2023 Lexus LX600: A Closer Look

Vehicle Front

The bad news this year, Toyota will not be importing their newly redesigned Land Cruiser to the U.S.A. market. The good news is their sister company Lexus will be importing the redesigned LX600 SUV. This shares the same basic platform, drive train, and most mechanical parts of the Land Cruiser, as well as its ability to take serious adventures off the pavement. But it has a completely different body on the outside and far more luxury on the inside. The price tag is increased to make all this effort profitable. To try out this new vehicle, Lexus sent us a top-of-the-line "Ultra Luxury" version, which is the most expensive choice available.

Text and photos by Chad Haire

ENGINE

The biggest change is under the hood. Gone is the 5.7 liter V-8 with 6-speed transmission. It is replaced with a 3.45-liter turbo V-6 connected to a modern 10-speed box. Horsepower has now increased from 383 to 409, torque from 403 to 479, and fuel economy from 12/16 to 17/22 mpg. The older V-8 was a reliable motor but was a bit strained to pull a three-ton mass. This turbo V-6 solves that issue, with maximum torque pulling at a low 1,600 rpm. Towing ability raises from 7K to 8K pounds.

MPG

In the real world, city economy was 14/15 MPG. On freeway trips, 19/21 was observed. While these figures are less than the EPA claims, they are still better than the 12/15 we got on previous V-8 models.  

ULTRA LUXURY PACKAGE

The base LX has a five-passenger capacity, with an optional third row offered, for seven passengers. There is no third row for the Ultra Luxury version, and seats only four! But take a close look and see why. 

SECOND ROW SEATS

The second-row bench seat is gone, replaced with a pair of giant chairs fit for a king. And it gets better.

MASSAGE CONTROL

Both massive chairs have complete massage features, with plenty of control options on the center console. The seat on the passenger side it gets even better; push the proper buttons, and the front passenger seat folds down, and a large footrest pops up to rest your legs for a long trip. The only disadvantage in doing so is the front folded passenger seat now has no room to sit in, dropping the total seat capacity of the LX600 to only three passengers! But at least they will be transported in style!

ENTERTAINMENT SCREEN

Whether sitting up or laying down, both rear passengers will enjoy entertainment programming on these dual large screens.

CONTROLS

On the left is a drive mode knob. It offers ECO, COMFORT, NORMAL, SPORT, SPORT+, and CUSTOM. On the right is the 2WD/4WD knob, with crawl controls in between.

CONTROLS #2

For serious off-roading, we get more controls on the console, like locking differential and buttons to raise or lower the vehicle height.

SUSPENSION

The "Active Height Control" can lower the vehicle for loading gear, or raise it several levels from normal for serious travel off pavement. The tires are a huge 22-inch size, and should have disrupted the ride quality, but didn't, thanks to the excellent suspension that can also be adjusted for comfort.

INFO SCREEN

If you like info screens, be happy, as there are two. And thankfully, the previous finger touchpad that was on the console is control is finally gone. Now the driver touches the screen directly.

HEADLIGHTS

The triple beam headlights were tested in the dark with plenty of night drives, and scored excellent. They really crank out a strong beam on any setting.

PRICE SHEET

The LX600 starts about $87K. This Ultra Luxury version tips the scale at $128K. Considering all the hardware included, this is certainly a competitive fee. However, we found it rather silly to be charged an extra $140 for a cargo mat, and $95 for wheel locks. In this price bracket, these small items should have been standard!

REAR VIEW

The new Lexus LX600 is a winner. It offers all the off-road ability of the Toyota Land Cruiser. Our only regret is we were not able to take ours in the dirt due to a sudden monsoon storm that flooded the area. But it was still a sharp ride on the street. It is certainly a "do anything" SUV.

>>Join the conversation about the 2023 Lexus LX600 right here at ClubLexus.com.

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