Lipid-DNA-AuNP (L-DNA-AuNP) hybrid-based gene delivery system was devised for better transfection efficiency and reduced cytotoxicity by taking advantages of AuNPs and liposomes as gene-delivery vehicles. pDNA-AuNPs were modified with cationic liposomes to form L-pDNA-AuNP hybrids and its structures were characterized using a cryo-transmission electron microscope (cryo-TEM). The transfection results show that the lipid-AuNP hybrid system has much better transfection efficiency than the liposome-based system. Dehydrogenases in viable cells induce a change in color, while liposome-based transfection system shows the highest cytotoxicity. It is also seen that only the L-pDNA-AuNP hybrid-based gene delivery system has both high delivery efficiency and low cytotoxicity. Less lipid is needed in the L-pDNA-AuNP system for efficient pDNA deliver than the lipid-pDNA system.