Lexus

Lexus is finally bringing an EV to the US—and of course it’s an SUV.

The Japanese luxury marque unveiled the all-electric RZ 450e on Wednesday. The brand is calling the compact crossover its “first battery EV,” but that’s not quite true; it’s just the luxury marque’s first that will be sold globally.
The RZ 450e is based on the Toyota bZ4X SUV. Toyota, after all, is Lexus’s parent company, so the RZ 450e is essentially a more refined version of that EV. It sports a front fascia with the marque’s signature lights and spindle grille. The rest of the vehicle shows off a streamlined aerodynamic shape that Lexus is calling its new “spindle body” design. The automaker says the sleek shape will be a trademark of its EVs going forward. It’s not as striking as some of the battery-powered concepts we’ve seen from the brand—especially the Blade Runner-esque LF-30 Electrified—but it does look both athletic and elegant. It also a lot more stylish than the brand’s first EV, 2019’s rather generic UX 300e crossover.

Inside the 2023 Lexus RZ 450e 

Lexus

While the RZ 450e’s exterior may look sportier than its Toyota-built cousin, its cabin is decidedly more upscale. The minimalist design and panoramic roof give it a wide open and airy feel, even if someone is sitting in each of the five seats. The dashboard, meanwhile, is equipped with digital gauge cluster in the cockpit and a 14.4-inch infotainment touchscreen powered by the Lexus Interface multimedia system. One feature to look out for in the future is an optional yoke-style steering wheel. You’ll presumably be able use it with the brand’s new ultra-precise “Steer by Wire” handling system, which is set to arrive at an unannounced future date.
Lexus’s EV is also more powerful than the bZ4X. The two SUVs ride on the same e-TNGA platform, but the RZ 450e’s powertrain consists of two motors. The engine situated on the front axle produces 201 hp while the one on the back delivers 107 hp, putting combined power at 308 hp, according to the brand. That figure is substantially than the 214 horses generated by the bZ4X. A torque figure wasn’t announced. CNET Roadshow reports that the powertrain will produce 321 ft lbs of torque, but Lexus would not confirm that number to Robb Report. We’re still waiting on acceleration and top speed figures as well.

The 2023 Lexus RZ 450e’s future yoke-style steering wheel 

Lexus

The dual-motor powertrain gets its juice from a 71.4-kWh battery pack, about 65.0-kWh of which is usable energy. Lexus estimates that you’ll be able to drive the SUV for 225 miles between charges. That number may have been fairly common as recent as two years ago, but it’s now well off the 300-mile mark that so many automakers are aiming for at this point.  No charging rate or time info has been released as of writing, but if the brand hopes to allay customers’ range anxiety, a DC fastcharger will likely need to come standard.
Lexus’s compact SUV won’t go on sale until the fall and is expected to start around $50,000. It may not be the paradigm shift some of the brand’s concepts have hinted at, but it will be the start of a new era for the marque.
Check out more photos of the RZ 450e below:

Lexus

Lexus

Lexus

Lexus

Lexus

Car collectors are always on the lookout for something new for their garage. If this describes you, let us direct your attention to one of the finest supercars in recent memory.

A rare 2012 Lexus LFA was just put up for auction on Bring a Trailer.  It may not be the example once owned by reality star Paris Hilton, but with only 850 miles on the odometer, it’s exactly the sort of vehicle enthusiasts won’t want to let pass them by.

The LFA just might be the finest vehicle to ever bear the Lexus name. The Japanese brand wanted to build a car that could stand toe to toe with the best Europe had to offer. Development of the car began in the early aughts and by the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show, it was ready. With a gorgeous body designed by Kengo Matsumoto and a racing-derived powerplant built with the help of Yamaha, the LFA was that and more.

Unfortunately, it would take the rest of the world time to catch on, by which point production of the vehicle, which ran from 2010 to 2012, had ceased. During that time, only 500 cars were built, and only 190 of those made it to the US.

