The Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, BMW X7, and Range Rover are all competing for a piece of the lucrative three-row luxury SUV market. And it's not just the sales figures that tell the tale; each of the SUVs we mentioned has been recently updated with larger platforms, more efficient powertrains, and contemporary sheet metal. However, many forget that Lexus has a stake in the game with the LX 600.
New from the ground up for 2022, the Lexus LX 600 now shares a platform with the Toyota Tundra and retains its traditional ladder frame for durability and off-roading prowess. Unlike its rivals, the LX's dimensions have not changed or grown at all, maintaining the same wheelbase, but crucially, it has shed weight with a better distribution of it across the platform, allowing for better interior packaging.
The Toyota Land Cruiser, upon which the LX is based, is illegal in Canada. Throughout its first three generations, the LX was essentially a Land Cruiser with upgraded leather and wood veneers. This fourth-generation LX attempts to widen the gap by incorporating edgier sheetmetal and a large front grill. The F Sport grill on our test vehicle makes the front end appear significantly sleeker and smaller, whereas the standard seven-slat grill is considerably more imposing on the road. The taillights and full-width light bar are borrowed from the redesigned NX SUV, but they do little to conceal the vehicle's aging structure. The LX 600 is still a bulky SUV with bulbous shoulders and a substantial rear end, and it lacks the refined lines and smooth contours of the new Range Rover and Cadillac Escalade.
The LX 600 is available in four distinct trim levels, Premium, Luxury, Executive VIP, and F Sport, each with a distinct personality. The $13,000 F Sport that we are driving is the second-cheapest option. For sportier handling, it features semi-aniline leather seats, 22-inch wheels, a 25-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, and a torque-sensing limited-slip differential.
The upscale Luxury Package ($20,250) emphasizes creature comforts and conveniences such as a head-up display, leather and wood steering wheel, soft closing doors, and a dual rear-seat entertainment system. The Executive VIP Package ($44,250) is what truly propels the Lexus LX 600 into the realm of competition. For the price of a brand-new MINI Countryman, it adds contoured headrests, rear seat massage and ventilation, semi-aniline leather on all surfaces, and a reclined first-class seating position. The third row of seats is also eliminated to make the rear cabin more spacious. Overall, the configuration is comparable to that of the LS 500 Sedan.
Additionally, the powertrain has been upgraded for greater efficiency. A twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 with 409 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque replaces the 5.7-liter V8. It is identical to the engine that powers the Toyota Tundra and Lexus LS 500. It runs this output through a 10-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel-drive system with adjustable low and high ranges. This is 26 horsepower and 76 pound-feet more than the V8.
We miss the V8 not at all. There were a few times on the highway when we had to floor the gas pedal in order to pass slower vehicles, and the V6 seemed a bit sluggish. However, after awakening, the surge of torque was more than sufficient to get this land yacht moving. It was simply never, shall we say, energizing. At low speeds, it is acceptable. The 10-speed transmission works well with the V6 to keep the vehicle in the meaty portion of the powerband, while also selecting the highest gear when efficiency is the best option. Overall, it's a strong engine with palpable power to propel the LX's massive footprint, and we averaged an impressive 13.8 L/100km in a mix of city and highway driving, one of the best fuel economy ratings for a three-row SUV. However, the LX requires 91-octane fuel, so factor that into your budget.
Moreover, it is an exceptionally quiet and refined engine, barely making a sound as it shifts between gears and chugs along unnoticed - exactly what you want. In addition, the cabin insulation is highly effective, effectively reducing tire and wind noise. Lexus even made an effort to ensure that all cabin touch points are as quiet as possible; windows roll down softly, and the signal stalks emit a soothing ASMR-like click.
The LX begins to feel more like a truck the moment the steering wheel is turned. There is a new electric power steering system that has replaced the outgoing hydraulic setup. It is much easier to turn, requires less effort, and is more user-friendly for those without Herculean forearms. In contrast, the X7 and GLS are more adept at navigating potholed roads than the LX. It heaves and pitches with gusto under hard braking and acceleration, but the F Sport model we tested corners quite well and lets you put the power down early thanks to its limited-slip differential. Despite this, the LX 600 trembles persistently over smooth asphalt; this is a drawback of the body-on-frame construction, but it shouldn't be an excuse when the Escalade and Navigator appear to absorb these undulations significantly better.
We expected a ride that was softer, cushier, and more absorbent. In contrast, even with its adaptive suspension, the LX's ride is choppy, translating the road's nooks and crannies into seat-borne vertical oscillations. It is not difficult per se, but it is not as well-balanced as some pickup trucks with air suspension, such as the RAM 1500. This may have been acceptable in a Land Cruiser, but not in a Lexus costing six figures.
The LX cabin has been completely redesigned to match the design cues introduced by the NX SUV. Unfortunately, unlike the LS and LC, the F Sport model we are driving lacks the exquisite details that we know Lexus is capable of, as seen in the LS and LC. A missed opportunity, if you ask us, to include those details as standard fare, better leather detailing and stitching, and just a touch of flair to entice customers away from competing brands. The VIP package will cost an additional $44,250 for this feature, but we believe it should have been standard from the beginning to give the Lexus a competitive edge against the more expensive German and British SUVs.
Because the LX's dimensions have not changed with this fourth-generation model, the cabin is not as wide, roomy, or spacious as those of its competitors. The third row is manageable for adults of six feet in height, but admittedly cramped for longer journeys. It is unfortunate that there is only one sunroof for the front cabin and none for the rear, which contributes to the somewhat claustrophobic atmosphere created by the folding third row.
The dual touchscreens are an intriguing addition, and we appreciate Lexus's conservative use of digital space. There is a physical button for almost every high-function feature, as well as a variety of shortcuts on the steering wheel. The screen is somewhat distant from the seats, requiring you to get up to access it. We would have preferred a single large screen, similar to the NX. Thankfully, all the dials function properly, feel upscale and expensive, and complement the leather-textured and high-gloss plastic surfaces of premium quality. Lexus has even retained a few analog auxiliary gauges in the instrument cluster, which flank the digital screen in the center. The LX also provides excellent outward visibility due to its upright seating position, deeply scooped front hood, and low cowl, as well as its 360-degree camera views.
The Lexus LX 600 continues in the luxury three-row SUV segment as an attractive but non-class-leading model. There are notable features such as its quiet V6 engine, generous amenities, and excellent cabin ergonomics, but these are ultimately overshadowed by the vehicle's jarring ride, cramped cabin, and lack of flagship SUV flair. The LX 600 retains its timeless appeal and off-roading prowess, but we wish Lexus would take a greater risk with the LX in order to truly elevate it to flagship SUV status.
Specifications:
- Model: 2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Series 1
- Paint Type: Manganese Lustre
- Base Price: $106,950
- Price as Tested: $120,600
- Wheelbase(mm): 2,865
- Length/Width/Height (mm): 5,085 / 1,990 / 1,885
- Curb weight (kg): 2,660
- Engine: 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6
- Horsepower: 409 hp @ 5,200 rpm
- Torque: 479 lb-ft @ 2,000 rpm
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Engine & Drive Configuration: Front engine, 4WD
- Fuel Consumption ( City / Highway ) L/100km: 14.2 / 10.8
- Observed Fuel Consumption (L/100km): 13.8
- Tires: 22-inch wheels