5 Best Years for the Lexus LX SUV
Are you in the market for a tough body on frame SUV with the power to tow and luxury accommodations? Then you ought to take a look at the Lexus LX? Here are some of the model years our forum members recommend.
1. 1996-1997 Lexus LX 450
The original LX was essentially nothing more than a fancy J80 Toyota Land Cruiser with all the bells and whistles, and there's certainly nothing wrong with that. The Lexus adds to the Toyota's legendary reliability and off road capability by adding different styling details, a more comfortable ride, and a more luxurious interior. Used examples are relatively inexpensive these days, mostly because they're a bit underpowered for a 5,000 pound vehicle, with the 4.5 liter straight six putting out just 215 hp, but if that's not a concern for you, early LX's present great value for the money.
>>Join the conversation about Best Years for the Lexus LX SUV right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
2. 1998-1999 Lexus LX 470
Both the 1998 and 1999 LX featured locking differentials, an old school off-roading feature that can be useful if you plan on taking it into the dirt, or live where it snows a lot. It may just be forum scuttlebutt, but 2000-2001 LX models have had reports of transmission issues. Unlike the first generation LX, these second generation models have a much more modern appearance, 4.7 liter V8 power (230 hp, 328 lb-ft of torque)), and a heavily revised suspension.
>>Join the conversation about Best Years for the Lexus LX SUV right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
3. 2003-2004 Lexus LX 470
For 2003, the LX saw a few minor exterior changes but underwent a massive interior overhaul. A new 5-speed automatic replaced the old 4-speed unit, and a number of technological changes such as navigation and backup cameras debuted. Plus, these are the last LX's to feature bodies built by ARACO, the original producer of the Land Cruiser bodies. Enthusiasts note that the quality of these bodies is much higher, and they don't seem to corrode as badly as later Toyota built bodies.
>>Join the conversation about Best Years for the Lexus LX SUV right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
4. 2006-2007 Lexus LX 470
A refresh in 2006 saw some changes such as LED taillights, but the big news was variable valve timing for the engine and a bump in horsepower to 275. This generation of LX won a ton of awards from J.D. Power, Edmunds, and Kelly Blue Book for its quality, resale value, dependability, and even the quality of its audio system. It also won a host of comparison tests over the years when pitted against similar competitors.
>>Join the conversation about Best Years for the Lexus LX SUV right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
5. 2008-2010 Lexus LX 570
The LX underwent a complete redesign in 2008 which brought many modern styling elements to the full size luxury sport utility vehicle. A new 5.7 liter V8 debuted as well, producing an impressive 383 hp and 403 lb-ft of torque. This bumps up towing capacity 2,000 lbs to a substantial 8,500. This generation LX also featured a brand new four wheel drive system, and suspension, plus it's longer, wider, and roomier than before.
>>Join the conversation about Best Years for the Lexus LX SUV right here in the Club Lexus Forum!
for help keeping your Lexus in fine tune, check out the how to sections of ClubLexus.com.