Lexus GX 550 payload, towing and specs

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Lexus GX 550: payload, towing and specs

3 variants in our database, from $118,425 to $130,875 list.

The Lexus GX 550 is a five- and seven-seat wagon, from $118,425 to $130,875 list, rated to tow up to 3,500kg. It offers a six-cylinder, which is a rarity in a class of fours. Readers weighing it up usually also look at the Land Rover Discovery, Toyota LandCruiser 300 and Land Rover Defender 90.

Also worth comparing: Ineos Grenadier Land Rover Defender 110 Nissan Patrol Land Rover Defender 130 Toyota LandCruiser Prado GMC Yukon Ford Everest

What each variant can actually carry

Worked out for a typical touring load: two people, 150kg of gear and 150kg of accessories. “Spare payload” is what is left after that. “Max trailer” is the heaviest trailer that load still allows, which is usually well under the headline towing rating because GCM and towball weight both take their cut.

Variant PricePayloadGCM Rated towingSpare payloadMax trailer
Luxury $118,425 625kg 6,650kg 3,500kg 165kg 1,650kg (GVM)
Overtrail $124,945 595kg 6,610kg 3,500kg 135kg 1,350kg (GVM)
Sports Luxury $130,875 600kg 6,305kg 3,130kg 140kg 1,400kg (GVM)

What’s left to carry as the trailer gets heavier

For the Overtrail. Payload left for people, gear and accessories once the towball has taken its 10 per cent of the trailer’s ATM.

0 250 500 750 595kg unhitched 245kg at 3,500kg 0 875 1,750 2,625 3,500 Trailer weight, ATM (kg) Payload left (kg)
GVM is the binding limit the whole way to this vehicle’s towing rating, so payload falls only by the weight on the towball.

Compare the Lexus GX 550

Pick a rival. Bars are scaled to the highest figure among this vehicle and the 10 rivals listed above, so the longest bar on each row is the best of that group rather than simply the better of two.

Lexus GX 550 Land Rover Discovery
Payload 595kg 803kg
Braked towing 3,500kg 3,500kg
GCM 6,610kg 6,745kg
Ground clearance 225mm 286mm
Touring range 436km 769km
Torque 650Nm 700Nm

Comparing the Overtrail with the Landmark D350. Each model is represented by the variant nearest its own median price, so every figure in a column comes from the same vehicle rather than the best one of each. See the full line-up.

Engine and driveline

Variant EngineTransmission4WD system PowerTorqueKerb weight
Luxury 3.5L twin-turbo V6 petrol 10sp auto Permanent AWD with low-range transfer case and lockable centre differential 260kW 650Nm 2,525kg
Overtrail 3.5L twin-turbo V6 petrol 10sp auto Permanent AWD with low-range transfer case, centre and rear differential locks 260kW 650Nm 2,515kg
Sports Luxury 3.5L twin-turbo V6 petrol 10sp auto Permanent AWD with low-range transfer case and lockable centre differential 260kW 650Nm 2,575kg

Fuel and touring range

The official ADR 81/02 figure is measured unladen, at low speed, on smooth tarmac. We lift consumption by 40 per cent to allow for the weight, the all-terrains, the bar and the dirt, then divide what is usable in the tank by that — leaving 5 litres in it, because planning to run a tank dry is how you end up walking. Where we have measured a vehicle ourselves we use our own figure instead. A plug-in hybrid’s claim assumes a full battery, which is gone within the first hour of a long drive, so it gets multiplied by five rather than 1.4.

Variant ClaimedTankTouring useTouring range
Luxury 12.3L/100km 80L 17.2L/100km 436km
Overtrail 12.3L/100km 80L 17.2L/100km 436km
Sports Luxury 12.3L/100km 80L 17.2L/100km 436km

Can it clear the gaps?

Against the longest stretch between fuel on each leg, using the Overtrail’s touring range of 436km — which already allows for a loaded 4WD and leaves 5 litres in the tank. Carrying fuel changes everything below; so does a headwind, soft sand and a heavy right foot.

distance between fuel how far this one gets

  • Great Central Road Laverton to Yulara Carry fuel 1,107km gap, short by 671km
  • Canning Stock Route Wiluna to Kunawarritji Carry fuel 1,100km gap, short by 664km
  • Tanami Road Alice Springs to Halls Creek Carry fuel 1,050km gap, short by 614km
  • Plenty Highway Alice Springs to Boulia Carry fuel 812km gap, short by 376km
  • Anne Beadell Highway Coober Pedy to Ilkurlka Roadhouse Carry fuel 780km gap, short by 344km
  • Gibb River Road Derby to Kununurra Carry fuel 706km gap, short by 270km
  • Oodnadatta Track Marree to Marla Carry fuel 614km gap, short by 178km
  • Birdsville Track Marree to Birdsville Carry fuel 532km gap, short by 96km

Distances are OTA’s own, last checked October 2026. Roadhouses close without notice. Never plan a remote crossing on one tank alone.

Off-road geometry and dimensions

Angles and clearance are the manufacturer’s, measured at kerb weight on standard tyres. Load the back of a ute and the departure angle goes with it.

Approach 26°Approach 26°Departure 23°Departure 23°215mm215mm
Angles are drawn to this vehicle’s published figures. The outline is generic, not a drawing of the vehicle itself, and the clearance is labelled rather than drawn to scale.

Drawn from the Luxury. Every variant’s figures are in the table.

Variant ClearanceApproachRampover DepartureLengthWidthWheelbase
Luxury 215mm 26.0° — 23.0° 5,015mm 1,980mm 2,850mm
Overtrail 225mm 27.0° — 22.0° 5,015mm 2,000mm 2,850mm
Sports Luxury 225mm 27.0° — 22.0° 5,015mm 1,980mm 2,850mm

Servicing a Lexus away from the city

Remote support rated 2.5 out of 5.

Check this against your own load Compare it with everything else

Figures are the manufacturer’s. People are counted at 80kg each and towball weight at 10% of a trailer’s ATM. Only a weighbridge settles what your own vehicle weighs.