Possibly I simply don’t get it.
The concept of a severe four-wheel-drive just like the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Collection being became a luxurious SUV, aka the Lexus LX, simply looks as if an train in compromise.
Look, I do know the Mercedes G-Wagen exists – however the Lexus LX is a really, very totally different sort of automotive.
Like, who on Earth goes to take a $175,000 SUV with 22-inch wheels off-road? Even when it has low-range, height-adjustable air suspension, Crawl Management, a digital camera that may show you how to see by way of the automotive to the bottom forward, and a heap of various drive modes?
The ladder-chassis, body-on-frame design may imply that the LX can tow 3.5 tonnes, too… nevertheless it additionally means this luxurious SUV isn’t as luxurious because it may very well be. I’ll inform you why on this evaluate.
How a lot does the Lexus LX 600 Sports activities Luxurious price?
The LX 600 Sports activities Luxurious examined right here is among the extra reasonably priced variations of this vary – although in the event you can name this automotive ‘reasonably priced’, good for you!
The Sports activities Luxurious grade has a couple of very nice added gadgets over the bottom mannequin, which I’ll element beneath, however in contrast to that base grade it’s strictly a five-seater. So, in the event you want seven seats it is advisable to purchase essentially the most fundamental model of the LX.
On the subject of rivals, the plain various is the associated Toyota LandCruiser 300, which is extra reasonably priced however possible much less attainable given its intensive wait occasions.
The LX’s mainstream-branded sibling is priced from $92,861 plus on-road prices for the GX, and tops out at $141,461 for the Sahara ZX, which has a good few good options for lots much less money than the Lexus.
On the subject of colors, not one of the paint finishes price any further on the LX – so, you may have your choose of Liquid Steel gray (as examined), or Onyx black, Sonic Quartz white, Graphite Black, Khaki Steel inexperienced, or Titanium silver.
2023 Lexus LX pricing
Lexus LX 500d
- LX 500d: $153,091
- LX 500d Sports activities Luxurious: $170,091
- LX 500d F Sport: $176,091
Lexus LX 600
- LX 600: $156,591
- LX600 Sports activities Luxurious: $173,591
- LX600 F Sport: $179,591
- LX600 Extremely Luxurious: $215,091
What’s the Lexus LX 600 Sports activities Luxurious like on the within?
The entrance seat expertise within the LX is sort of good, and it feels such as you’re in your personal little pod – like a enterprise class suite on a long-haul flight.
That’s as a result of the centre console space is big, and divides the entrance seats dramatically with its bulk. A part of that’s as a result of there’s a entrance centre armrest part that features a cool field, and it takes up a variety of room.
In entrance of it’s a wi-fi telephone charger and a pair of cupholders as nicely, plus there are additionally controls for the peak adjustable suspension and different controls for various settings.
Close to the shifter there’s a storage tray, and the controls for the heated and cooled entrance seats and heated steering wheel, in addition to a few USB ports (1x USB-C, 1x USB-A) and a 12-volt plug.
Above it’s the display for the local weather controls, nevertheless it has a number of show purposes together with the peak adjustment and a G-force meter, and brake and accelerometer, and the fan pace ‘buttons’ are there, too. It’s a busy little display, however it’s really straightforward to get your head round.
Above it’s a huge 12.3-inch touchscreen media system, which does have a little bit of a menus-upon-menus setup, so spending a little bit of time attending to know it’s one thing you must do in the event you’re planning on shopping for considered one of these.
There’s satellite tv for pc navigation in addition to Apple CarPlay and Android Auto – out there wired or wirelessly – in order that’s a pleasant plus. And, the 25-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system is best than glorious.
In entrance of the motive force there’s a digital instrument show that isn’t fairly as high-res as the primary infotainment display, and it additionally doesn’t have as a lot info.
However it does have some dials beside it, with a number of the standard issues that drivers may need to find out about if they’re into off-roading – i.e. battery voltage, engine temperature, oil temperature, gasoline gauge.
The part-wood, part-leather steering wheel is a bit old-school, nevertheless it does match properly with the wooden finishes all through the cabin.
I’m not so positive the crimson leather-based seen right here goes to attraction to everybody, however together with the black headliner and black carpet, not less than it provides a little bit of color and distinction to the cabin.
This is perhaps choosy (it’s my job) however I discovered the seats to be missing in assist – they’re huge and broad, however they don’t have a lot when it comes to consolation adjustment.
Within the again, the seat consolation state of affairs is analogous – flat.
House is okay, however actually not as accommodating as you may count on it could be for a automotive of this measurement.
A part of that comes right down to the truth that there are rear leisure shows on this grade, which impose on leg-space; and in the event you’re a dad or mum, your youngster will in all probability find yourself making an attempt to the touch the display with their toes. Mine did.
