The 2022 Lexus LX 600 is a revelation in many ways. It doesn’t just look different on the outside, it also comes with a whole set of new tech features, a new engine and transmission, and is even based on a new platform. But, more than all that, it has to fill the shoes of the Land Cruiser, which isn’t on sale anymore in the U.S. despite its cult following. The LX 600 is essentially an LC 300 with a better suit, and Lexus has even offered it in a sporty trim this time. But, all said and done, will the new LX be a runaway success and bring good numbers for the automaker?
2022 Lexus LX 600
- Make: Array
- Model: 2022 Lexus LX 600
- Engine/Motor: V6
- Horsepower: 409
- Torque: 479
- Transmission: Ten-speed automatic
- [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
2022 Lexus LX 600 – Exterior
The Lexus LX is based on the GA-F platform that also underpins the Land Cruiser 300. The GA-F platform, in turn, is based on the TNGA platform that underpins heavy-duty products like the Toyota Tundra. The new architecture helps shave off nearly 440 pounds when compared to the model it replaces, thanks to the use of lightweight aluminum.
The Lexus LX is offered in five trims – the LX 600, LX 600 Premium, LX 600 F Sport Handling, LX 600 Luxury, and LX 600 Ultra Luxury. In terms of looks, you get the signature Lexus shape grille up front with horizontal slats and the Lexus logo in the center. The grille is flanked by LED headlights and the boomerang LED DRLs.
Depending on the trim, the LX will come with either 18-, 20-, or 22-inch wheels. This is the first time in Lexus’ history that 22-inch wheels are being offered from the factory. At the rear, you get thick taillights that are connected by an LED strip. The boxy derriere’s monotony is broken by the faux skid plate with black bumper cladding at the bottom. Overall, the Japanese SUV looks butch and fancy at the same time. The LX is available in seven shades:
- Eminent White Pearl
- Atomic Silver
- Nori Green Pearl
- Caviar
- Manganese Luster
- Black Onyx
- Ultra White
The last two shades – Black Onyx and Ultra White – are exclusive to the F Sport Handling trim.
How Big Is The Lexus LX 600?
Speaking of the dimensions, the Lexus LX is 200.5 inches long, 78.3 inches wide, and 74.2 inches tall. The top three trims are 74.6 inches tall. The wheelbase measures 112.2 inches. It weighs 5,665 pounds in all trims except the Ultra Luxury. There it weighs 5,945 pounds. As for the towing capacity, the Lexus LX 600 can tow up to 8,000 pounds.
2022 Lexus LX 600 – Interior
The Lexus LX 600 follows a ‘Tazuna Concept’ design philosophy inside the cabin. As expected, the cabin feels rich and luxurious. It is offered with different seating arrangements. The base LX is a two-row, five-seater configuration, while the Premium, F Sport Handling, and Luxury come with three-row, seven-seat layouts. The top-sped Ultra Luxury is also a two-row SUV, but with captain’s chairs for the second row, thus making it a four-seater.
The top Ultra Luxury comes with Black semi-aniline leather and Black Open-Pore Wood trim. The images show a tan brown leather upholstery on this trim, but the configurator, at the time of penning this review, didn’t have the option. Either way, both the options seem very plush. If you were expecting a minimalistic look here, look away. The center console is as busy as Times Square on a typical day.
You get a couple of screens on the center console. At the top, you have a 12.3-inch touchscreen system that does the usual job. It supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. It also comes with voice recognition that can be activated by saying, “Hey Lexus”. The lower screen is for the HVAC settings and shows the off-road data when you’re using the camera feed on the larger screen while off-roading.
The LX comes with a Multi-Terrain Monitor, which basically makes use of four cameras around the SUV and shows the feed on the touchscreen inside the cabin. Given the brobdingnagian stature of this SUV, this will be helpful every time you decide to take it off the roads. Apart from this, a rear-seat entertainment system is also offered.
