A hybrid version of the Lexus GX could be on its way to showrooms following a trademark registration in the US. In this case, the large luxury off-roader would be the last Lexus SUV with a hybrid drive as the Japanese premium car brand fends off new competitors like the Denza B5 plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Accordingly AutoblogLexus has trademarked the name “GX550h” in North America, with the “h” standing for hybrid power, like other models in its lineup. All SUVs in the current Lexus range are already available with a hybrid, plug-in hybrid or purely electric powertrain – with the exception of the GX.
The GX550h name does not appear to be trademarked in Australia, and Lexus Australia is yet to confirm the addition of a hybrid variant to the local GX range.
The Lexus GX range in the US includes six model grades, all badged ‘550’ and powered by the same 260kW/650Nm 3.4-litre V6 twin-turbo petrol engine found in all GX vehicles sold in Australia.
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Worldwide delivery of the Lexus GX comes from Japan, where the Toyota Prado is also built, with which it shares the same underpinnings.
A hybrid GX could use the petrol-electric powertrain of the larger Lexus LX700h, which will be available in Australia this year, with the same 3.5-litre 341kW/790Nm V6 hybrid system found in the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup and the upcoming Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series Hybrid.
Alternatively, as Autoblog suggests the GX550h could adopt the hybrid system already offered on the Prado in the US, where it is sold as the LandCruiser 250 Series. This setup combines a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with two electric motors for an output of 240kW/630Nm.
The Prado sold in Australia is currently only available with a 2.8-litre four-cylinder 150kW/500Nm turbo-diesel with 48V mild-hybrid technology, which also powers the Toyota HiLux ute. The GX’s V6 petrol engine is not offered in the related Prado, maintaining a key difference.
The GX and Prado are outliers within the local Lexus and Toyota lineup as they don’t offer full hybrid technology.
Lexus Australia currently offers hybrid versions of all of its SUVs except the GX, with the upcoming LX700h as the Japanese luxury brand continues the trend towards electrification.
Prado rivals offering petrol-electric technology include the Denza B5 plug-in hybrid (PHEV), which combines a 1.5-litre four-cylinder turbo petrol engine with two electric motors to produce a combined output of 400kW/700Nm.
The Ford Everest – the Prado’s closest competitor – has not yet received a hybrid option, although the related Ford Ranger ute has been available with a PHEV powertrain since 2025.
In 2024, Toyota ditched non-hybrid versions of almost its entire passenger car range, leaving only its Gazoo Racing (GR) performance models, commercial vehicles and SUVs, including the Prado, without a full hybrid option.
MORE: Explore the Lexus GX showroom
