LX 570 Takes the Flex Test & Does Quite Well

Flexing Their Muscle

It's a well publicized fact that the Lexus LX started out life as little more than a fancy, bespoke version of the Toyota Land Cruiser. But over the years, the LX has differentiated itself quite a bit. Under the skin, however both are still the same vehicle. Same engine, frame, suspension, and wheelbase. But there are some unique differences between the two, which had Dan Edmunds wondering - would one of the two be superior to the other after taking a "flex" test? Thus, he put them both to the test in this interesting video.

Key Differences

Edmunds just happens to have both vehicles and a Ramp Travel Index (RTI) ramp at his disposal, so why not? The comparison gets especially interesting when you consider a couple of notable differences between these two vehicles. The Land Cruiser uses an interconnected pair of automatically disconnecting stabilizer bars, while the LX has fixed stabilizer bars and coil springs, but the shocks are actually hydraulic cylinders that control height and transmit suspension movements.

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Clearance Issues

As the LX approaches the ramp, another thing becomes very clear - its normal ride height doesn't offer up enough room to clear the first part of the ramp. The front spoiler hits the ramp before the front tire can get there. But in all fairness, the LX is equipped with the Sport Package, which includes a different front fascia, and that's the culprit in this case.

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Flip of a Switch

Of course, all Edmunds has to do is flip a switch and the front end of the LX lifts up two inches, while the rear raises 2.4 inches. That gives it ample room to clear the ramp, though it's worth noting that the rear actually raises up first, which is somewhat strange. But it's a minor inconvenience, as the driver should simply engage it before attempting to move forward/upward any sort of obstacle.

>>Join the conversation about the LX 570 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Blame It on the Spoiler

Ultimately, however, the Land Cruiser manages to make it a full 8 inches further up the ramp than the LX before the driver's side rear tires of each vehicle lose contact with the ground and start spinning. The gap between the bottom of the front fascia and the ramp is also much smaller on the Lexus. Again, however, the aggressive front fascia of the LX is mostly to blame here, 

>>Join the conversation about the LX 570 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Another Deficiency

On the passenger side rear, there isn't much difference in flex between the two. Moving to the other side, the LX reveals another deficiency when it comes to off-road performance - its optional 21-inch wheels and tires. The Land Cruiser's 18-inch wheels are obviously much better suited for off-road use, and that shows up in this test as the front tire tucks much further up in the wheel well than that of the Lexus.

>>Join the conversation about the LX 570 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Impressive Performance

Ultimately, the LX puts on an extremely impressive performance despite its optional equipment. It scores 588 on the flex test, which is behind the Land Cruiser's score of 661, but better than a TRD Tacoma, which only managed a score of 500. So if you're thinking about buying an LX and want to take it off-road, just leave that $2,500 option box unchecked.

>>Join the conversation about the LX 570 right here in the Club Lexus forum.

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