How Do Car Seats Fit in a 2024 Lexus GX 550?
The verdict: For 2024, the Lexus GX SUV got a long-overdue makeover. The new three-row SUV got a rugged styling update, along with a more powerful engine and an updated suspension. The 2024 GX seats six or seven people depending on if it is equipped with a second-row bench seat or captain’s chairs.
For this Car Seat Check, we tested a seven-seat version with a second-row bench seat and liked the SUV’s easy-access Latch anchors, but we struggled with second-row legroom. We were very unimpressed with the third row; there are no lower anchors or top tether anchors back there, limiting which type of car seats can safely be installed.
Does it fit three car seats? No.
Take a look at how the Latch system and each car seat scored below in our Car Seat Check of the 2024 Lexus GX 550.
Related: Search Car Seat Checks
Latch: Grade A
In the second row, the two sets of lower anchors sit under a velcroed flap. Once the flap is lifted, it’s easy to access the anchors. Three top tethers are clearly marked mid-way down the seatback, and they’re also easy to find and use.
Infant Seat: Grade B
This car seat went in easily thanks to the SUV’s accessible Latch anchors. We struggled with legroom, however, and had to move the front passenger seat forward to fit this car seat. Our 5-foot 7-inch front passenger was not very comfortable in front of the car seat.
Rear-Facing Convertible: Grade B
As with the infant seat, installing the convertible in rear mode was easy, but our front passenger needed more legroom to be comfortable.
Forward-Facing Convertible: Grade A
This seat was easy to install and fit well. We reclined the seatback slightly to improve how it fit against the seatback. The outboard head restraints are removable.
Booster Seat: Grade A
The booster seat fit well in the second row. The GX’s seat belt buckles sit up tall in the seat behind the driver, which is where we install boosters. The buckle for the seat behind the front passenger is floppy, however; kids might have a tough time using that one independently.
Third-Row Entry: Grade B
Access to the third row is easy via a lever on the side of the seat; it tumbles the second-row seat forward easily. This can’t be done if a car seat is installed on that side, however. The GX has a tall step-in height; adults will find it manageable, but younger kids will need assistance.
Third-Row Booster Seat: Grade C
The booster is the only car seat we were able to install in the third row. Because there are no top tether anchors, it’s not safe to install a forward-facing convertible. Also, there’s not enough legroom to install a rear-facing car seat. The booster fit just OK; space is tight, and taller kids will need more legroom to be comfortable. The third row’s paddle-style head restraints can be folded down, but they aren’t removable and interfere with how the booster sits against the seatback (it should be flush).
About Cars.com’s Car Seat Checks
Editors Jennifer Geiger and Jennifer Newman are certified child safety seat installation technicians.
For the Car Seat Check, we use a Chicco KeyFit 30 infant-safety seat, a Graco Contender 65 convertible seat and Graco TurboBooster seat. The front seats are adjusted for a 6-foot driver and a shorter passenger. The three child seats are installed in the second row. The booster seat sits behind the driver’s seat, and the infant and convertible seats are installed behind the front passenger seat.
We also install the forward-facing convertible in the second row’s middle seat with the booster and infant seat in the outboard seats to see if three car seats will fit; a child sitting in the booster seat must be able to reach the seat belt buckle. If there’s a third row, we install the booster seat and a forward-facing convertible. Learn more about how we conduct our Car Seat Checks.
Parents should also remember that they can use the Latch system or a seat belt to install a car seat, and that Latch anchors have a weight limit of 65 pounds, including the weight of the child and the weight of the seat itself.
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