The Prado punisher! 2024 Lexus GX detailed for Australia including launch timing, towing, off-road capability and monster twin-turbo V6

The all-new Lexus GX will arrive in Australia in June, bringing with it a new focus on rugged off-road capability and a thumping twin-turbo V6 engine.

Lexus' answer to the incoming Toyota Prado could actually be first to arrive in Australia – Toyota's version is due sometime around the middle of the year – with the five- or seven-seat SUV to touch down in three trim levels starting at $116,000 before on-road costs: Luxury, Overtrail and Sports Luxury.

And unlike the Prado, there are no carry-over engines on offer. While Toyota's 4WD make use of the 2.8-litre turbo diesel found in the current-gen HiLux, the Lexus GX sports a new 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged petrol engine, good for a considerable 260kW and 650Nm, and which is channelled through a 10-speed automatic and sent to all four wheels.

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Big power means big towing, although while American-sped GX models offer a sizeable 4000kg in braked towing capacity, Australian cars are specced at 3.5 tonnes braked.

Also new for Lexus is a renewed focus on off-road capability, especially in the Overtrail model, which is fitted with a host of hardcore off-road kit, including All Terrain models, diff locks and clever eKDSS (electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System) suspension, which automatically disconnects the front and rear sway bars for serious wheel articulation when off-roading.

Opening proceedings, though, is the Luxury – $116,000 as mentioned – and will arrive with 20-inch alloys, a huge 14-inch central multimedia screen, a head-up display, a speaker Panasonic stereo, three-zone climate control and a powered tailgate, now hinged at the top, rather than the side.

Upfront of the GX is a huge 14-inch central multimedia screen.

At the top of the tree is the $128,200 Sports Luxury, which rides on 22-inch alloys, deploys a 21-speaker Mark Levinson stereo, includes a massage function for front-seat riders, and rides on adaptive suspension. There's also a cool box in the centre console, and a digital rear-view mirror.

Sandwiched between those two models is the $122,250 Overtrail, which does away with some of the niceties but dials up the off-road credibility, with 18-inch wheels wrapped in thick Toyo All-Terrain tyres. It also has an electronic centre and rear diff lock, scores the high-tech suspension, and features a very cool Multi-Terrain Monitor which shows the driver exactly what's happening beneath the tyres via the 14-inch central screen.

It offers a 700m wading depth and approach, departure and break-over angles of 26, 21 and 23 degrees respectively.

The Overtrail grade gets a Toyota Tundra-style integrated trailer brake controller.

All ride on the Toyota TNGA-F architecture, and while the Luxury and Sports Luxury seat seven, the Overtrail has seating for five, and far more boot storage. The Overtrail also gets a Toyota Tundra-style integrated trailer brake controller - a little dial to the left of the steering wheel that you squeeze to control the trailer brakes.

"It combines exceptional off-road capabilities with Lexus refinement... whatever the driving conditions," says Lexus Australia Chief Executive, John Pappas.

"We are so excited about what we are about to offer. We'll get over 1000 of these (in 2024), and I don't think it will be enough."

Lexus has secured some 1250 examples of the GX in 2024, and expects the entry-level Luxury to make up the bulk of its sales. But it also warns that interest in the vehicle has been massive, so if you have dreams of the GX on your driveway, it might be best to act soon, as the GX will almost certainly be sold out before the first set of wheels touch Australian soil.

2024 Lexus GX pricing before on-road costs

UPDATED FROM: 02/02/2024