GX550 - Cons of Ownership - Watch Before Buying!

Summary

In this video, Mark reviews the Lexus GX550, highlighting four significant cons he's encountered since owning the vehicle for two weeks. He discusses issues with loading a child due to limited rear door opening, inadequate rear climate control, and a reduced fuel tank size impacting range. Additionally, he notes hood flutter at highway speeds, which is unusual for a luxury vehicle. Despite these drawbacks, Mark remains satisfied with the GX550 and encourages viewers to engage with his content through likes and subscriptions.

Takeaways

• 😀 The rear door of the Lexus GX550 does not open a full 90 degrees, making it challenging to load children in car seats.
• 😀 Loading children can lead to leg contact with the tires, resulting in dirt transfer onto clothing.
• 😀 Awareness of body positioning is important when loading kids to avoid contact with the tires.
• 😀 The GX550 lacks effective rear climate control, requiring manual adjustments to cool back passengers adequately.
• 😀 Setting the temperature lower is necessary for the air conditioning to blow strong enough to reach rear passengers.
• 😀 The fuel tank size of the GX550 is smaller than the previous GX460 model, impacting driving range.
• 😀 The estimated highway range for the GX550 is around 280-300 miles, which Mark finds insufficient.
• 😀 Mark plans to upgrade to a larger fuel tank through aftermarket options when available.
• 😀 The GX550 exhibits hood flutter at highway speeds, similar to other Toyota models, which may be aesthetically concerning.
• 😀 Overall, Mark is happy with his GX550 purchase despite its drawbacks, emphasizing that no vehicle is perfect.

Q & A

What is the primary concern regarding the rear door of the GX550?

The rear door does not open a full 90°, which can make it challenging for parents to load children into car seats without risking contact with the tire, potentially leading to tire marks on their clothing.

How does the climate control in the GX550 differ from other vehicles?

The GX550 lacks dedicated rear climate controls, making it less effective at cooling or heating rear passengers. Users often need to set the temperature lower than in other cars to achieve adequate airflow.

What is the impact of the GX550's fuel tank size on its range?

The fuel tank size appears to be smaller than that of the previous model, the GX460, leading to a reduced range of about 280-300 miles, which is considered insufficient for a vehicle of its class.

Is there an aftermarket solution for the fuel tank issue?

The reviewer indicates that there may be aftermarket options in the future for a larger or auxiliary fuel tank, which would address the range concern.

What specific feature is lacking in the rear seating area of the GX550?

The GX550 does not have separate climate controls in the rear seating area, which can be inconvenient for passengers.

What issue does the reviewer highlight regarding hood stability at high speeds?

The reviewer notes that the hood exhibits fluttering at highway speeds, which may suggest a lack of structural rigidity compared to other luxury vehicles.

How does the reviewer feel about the overall performance of the GX550?

Despite the mentioned cons, the reviewer expresses overall satisfaction with the vehicle's performance and maintains that none of the issues would have changed their decision to purchase it.

What is the reviewer's experience with the GX460 compared to the GX550?

The reviewer previously owned the GX460 and did not experience the same issues with loading children or climate control, highlighting that these are specific to the GX550.

How does the reviewer suggest improving the climate control for rear passengers?

The reviewer mentions manually adjusting the fan speed and lowering the temperature setting to improve airflow for rear passengers.

What long-term expectations does the reviewer have for the GX550 regarding modifications?

The reviewer looks forward to aftermarket solutions that could enhance the vehicle's range and address the fuel tank size issue.