2012 Lexus LFA 

Bring a Trailer

The carbon-fiber body of this example, which is no. 235 according to a plaque on the rear bulkhead, is finished in a stunning coat of Starfire Pear. The eye-catching white hue accentuates the the car’s smooth, aerodynamic shape, while its sharp lighting package, prominent rear wing and a set of forged 20-inch BBS wheels give it suitably athletic profile. Inside, you’ll find a cabin done up primarily in white leather, with splashes or red and black, as well as carbon-fiber trim.
The LFA isn’t just one of the best looking Lexuses of all time, it’s also its most capable car—by a long shot. The two-door is powered by a naturally aspirated 4.8-liter V-10 that generates 552 hp and 354 ft lbs of torque. All of that power is sent to the rear wheels via a six-speed single-clutch automated manual transmission and a Torsen limited-slip differential. That’s right, it’s a stick shift.
With so little wear and tear on the mill, you should have little problem pushing the car to its max too. In the LFA’s case, that means being able to sprint from zero to 60 mph in 3.6 seconds and reach a top speed of 203 mph.

Inside the 2012 LFA 

Bring a Trailer

This gorgeous white LFA will be up for auction until ­next Wednesday, April 13. Bidding is already up to $655,000 as of press time, but considering the car’s condition and rarity, we wouldn’t be surprised to see it sell for much more than that. Another LFA with five times the mileage sold for $808,000 in January, more than twice the car’s original $375,000 price.

Supercars this special don’t come up for grabs every day.
Check out more photos of the 2012 LFA below:

Bring a Trailer

Bring a Trailer

Bring a Trailer

Bring a Trailer

Lexus is reaching into Toyota’s wheelhouse for inspiration for the new RC.

The next generation of the luxury coupé will take inspiration from the GR GT3 concept that debuted at the Tokyo Auto Salon in January, Toyota Racing Development president David Wilson told Car and Driver last week. The new car will also draw on the company’s motorsport bona fides, according to the executive.

The top-of-the-line RC350 has solid pep, thanks to a V-6 that produces 311 horses, but it wasn’t designed with racing in mind. That fact has held the track-focused car back. The racer, which shares its body with the road car, is heavier than the competition and has a larger front end that increases drag and hinders performance. These are both issues that resulted from the track vehicle being, in Wilson’s words, an “afterthought.”

Toyota GR GT3 concept 

Toyota

“What we’ve all come to learn is that’s not the way you bring a GT3 car to market,” Wilson told the magazine. “Before you put your first line on paper, you decide you’re going to race that car and that shapes the design parameters, the performance parameters of that production car.”
Although no official announcement has been made, Wilson told C&D that the next RC will be designed with the track in mind from the get-go. Its design will also draw heavily on the GR GT3 concept for inspiration. That’s exciting news because that prototype is nothing if not easy on the eyes. The two-door speed machine has an athletic-yet-elegant design that features a long nose, prominent front splitter and side skirts and a giant rear wing. The company’s Gazoo racing division hasn’t revealed what powers the car, but its side exhausts suggest there will be an internal-combustion engine, possibly aided by an electric motor, sitting in the engine bay.
Testing of the GR GT3 is expected to begin later this year. Once it does, we’ll not only learn more about the car, we should find out a lot about its more luxurious Lexus cousin.

We already knew Lexus was busy electrifying its lineup, but now we know one of those vehicles may end up looking like.

The Japanese luxury marque has just released a new series of photos of the BEV Sport. It’s just a concept, but if the production version of the “possible” high-performance sports car looks anything like the vehicle shown in the images, we’re in for a striking new addition to the EV market.

This isn’t the first time we’ve seen the BEV Sport. The car made its official debut at Toyota’s showcase of next-generation electric vehicles last December. But the images released on Monday show the smooth speed machine from every angle. The silver two seater sits low to the ground and has sleek lines running from its long nose to its spaceship-like rear. It looks futuristic but still has traces of both the LFA and LC500 sports cars, which we’re sure will appeal to longtime fans of the brand.

