When news of the incoming 2024 Toyota LandCruiser Prado broke, all eyes turned to its usual rivals, like the Ford Everest or even the Tank 500. But it turns out its biggest threat lurks much closer to home. In the same family, in fact.
Yep, having now driven the Lexus GX both on- and off-road, we suspect it won't just tempt people to step up from the Prado, or LandCruiser 250 in the USA, but might even have them stepping sideways from the LC300.
The former, we have to say, is really Toyota's fault. While the Prado is offered internationally with a very clever, and very powerful, iForce MAX petrol-hybrid engine, good for 243kW and 630Nm, Australian-delivered cars persevere with the same 2.8-litre turbo-diesel (admittedly with the addition of 48-volt technology) that's currently used in the HiLux and the current-gen Prado. Which means you can expect 150kW and 500Nm.
Lexus, however, has taken a decidedly different route, fitting the GX with a delightfully potent – though rather thirsty – 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6, generating a whopping 260kW and 650Nm. That power is fed through a 10-speed automatic and sent to all four wheels.
I've driven the GX, and I can tell you it feels potent, and thoroughly modern, from behind the wheel, with mega-fresh tech and a surprisingly cosseting cabin experience, given what it's capable of.
And that's where the challenge really gets interesting. In years past, Lexus focused on the on-road drive experience, while Toyota was the king off the tarmac.
But the GX en route to Australia will include an Overtrail variant that promises to be every bit as capable as we expect the new Prado to be, complete with centre and rear locking differentials, Toyo All-Terrain rubber, removable panels for aftermarket winches and recovery hooks, and high-tech terrain monitoring from the cabin.
All of which is very un-Lexus, at least in Australia. But that's all about to change, with the brand keen to tap into the adventure market in a way they never have before.
Globally, the Overtrail brand is likely to become an "umbrella" sub-brand, that could include everything from camping equipment to hardcore accessories.
In Australia, the brand says the Overtrail opens Lexus up to a new kind of customer, and a host of genuine accessories will arrive at launch, with the potential to expand the portfolio over the model's lifespan.
"It gives us that diversified strategy, with the product and the customer," says Lexus Australia CEO, John Pappas.
"This is about the adventurous lifestyle going off-road. Now how else can we partner to evolve the luxury Lexus lifestyle? That's where we want to go with these types of vehicles."
Finally, there's the towing hurdle – which is one the GX has comprehensively cleared. In Australia, the GX is rated to 3.5-tonnes, but in the USA the figure is 4000kgs.
Now, there's no immediate plan to change that, but when quizzed, Mr Pappas replied "If it is there, and it can meet our requirements at four..."
So there you have it, more power, more torque, and possibly more towing. Yes, it's petrol, but the clock is ticking on diesel whether you want it to or not.
The only sticking point could be price, but if we've learned anything through the Covid years, no ceiling is too high when it comes to what Australians will pay for a tow-friendly 4WD.
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