Many people have a soft spot for the Lexus LX as it combines luxury with genuine off-road capability.
That’s a winning combination, but the current model was introduced nearly a decade and a half ago at the 2007 New York Auto Show. A series of facelifts have helped to keep the SUV fresh but, as we noted in our review earlier this year, there’s no hiding its age due to truck-like driving dynamics and an atrocious infotainment system.
However, Toyota unveiled a new Land Cruiser earlier this year so it was only a matter of time until Lexus followed suit with an all-new LX. That time has now come as the company has introduced the 2022 LX 600.
An Evolutionary, But Muscular Design
Billed as the brand’s “ultimate sport-utility flagship,” the 2022 LX features an evolutionary design with a prominent spindle grille that consists of seven floating bars with hollow center sections to improve engine cooling. Designers also gave the model larger air intakes and slimmer headlights, which feature three dimensional daytime running lights.
Behind the sculpted hood, the A-pillars have been “pulled rearward to create a cab-backward design.” The model also sports streamlined bodywork, which contrasts with more pronounced wheel arches that house 18-, 20- or 22-inch alloy wheels.
Out back, the traditional “L” logo has been replaced by “Lexus” lettering just like on the 2022 NX. We can also see connected taillights and a new bumper that is decidedly less truck-ish.
Lexus didn’t release detailed dimensions, but said the model retains its 112.2 inch (2,850 mm) wheelbase. That will likely limit interior room, but the company noted this figure has remained consistent ever since the first-generation LX was introduced in 1995.
A Classy Cabin With A Dual Screen Infotainment System
While the exterior is evolutionary, the same can’t be said about the cabin as it adopts a more modern design. Lexus was coy on specifics, but we can see premium leather, wood trim and metallic accents. They’re joined by a digital instrument cluster and an available 25-speaker Mark Levinson premium audio system.
The biggest change is the all-new Lexus Interface system, which recently debuted in the 2022 NX. However, it doesn’t directly carryover as the flagship SUV has two different displays that measure 7- and 12.3-inches.
The larger display is focused on showing navigation, camera views and audio settings, while the smaller screen deals with the climate control system and vehicle information. While dual-screen setups have fallen out of favor, Lexus said “Displaying the camera image on the upper screen while simultaneously displaying the real-time vehicle status on the lower screen, allows the driver to monitor off-road driving conditions more safely without switching the display.”
Besides the dual screen setup, the infotainment system features a voice assistant, user profiles, and cloud-based navigation with Google point of interest data. It should also improve over time thanks to over-the-air updates.
New F Sport And Ultra Luxury Trims Join The Lineup
While Lexus didn’t go into many specifics, the company confirmed the 2022 LX 600 will be offered in Standard, Premium, Luxury, Ultra Luxury and F Sport trims. The latter two are all-new and appeal to two entirely different groups of buyers.
Starting with the F Sport, the model is distinguished by a mesh grille with a black chrome surround as well as exclusive 22-inch forged aluminum wheels. Buyers will also find sport seats and “textured” leather on the steering wheel for “improved style and grip.”
The changes are more than skin deep as the F Sport features uniquely tuned dampers as well as a revised adaptive variable suspension and electric power steering system. They’re joined by an exclusive Torsen limited slip differential for improved performance.
The LX 600 Ultra Luxury goes in a different direction as it has two individual rear seats with curved headrests, seatbacks and cushions that “gently wrap around the head, hips and lower body” for maximum comfort and support. The seats also feature soft urethane to help suppress unwanted movement.
The rear seats are separated by a wide console which features a wireless smartphone charger, covered cup holders, and a large storage box with a DC power supply as well as USB ports and headphone jacks for the rear seat entertainment system. The console also boasts a small display, which can be used to control the seats as well as the climate control system.
Speaking of the latter, the Ultra Luxury comes equipped with exclusive overhead ceiling vents for improved heating and cooling. Other highlights include rear sunshades and reading lights.
If that wasn’t fancy enough, a push of a button slides the front passenger seat forward, lowers its headrests, and then tilts the seat to provide the rear passenger with 43 inches (1,092 mm) of legroom. Furthermore, the rear seat entertainment system display can flip up to provide a better view forward, while a footrest can be deployed from the back of the front seat.
Lastly, the 2022 LX comes equipped with the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 suite of driver assistance systems. It features an improved Pre-Collision System with Frontal Collision Warning, Automatic Emergency Braking as well as Pedestrian and Bicyclist Detection. It also includes All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Tracing Assist (Lane Centering) and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist. Rounding out the highlights are Intelligent High Beams, Emergency Steering Assist and Road Sign Assist.
A New Twin-Turbo V6 With 409 HP
Under the hood, the 5.7-liter V8 engine has been replaced by a new twin-turbo 3.5-liter V6 that produces 409 hp (301 kW / 415 PS) and 479 lb-ft (649 Nm) of torque. This is a sizable increase of 26 hp (19 kW / 26 PS) and 76 lb-ft (103 Nm) of torque. Lexus also noted the engine maintains its maximum torque up to around 3,600 rpm, which improves performance off-road as drivers typically travel at low speeds.
The engine is connected to a new ten-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the previous eight-speed gearbox and features a low first gear for “a smooth start and powerful low speed off-road driving performance.” However, it’s more notable for having two extra gears and the tenth “keeps the engine speed low during high-speed cruising, resulting in a quiet ride and lower fuel consumption.”
Speaking of fuel economy, the 2022 LX weighs 441 lbs (200 kg) less than its predecessor thanks to aluminum doors and its all-new body-on-frame platform. Lexus didn’t say much about the latter, but noted the architecture is 20% more rigid than before.
As Capable As Ever, Just More Comfortable
A high-mounted double wishbone suspension with optimized coil springs resides up front, while the four-link rear suspension has been modified to improve stability and ride comfort. In particular, Lexus said the rebound stroke has been increased by 0.8 inches (20 mm) to “ensure excellent road-following performance.” The shock absorber layout has also changed and this enables them to better follow the vertical movement of the wheels, which increases their damping effect.
Sticking with dynamics, the LX features an adaptive variable suspension, a new electric power steering system, and a new electronically controlled brake system. There’s also an improved Active Height Control system with Low, Normal, Hi1, and Hi2 settings. The system automatically adjusts the ride height based on what you’re doing, such as going into Hi1 or Hi2 when the driver selects 4Lo or uses the Multi-Terrain Select system.
Lexus says the changes enable the LX to be more comfortable and dynamic, while also retaining its legendary off-road capability. The company isn’t kidding about the latter as the approach, departure and breakover angles remain unchanged as does the 45 degree climbing ability and water fording depth of 27.5 inches (700 mm).
That being said, there are some off-road improvements as there’s an “evolved” Multi-Terrain Select system with Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow and Rock modes. Auto mode is all-new, but the big news is that the system now works in 4Hi instead of being limited to just 4Lo.
Other off-road goodies include Crawl Control and Downhill Assist Control as well as a Multi-Terrain Monitor. The latter uses four cameras – front, side and rear – to show your surroundings. Speaking of cameras, there’s a new Back Underfloor View which superimposes the vehicle and wheel position over an underfloor camera view. This enables the driver to see obstacles that would normally be hidden from view.
The 2022 LX looks pretty promising and it’s slated to arrive at U.S. dealerships in the first quarter of next year.
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