The Lexus LX600 2023 is a big, modern, full-size luxury SUV that hasn’t sacrificed its off-road toughness. Based on the new Toyota Land Cruiser, which is no longer offered in North America, the LX600 is powered by a 409-hp twin-turbo V-6 with a 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.
Rivals such as the BMW X7 and Cadillac Escalade offer a grander…
The Lexus LX600 2023 is a big, modern, full-size luxury SUV that hasn’t sacrificed its off-road toughness. Based on the new Toyota Land Cruiser, which is no longer offered in North America, the LX600 is powered by a 409-hp twin-turbo V-6 with a 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive.
Rivals such as the BMW X7 and Cadillac Escalade offer a grander experience with a more adult-friendly third row, but the LX600 has other virtues. Instead of cold and corporate, it’s made for people who don’t mind getting sand between their toes.
The LX600 is the epitome of glide, with a supple ride, adjustable air suspension, and comfy seats. But its stout body-on-frame construction and Land Cruiser DNA make it a luxury SUV that’s happy to go where the dirt is.
Lexus delivered a completely new-generation LX last year and doesn’t make any major changes to it or 2023.
We think the Luxury trim represents the best value here—value being a relative term when you’re talking six-figure SUVS—as it adds niceties such as semi-aniline leather upholstery,
a Mark Levinson stereo system, and handsome 22-inch wheels among other features. If you’re looking for luxury that rivals the Range Rover or top-spec models from BMW and Mercedes, you’ll want to go with the Ultra Luxury trim, but doing so limits the cabin to just four seats.
The LX600 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 engine that makes 409 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive are both standard. This powertrain launched in the new Toyota Land Cruiser, which shares its mechanical underpinnings with the LX.
Given Lexus’s penchant for hybrid powertrains, we wouldn’t be surprised to see a gas-electric setup under the LX’s hood, similar to the one used in the 2022 Tundra pickup, but so far the company only offers this non-hybrid powertrain.
On the road, the twin-turbo V-6 provides ample power as well as a refined nature suitable for a luxury vehicle such as the LX. In our testing the LX600 managed a 6.1-second zero-to-60-mph time, which will be more than enough for most drivers.
Most models deliver a compliant ride, but those swooning over the F Sport model and its more aggressively-tuned suspension will have to put up with some ride harshness.
How does the LX 600 drive? The off-road capability of this 6,000-pound SUV is undeniably impressive, but it isn’t very enjoyable to drive on a daily basis. The turbocharged V6 is powerful and the 10-speed automatic has smooth upshifts, so no problems there.
The steering and braking are uninspiring, though, compromised by the sheer size of the LX. The steering feels heavy and disconnected, while the brakes feel lazy under a light foot and then too grabby as you apply more pressure.
Handling is also disappointing. The LX 600 leans dramatically as you drive around turns and feels unstable, especially if you drive over a midcorner bump. There’s a general unwillingness to change direction with any urgency.
How comfortable is the LX 600? The LX’s comfort and quiet clash with its floaty and uncontrolled highway ride. The excellent front seats are wide, cushy and supportive. They’re built like armchairs and great for long drives. Get in that executive-style second-row passenger-side seat of the Ultra Luxury trim and you’ll feel like you’re in business class on a transcontinental flight.
It’s excellent and even tall adults can recline almost flat. The Lexus LX is also very quiet, and the climate system can cool and heat the cabin quickly.
The ride, however, seems very out of place in such an expensive rig. Lexus’ height-adjustable suspension soaks up bumps, but you feel bouncy and floaty on freeway surfaces and it can be slightly nauseating.
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