The next-generation Lexus GX – the Japanese luxury brand’s take on the Toyota Prado – is nearing its global debut, but will this luxury off-roader make its way to Australia?
When pitched this question at the launch of the RZ electric car, Lexus Australia boss John Pappas, explained that the local division was yet to lock the GX in for an arrival.
“We’ve announced three new cars for Australia in the next 18 months. The GX is not one of the three that we have been talking about. The LM [people mover] is one of those three, the other two we haven’t announced yet.
“There’s no doubt GX looks like an absolutely cracking car, and there’s no doubt it’s going to be a ripper no matter which market it goes to but we haven’t yet confirmed it yet for Australia.”
If the GX is not one of the three all-new models Lexus has earmarked for the next 18 months, that means the luxury off-roader could be even further away than anticipated, if earmarked for Australia at all, this suggests a launch window in 2025 or beyond.
Sadly for those looking for a larger Lexus model than the new-generation mid-size RX, the LandCruiser-based LM is experiencing up to 18 month waiting times, despite “hundreds” more vehicles becoming available to the Australian market in the next 12 months, and the seven-seat TX just announced internationally is confirmed to be produced in America exclusively in left-hand drive.
Despite this, Lexus is in the process of launching new-generation products across its entire range, with new versions of the NX and RX SUVs joining all-new nameplates like the RZ electric car, LM people mover, and heavily updated versions of the UX small SUV and ES mid-size sedan.
The GX was first introduced back in 2002.Lexus was also forced to pull its most storied model, the IS sedan, from sale last year due to changes to ADR rules. The IS is expected to return in the future, perhaps as a fully electric model based on the bZ3 sedan – which for now is a China-only model.
While the Japanese luxury brand stopped short of confirming the GX for Australia, it would seem the model is a no-brainer for our market in the long-term, particularly given the strong uptake of the LandCruiser-based LX, which the brand simply can’t import enough of.
The LX is in high demand. (image credit: Marcus Craft)It may depend from where the initial GX production starts, with the model having stronger lineage in America where it has been available based on the previous-generation Prado for some time. If one was to speculate, it could be that Lexus internationally intends to launch the vehicle in left-hand drive first, before expanding it to other markets.
Potential powertrains setting the rumour mill on fire for the highly-anticipated luxury 4×4 include an upgraded 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbodiesel (150kW/500Nm), the 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel from the current 300 Series (227kW/700Nm), or a version of the 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine available elsewhere in the Toyota and Lexus range (205kW/430Nm).
While the comments by Pappas put a bit of water on the speculation fire for now, the GX is a model we will be watching closely as it approaches its official reveal. Expect more details about its production and specs imminently.
Keyword: New 2024 Lexus GX looks 'cracking' - but is the Toyota Prado relation one of three new mystery models for Australia?