Lexus BEV Sport 

Unfortunately, technical details remain pretty scarce. While we don’t know much about the drive unit or battery, we do know what kind of performance to expect from the two. The automaker said that it’s planning to have the car jump from zero to 60 mph in the low two-second range. That would make it just a smidgen slower than the Tesla Model S Plaid, which itself is about as fast as a supercar. Even more ambitious, though, is the brand’s targeted range of 430 miles. If that figure turns out to be accurate, it’s well above today’s industry standard of 300 miles. That’s no small feat, especially considering that it’s for sports car rather than a sedan like the Lucid Air (though that EV can drive an extra 90 miles on a single charge).
For now, those figures are just targets. It remains to be seen how attainable they are. If the Lexus delivers on its promise, however, it could be because the marque chose a solid-state battery to power BEV Sport, rather than a lithium-ion battery. A possible next-gen alternative, solid-state batteries could prove to be lighter than their lithium-based rivals, allowing cars to drive further on a single charge, even when you have the pedal to the metal.
We’ll see if Lexus can deliver on its word in 2030.
Check out more photos of the BEV Sport below:

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Lexus

Lexus

Lexus

As we’re ascending a steep dirt road in the foothills of New Mexico’s Sangre de Cristo mountains, the crawl-control feature on the 2022 Lexus LX 600 is making easy work of a seemingly daunting climb. When I come up to a ridge, the high-res front-view camera—displayed on a 12.3-inch touchscreen—alleviates the uncertainty of what’s below. Noting the precipitous descent, I switch the crawl control’s speed setting from level three down to two. A downhill-assist feature automatically manages hydraulic pressure on the brakes for a stable descent, as I navigate a narrow split through the trees. The new Lexus LX is loaded with the latest tech that can make a novice off-roader feel like a pro.

Once out of the technical sections, we’re gliding along on a dirt-and-gravel road—disturbance in the cabin is minimal thanks to optimized coil springs and new suspension geometry—and soon find ourselves back on smooth pavement, passing the large estates and haciendas of Santa Fe. This region is known for offering the well-heeled a quiet retreat paired with alluring ruggedness, not unlike Lexus’s new flagship SUV.

The 2022 Lexus LX 600 SUV in the Ultra Luxury trim package. 

Photo: Courtesy of Lexus.

Riding on a new GA-F body-on-frame platform, one it shares with its famously capable Land Cruiser cousin, the LX 600 differentiates itself with an exceptional level of refinement and plushness. While the blocky exterior generally straddles an aesthetic line between tough tank and luxo-barge design, there’s plenty of styling range between the five grades on offer. Wheels vary in size from 18 inches up to 22 inches, the largest found on any Lexus. A base two-row, five-seater LX acts as the entry-level model, but Lexus tells us this will make up only about five percent of sales.
The Premium grade will be the primary one buyers opt for, while a new F-Sport model adds a unique design, specialized handling characteristics and features such as a blacked-out mesh grille and those 22-inch aluminum-forged alloy wheels. It also includes exclusively tuned front and rear dampers. A Luxury variant presents three-row power-folding seating for seven occupants, while an Ultra Luxury configuration represents the pinnacle of the range.

The Lexus LX 600 is fit with a 409 hp, 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine with 479 ft lbs of torque. 

Photo: Courtesy of Lexus.

The Ultra Luxury version, which starts at $127,345, features two rows and, at the back, a pair of sumptuous captain’s chairs offer an opulent in-car experience. Designed to cosset the passenger, the captain’s chairs—sporting curved headrests—offer a generous 43 inches of legroom, can slide forward and recline up to 48 degrees. A reading light, sunshades and rear-seat display come standard.

A Voice Assistant feature is meant as the main mode of interaction with the multimedia and infotainment options, though key buttons and the touchscreen remain at the ready to facilitate traditional use of those amenities. We briefly sampled the Voice Assistant and found its operation to be intuitive, though we appreciate physical buttons and controls remaining in the cabin.

Two touchscreen displays and a Voice Assistant feature provide access to the infotainment system and select cabin controls. 

