The luxury Toyota Prado launching in South Africa very soon

Lexus is preparing to launch the new GX in South Africa – an even more luxurious version of the popular Toyota Prado.

The new model is scheduled to appear in showrooms in March, where it will serve as the brand’s penultimate SUV behind the larger LX.

What to expect

The GX may be based on the Prado, but the differences go well beyond a few badge swaps.

The exterior has been extensively reworked to give it a look more in line with other Lexus models, starting with the front.

It has a much larger black grille, which is flanked on either side by a set of horizontal LED headlights and daytime running lights.

The back has a LED taillight bar that runs across the boot door, and it comes with a unique set of 18-inch alloy wheels.

Importantly, all of the SUV’s off-road traits, such as its bumpers, roof rails, side steps, and large wheel arches, have been left unaltered.

The new body does mean that the Lexus is 25mm longer than its sibling (4,950mm), but the two cars end with the same 2,850mm wheelbase.

One major change, however, concerns the engine, as the GX does not use the same 2.8-litre turbocharged diesel block as the Prado.

Instead, it is fitted with a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine capable of producing 260kW and 650Nm, which is sent down to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic gearbox.

Toyota has yet to confirm whether the 2.8-litre powertrain will be made available for the GX at a later date.

In other countries, the Lexus is also sold as a hybrid, but this option has not been cleared for our market yet either.

The interior of the GX will be familiar to anyone who has hopped behind the wheel of the Prado, albeit with Lexus’ premium finishes.

The company will only confirm the SUV’s full equipment sheet closer to launch, but a quick look at its Toyota counterpart tells us that we can look forward to things such as rain-sensing wipers, keyless entry and start, electronically adjustable leather seats with heating and ventilation, a leather multifunction steering wheel with paddle shifters, dual-zone climate control, a 7.0-inch digital instrument cluster, and an 8.0-inch infotainment screen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

This is on top of an assistance suite comprising adaptive cruise control, blind-spot monitoring, tyre-pressure monitoring, a camera system, front and rear parking sensors, cross-traffic alert, hill descent control, and lane-keep assist.

The automaker also stated that the 4×4 will be sold in two specifications – the seven-seater SE, and the five-seater Overtrail.

The Overtrail sacrifices the two extra back seats for more storage space, and comes with more off-road tech such as crawl control, a multi-terrain monitor, underbody bash plates, and gravel tyres.

More information on the Lexus GX, including its pricing and model lineup, will be announced closer to its launch date this March.

Lexus GX