Luxurious SUVs have been round for many years, however probably the most missed examples is the Lexus LX.

Launched in 1996, the LX arrived forward of the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator and Infiniti QX56 / QX80.

Based mostly on the long-lasting Toyota Land Cruiser, the mannequin promised to mix real off-road functionality with the posh and luxury that Lexus was famend for. Whereas it didn’t turn into as standard as a few of its opponents, the LX has developed a cult following and you’ll depend us amongst them.

It Appears New, However There’s No Hiding Its Age

Regardless of being launched almost a decade and a half in the past, the third-generation LX seems comparatively trendy due to a series of facelifts that added Lexus’ controversial spindle grille and a revamped inside. Sadly, the latter is exhibiting its age because the non-compulsory wi-fi charger can’t settle for trendy smartphones such because the Samsung Galaxy S20 FE.

That’s definitely inconvenient, nevertheless it’s nothing in comparison with the atrocious infotainment system. The graphics seem like dated clip artwork and the controller is downright maddening. Whereas quite a lot of Lexus fashions use a brand new and vastly improved touchpad controller, the LX is caught with the equal of an the wrong way up pc mouse that’s overly delicate.

Interacting with the controller is tedious and comparatively easy issues, akin to getting into an deal with, require loads of persistence. Solutions assist to alleviate a number of the burden, however you’ll in all probability be second guessing your choice to not use your cellphone’s navigation system.

Fortunately, these are the one main complaints because the cabin options high-quality supplies and an in any other case trendy design. There’s additionally loads of house within the first two rows, however the non-compulsory third row has a scant 28.3 inches (719 mm) of legroom and the seats block your third quarter view after they’re folded up.

It’s A Physique-On-Body SUV And It Drives Like One

Contemplating the LX’s age and body-on-frame building, it’s not stunning to study that it doesn’t deal with in addition to luxurious crossovers. There’s an honest quantity of physique roll and the general driving expertise is fairly truck-like. That being mentioned, the experience within reason plush.

Sticking with driving dynamics, the steering is obscure and a bit on the heavy facet. Given this, the expertise isn’t notably enjoyable or partaking.

A 5.7-liter V8 resides beneath the hood and produces a decent 383 hp (286 kW / 388 PS) and 403 lb-ft (546 Nm) of torque. It’s paired to a clean shifting eight-speed automated transmission, which sends energy to a full-time four-wheel-drive system with a limited-slip heart differential that may be electronically locked.

Whereas the engine produces loads of energy, the three-row LX 570 weighs 6,000 lbs (2,722 kg) and this successfully makes the automobile a defensive lineman in a tuxedo. The 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) time is a leisurely 7.3 seconds and the SUV can hold going till it hits an electronically restricted prime velocity of 137 mph (220 km).

Lexus is perhaps identified for his or her intensive lineup of gas environment friendly fashions, however the LX definitely isn’t one among them because it has an EPA score of 12 mpg metropolis, 16 mpg freeway and 14 mpg mixed. This makes the equally rugged Mercedes G550 look positively eco-friendly compared because it returns 17 mpg metropolis, 19 mpg freeway and 18 mpg mixed.

A Succesful Off-Roader

Whereas the LX is perhaps thirsty on the pump, it’s a authentic off-roader and we examined its capabilities in Texas. Throughout our time with the mannequin, it had no downside traversing steep grades, earthy moguls, gentle mud and a reasonable rock course.

This functionality is because of quite a lot of off-road centered options together with an electro-hydraulic suspension with 4-Wheel Lively Peak Management. The system incorporates a Excessive mode, which will increase the experience top by roughly 2.0 inches (51 mm) on the entrance and a couple of.4 inches (61 mm) on the rear when touring at speeds beneath 18 mph (29 km/h). There’s even an Additional Excessive mode that raises the automobile an extra 0.8 inches (20 mm), though it’s not manually selectable.

Different off-road goodies embody a multi-terrain system with Rock, Rock & Filth, Mogul, Unfastened, and Mud & Sand modes. The mannequin additionally has a Crawl Management system that permits for journey on “extraordinarily tough off-road surfaces at a hard and fast low velocity with out urgent the accelerator or brake pedal.”

Lexus J201 idea

Drivers may also discover a Multi-Terrain Monitor, which acts as a digital spotter by offering reside views of the outside and the bottom beneath the automobile. It additionally incorporates a tilt meter and a slip show that reveals freely spinning wheels in yellow.

The LX has 8.9 inches (226 mm) of floor clearance in addition to method, departure and breakover angles of 25, 20 and 23 levels in Regular mode. These numbers aren’t overly spectacular, however they’re not too shabby for a luxurious automobile and one of many mannequin’s largest limitations are its street-friendly tires. After all, these are simple to swap out and Lexus showcased the mannequin’s off-road potential with final yr’s J201 concept.

Pricing Begins At $86,830

As Lexus’ flagship SUV, the 2021 LX 570 has a price ticket to match its positioning. As such, it begins at $86,830 and that’s earlier than you think about a $1,295 supply, processing and dealing with price.

Whereas that’s not low cost, the mannequin comes properly geared up with LED headlights, an influence moonroof and rain-sensing wipers. Patrons may also discover 20-inch alloy wheels and a hitch that allows the SUV to tow as much as 7,000 lbs (3,175 kg).

Inside, there’s perforated leather-based seats with heating and energy adjustment up entrance. Different niceties embody an influence tilt / telescopic steering wheel, a four-zone automated local weather management system and ambient lighting. The LX additionally boasts luxurious wooden trim and a 12.3-inch infotainment system with GPS navigation and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Nevertheless, it eschews Android Auto and Apple CarPlay so there’s no getting across the terrible infotainment system.

On the security entrance, there’s All-Pace Dynamic Radar Cruise Management, Lane Departure Alert and a Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection. Drivers may also discover Clever Excessive Beams, Intuitive Parking Help and a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross-Site visitors Alert.

Whereas the LX comes well-equipped, choices embody heated / ventilated seats, a heated wooden / leather-based steering wheel, and a Sport Package that provides modified bodywork, a revised grille and 21-inch alloy wheels. Different extras embody a colour head-up show, a wi-fi smartphone charger, a 19-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system and a rear seat leisure system with two 11.6-inch shows.

An Ageing Icon Due For A Redesign

In case you’re available in the market for an expensive off-roader, your decisions are just about restricted to the Mercedes G-Class, Vary Rover and Lexus LX 570. Whereas the LX is the one one to supply third-row seating, each of the aforementioned opponents are newer – and an all-new Range Rover is on the horizon.

That’s what this evaluate boils right down to: age. There’s no getting across the reality the third-generation LX debuted in 2007 and is previous its prime. A sequence of updates have helped to maintain the mannequin contemporary, however its packaging and know-how is decidedly old fashioned.

That’s to not say the LX is dangerous, as a result of that’s definitely not the case. It’s undeniably luxurious and greater than succesful off-road, and it additionally has a reasonably snug experience, though the driving expertise leaves loads to be desired.

After all, Toyota not too long ago launched a new Land Cruiser and it’s anticipated to foreshadow a redesigned LX. It may possibly’t come quickly sufficient, however we hope the next-generation mannequin continues to mix spectacular luxurious with true off-road functionality.

Image credit: Michael Gauthier for CarScoops