Photo: Courtesy of Lexus.

In addition to the 12.3-inch touchscreen that displays cameras and infotainment, there’s a 7-inch touchscreen stacked just below. The latter is dedicated to presenting the driving modes and climate information. And regardless of which Lexus LX grade you opt for, it will be powered by a 409 hp, 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 engine with 479 ft lbs of torque. The power plant replaces the storied 5.7-liter V-8, but actually bests the bigger engine’s output by 26 hp and 76 ft lbs of torque.

Included in the Ultra Luxury version, two captain’s chairs—with curved headrests—recline up to 48 degrees. 

Photo: Courtesy of Lexus.

While the morning’s off-road adventures were in a Luxury model, I pick an F-Sport LX for the afternoon drive to Bandelier National Monument and the amusingly named Frijoles Canyon. Setting out from the Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe, the serpentine road offers panoramic vistas in every direction. The 10-speed automatic transmission shifts smoothly, even when on an open stretch where we test the vehicle’s boosted twin-turbo acceleration. Despite its heft and solidity—required to be able to tow 8,000 pounds—the new LX has plenty of hustle. As we gain elevation on the approach to Bandelier, patchy snow becomes a common sight as native Piñon-Juniper woodlands give way to Aspen groves and the high grasslands that can be found throughout the state.

In Ultra Luxury configuration, the Lexus LX 600 starts at $127,345. 

Photo: Courtesy of Lexus.

Once at my destination and parked, I turn down the volume on the 25-speaker Mark Levinson system, swapping the immersive in-cabin audio experience for the sounds of chirping birds and rustling trees. Walking around the national monument I’m reminded of the endless beauty of this land, of its long history and first people that once inhabited this place. The two-hour drive back delights with long cotton-candy skies and a famous New Mexico sunset.

It may have taken 13 years to deliver a new generation of the Lexus LX luxury flagship, but latest iteration shows that Lexus was hardly idle in that time. With a new platform, engine and transmission, along with greater fuel economy, ample cutting-edge tech and five grades to choose from, the LX 600 debuts with generous style and plenty of substance. LX models are currently arriving in Lexus dealerships across the country.

The Lexus LX600 may be one of the most elegant SUVs on the market, but that doesn’t mean it’s afraid to get a little dirty.

To prove this point, the luxury marque is bringing an off-road-focused version of its stylish behemoth to this year’s Tokyo Auto Salon. The result of a collaboration between Lexus and after-market parts supplier JAOS, the special LX600 aims to show it can do anything the legendary off-roader it’s based on, the Toyota Land Cruiser, can do and more.

The heavily modified SUV is based on the off-road variant of the fourth-generation LX, which was introduced last October. Although it looks just like the standard version at a glance, a slew of add-ons combine to give it a more rugged, characterful appearance. These include front and rear skid plates made from lightweight carbon-fiber-reinforced polymers (CFRP), mud guards and rugged CFRP wheel arches in the front and back, according to a press release. Beneath those arches, you’ll find a new set of 20-inch titanium gold wheels wrapped in knobby Toyo Open Country A/T III 285/55R20 all-terrain tires.

Lexus LX600 Offroad JAOS version 

Lexus

Lexus has sensibly chosen to leave everything under the LX600’s hood untouched. That’s because the SUV is powered by a brawny 3.4-liter V-6 mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission that can already churn out a solid 409 horses and 479 ft lbs of twist. Add in a four-wheel-drive system and increased stability because of locking differentials in the front, center and rear and you have everything you need for some serious overlanding fun.
Unfortunately, this special LX600 is unlikely to ever make it to America. There are two reasons for this. First, it’s a one-off made to show off some aftermarket parts. Second, it’s based on a variant that’s currently only available in Japan. Let’s hope that part changes soon, though. Hey, it would only be fair given that we’ve already been denied our chance at this generation’s Land Cruiser.

