A hybrid version of the Lexus GX may be on the way to showrooms following a trademark filing in the US, in which case the large luxury off-roader would become the last Lexus SUV to adopt a hybrid powertrain as the Japanese premium auto brand fends off new rivals including the Denza B5 plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
According to Autoblog, Lexus has trademarked the ‘GX550h’ name in North America, in which the ‘h’ would denote hybrid power as per other models in its lineup. Every SUV in the current Lexus lineup is already available with a hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or all-electric powertrain – except the GX.
The GX550h name does not appear to have been trademarked in Australia, and Lexus Australia is yet to confirm the addition of a hybrid variant to the local GX lineup.
The Lexus GX model range in the US comprises six model grades, all badged ‘550’ and powered by the same 260kW/650Nm 3.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 as seen in all GX vehicles sold in Australia.
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Global supply of the Lexus GX comes from Japan, where the Toyota Prado with which it shares its underpinnings is also built.
A hybrid GX could employ the petrol-electric powertrain from the larger Lexus LX700h, which is due in Australia this year with the same 341kW/790Nm 3.5-litre V6 hybrid system also seen 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 in the Prado in the US, where it is sold as the LandCruiser 250 Series. This setup pairs a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine with two electric motors for outputs of 240kW/630Nm.
The Prado sold in Australia is currently only available with a 150kW/500Nm 2.8-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel with 48V mild-hybrid technology, which also powers the Toyota HiLux ute. The GX’s petrol V6 is not offered in the related Prado to maintain a key point of difference.
The GX and Prado are outliers within the local Lexus and Toyota lineups by not offering full hybrid technology.
Lexus Australia currently offers hybrid versions of all its SUVs apart from the GX, with the upcoming LX700h due to continuing the Japanese luxury brand’s shift 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 400kW/700Nm.
The Ford Everest – the Prado’s closest rival – is yet to gain a hybrid option, although the related Ford Ranger ute has been available with a PHEV powertrain since 2025.
In 2024, Toyota dropped non-hybrid versions of almost its entire passenger vehicle range, leaving only its Gazoo Racing (GR) performance models, commercial vehicles and off-roaders including the Prado without a full hybrid option.
MORE: Explore the Lexus GX showroom