After what seemed like an eternity, Lexus finally gave its flagship SUV a complete makeover from the ground up for 2022. The previous generation LX debuted nearly 15 years ago, for the 2008 model year, so this next generation has a lot of catching up to do.

If properly equipped, it might become the Japanese automaker's most expensive model in the lineup. So, is it up to the task of taking the crown of the ultimate Luxury SUV, or do its competitors still have an edge? Let's find out, shall we?

2022 Lexus LX 600 Performance and Capability


The all-new generation LX is available across five trims:

• LX 600
• LX 600 Premium
• LX 600 F Sport Handling
• LX 600 Luxury
• LX 600 Ultra Luxury

Under the hood, the old gas-guzzling 5.7-liter V8 engine makes way for a more efficient 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6, which produces 409 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque. This is an increase of 26 horsepower and 76 pound-feet of torque over the previous model's V8. The new LX will do the 0-60 run in 6.9 seconds.

There are also noticeable benefits in terms of fuel economy. How much better? Well, 17 MPG in the city, 22 on the Highway, for a combined 19 MPG. This is due in part to the LX riding on an all-new TGNA-F platform shared with the new Sequoia and Tundra pickup, which means it weighs approximately 400 pounds less than the outgoing model.

All LX versions now come standard with a 10-speed automatic transmission, which replaces the old 8-speed. Full-time four-wheel drive is standard on all trims. You can also haul stuff with ease as the V6 has enough grunt with a towing capacity of up to 8000 pounds.

Where the LX differs is in its actual off-road prowess. After all, it's based on Toyota's trusted 300 Series Land Cruiser, which is unfortunately no longer available in the United States. But, having said that, not many people are going to take it their LX off-road, but you know you can do it if you want to.

This is because the new LX has all of the same off-road chops as the Land Cruiser. The system lets you choose the appropriate mode based on the type of terrain you're driving on; you can choose from Auto Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep snow, and Rock. This terrain system is now available on both 4x4 low and high when it was previously only available on low.

There's also a new crawl control function, which has four preset speeds for off-road driving and monitors engine output and brake pressure. Downhill assist, which uses the brakes to maintain vehicle speed when descending a steep slope, is standard equipment on a flagship off-roader.

Given that you still get a body-on-frame chassis, the whole driving experience may feel a little old-school, especially if you're coming from one of those crossovers that drives like a car. The F Sport trim with its performance dampers and Torsen Limited Slip differential should make tidy up the handling. You may mitigate this to some extent with the optional air suspension ($1,300), but you can't deny that the tough ladder frame chassis, ideal for off-roading, does hamper the on-road manners to a certain degree.

RELATED: 2022 Lexus LX 600 is America’s Posh Twin-Turbocharged Land Cruiser Successor

Exterior Design

The LX is completely redesigned for the 2022 model year. But, happily, the design is evolutionary rather than revolutionary, something the Land Cruiser and LX faithful will like. While the target audience is the sort of people who'd like to fly under the radar, the design is rather understated, but you sure can't call it discreet, especially with that giant spindle grille upfront that seems to get bigger and bigger with every generation. However, the design team did a splendid job of incorporating it into this new generation. You get Sleek LED headlights with active shutters and fog lamps positioned further down in the bumper.

As we proceed along the side of the vehicle, one thing to notice is that the A-pillar has moved further back relative to the hood, giving the car a more sporty stance than the previous iteration of the LX. Furthermore, the near $128,000 Ultra Luxury trim level appears to be the same as all of the other trim levels. The 22-inch alloy wheels, however, distinguish the top-of-the-line model.

Other trims feature 20-inch and 22-inch rims, but they're not as flattering. As part of an Appearance Package ($1,295) on the Premium or Luxury trims, all the bright work makes way for a matte gray grille and roof rails, and black chrome on the window trim, door handles, and mirrors. You can also opt for smaller 18-inch matte gray wheels at no extra cost with the package.

Moving back, you can see how Lexus incorporated the new horizontal lightbar with the L blades of the tail light cluster. This is a design characteristic that you'll see in other Lexus models like the new NX and RX crossovers. You'll also notice that there are no exposed tailpipes, which is a deliberate design choice by Lexus to give the vehicle a cleaner appearance. Also, the old badge is finally gone, and in its place is LEXUS spelled out on the tailgate instead.

