Lexus GX 550 Luggage Test: How much fits in the cargo area?

"Third-row space is actually decent ... Cargo space behind it, however, is LOL. The specs say 10.3 cubic feet, but that's almost entirely vertical space. If any of the six bags from my luggage tests fit behind the third row, I’d be shocked."

Well James of this January, it's time to see if you'll be shocked. That's what I wrote in the 2024 Lexus GX First Drive Review concerning the amount of cargo capacity behind the third row. Seriously, I struggled to think of anything smaller than that in terms of cargo area length. As such, it was with great anticipation when the GX arrived in my driveway. The bags were already standing by. I was surely going to be getting a new worst performer; stand by Mercedes EQS SUV to emerge from the basement!

See what I mean? If this isn't "the cargo area behind the third row" definition of "laughable" I don't know what is. I couldn't even fit my Thule computer backpack behind here during the first drive (not among the standard luggage test items)

Let's get to the bags, though. Ha, as if they'll fit.

As with every Luggage Test, I use two midsize roller suitcases that would need to be checked in at the airport (26 inches long, 16 wide, 11 deep), two black roll-aboard suitcases that just barely fit in the overhead (24L x 15W x 10D), and one smaller green roll-aboard that fits easily (23L x 15W x 10D). I also include my wife's fancy overnight bag just to spruce things up a bit (21L x 12W x 12D).

SURPRISE!!!

You're right, the third-row is totally down here. That's because those two black bags fit behind the third row, a fact so surprising that I completely forgot to take a picture as evidence. I literally just opened up the pics and yelled "I DIDN'T GET IT!?!" My dog ran away.

Anyway, this is what happened.

I first just put the green bag in there. It sure didn't seem to fit as it was over the edge. I was certain the power liftgate was going to be stopped in its tracks by the bag, but I pressed the power close button anyway. Gotta check, you know. Good thing I did. It closed! I opened it up, expecting to see my bag compacted, but no, it was fine. I then tried one of the thicker black bags, and the liftgate managed to close on it. Then the second black bag. Closed.

WHAT? I still have no idea how the liftgate closes here without smashing everything, but the liftgate obviously does not encroach upon the carpeted area.

Now, to be clear, this is still not a great result. It's better the EQS and the Cadillac XT6 (also two bags, but smaller ones), plus the Kia Sorento. The Mitsubishi Outlander can somehow throw the fancy bag atop a black and green/blue bag. Everything else with three rows I've tested is equal to or much better.

OK, now as you can clearly see above, I also tested the GX 550 Premium+ with the third row down. The above picture shows how much I could fit if the cargo cover was closed. That would be everything but fancy bag.

Fancy bag fits if you don't pull the cargo cover closed, but keep it aboard. Obviously, this is not surprising for something with 40.2 cubic-feet of cargo space behind the second row.