A GX 550h hybrid will really come in handy with today’s gas prices.Rear view of a dark gray Lexus GX 550 with illuminated horizontal red taillight bar and license plate GZV 333.If you’ve been eyeing Toyota’s fancy Land Cruiser, the Lexus GX, but are a little apprehensive from its abysmal fuel economy, there might be a solution for you on the horizon. A gas-electric hybrid version is on the way.A Toyota and Lexus executive for Australia, Julian Meldrum, confirmed the hybrid model’s impending arrival for the GX’s global lineup. Meldrum spoke with our distant friends at CarExpert during a recent interview.AdvertisementAdvertisementWhile Meldrum said the GX 550h isn’t a “priority” for Australia, he did say it’s on the way for global markets. And yes, that includes us Yanks.The Land Cruiser has a hybrid option, so why not the GX?The Lexus GX has been a gas-only model, but that’s about to change, thankfully. - Credit: LexusWhen the Lexus GX launched a few years ago, it came and still only comes strictly with Toyota’s latest “Dynamic Force” V6. More specifically, the twin-turbo 3.4-liter “V35A-FT.” It’s the same V6 that also powers the full-size Land Cruiser and its Lexus LX cousin, the Toyota Tundra, and the Sequoia.Now, the GX is bound to get the same hybridized gas-electric turbo-four as its Land Cruiser Prado cousin. Earlier this year, Lexus reportedly trademarked the “GX 550h” badge. Which was the first clue, suggesting the GX was going to get the hybrid treatment.Potential buyers will most certainly welcome a more fuel-efficient powertrain in the Lexus GX. - Credit: LexusThat’s because Lexus labels its hybrid models with a lowercase “h,” which obviously designates the gas-electric versions. While trademarks aren’t always hard confirmations of new models, this one happened to hold water.AdvertisementAdvertisementGiven that the Lexus GX is basically a fancied version of the Land Cruiser Prado, or the Land Cruiser sold in American dealerships, it also only made sense to port the Prado’s hybrid powertrain to the GX.The differences do add up, but there’s a catch or twoBecause the Lexus GX is basically a fancy Land Cruiser Prado, it only makes sense to port the Toyota’s hybrid powertrain over. - Credit: LexusThe V6 in the standard GX 550 is good for 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. It is rated to return up to 15 miles per gallon in the city, 21 on the highway and a combined average of around 17.Alternatively, the GX’s hybrid Toyota cousin uses the same “Dynamic Force” turbocharged gas-electric four-cylinder as a wide variety of models. Such includes the latest Toyota Tacoma, 4Runner, Highlander and Lexus TX.The Land Cruiser Prado’s hybrid turbo-four will power the new Lexus GX 550h. - Credit: ToyotaThat would be the “T24A-FTS” 2.4-liter “i-FORCE MAX.” That’s good for a total system output of 326 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. But it is considerably more fuel efficient, offering up to 22 city mpg, 25 highway and 23 combined.AdvertisementAdvertisementA boost in fuel economy will be a welcome benefit from the hybrid powertrain. But Meldrum did note the hybridized GX 550h will come with some compromises. And that includes lower towing and hauling capacities.Even the interior of the Lexus GX 550 is an upscale carbon copy of the Land Cruiser Prado. - Credit: LexusThe reduction in capacities comes down to limitations with the electric motors and added weight from the hybrid running gear. Such as the battery and all the extra equipment needed to support the drivetrain.About the Author: Chris Chin is an associate editor at Gear Patrol, covering cars, trucks and anything else with four wheels. He has over a decade of experience writing news and reviews but considers himself an enthusiast first, with a passion for classics and European cars. His daily driver is a 1987 Mercedes-Benz 560SEL with nearly 250,000 miles (87,000 are his).Want to stay up to date on the latest product news and releases? Add Gear Patrol as a preferred source to ensure our independent journalism makes it to the top of your Google search results.add as a preferred source on google