Though Lexus Australia aims to have a fully electrified lineup by 2030, it says it isn’t currently considering a hybrid version of its new GX SUV.
Toyota currently sells a hybrid version of the related Prado, however it’s only produced in left-hand drive. Similarly, the GX is sold with only a hybrid powertrain in China, but is still petrol-only in Japan and the US.
In Australia, the GX is sold with a twin-turbo V6 petrol engine, which a Lexus Australia spokesperson says is “the right powertrain” for the local conditions.
“The GX Hybrid that was developed didn’t have this market in mind. The current powertrain that we have … is the right powertrain for us,” they told CarExpert.
100s of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now.
The GX550h uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged petrol-electric hybrid drivetrain shared with the North American version of the Prado, producing total system outputs of 243kW of power and 630Nm of torque.
Though it’s currently left-hand drive-only, the Prado hybrid could make its way Down Under according to Toyota Australia – if the business case stacks up.
Earlier this year, Toyota Australia vice president for sales, marketing and franchise operations said that while the Prado hybrid hasn’t been confirmed for our market, it was certainly something the company would “be keen to look at”.
While ruled out for now, a GX Hybrid could appear down the line with Lexus reiterating its commitment to offering only hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles by 2030.
“We will look at a potential hybrid powertrain for GX, because our commitment is to have fully electrified powertrains by 2030,” the spokesperson told CarExpert.
“Our position in Australia is if there’s a hybrid powertrain that’s suitable for our conditions, because we have pretty special conditions here in this market with our off-road, and if it’s suitable for what the customers need for a GX, we’ll look at it.
“But at this stage that powertrain is not under consideration.”
Lexus LX 700h
While the GX isn’t getting hybrid power in Australia just yet, Lexus says it’s considering the upcoming hybrid version of its flagship LX SUV.
The LX, which is based on Toyota’s LandCruiser 300 Series, will gain its first-ever hybrid powertrain in 2025, and Lexus Australia confirmed earlier this year the LX700h hybrid “will be considered for when the updated LX comes to Australia”.
The LX700h packs a 3.4-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 and 10-speed automatic like the internal combustion LX600, but integrates the motor/generator with a clutch in between the engine and the transmission.
In contrast, the current Australian-market GX SUV isn’t offered with any form of electrification, unlike the related Prado whose 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder is paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system.
The GX’s current 3.4-litre turbocharged petrol V6 powerplant produces 260kW of power and 650Nm of torque, mated with a 10-speed automatic transmission.
MORE: How Toyota could get a Prado Hybrid in Australia
MORE: 2025 Lexus LX revealed – Luxury LandCruiser gets twin-turbo V6 hybrid
