Lexus GX 550

Thinking about picking up a 2026 Premium+. Anyone have any experience with one? General thoughts?

TIA

Yeah, DO NOT do it. Toyota/Lexus has a major design flaw on it's hands with those twin turbo V6s including the hybrids. Toyota initially claimed machining debris was responsible for main bearings failures which made absolutely no sense because if machining debris is in the oil, it going to take out the rod bearings first. These motors have been pulled apart and the rod bearings are fine. It turns out the real issue is a engine block design problem that affects the main bearings. I wouldn't touch any Toyota product with one of these motors until Toyota has proven their "fix" is proven to work. At this point, it hasn't. Some folks are on their 3rd motor. Some have been waiting months for a motor.

Don't do it.

Also insane expensive and for what exactly? Never got the appeal.

Alfisti wrote

Also insane expensive and for what exactly? Never got the appeal.

The appeal used to be the stellar reliability, killer offroad/overlanding capability, and looks. These trucks do have the looks and capability but the reliability of the short block is utter trash and sadly Toyota has become like everyone else in the automotive business, a liar.

Is this recall on the engine still going on? Thought they fixed this by now

XutvJet wrote

The appeal used to be the stellar reliability, killer offroad/overlanding capability, and looks. These trucks do have the looks and capability but the reliability of the short block is utter trash and sadly Toyota has become like everyone else in the automotive business, a liar.

I don't think Toyota has become a liar... I simply think Toyota is very good only at building simple products that are the same for a decade lol... and I've had this argument for folks w ages.

Gr Corollas blow up
Turbo Tacomas and Tundras have issues
GX has issues
Supra is a BMW because they can't put together a solid performance I6

If you take out the simple Toyota products - camry, corolla and sienna... toyota isn't even that reliable. The moment you get even slightly complex, they fall apart.

How about the other Lexus products?

I agree about waiting just a bit on that turbo V6. Really a shame, so I hope they isolate the problem, and then are transparent about it.

I just bought a new IS350 a few months ago. Love it. Solid AWD sedan. No hybrid garbage. No automated stop start. Lots of buttons for permanently disabling the alert nannies. Ought to be able to see 200k+ miles with it. Disillusioned with BMW lately, so good to know there are some solid alternatives out there.

Lexus dealer experience not the best, as they tried too hard to bump up the price once I showed up to close the deal. Lucky for me I had a sales order signed by the manager, so I told them that was what I would pay or I would walk. Prior to that, working with them over email and SMS was super easy.

I think its a great looking SUV, see them frequently now. Mostly Lexus, not many Land Cruiser versions. Think its pretty decent price compared to everything else....Keep us updated if you get it!

Don't know about the new Lexus hybrids/turbos but the ones I've had; GS430, ISF, GSF, RX350, RX450h have been outstandingly reliable that I believe no BMW will match.

XutvJet wrote

Yeah, DO NOT do it. Toyota/Lexus has a major design flaw on it's hands with those twin turbo V6s including the hybrids. Toyota initially claimed machining debris was responsible for main bearings failures which made absolutely no sense because if machining debris is in the oil, it going to take out the rod bearings first. These motors have been pulled apart and the rod bearings are fine. It turns out the real issue is a engine block design problem that affects the main bearings. I wouldn't touch any Toyota product with one of these motors until Toyota has proven their "fix" is proven to work. At this point, it hasn't. Some folks are on their 3rd motor. Some have been waiting months for a motor.

Don't do it.

That's actually a really good observation. It's no wonder Toyota usually sticks with the same engine on something for years, and years, and years.

I'm seeing them getting sold on marketplace for MSRP (or more), but they're used and some have over 10k miles. Typically from owners who paid the price of another car over sticker for one.

I think the off road version looks good but at the price Lexus wants for one, I can get a Bronco Raptor loaded up with overland gear.

25 V8 IS wrote

That's actually a really good observation. It's no wonder Toyota usually sticks with the same engine on something for years, and years, and years.

They should have punched out the 5.0 in your ISF and made a nice NA V8 for their trucks and SUVs.

ASAP wrote

I don't think Toyota has become a liar... I simply think Toyota is very good only at building simple products that are the same for a decade lol... and I've had this argument for folks w ages.

Gr Corollas blow up
Turbo Tacomas and Tundras have issues
GX has issues
Supra is a BMW because they can't put together a solid performance I6

If you take out the simple Toyota products - camry, corolla and sienna... toyota isn't even that reliable. The moment you get even slightly complex, they fall apart.

