The all-new Lexus LX 600 takes on town and country.
By Joe Yogerst
Beauty and a beast is an ideal way to describe the new LX 600, the latest and so far greatest iteration in a family of luxury Lexus SUVs.
The sleek styling—including a much more robust front end—is complimented by performance that makes the vehicle a perfect choice for town or country driving. And by “country” we mean offroad capability suitable for deserts, mountains or other rugged terrain.
A Lexus spokesperson says the fourth generation of the LX features “a full optimization of nearly every component,” including a 20% more rigid and 441-pound lighter platform, a cabin redesigned for both comfort and usability, and a sophisticated Lexus Interface for easy, intuitive interaction and connectivity with both the vehicle and outside world.
Powered by a twin turbocharged, 3.4-liter V-6 engine—the most powerful Lexus LX engine of all time—the 600 generates 409 horsepower, 479 pound-feet of torque and enough oomph to pull 8,000 pounds of boat or trailer. For a vehicle this size, it’s also quick off the line: zero to 60 in a swift 6.1 seconds.
The downside, if there is one, is gas mileage, which averages an EPA-certified 17 mpg on urban roads and 22 mpg on the open highway. Still, that’s pretty good compared to others in the large, luxury SUV league.
It has also got all the creature comforts that one expects from a vehicle that ranges from $90,660 for the basic style to $104,870 for the F Sport Handling edition and a whopping $130,750 for the super tricked-out Ultra Luxury model.
Leather-trimmed heated seating, artisan-crafted wood trim, three dashboard display screens, heated steering wheel, an all-new infotainment system with the latest multimedia technology plus “Hey Lexus!” voice assist are standard on all models.
But you’ll need to spring for the Ultra Luxury for features like reclining, massage-capable captain’s chairs in the second row; power retractable ottoman and rear center table; a “cool box” for beverages; thematic ambient illumination; digital rearview mirror; embossed headrests; and beautifully engraved Takanoha wood trim from Japan.
Yet it’s the offroad features that really make the LX 600 worth the big bucks, starting with a rugged frame, suspension and powertrain borrowed from its safari-worthy corporate cousin, the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser.
In addition to full-time four-wheel drive, the vehicle boasts electronic power steering, electronically controlled braking, a Crawl Control system that ensures slow, steady and safe advancement over difficult terrain, an under-vehicle camera that let drivers see exactly what they’re moving over, and a Multi-Terrain Select feature with six modes: Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow and Rock.
DEALERSHIP INFO
Newport Lexus
3901 MacArthur Blvd.
949-477-7107; newportlexus.com
A first for Lexus vehicles, the LX 600 features a stylish DASHBOARD with three electronic screens, including the driver display behind the steering wheel as well as a 12.3-inch upper screen and 7-inch lower screen that enable a more comfortable driving experience with their variety of views, instrumentation and control adjustments.
Powering the LX 600 is a high-output, high-torque 3.5-liter V-6 twin-turbo gasoline ENGINE, upgraded with all-new, 10-speed automatic transmission.
The second row of REAR SEATS in the Ultra Luxury version features large, leather-trimmed reclinable “captain’s chair” seats with massage function and embossed headrests, a dedicated infotainment system and electronic retractable table, ottoman and armrests.
Whether you’re racing across the desert, cruising through thick snow, crawling across bare rock or creeping through mud, the LX 600’s diverse MULTI-TERRAIN SELECT driving modes create a vehicle for all seasons and reasons.
The reworked front end revolves around a bold, upright GRILLE with merging floating bars that creates a three-dimensional shape that integrates easily into the hood for an innovative and powerful solid look that’s sure to turn heads.
Photos courtesy of Lexus