Contemporary supercars are the hot ticket at present, and despite the fact that there will always be something more capable lurking right around the corner with the coming model year, that doesn’t dissuade collectors from coveting yesterday’s latest-and-greatest, especially when their numbers are small and the demand for them is big. Among those most sought after is the Lexus LFA, an example of which will be offered through the RM Sotheby’s live auction in Phoenix, Ariz., on January 27, 2022.

The LFA has always been a bit of an outlier in the supercar hall of fame, largely because it’s so great yet was the proverbial flash-in-the pan when it came to production, which ceased before the model’s impact even had a chance to sink in. And to date, there has been no real Lexus successor to fill its shoes.

The 2012 Lexus LFA supercar being presented by RM Sotheby’s on January 27, 2022. 

Photo by Rasy Ran, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.

The original concept came straight from the top at Toyota, whose CEO Akio Toyoda wanted a vehicle to rival the usual suspects from Italy and Germany. Development began in the early 2000s, with the fourth and final concept called the LFA and unveiled to great acclaim at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.
In addition to the excitement generated by its appearance, much of the clamor was due to the engine, a power plant co-developed with Yamaha and derived from Toyota Racing’s V-10 engine. Capable of revving from idle to 9,000 rpm in scarcely more than half a second, the LFA’s 4.8-liter V-10 develops 553 hp at 8,700 rpm, with 354 ft lbs of torque at 6,800 rpm. The front-mid-mounted engine is shifted through a rear-mounted, six-speed single-clutch automated manual transmission driving the rear wheels.

The car on offer, serial No. 253, is one of about 190 examples built for the US market. 

Photo by Rasy Ran, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.

Going from zero to 60 mph takes about 3.6 seconds, and the LFA can achieve a top speed of 203 mph. If the engine’s exotic metallurgy wasn’t enough, the otherworldly exhaust note, described by Toyota engineers as the “roar of an angel,” dispelled any doubt that the LFA was unlike any other supercar. And like a race car, the LFA was engineered for lightness and aerodynamic efficiency. Weighing about 3,263 pounds, the car features a materials list that reads like a periodic table, with aluminum, titanium and magnesium sharing the parts count with plentiful carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic.

The LFA’s 4.8-liter V-10 develops 553 hp at 8,700 rpm, with 354 ft lbs of torque at 6,800 rpm. 

Photo by Rasy Ran, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.

Future collectability of the LFA was further assured by its scarcity, as only 500 units were produced between 2010 and 2012, with 436 “regular” and 64 “Nürburgring Package” examples made. According to unofficial numbers in the LFA Registry, this car on offer, serial No. 253, is one of about 190 built for the US market. While the base price was about $375,000, this specific automobile was delivered new to Dallas, Tex., with a sticker of $393,600. But values have since risen dramatically as collectors realize how rare and refined the LFA really is. The car crossing the RM Sotheby’s auction block in January is estimated to bring as much as $750,000.

Among the vehicle’s striking features is the orange-and-black-leather interior. 

Photo by Rasy Ran, courtesy of RM Sotheby’s.

According to RM Sotheby’s Car Specialist Matt Malamut, the LFA being presented is “showing just under 4,360 miles at the time of cataloging” and affords “a great opportunity for any collector of late-model supercars who wants to experience the thrill of the LFA’s V-10 engine while sitting in the comfort of a unique two-tone orange interior.” Malamut goes on to add that “the new owner will take it home with its service records, car cover, window sticker, carbon-fiber Tumi luggage, delivery literature, LFA hat and pullover, manuals, keys and even its original, serialized laser-cut crystal sculpture and cradle.”

Tesla isn’t just a force when it comes to battery-powered vehicles. Increasingly, it’s becoming a dominant player in the luxury car market as well.

Elon Musk’s EV giant has now surpassed Mercedes-Benz for the third most luxury vehicle registrations in the US through the first nine months of the year, according to new market data from Experian (h/t CNET Roadshow). What’s more, the brand is closing in on the top two best-selling luxury marques in the country—BMW and Lexus.