By liars, I mean it is obvious that they are lying about what they know regarding their V6TT engines. The only reason hybrids aren't currently on the list is because if the motor fails, the vehicle will still drive long enough to get to safety. That's it. Toyota initially claimed the only short blocks with the issue were ones coming out of one of two factories. Again, a lie. Both factories have produced engines with the same exact failures.

I agree with you about Toyota and sticking to something forever and their resistance to change which has lead to exceptional reliability for many of their products. My wife's 2020 4runner is testament to that. That truck hadn't change much at between is run between 2010 and 2025. 15 freaking years with the same motor and transmission, interior, and most of the body.

Watching the teardown of the V6TT on the "I do cars" YT channel was eye opening and I'm certain the channel received contact from Toyota legal. That motor is needlessly complex and very un-Toyota like. Tons of potential for coolant and oil leaks. They should have done an I6 if they wanted to do a turbo. So much less complex and they could have made the motor for many Toyota models. I mean heck, they've got the B58 they could copy.

We have a GX550 Premium+ and we love it. It is a much better value than our Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit reserve thatwe had before.
Don't pay over MSRP. If you aren't picky about the color it won't take long to find one at MSRP.

Phizzzle wrote

I'm seeing them getting sold on marketplace for MSRP (or more), but they're used and some have over 10k miles. Typically from owners who paid the price of another car over sticker for one.

The trend I’ve noticed on marketplace and at the dealer is that used ones are on average $10K more than the new counterpart. It’s wild.

ZPD wrote

Don't pay over MSRP. If you aren't picky about the color it won't take long to find one at MSRP.

I would never. Dealer closest to us wants a $1000 refundable deposit with a 3-5 month wait time on order. So I can get it for MSRP the way I want it but have to wait...which I'm ok with. BUT - and there is always a but - there is some bullshit $5K mandatory charge for partial PPF, tint, and ceramic coating which, to me, is ADM in disguise but at least you get something in return.

Autobacs wrote

Don't know about the new Lexus hybrids/turbos but the ones I've had; GS430, ISF, GSF, RX350, RX450h have been outstandingly reliable that I believe no BMW will match.

those are all naturally aspirated cars that lexus no longer makes

I appreciate all the input.

The engine issue is definitely giving me pause. Lexus/Toyota's appeal has always been reliability. They aren't on the forefront of luxury or tech. So if the reliability is not there you're just left with a truck that is capable, looks good, and holds it's value...but none of that matters if it's sitting at the dealer waiting for a new motor.

Might have to sit back and see how this plays out. Damn shame.

We got my wife a 25 Overtrail last year and it has been fine for the past 20k miles.
I sold my 4th Gen v8 4runner at the time since we wouldnt need 2 suvs in the family.

In my opinion, I love it.

Pros:
Much more creature comforts than I am used to in my Supra
Gas mileage is only slightly higher 2-3mpg than my old v8 4runner, but so not saving any gas, but also have twice as much horsepower and torque.
Transmission is much better than 5th gen 4runner
Doesnt have the complex i-force hybrid system like land cruiser/tundra.
Towing capacity is even higher than my old v8 4runner (7k vs 9k)

Cons:
Cant speak on reliability fully. With only 20k miles on it, not enough data to say. But, considering we've already made it to this mileage, and while doing UOA during oil changes with good health results, I feel like "might" be ok.


I feel the biggest issue most people resort to, is taking the old tried and true v8 out of the GX line to move to turbo v6.

But working in engineering, new technology will sometimes come at the cost of growning pains. Humans will also naturally be naturally be resistance to change.
People have to remember, even over 20 years ago when Toyota first started rolling out the V8s, people werent fond of the idea.

Toyota's methodology in the past was to find a recipe that works, and keep doing it. The 3.5 V6 went unchanged for over 20 years. My wife originally wanted an M3 or X3 comp, but when we saw the new GX550, she fell in love, and I love that Toyota took chance to take a drastic move with GX.

XutvJet wrote

They should have punched out the 5.0 in your ISF and made a nice NA V8 for their trucks and SUVs.

If only I HAD an ISF!

I only have a lowly IS 500.

mirob wrote

Might have to sit back and see how this plays out. Damn shame.

That's the right call, IMO. I really like the design, especially with some proper offset wheels. The power is nice too, but Toyota has no real fix for the the V6TT yet. I think the block actually will need some minor revisions to address the main bearings / crank and that sort of thing will take years of testing. My guess is that's already happening as they've known about the issue for 2 years now.

25 V8 IS wrote

If only I HAD an ISF!

I only have a lowly IS 500.

That's right, IS500. Nearly the same thing as the ISF, just better looking