35 Years of Lexus: SUVs Are the Stars
Lexus has built a strong presence as a luxury car brand, boasting one of the most extensive portfolios in today’s market, and is the best-selling Japanese player in its field. This stands in stark contrast to its humble beginnings in 1990 with the LS 400 and ES 250 sedans. The full-size LX, launched in 1996, initiated the SUV trend for Lexus. It pushed the Toyota Land Cruiser out of the Canadian market, and was followed by the RX at the dawn of the new millennium, which soon became and remains the company’s bestseller.
As Lexus celebrates its 35th anniversary in Canada (its fourth-largest market worldwide), The Car Guide was invited to a media event in the Charlevoix region, about an hour north of Quebec City. Reflecting the current market, the event showcased all seven of the brand’s SUVs, and not a single car. The event offered a chance to explore the extensive lineup and experience each model firsthand.
One Model Stood Out
Despite a tight schedule that limited time behind the wheel of each SUV, we were most keen to drive the 2005 RX 330. With over 210,000 km on its odometer, the well-maintained vehicle provided a refreshing reminder of when Lexus designs were more conservative, before the giant spindle grilles that have dramatically changed the brand’s face. The RX was the first unibody luxury crossover on the market.
While some of its design cues haven’t aged perfectly, such as the headlights and taillights, or the swollen bumpers, the lines are still attractive, particularly with the sloping window and the spoiler at the top.
This midsize SUV is just a little longer (4,730 mm), but otherwise very comparable to today’s compact-sized NX in terms of dimensions. It has more cargo room in the trunk (1,084 litres) and overall (just shy of 2,400 litres) than in a 2025 RX. The two-tone interior, with plenty of wood trim, thick carpeting, and a button-filled center stack, reflects the mid-2000s aesthetic, but its build quality lives up to the Lexus reputation. Visibility is better than in the modern-day RX, and the more minimalist center console enhances the airy feeling.
The 2005 RX 330 is powered by a 3.3-litre V6 with variable valve timing, developing 230 hp and 242 lb-ft of torque, which is more than usual for a naturally aspirated engine. We also liked the smoothness of the six-cylinder mill, in stark contrast to the turbocharged four-cylinder engines. The brief driving experience highlighted the limitations caused by the automatic gearbox, which has only five gears and is not as sophisticated as modern ones. The official fuel consumption figures are 9 L/100 km on the highway and up to 12.8 L/100 km around town.
For buyers looking for Lexus quality on a budget, second-generation RX models can be found for under $10,000, which could be a sensible option to get a taste of the brand’s reliability.
The Coolest SUV: The GX
The entire 2024-2025 Lexus SUV lineup—from the subcompact UX to the full-size LX (gas and now hybrid models) and everything in between, including the all-electric RZ—was available for test drives both on and off the road, with various courses designed to test the vehicles’ limits.
We found that it’s possible to have fun in the snow behind the wheel of these luxurious Japanese SUVs.
Although not as famous as the LX, most of the vehicles are very capable off-road. However, the GX stands out, offering rugged capability with an attractive design compared to previous generations. The new generation, launched for 2024 almost 15 years after the previous one, is the kind of large truck and grown-up toy that we find appealing—the Lexus alternative to the latest Toyota Land Cruiser (same exact width and wheelbase), but with a crucial difference under the hood.
The new GX 550 impressed us with its ultra-rigid chassis and excellent visibility both on- and off-road. Of particular note are the hood’s longitudinal lines, which serve as a reference for front-wheel location, the practical bridge-type roof rails to haul extra cargo, and the folding rear window, which once again offers quick access to the trunk without the need to open the tailgate.
Inside, the transition is equally stunning, with a human-machine interface that’s more user-friendly than that of the LX, featuring a single 14-inch infotainment touchscreen instead of a central dual-display layout. The 12.3-inch digital instrumentation is highly configurable and easy to read. The controls are smartly arranged, including the drive mode selector, 4×4 system and locking rear differential switches, while the console is available with a (small) cooled box.
All GX models instill confidence, even with their high center of mass, as demonstrated on a slalom course and a high-speed off-road course, both snow-covered. The combination of the locking rear differential and adaptive variable suspension works wonders. The Electronic Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (E-KDSS) is exclusive to Overtrail models. These are the ones you want for tackling more challenging terrain, especially with their more generous ground clearance and sturdy 18-inch wheels mounted on all-terrain tires.
Unlike the Toyota Land Cruiser, the new GX utilizes a twin-turbo 3.4-litre V6 engine that generates 349 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. Paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission, it performs with both smoothness and urgency. While there is room for improvement in fuel consumption (13.5 L/100 km officially) and in the use of materials in the cabin, the playful nature and adventurous aspirations of the GX are applauded.
Regardless of the price, the GX is the standout model in the Lexus SUV line-up for its performance and visual appeal.
