For each step ahead Lexus took with its 2022 LX 600 redesign, the model additionally seemingly took a step again.
The flagship SUV arrives with a powerful new powertrain, a greater inside format, and fashionable cabin know-how. However the inside packaging continues to be compromised, the most recent know-how is a bit disjointed, and there’s a perplexing hiccup with regards to towing.
After spending every week dwelling with, towing with, and hauling with the 2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with, right here’s the place it hits and misses.
2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with
Hit: Fashionable know-how
Lastly, the mouse is gone! The LX used an infotainment interface that predated all the pieces else in Lexus’ lineup, and whereas it was really higher than the trackpad used elsewhere, it was far outdated. The 2022 LX sports activities a brand new infotainment system with a 12.3-inch touchscreen towering over a 7.0-inch local weather management display. The previous options the automaker’s new contact interface, over-the-air replace capabilities, and wi-fi Apple CarPlay together with wired Android Auto. It’s simpler to make use of than the outdated and half-baked system it replaces. The decrease touchscreen is devoted to the local weather management system and the standing of the car’s off-road techniques’ standing. It’s augmented by knobs, buttons, and switches for a refreshingly easy-to-use interface.
2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with
Miss: Disjointed know-how
Nonetheless, the 2 touchscreens don’t seem to have the identical decision and the shiny interfaces really feel like they had been designed by completely different departments. They don’t match. The bigger tablet-like higher display isn’t built-in into the dashboard and appears like an afterthought. Regardless of the massive dimension of the display, it has no split-screen or multitasking capabilities. That is stuff discovered within the LX’s distant company cousin the Toyota Highlander. Apple CarPlay overtakes the whole display always when in use. Simply as annoying is the wi-fi smartphone charging pad on the middle console that one way or the other loses its connection, continually beginning to cost then stopping, over and over.
2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with
Miss: However why F Sport Dealing with?
The F Sport Dealing with mannequin sits in the midst of the LX lineup at $102,345, although my tester value $105,005 as a result of non-compulsory $2,660 Mark Levinson sound system. It’s a $6,000 premium over the Premium trim. For the cash, it provides F Sport badges, trim-specific entrance and rear bumpers, perforated heated leather-based steering wheel, aluminum pedal covers, 22-inch wheels, and seating for seven (base fashions seat 5, and Premium fashions require an choice bundle to get the third row) trimmed in semi-aniline leather-based. The go comes within the type of a Torsen limited-slip rear differential and a sport-tuned suspension system. A number of options such because the cool field (it’s a refrigerated cooler within the entrance middle armrest) and ventilated second-row seats develop into customary. It looks like a bizarre mannequin as a firmer sport suspension doesn’t make a lot sense in a big body-on-frame off-road SUV. It’s virtually a rolling contradiction, however some drivers would possibly just like the added management of the stiffer suspension. I can’t make that decision as a result of I haven’t pushed the opposite fashions. The Premium mannequin prices $6,000 much less and the Luxurious trim prices $2,000 extra. Each make extra sense except you actually just like the F Sport look. Most puzzling to me was the F Sport’s Hadori aluminum inside trim, which seems to be and looks like plastic.
2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with
Hit: Sturdy turbocharged powertrain
The naturally aspirated V-8 recognized for its sturdiness, reliability, and poor gas financial system is useless. Each LX is powered by a brand new twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 rated at 409 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque mated to a 10-speed automated transmission. Full-time four-wheel drive and a 2-speed switch case come customary. At about 5,800 lb, the LX is not any light-weight, but it surely sprints from 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds. Lexus charges the LX to tow as much as 8,000 lb.