There’s a HDMI port to attach as much as these screens, however who makes use of HDMI today? You’ll be able to mirror smartphone menus there, however you may’t watch YouTube or something on them. Possibly hooking up the children’ Nintendo Change by way of HDMI is one of the best guess.
There’s additionally a pair of headphone jacks and USB-C ports for backseat riders, and people within the again have heated and ventilated seats just like the entrance. Plus ,there’s dual-zone local weather management with a fan controller, and central directional air-vents in addition to overhead vents – it does really feel like these within the again are getting an excellent expertise.
I even had two buddies and my daughter within the again at one stage, and the middle-seat rider stated that it was one of the best middle-seat expertise they’d ever had.
The house isn’t too unhealthy, nevertheless it’s not as accommodating because it may very well be for a automobile of this measurement as a result of the rear seats don’t slide fore and aft, so you may’t make it so that you’ve bought extra legroom if you would like it – which appears very foolish.
Nevertheless, there’s a first rate quantity of storage on supply, together with a flip-down armrest with pop-up cup-holders, storage crannies on the backs of each seats, and massive bottle holders within the doorways. There are outboard ISOFIX factors and three top-tethers as nicely.
One remark from all of the individuals who I drove with over the week I had this automotive was in regards to the top of the cabin. It’s on air suspension, so you may decrease it down once you’re parked, besides, it’s a hike to rise up in to the seat in the event you’re small or much less agile.
It can not conceal its body-on-frame design in that regard, regardless of having a set of facet steps and entry handles close to the doorways to assist support ingress and egress.
The cargo space is big – appropriately for a automobile that’s designed to have three rows of seats however solely has two.
There’s ample room to suit a pram and baggage… or tenting gear, in the event you insist. However there’s additionally a full-size alloy spare wheel underneath the physique of the automotive.
The boot space additionally has a 220-volt powerpoint, buttons for the rear seats to electronically launch to fold, and – even though it doesn’t have third row seats – it nonetheless has third row air-vents and cup-holders within the wheel-arches.
What’s underneath the bonnet?
This model of the LX comes with a 6.0-litre engine – no, no… WRONG. That’s what the title suggests it ought to include, for the reason that outdated 5.7L mannequin got here with the LX 570 badge.
As an alternative, LX 600 fashions have a 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V6 – that’s one factor that units it aside from the the LandCruiser 300 in Australia, which is diesel solely.
The petrol engine makes an enormous 305kW of energy (5200rpm) and 650Nm of torque (2000-3600rpm), which suggests it has 35kW and 120Nm greater than the outdated naturally-aspirated 5.7-litre V8.
It has a 10-speed computerized transmission with a full-time all-wheel drive system, a low-range switch case for off-roading, and a centre differential lock, too.
There’s an array of off-road options, just like the Multi-Terrain Choose system with a number of modes – Auto, Grime, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow and Rock. Plus, the chassis options energetic top management suspension with Regular, Excessive 1 and Excessive 2 settings.
Nevertheless, this evaluate isn’t going to be an off-road take a look at. The insurance coverage extra and potential for harm put me off the thought of taking it by way of the tough stuff. You’ll be able to see the way it went in our 4WD SUV Mega Take a look at right here.
For individuals who plan to tow, there’s a trailer wiring harness with towing hitch fitted to all grades. The utmost braked towing capability is 3.5 tonnes (or 750kg unbraked).
How does the Lexus LX 600 Sports activities Luxurious drive?
Effectively, it doesn’t drive like a BMW X7, Volkswagen Touareg, a Vary Rover, or perhaps a Land Rover Defender.
In my view, it drives like a ladder-chassis SUV with wheels which are too huge and suspension that can’t sustain with the edges.
The trip of this $175,000 SUV is just not almost nearly as good appropriately, and for context I had an Isuzu MU-X on the similar time I used to be driving this LX, and the trip in it was way more managed and gratifying. Yep – you learn that proper.
It feels as if the load of the physique is working towards the suspension once you hit sharp bumps or lumpy sections of street, and it by no means feels as settled because it arguably ought to, contemplating the fee.
I’ve pushed a decrease spec mannequin with the 20-inch wheels earlier than, and it was higher. Nevertheless, I’ve additionally heard luxurious manufacturers say that trip consolation is just not a excessive precedence for high-end SUV patrons – they’re extra involved about energy and ease of driving, in addition to standing (clearly).
And in these regards, the LX makes a couple of sturdy statements.
The petrol powertrain is a corker, with greater than sufficient grunt for every day duties, and it has a pleasant snarl to it once you ask extra of the engine, too.
The ten-speed computerized was additionally faultless throughout my time within the automotive, with clean shifts and a pleasant logic that permits the engine to make use of its torque when it ought to, slightly than continually shifting up and down by way of the ratios as another 10-coggers can.
