
Lexus GX 550 Overtrail Bi-Tone (5-seater) – R1 776 000
Lexus GX 550 SE (7-seater) – R1 829 000
Lexus GX 550 Overtrail Off-Road (5-seater) – R1 867 000
We expect the new GX to ship standard with a 7-year/100 000 km warranty and maintenance plan with the same parameters.