2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with
With about 5,000 lb of fiberglass walleye boat and a dual-axle trailer hooked to it, the LX had zero points getting on top of things and had loads of freeway passing energy. Shockingly, regardless of the shortage of a tow mode or the power to lock out any gears, the 10-speed automated transmission was higher behaved than the transmission in at the least one heavy-duty pickup truck I’ve used to tow. I averaged 9.8 mpg on premium gas whereas towing, which was 1.9 mpg greater than the high-output twin-turbo V-6 within the Ford F-150 with the identical load and route. Turbos huff and that drinks gasoline, however the LX’s powertrain acquitted itself fairly properly underneath load on all fronts.
2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with
2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with
2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with
Miss: Towing surprises
Whereas the truck towed properly, hooking up the boat was a ache as a result of an odd shock. Accessing the receiver is painful because the painted bumper cowl requires two retaining clips—the type usually utilized in fender liners—to be pried unfastened and pulled out with a flat-head screwdriver. Most autos use push-and-twist knobs that make this step easy, however not the Lexus. Then as soon as the retaining clips are eliminated the duvet itself is held in place with plastic tabs that snap into the bumper snugly. I used to be sure the duvet was going to interrupt once I eliminated it, although miraculously it didn’t. The 7-pin gentle hookup is mounted beneath the bumper as properly, which required me to crawl on the bottom (higher hope it’s not moist or chilly) to plug within the trailer lights.
2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with
2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with
2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with
2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with
Then got here the shock: Our customary hitch pin, which has been used with numerous different autos and receivers for properly over a decade, was too quick. The outlet for the cotter pin didn’t clear the receiver’s partitions. Flabbergasted and in shock, I examined a second hitch pin. Similar challenge. Most pins are 3-3 3/4 inches in usable size, which is greater than sufficient for the standard receiver. I ran to the fleet provide retailer and located what could be the world’s most costly and overly fancy hitch pin with rubber consolation grips for $13.99 (hitch pins are usually about $3 or much less). At 4 inches lengthy, it match. Ultimately, I spotted the rationale the hitch pin didn’t work is the receiver is double walled with an air hole on the edges. It’s thicker and strengthened regardless of having a decrease tow score than different body-on-frame SUVs just like the Cadillac Escalade, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and Lincoln Navigator. Lexus hasn’t been capable of present a cause or logic behind this design regardless of my a number of inquiries. The last-generation Toyota Land Cruiser doesn’t have this design. It’s new and the automaker can’t clarify why, however ultimately it turned out to be a $14 downside.
2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with
Hit: Proper dimension
The Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator have grown enormous over time. The Jeep Grand Wagoneer is huge. This stuff barely slot in some garages. The LX continues to keep up its dimension at a smidge over 200 inches lengthy with three-rows of seats (besides base fashions, which characteristic two rows and seating for 5). That’s almost a foot shorter than the People, and it suits between the short- and long-wheelbase variations of the brand new Vary Rover. It’s simpler to park on the grocery retailer and place in a storage, and it’s much less of a handful whereas driving round city than the bigger competitors.
2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with
2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Dealing with
Miss: Compromised packaging
Not rising has its disadvantages, too. The third row now folds flat into the ground, which is a superb factor for cargo hauling, but it surely’s nonetheless fairly uncomfortable as a result of a low seating place and little usable leg room. With the third-row up, there’s barely any cargo area, maybe sufficient to carry a small backpack or two. The bigger competitors will probably be higher for household street journeys with greater than 5 passengers.
For these looking for an Escalade or Vary Rover different with much more reliability, the 2022 Lexus LX 600 lastly feels fashionable. However, outdoors of anticipated reliability, it’s exhausting to think about selecting the LX over the most recent Vary Rover, and those that plan to tow ought to you should definitely have a 4-inch hitch pin available.
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2022 Lexus 600 F S Sport Dealing with
Base worth: $88,245, together with $1,345 vacation spot
Worth as examined: $105,005
Powertrain: 409-hp 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6, 10-speed automated transmission, full-time four-wheel drive
EPA gas financial system: 17/22/19 mpg
The hits: Fashionable know-how, robust twin-turbo V-6, simple dimension to reside with
The misses: Disjointed know-how expertise, towing oddities, compromised third-row packaging