Plush Lexus LX 570 Impresses Both On and Off Road
Lexus LX 570 might be expensive and older, but it’s easily one of the most well-rounded vehicles on the planet.
It’s easy to forget that the Lexus LX and the Toyota Land Cruiser are virtually identical underneath their respective skins. We’re still stuck in that mindset that the Land Cruiser is an off-road menace, while the LX is a floaty, on-road cruiser. But since both full-size SUVs share the same underpinnings, drivetrain, and off-road driving modes, they’re both equally good off the pavement. Thus, as this recent LX review from The Arcadian reminds us, the Lexus is a better all-rounder than many might think.
On the plus side, the rag praises the LX’s “floating ride, luxurious cabin, towing capabilities, and off-road prowess,” for starters. They enjoyed the ute’s 5.7-liter V8, which produces a more-than-adequate 383 hp and 403 lb-ft of torque. Which they say “powered through rough terrain with ease. And back on pavement delivered raw power to move its nearly 3-ton bulk in an effortless manner.” Granted, V8 power in a big, heavy SUV means more frequent trips to the pump. Regardless, The Arcadian managed to best EPA estimates by 2 miles per gallon by averaging 20 mpgs on the highway.
What surprised our reviewer more than anything was just how capable the Lexus LX was off-road, however. With a full nine-inches of ground clearance, low-range four-wheel drive, adjustable hydraulic suspension, and a limited slip differential, it handled light duty trails with ease. The LX even comes equipped with multi-terrain selectable traction control and crawl control, which take all the guesswork out of navigating rough terrain.
The Lexus LX also beats out the Land Cruiser (and much of the competition) in terms of sheer luxury. The Arcadian praised interior comfort, in particular, with its “soft leather, massive power seats, real wood panels, and a hushed ride with practically no outside noises.” They also enjoyed the many added features their tester came equipped with. After all, who wouldn’t want a 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system and refrigerated center console?
The LX has only a couple of downsides, all of which are merely tradeoffs given the aforementioned praise. Opting for the third row means you sacrifice storage space in the rear cargo area. Our reviewer found the infotainment system to be finicky, a common complaint with modern Lexus vehicles. Thankfully, the automaker seems to be improving in that area. And then there’s price. The LX 570 starts out at a hefty $92,125.
But obviously, you get a lot of vehicle for that outlay of cash. The LX is clearly an SUV that can do it all. Haul the whole family in max comfort, tow 7,000 pounds worth of stuff, and take you just about anywhere. And at the end of the day, how many other vehicles out there can claim to be so well-rounded?
Photos: Lexus
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