Lexus GX 550 Overtrail: Unmatched Luxury for Off-Roading

The Lexus GX 550 now has two off-road-focused trims called Overtrail and Overtrail+. These two trims include top-level luxury off-road features.

The 2024 GX 550 features a new powertrain, which operates using a turbocharged V6 engine. This is a departure from the now-dead V8 engine, which has been a huge change for this SUV. The previous GX model was around from 2010 until 2023, this new version gives us stunning new looks and adds the two impressive off-road trims to the mix.

Let’s take a look at what these two trims offer and then explore a few of those features.

What does the Overtrail include?

The Lexus GX 550 Overtrail includes several impressive off-road features that make this SUV useful out on the trails. This model has a rugged appearance package and some great items, including:

• Aluminum skid plates
• Black over-fenders
• Four available two-tone paint schemes
• Beefy black roof rails
• 18-inch wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tires
• Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS)
• Electronically controlled locking rear differential
• Crawl control with turn assist
• Downhill Assist control
• Multi-terrain monitor camera system
• Multi-terrain select with several off-road drive modes

The Overtrail trim can also be had with a cooler box, a feature we’ll highlight more. The windshield wiper de-icer and headlight washer that are part of the Cold Area Package are standard items for the Overtrail trim.

What do you get with the Overtrail+ trim?

The Overtrail+ trim takes the features from the Overtrail and Luxury trims and puts them together. This gives you a much more comfortable off-roader when driving this luxury SUV. In addition to what the Overtrail offers, the Overtrail+ gives you:

• Hands-free power rear door
• Puddle lamps
• Massaging front seats
• Heated second-row seats
• Second-row sunshades
• Thematic ambient illumination
• Driver’s side memory settings
• Wireless charging pad
• Illuminated door sills
• Intuitive Parking Assist

The options offered at this trim are:

• Digital Key
• Cooler box
• Mark Levinson audio system

Both trims wearing the Overtrail name come exclusively as two-row SUVs, giving you extra cargo room behind the rear seats for more of the gear you need when you’re on the trails.

How well do some of the features work?

The team at Car and Driver took the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail out for a drive and tested some of the most significant features of this high-end luxury SUV. This is what they learned about this impressive new Lexus.

Flip-Up Rear Glass

The idea of rear glass that flips up separatelyfrom the door isn’t new. Many older model SUVs have this feature, but this item tends to have some drawbacks. Older SUVs with flip-up rear glass tend to need the hydraulic lifts replaced, and the glass sticks out the back, making it susceptible to damage while on the trails.

Although this feature has drawbacks, the GX has it and it can be a useful feature for anyone going to the wilderness trails. Operating this feature requires you to press a small button on the lower left edge of the back panel and the glass will pop open. The gas struts dampen the opening to protect the glass. Opening this glass makes it easy to get things out of the rear without lifting up the entire door.

Drive Modes

The GX 550 Ovetrail has 11 different settings to put the vehicle in the drive mode you need to use. The regular drive modes from other trims are Custom, Sport+, Sport, Normal, Comfort, and Eco, but the Multi-Terrain Select system adds Deep Snow, Mud, Sand, Dirt, and Auto. You’ll find a button on the center console to help you set the drive mode to what you want to use.

In addition to these regular drive modes, you’ll find a Tow Haul mode for when you want to pull a trailer and a Crawl Control function that works as a low-speed cruise control for your time on tough terrain when you need to go slow.

Cooler Box

The hidden cooler box is an optional feature for both of the Lexus GX 550 Overtrail models. This cooler box is located under the front center armrest and has enough space for four 12-ounce bottles of water or cans of soda. When you push the Cool Box button you’ll hear the cooling feature come to life, making it easy to have a cold beverage while out for a drive.

The new 2024 Lexus GX 550 Overtrail models are filled with excellent features to make your driving experience more enjoyable, especially when you hit the trails. Will you enjoy everything this Lexus SUV has to offer?