RELATED: Future Lexus Vehicles Won't Come With The "L" Badge At The Rear

Interior Quality & Technology

The interior of the LX has been entirely redone from the ground up and you get a lot of standard equipment, right from the base model. The cabin represents a significant improvement in terms of design, materials used, and technology offered and you can expect to find a high-quality cosseting cabin that will isolate you from the elements. However, the layout is old school with a vast array of buttons and a shift lever in place of something like a rotary gear selector, some markets like the middle east may prefer this.

You also get a twin-screen setup with the main display being a 12.3-inch touchscreen navigation infotainment touch screen system. This screen also shows the amazing multi-terrain monitor, which uses the vehicle's exterior cameras to show you what's in the immediate surrounding and a view under the vehicle.

A secondary 8.0-inch panel below handles other vehicle settings. There are far too many buttons, while most competitors these days have taken a more clutter-free approach, with larger displays handling the majority of these functions. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are standard across the range, as well as tactile buttons for several of the climate control functions. Another missed opportunity was a fully digital driver's display. The LX still makes do with a part analog part digital setup with a 7.0-inch display.

As standard, you get either a black or beige leather interior with open-pore wood. Choose the F Sport Handling trim, and the beige and wood make way for sportier red and black leather upholstery with aluminum trim. An interior upgrade package ($1,295) will get you semi-aniline seats, a ventilated second row, and a cool box.

Most LX models will include either a two or three-row configuration along with the second-row bench. But if you choose the ultra-luxurious LX grade, you'll find a four-passenger layout with captain's seats in the second row. What's fantastic about these seats is that they revolve around yet another digital touchscreen that allows you to control everything from the audio to the seat heating and ventilation, the massaging function, and the interior lighting.

But surprisingly, for a flagship vehicle, the front seats do not have a massage function. The front seat pulls completely out of the way, and there is an ottoman-style footrest element here. This seat then reclines fairly far back, up to 48 degrees. Also included is a second wireless charging pad for your phone, as are two more 11.4-inch entertainment displays located on the front seat backs. Another missing feature is a panoramic roof.

The ultimate luxury option also includes a digital rearview camera, a Mark Levinson sound system with 25 speakers and 2,400 watts of power ($2,660), and power-soft closed doors. This new LX is almost the same size as the previous generation, but it is shorter than most of its competitors, as indicated by the cargo capacity and third-row seat. The shorter wheelbase significantly reduces cargo space.

The LX now features 11 cubic feet of rear cargo capacity, which is an increase over the previous generation of LX, although it still falls far behind most of its competitors. Because the ultra-luxury version lacks a third row of seats, you won't notice it as much. Finally, unlike the previous generation LX, which had a split tailgate design, the new model has a more traditional powered hatch that opens in one piece.

2022 Lexus LX 600 Price and Availability

The 2022 Lexus LX 600 has a starting MSRP of $88,245 including destination and it represents phenomenal value as it comes pretty feature-packed out of the box. You can expect the bulk of the sales to come from the mid-range trims with three-row seats. However, for those looking for the ultimate LX experience, at the other end of the spectrum, you've got the Ultra-Luxury trim, which at $127,35 carries a significant price premium over the rest of the range. Is it worth it? That is debatable.

Configure your Lexus LX here.


Safety


When it comes to safety and advanced driver assistance, the LX is pretty well equipped and Lexus' Safety System 2.5 comes as standard. It includes features like:

• Automatic emergency braking
• Forward collision warning
• Lane keep assist
• Lane departure alerts with steering assist
• Adaptive cruise control and automatic high beams
• Blind-spot monitoring
• Rear cross-traffic alerts front and rear parking assist with automatic braking
• Surround view camera and trailer sway control

RELATED: 10 Things To Know Before Buying The 2022 Lexus LX 600



Main Competition

Competition is pretty fierce in the full-size luxury SUV segment. The bulk of the competitors will also be larger. So, if you're shopping purely based on size alone, the LX shouldn't be your first choice. The key competitors include models like the Range Rover, the Mercedes-Benz GLS, and the BMW X7.

The competition offers more modern neatly integrated multimedia systems, so that's a bit of a setback for the LX. The European competition will also offer a more sophisticated drive and luxurious experience. As for American rivals, you have a Cadillac Escalade, the Jeep Grand Wagoneer, and the Lincoln Navigator, which feature more classy interiors with a lot more space.

So, to summarize, why would you pick the LX over its competitors? Well, if you need or want something with off-road capabilities, this LX will be all of those and probably by a considerable margin, which is certainly a pleasant thing. Only the Range Rover comes close. Furthermore, Lexus' legendary reliability remains unrivaled in the industry. You can certainly put a couple of hundred thousand miles on it and not have to worry about any expensive repairs. For more on the LX 600, check out our in-depth driven review.