The new report covers the first three quarters of 2021. Through the end of September, 213,708 Mercedes-Benz SUVs, crossovers, sedans and sports cars were registered throughout America, according to Experian. During that same time, 230,855 Teslas were registered, allowing the American company to supplant the German automaker for number three among luxury vehicle manufacturers.

Tesla Model Y 

Tesla

That total still puts the electric automaker behind BMW and Lexus, but the gap is far from insurmountable. Though September, the German carmaker has totaled 259,237 registrations, while the Japanese luxury marque has 245,864 to its name. The final quarter of the year is traditionally a big sales period for luxury to automakers thanks to holiday-based promotions. There may not be enough time left for Tesla to catch up with the top two, but it could make up some serious ground.
None of this should come as a complete surprise. Despite supply chain issues and rising sticker prices, 2021 has been a banner year for Tesla. Last month, it was widely reported that 66 percent (or roughly two-thirds) of all EV registered in the US were sold by Musk’s brand. The marque is actually so dominant that its top selling vehicle, the Model Y crossover, outsold the all of the EVs from other automakers combined—105,445 to 100,053 units.
If traditional automakers are going to hold off Tesla, their best chance may come in the form of premium EVs they make themselves—like the Mercedes-Benz EQS. Telsa may have a head start, but as the EQS has shown, traditional luxury automakers have another quality to bring to the electric revolution: gravitas. Whether that translates into sales remains to be seen.

In the decades since Colin Chapman, automotive icon and founder of Lotus Cars, uttered the now famed words “simplify, then add lightness,” his quote has transcended the Lotus brand and is now a mantra that track-day enthusiasts and professional race teams alike adhere to religiously. It’s also why the 2021 Lexus RC F Fuji Speedway Edition seems so confusing, as we discovered recently while behind the wheel at Monticello Raceway in New York.

The Lexus model variant has hints of the IMSA GT3 class car in its design, nearly as much horsepower and bears the name of one of the fastest racetracks in the world. But weigh it on a scale and all the motorsport references account for nothing.

The 2021 Lexus RC F Fuji Speedway Edition on the track at Monticello Raceway in New York. 

Photo: Courtesy of Lexus.

It should be noted that the RC F Fuji Edition carries a base price of $98,225, putting it in the same territory as a Porsche 911 but with significantly less performance in hand. Going by the spec sheet alone, the special RC F actually finds fairer competition from the $38,695 Camaro SS.
The naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8 churns out 472 hp at 7,100 rpm and 395 ft lbs of torque at 4,800 rpm. The eight-speed automatic, with paddle shifters, does a decent job of quickly working through the gears and sending all that power to the rear wheels via a Torsen limited-slip differential as well. And when the Lexus puts all of that to use, it can complete the sprint from zero-to-60 mph in 4.0 seconds flat. For those keeping score, the Camaro SS does it in 3.9 seconds.

The car’s naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-8 churns out 472 hp and 395 ft lbs of torque. 

Photo: Courtesy of Lexus.

Pricing issues aside, the RC F is as competent as many modern sports car. It’s balanced through the corners and each of the drive modes presents a surprisingly different attitude and character. The Sport+ mode gives the most aggressive throttle and the stiffest suspension, making the RC F feel like a genuine performer. But, in our opinion, it’s no track car and certainly not one befitting of the Fuji Speedway name.
At 3,839 pounds, the Fuji Speedway edition is 140 pounds lighter than the standard RC F, so technically it is a lightweight model. But calling the nearly four-ton sports car a track special is a stretch. The vented carbon-ceramic brakes at each corner do their best, in tandem with the sticky Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires, but when there’s that much weight to slow down, it borders on abuse when you do have to lean on them.

The RC F Fuji Speedway Edition is balanced through the corners, and each of the drive modes presents a surprisingly different attitude and character. 

Photo: Courtesy of Lexus.

The culprit could be the plush cabin, lined with leather and full of Lexus’ suite of electronics and user interface. It’s a pleasant place to spend a few spirited hours of driving, but, again, the antithesis of a track car. If Lexus wanted a true track example, only the bare essentials should remain.