Likewise, the steering is surprisingly good. It’s straightforward to show at decrease speeds, making parking strikes extra easy than you’d count on, and that’s aided by the standard-fit surround-view digital camera and parking sensors entrance and rear – which come on robotically at low speeds, in contrast to some that require you to interact reverse earlier than the entrance sensors activate.
And at greater speeds the steering is first rate too. Not as involving or inspiring as a number of the different like-priced SUVs on the market, nevertheless it’s predictable and responsive sufficient.
It’s additionally extremely quiet at tempo, with freeway driving over disagreeable coarse-chip surfaces being a non-issue, as there’s fairly minimal tyre roar intrusion into the cabin.
What do you get?
The Sports activities Luxurious grade is fairly candy when it comes to normal gear, with a complete vary of kit.
LX 600 Sports activities Luxurious highlights:
- 22-inch alloy wheels
- Tri-beam LED headlights, adaptive high-beam
- 12.3-inch central touchscreen
- 7.0-inch decrease display
- 8.0-inch digital driver show
- Head-up show
- “Hey Lexus” pure speech recognition
- 25-speaker Mark Levinson sound system
- 4-zone local weather management
- Premium leather-accented seats
- 10-way driver, 8-way entrance passenger energy seat adjustment
- Heated, ventilated entrance seats
- Heated, ventilated rear seats
- Heated steering wheel
- Sunroof
- Centre console cooler field
- ‘Takanoha’ ornamentation – wooden veneer
- DAB+ digital radio
- Satellite tv for pc navigation
- Apple CarPlay, Android Auto
- Wi-fi telephone charging
- Encompass-view digital camera
- Multi-terrain monitor
- Digital rear-view mirror
- Twin 11.6-inch rear-seat screens
- Gentle-close doorways
- Fingerprint identification push-button begin
- Lexus Related Providers
- Stolen automobile monitoring
- Auto collision notification
- SOS name performance
Is the Lexus LX 600 Sports activities Luxurious protected?
There isn’t any ANCAP security score for the Lexus LX, regardless of the very fact the Toyota LandCruiser 300 it’s primarily based on scored the utmost five-star score towards 2022 standards.
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LandCruiser 300
Commonplace security options embrace:
- Autonomous emergency braking (AEB)
- Pedestrian detection (day/evening)
- Bicycle owner detection (day)
- Intersection flip help
- Parking Assist Brake incl. impediment, automobile detection
- Blind-spot monitoring
- Adaptive cruise management
- Lane Tracing Help
- Site visitors signal recognition
- Emergency steering help
There are 10 airbags fitted to most grades: driver and entrance passenger, driver’s knee, front-centre, entrance and rear facet, in addition to curtain airbags. The Extremely Luxurious top-spec mannequin has 12 – the rear seats are fitted with further cushion airbags.
How a lot does the Lexus LX 600 Sports activities Luxurious price to run?
Clearly in the event you’re spending this sort of cash on a luxurious SUV, the operating prices in all probability aren’t going to be a dealbreaker for you.
Lexus now covers its vary with a five-year, unlimited-kilometre guarantee which is the trade normal today, however simply observe that the LX 600 is a thirsty factor.
It has an official mixed cycle gasoline use determine of 12.1 litres per 100 kilometres, and in my testing on this Sports activities Luxurious – which was primarily freeway and freeway driving – I didn’t see that low. My week-long common was 12.3L/100km.
It wants 95 RON premium unleaded, and it’ll take some time to replenish on the servo – gasoline tank capability is 110 litres (80L essential tank, 30L sub-tank).
Nevertheless, for many who realise that point is the one luxurious we really have in life, the service intervals on this huge rig is perhaps a bit irritating. That’s as a result of the LX requires servicing each six months or 10,000km, not yearly and 15,000km like most different vehicles in the marketplace.
The providers price $495 per go to, too, that means you’re bombing a grand a 12 months simply to have it serviced, and the service plan solely runs to 3 years/60,000km – lower than a lot of Lexus’ different fashions.
The model does have an important fame for possession stuff, although, together with the choice to have your automotive collected and returned to you, and the selection to have a mortgage automotive for the interval it’s away, too.
The Lexus Encore possession plan included at buy additionally incorporates three years of roadside help.
CarExpert’s Tackle the Lexus LX 600 Sports activities Luxurious
There are many the explanation why you may want a Lexus LX.
It has an unlimited quantity of expertise and tools, an excellent petrol powertrain, an enormous boot, and it’s surprisingly habitable in day-to-day driving, for essentially the most half.
So, simply because I don’t personally perceive how you possibly can spend this amount of cash on one thing like this, doesn’t imply you shouldn’t if it’s precisely what you need.
And if what you need is a extra luxurious petrol-powered five-seat tackle the LandCruiser 300, then that is the proper automotive for you!
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MORE: Every thing Lexus LX
