2024 Lexus GX550: Toyota Prado-based 4WD firms for Australia

The Lexus GX, luxury twin to the Toyota Prado 4WD, has been restricted to overseas markets since its inception. However, there’s a chance it could finally be added to the Australian line-up when the new generation arrives.

The Lexus GX four-wheel-drive wagon – the twin to the Toyota Prado but with unique styling and features – could finally be added to Australian showrooms with the new-generation model, due to be unveiled in the coming months.

And if overseas speculation is accurate, it could come with V6 power.

Based on the Toyota Prado, the seven-seater Lexus GX has been so far only been manufactured in left-hand-drive for overseas markets.

But that could change with the rollout of the new model, with respected Japanese publication Best Car reporting the new Lexus GX will be introduced in Japan in the second half of 2023.

Given Japan is a right-hand-drive country, such a model opens the door to the vehicle for Australia.

Numerous reports by Best Car dating back to 2021 also point to a new-generation Toyota Prado being unveiled in late 2023.

The current Toyota Prado and its Lexus GX counterpart are now 14 years old, meaning both are overdue for replacement.

Overseas reports say the Toyota and Lexus 4WD twins could go into production either later this year or early next year.

MORE: 2024 Toyota Prado unveiled next year with hybrid technology

As Drive reported in November 2022, the next Toyota Prado is expected to arrive with V6 power.

While exact details are yet to be confirmed, some form of hybrid technology has been widely reported as making its debut on the new model.

Trademark filings for the ‘Lexus GX550’ in multiple countries in September 2022 – including Australia – add weight to reports of the model possibly receiving a less powerful version of the 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 engine used in the flagship Lexus LX600.

Meanwhile, there has also been unconfirmed speculation about a possible switch to V6 diesel power for the new Toyota Prado.

To maintain differentiation with the twin-turbo 3.3-litre V6 diesel in the flagship Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, overseas reports claim a single-turbo version of this engine may be developed for the next-generation Toyota Prado.

Meanwhile, it is also possible the Toyota Prado could adopt a “mild-hybrid” four-cylinder diesel developed for the Toyota HiLux, however the company is yet to confirm any such plans.

Another reason the Lexus GX550 could make the case to come to Australia is its seven-seat capacity.

As reported in June 2022, the new-generation Lexus RX SUV is not available as a seven-seater. In the US, that role will be taken by the forthcoming Lexus TX – a luxury version of the Toyota Grand Highlander revealed last week – which is said to only be made in left-hand-drive.

MORE: Lexus GX550 trademark hints at V6 power for next Toyota Prado

The forthcoming Lexus GX550 could provide a more affordable seven-seat option in Lexus Australia showrooms.

The seven-seat Lexus LX – the twin to the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series – is priced from $153,091 before on-road costs.

Lexus has so far remained tight-lipped about the GX550 – as Toyota has with the next-generation Prado – but reports out of Japan point to an unveiling before the end of 2023.

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