Lifted Lexus GX 550 by Westcott Designs: Land Rover Defender’s Newest Nightmare
Lexus fired a clear shot across Land Rover’s bow with the redesigned 2024 GX 550, positioning it as a more luxurious, yet equally capable, version of the U.S.-market Toyota Land Cruiser. Now, Arizona-based Westcott Designs has unleashed a custom build that showcases the GX 550’s immense tuning potential, creating a lifted luxury SUV that looks like the Land Rover Defender’s worst nightmare. Combining Westcott’s own lift kit with aggressive wheels and tires, this build reasserts the GX 550’s off-road chops and its growing appeal in the aftermarket.
A Tougher-Looking Luxury SUV with Serious Off-Road Intent
Westcott Designs’ recent build dramatically enhances the visual and practical off-road capabilities of the new Lexus GX 550.
- Aggressive Stance: The GX 550 is transformed with Westcott’s custom lift kit, providing a 2.5-inch lift in the front and 0.75 inches in the rear.
- Bigger Wheels and Tires: This allows for the accommodation of larger tires, with this build sporting 285/55/22 Nitto Ridge Grapplers on striking 22-inch Vossen HF6-3 wheels in gloss black, creating a bold contrast against the silver exterior.
- Modifications Available: Westcott Designs, known for its Toyota-commissioned SEMA builds, offers these lift kits and other parts directly through its website, allowing GX owners to replicate this imposing look.
- Off-Road Capability: While the large wheels and relatively low-profile tires provide visual attitude, Lexus already offers 33-inch tires on 18-inch wheels from the factory on Overtrail models (which also include a 1.0-inch lift kit). The aftermarket approach opens up even more aggressive off-road configurations.
GX 550’s Dramatic Redesign and Competitive Edge
The 2024 redesign was a game-changer for the Lexus GX, making it a formidable competitor in the luxury off-roader segment.
- Radical Redesign: The 2024 model year brought one of Lexus’s most dramatic redesigns in recent memory, introducing crisp, modern styling and updated technology.
- Shared Platform: The GX now shares its robust body-on-frame platform with the U.S.-spec Land Cruiser (known as the Land Cruiser Prado elsewhere).
- Powerful V6 Engine: It’s powered by a potent twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine, delivering an impressive 349 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque.
- Differentiating Factor: This twin-turbo V6 is a key differentiator from the U.S. Land Cruiser, which only offers a turbo-four hybrid powertrain (326 hp, 465 lb-ft of torque).
- Competitive Pricing: With a base price of $66,185, the GX 550 positions itself very close to the four-door Land Rover Defender 110, offering a more powerful engine compared to the Defender’s 2.0-liter turbo-four at a similar price point.
Redefining the Luxury Off-Roader Segment
The Lexus GX 550’s redesign and its immediate appeal to the aftermarket tuning scene demonstrate its potential to redefine the luxury off-roader segment.
- Strong Aftermarket Support: The rapid development of a healthy aftermarket, exemplified by Westcott Designs, further increases the GX’s appeal and customization potential.
- Practical Innovation: The ability to easily fit larger tires with a dedicated lift kit makes the GX even more capable for serious off-roading, while still maintaining a comfortable ride for daily use.
The Lexus GX 550, especially with aftermarket modifications like Westcott Designs’ build, is not just a luxury SUV; it’s a statement piece that blends opulent comfort with rugged capability, making it a serious contender for off-road enthusiasts and a significant challenge to established players like the Land Rover Defender.
Also Read – 1997 Toyota Supra Turbo 15th Anniversary (Auto) Could Fetch GR Supra Money at Auction
