One thing about testing cars for so long — you think you’ve seen it all.
While we are still waiting for production-level flying cars and maybe a few extra EV charging stations, many modern vehicles have adaptive cruise control, lane-keeping, and other safety features. What sets truly innovative cars like the Lexus GX 550 apart is when there’s technology and features that are superior to what you will find in other cars.
When I first tried out this luxury SUV, I noticed the center display right away. It is colorful, well-designed, and easy to use. After a full week of using the center display, I came to realize the buttons, settings, and icons are all situated in a way that is about the best I’ve tested all year long.
It starts with the fact that many of us will plug in an Android phone or an iPhone. While GM has moved away from supporting phones and has opted for making Google voice products available without needing to plug anything in, every other brand is sticking with Apple and Google connectivity.
I used CarPlay and the display is perfectly situated to accommodate the Apple interface. Along the left side of the display, you’ll find icons to control the Lexus features — such as built-in nav and radio. In many, many vehicles, this is not the case — to use the built-in infotainment system, you typically have to click an icon in CarPlay for the automaker features. For example, if you are in a Kia, you have to click a Kia icon in CarPlay and then access the built-in features.
With the Lexus GX 550, that’s not the case — the larger display accommodates the row of icons to access those features directly.
Just as conveniently, below the CarPlay display are all the climate control settings. Once again, it is hit or miss in some other cars where you might have to hunt around for something as common as the seat warmer. On the Lexus GX 550, it’s right there in front of you, obvious and easy to find when it is freezing cold outside and you don’t want to learn a UI.
Plus, there are actual knobs for the temp. This cannot be overstated — every car these days should have real knobs for temp control, because it just makes it easier to keep the vehicle warm in winter or quickly cool things down. Digital controls can be touchy and hard to find, as you sit and either feel the cold pouring in or suffer in the heat.
The overall layout is really smart, as though it was designed by people who actually drive the vehicle and are not just making something cool on a computer.
I used the controls for a week and never had any trouble accessing XM radio, turning on the seat warmer in about one second, and accessing CarPlay.
I wish more automakers followed this example. The Lexus GX 550 is a smartly designed SUV for people who do not have all day to learn complex controls.