Hands On First Look: 2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport
The 2022 LX 600 F Sport is the first LX F Sport in the flagship SUV’s history. Here’s a full walkaround tour.
ClubLexus editor Michael S. Palmer is on the floor of the 2021 SEMA Show in Las Vegas, where he got a hands-on first look at the 2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport. This is the first time the F Sport trim is available for the LX, an SUV known more for its off-road capability than its cornering ability. Don’t worry, the new LX will still be able to perform all its old tricks. But the LX 600 F Sport’s appearance at SEMA 2021 is the perfect opportunity to explore all it offers to the consumer.
“What you’re going to get with the F Sport package that they haven’t had [on] any of these SUVs before is you’re going to get slightly revised bucket seats,” said Palmer. “They’re not quite as F Sport as some of the other F Sport seats. You get an F Sport steering wheel. You get the front grille. And of course, you’re gonna get the gray wheels.”
The forged aluminum wheels on the 2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport are the largest ever offered on any Lexus, coming in at 22 inches. As indicated by the white F Sport badge on the front fenders, handling is the order of the day. The LX 600 F Sport comes equipped with front and rear performance dampers tuned especially for the SUV, plus a Torsen limited-slip differential for improved rear-wheel traction, and a rear stabilizer. The electric power steering and adaptive variable suspension also receive special tuning, resulting in handling stability and a performance-focused response only available through F Sport.
“Under here is a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6,” said Palmer, “making 409 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque on premium gasoline. It’s also the first time that the LX is gonna be rated to tow 8,000 pounds, just in case you happen to have an RC F Cup car. It’s also got a new font [for the Lexus badging], which is very cool.”
Placed behind the F Sport jet black chrome-trimmed F mesh spindle grille, the LX 600 F Sport’s twin-turbo V6 is mated to a 10-speed automatic, which is equipped with an oil pan guard to protect the pan from punctures and other hits delivered by rougher terrain. The 10-speed offers a smooth start off the line, plus manual transmission-esque direct acceleration. First gear delivers excellent off-road performance, while 10th gear presents a quiet, fuel-efficient experience on the highway.
“You’re going to see the F Sport logo [on the door sill],” said Palmer. “Again, when you see the white [F Sport] badge, that indicates the handling. It’s got the exterior packages, the upgraded suspension, as well as seats and steering. This is going to be basically the best-handling Lexus LX ever.”
Though the interior presented by this LX 600 is as black as its exterior, the F Sport trim also boasts an exclusive Ultra White exterior/Circuit Red interior combo option. Palmer notes the front F Sport buckets, though designed to hold its occupants well during spirited drives, they’re not “the race seats you’re gonna find in the [F Sport] coupes and sedans that Lexus makes.” [Editor’s note: we have a $42K 2021 UX 200 F Sport in for review this week and its seats offer more bolstering than the new six-figure LX.] It does have the F Sport steering wheel with perforated leather, though, reminding the driver of what the LX 600 F Sport can do.
All-New LX, All-New Interior Tech
The 2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport features a first for the LX lineup overall: a dual Lexus Interface display composed of a 12.3-inch upper touchscreen and a seven-inch lower touchscreen. The larger of the two handles functions like Multi-Terrain Monitor (which allows the driver to see everything around the LX through the use of four cameras, plus an underfloor function for inspecting the terrain below), navigation, and audio. The smaller screen, meanwhile, includes climate control, and serves to support the aforementioned Multi-Terrain Monitor. The instrument panel features all-new digital gauges, replacing the analog units from the LX 570.
Behind the front seats, second-row occupants receive their own dual-zone climate control system with two USB-C ports and a 12-volt outlet. The outboard seats, like those up front, are heated and ventilated. Matte chrome and gray wood trim complement the black leather interior, as does the white contrast stitching in the seats and dash. The third row can now be folded completely flat for the first time for improved cargo room. The LX 600 F Sport is expected to have second-row captain’s chairs for access to the third row as an option. The driver’s seat includes memory functionality for up to two configurations.
“[I] cannot wait to drive this because [the 2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport] is 440 pounds lighter than the outgoing LX 570,” said Palmer. “The chassis itself is 20 percent stiffer. Combine that with these low-profile wheels and a sport-tuned suspension, sport bucket seats, and I think this is gonna be one of the nicest driving, kind-of-sporty SUVs. Not a supercar SUV, but a sporty SUV that you can buy in the coming year.”
Palmer adds the 2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport looks as good in person as it does in photos, no doubt helped by the fact its wheelbase of 112 inches has stayed the same since the first LX in 1995. Furthermore, he says the LX 600’s overall appearance is “a little bit more shaved, a little bit more modern” than the LX 570. Which is true, considering the LX 570 had been in production from 2007 to 2021, a span of 14 years. Offering the F Sport trim on the LX 600 is a much-welcome bonus.
Photos: Lexus & Michael S. Palmer
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