The 2022 Lexus LX 600 is the Land Cruiser’s U.S. Stunt Double
The styling of the latest Lexus LX 600 is handsome, but the cabin now looks as opulent as the last version was dated.
As enthusiasts know, the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser is no longer available on our shores. Killing it here was a dumb move, to be sure, but American buyers will be able to get something similar by way of the Lexus LX 600, and now we have some more details on luxurious off-roader. Under the hood, there’s a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6, which is good for 409 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of twist. That’s a significant bump from the 383 horsepower and 403 lb-ft of the last model, and with an EPA rating of the 17 city and 22 highway it’s less thirsty too. Shifting duties will be handled by a ten-speed automatic.
Part of the improved fuel economy is thanks to the fact that the new LX makes extensive use of aluminum, and is 440 pounds lighter than its predecessor. With a lower center of gravity and a 20 percent increase in rigidity, the road manners should be better too. That said, at the end of the day, the LX is still a body-on-frame machine, just like the Tundra pickup it shares a platform with. So it’ll be interesting to see how the tweaks Lexus engineers made to the suspension arm and shock absorbers translate to the driving experience. To help handle tough terrain, there are three selectable ride heights, and the Multi-Terrain Select includes settings for Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow and Rock.
Up front, there’s an evolution of the Lexus “predator-grille,” which looks both larger and more restrained than the front fascia of the previous generation, and the Lexus shares the pronounced fender flares of its corporate cousin. Across the liftgate, Lexus is spelled out in large letters, and overall, the exterior styling is restrained and stately. As handsome as the lines might be however, the biggest changes to the LX are on the inside, as the cabin now looks as opulent as the last model was dated.
In the press shots, quilted leather abounds, and the center column now features a pair of touchscreens, a 12.3-inch unit up top, and a 7.0-inch unit in the center of the dash. As you’d expect, the larger screen will be the primary one, with the smaller unit reserved for displaying climate settings and driving modes. The range-topping version will be the $127,345 Ultra Luxury model, which features captain’s chairs in the second-row seats, along with entertainment screens and likely massaging seats for all passengers. Base models will start at $88,245, and limited slip-differential equipped F Sport Handling model coming in at $102,345. The Premium model, at $96,345 and the Luxury model, at $104,345 round out the available trims. Look for a full review when the LX hits press fleets later this year.
Photos: Toyota
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