The leather-lined cabin offers the full suite of Lexus user interface and electronics. 

Photo by Dejan Sokolovski, courtesy of Lexus.

On the other hand, as a high-end GT car, the RC F Fuji Speedway ticks a lot of boxes. It has useable power, an eye-catching design and a sonorous engine note. On track, however, it misses the mark. Lexus knows how to build a proper track car. It has enthusiasts and engineers on staff that know what a track car should be. The fact that the RC F Fuji Speedway Edition is far from one is, well, the most confusing part.

Learn more about Robb Report’s 2022 Car of the Year events taking place in Napa Valley here and in Boca Raton here.

It turns out Toyota’s 300-Series Land Cruiser is coming to the US after all—just not as a Toyota.

The redesigned version of the beloved SUV will arrive stateside in the form of the new Lexus LX 600, the brand announced on Wednesday. The luxury marque’s version of the vehicle is almost identical to its parent company’s 4×4 only with more fancy bells and whistles.

American off-road enthusiasts were distraught to learn that Toyota would stop selling the Land Cruiser here following the 2021 model year. Luckily, if you can get past the different nameplate, the LX 600 is just a Land Cruiser in fancier clothing. It has the same general boxy shape as Toyota’s next-gen SUV but with more refined detailing—think shiny chrome instead of matte black accents. The biggest difference between the two vehicles is the presence of Lexus’s trademark spindle grille, which is better integrated into the front of the vehicle than it has been in past generations.

2022 Lexus LX 600 

Lexus

The contrasts are more pronounced inside. The front of the two SUVs is basically the same, though the 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen is now complemented by a smaller 7-inch touchscreen that you can use to control climate settings and toggle between terrain modes. A 25-speaker Mark Levinson audio system should offer a significant upgrade over the Toyota edition.
In the back, you can now choose between one of three seating configurations. The first, which comes with the standard model, features a three-person bench in the back, bringing total seating to five. Up next, is three row layout, which seats seven in a 2+3+2 configuration. The third row, which comes on the Premium, Luxury and F Sport variants, folds down flat in the back when you don’t need it or are in need of more cargo room. Most interesting of all, though, is the Ultra Luxury variant’s four-seat layout, which includes two deluxe reclining chairs in the rear with foot rests that call to mind decadent rear seating of the Mercedes-Benz S-Class, just without the Champagne chiller.

Inside the LX 600 Ultra Luxury 

Lexus

The LX 600 doesn’t just look the part; it can act it, too. Under the hood, you’ll find 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-6, which may be smaller than the last generation’s 5.7-liter V-8, but is more powerful. Its mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission and can generate 409 hp and 479 ft lbs of torque. Mileage hasn’t been revealed yet, but, as CNET Roadshow points out, it will almost certainly be better than the pitiful 14 mpg rating (12 mpg city, 16 mpg highway) of its predecessor, the LX 570.

Like the 300-Series Land Cruiser, the LX 600 is built on the new GA-F platform, which acts as the foundation for its body-on-frame construction. Despite a chassis that’s 20 percent more rigid than before, the new 4×4 is 441 pounds lighter than the LX 570. There’s a double-wishbone suspension in the front and a four-link axle-type suspension in the back. Each version also includes Active Ride Height, which constantly adjusts the vehicle’s ground clearance whether your on or off road; electronic power steering, for better control, and electric braking system, for more efficient stopping. The F Sport variant, meanwhile, also features a Torsen limited-slip differential, specially calibrated dampers, a blacked-out grille and 22-inch wheels.

Lexus

Lexus’s SUV is expected to arrive here in the first quarter of next year. The marque has yet to announce pricing for the LX 600, but Car and Driver expects it to start around $90,000, with the top-of-the-range Ultra Luxury variant possibly starting in the six figures. For many off-roading enthusiasts, that will be more than a fair price to pay for a 300-Series Land Cruiser you can buy right here at home.
Check out more images of the LX 600 below:

Lexus

Lexus

Lexus

Lexus