A hybrid version of the Lexus GX SUV is set to launch soon, but there are no plans to bring it Down Under.
A petrol-electric GX was first mooted at the model’s 2023 global reveal, with the powertrain described as “a Lexus first for a body-on-frame vehicle”.
It then took until earlier this year for Lexus to trademark the ‘GX550h’ name in North America, a naming convention it typically uses for hybrid models.
And while Lexus wouldn’t comment on the trademark filing at the time, local product planning manager Julian Meldrum says a hybrid GX is indeed about to join the global lineup.
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“It’s in a couple markets globally, and we’ve looked into it for our market,” Mr Meldrum told CarExpert at the launch of the updated RZ in Melbourne.
However, the fuel-saving variant isn’t destined for our shores, with Mr Meldrum citing deficiencies in capability compared to the twin-turbo V6 GX550 currently offered in Australia.
“Not to close the door on it or anything, but during the initial study we felt was that it was a little bit compromised for our market expectations… reduced towing capacity, reduced power and torque,” he said.
“The main one for me is the battery, similar to Prado if you’re familiar with that hump in the cargo area, that would be introduced as part of that powertrain on GX.
“So for us, we feel that the GX that we have in market delivers the best possible product to our customers.”
The GX550h will adopt the hybrid system already offered in the Toyota Prado – which shares the same TNGA-F body-on-frame platform – in the US, where it’s sold as the Land Cruiser 250 Series.
This setup pairs a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with an electric motor for outputs of 243kW and 630Nm – 17kW and 20Nm less than the standard GX550.
The US-market hybrid Prado has a braked towing capacity of 6000lbs (approx. 2720kg) – 410kg down on the six-cylinder GX Sports Luxury and 780kg down on the Luxury and Overtrail variants.
Regarding Mr Meldrum’s point on boot packaging, the LandCruiser 250 Series Hybrid features an unnaturally high boot floor to allow for the hybrid battery to be housed underneath, as is the case with Australian versions of the Prado. The boot of the current GX, on the other hand, is unimpeded.
Yet, despite all its shortcomings, Lexus Australia hasn’t completely ruled out the GX550h for Australia.
“We’ve got regulations coming that make us reconsider options, so we haven’t closed the door on that one yet,” said Mr Meldrum.
The Australian New Vehicle Efficiency Standard (NVES) – a set of stringent new laws designed to reduce the carbon footprint of the local car market – was officially introduced last year, bringing with it fines for automakers that exceed their fleet-wide CO2 targets.
As such, it would benefit Lexus Australia to introduce the GX550h from an emissions perspective.
It would also further broaden the appeal of the GX, although Lexus Australia is currently struggling to keep up with demand for the rugged four-wheel drive SUV.
“The GX is unique in that it’s driving a lot of conquest from other brands, we have a very full order book,” concluded Mr Meldrum.
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