The LX600 comes with a 10-speaker Lexus Premium Sound System setup as standard. Should you find this insufficient, a Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound System is available for the taking that comes with 25 speakers in total! This is the most ever offered on any Lexus vehicle to date.
Lexus has also provided a fingerprint-authentication push start switch here. It comes as standard on all models. It sounds fancy, but it seems nothing more than a gimmick to me. In case you’re wondering if this allows you to start your LX if you don’t have the smart key on you but have your fingerprint registered in the system, then the answer is no. It is essentially a two-step verification process. The engine won’t start if the fingerprint doesn’t match. As I stated in another article, the one situation I can think of where it can be useful is if you’re being kidnapped in your SUV at gunpoint and the kidnapper has no idea why the SUV isn’t starting. I’m quite sure there will be an option to turn this off, but why even have it in the first place. What’s next? An OTP sent to your mobile phone?
Some creature comforts that you get in the top-spec model include:
- Heated and ventilated second-row captain’s chairs
- Reclining rear seats and massaging seats
- Rear center armrest and table
- Power right rear ottoman
How Spacious Is The LX 600?
The base trim offers 37.8- and 38.9 inches of headroom, 41.1- and 36.6 inches of legroom, 61.4- and 58.8 inches of shoulder room, and 59.6- and 58.8 inches of hip room in the first and second row, respectively.
The three-row Premium, F-Sport Handling, and Luxury trims have the same interior dimensions. In the first row, you get 37.8 inches of headroom, 41.1 inches of legroom, 61.4 inches of shoulder room, and 59.6 inches of hip room. In the second row, you’ll get 38.9 inches of headroom, 36.6 inches of legroom, 58.8 inches of shoulder room, and the same amount of hip room. In the third row, you’ll have a headroom of 35.2 inches, legroom of 31.1 inches, shoulder room of 56.1 inches, and hip room of 49 inches.
In the top-of-the-line Ultra Luxury trim, you have 37.8 inches of headroom, 41.1 inches of legroom, 61.4 inches of shoulder room, and 59.6 inches of hip room in the first row. In the second row, the SUV offers 38.7 inches of headroom, 33.8 of legroom, 58.8 inches of shoulder room, and also 58.8 inches of hip room.
2022 Lexus LX 600 – Drivetrain
As was with the Tundra and the Land Cruiser 300, the gas-guzzling 5.7-liter V-8 has been phased out. Surprisingly, Lexus has offered the V-6 in only one flavor and one state of tune. In the Land Cruiser 300, you get the V-6 in gas and diesel flavors. The diesel option, by the way, makes 304 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque.
Along with the new engine, you also get a new gearbox. The old eight-speed automatic is replaced with a 10-speed automatic transmission. It also comes with Multi-Terrain Select drive modes, which include Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow, and Rock. A Crawl Control mode is also available for off-road driving. Despite weighing close to 6,000 pounds in its heaviest avatar, the LX can sprint to 60 mph from rest in 6.9 seconds. The top speed is rated at 130 mph.
The LX features a new all-wheel-drive system as well. It features three electronic differential locks; one each at the rear, center, and front. This is the first time a front locking diff has been offered on a Lexus. The transfer case has been revised to cope with all the changes and handle a higher drive force.
As for the fuel economy, the Lexus LX delivers 17 miles in the city, 22 on the highway, and 19 miles combined for every gallon of fuel consumed. It comes with a 21.1-gallon fuel tank.
2022 Lexus LX 600 – Pricing
Here’s how the Lexus LX is priced:
- LX 600 - $86,900
- LX 600 Premium - $95,000
- LX 600 F Sport Handling - $101,000
- LX 600 Luxury - $103,000
- LX 600 Ultra Luxury - $126,000
2022 Lexus LX 600 – Competition
Mercedes-Benz GLS
The GLS is the flagship Mercedes SUV, which means you get all the bells and whistles that the automaker has to offer in a vehicle. The GLS doesn’t look very aggressive or sharp like the LX, but the sheer size of the vehicle is intimidating enough. On the inside, the SUV is as plush as it can get. You can have it either as a six-seater or a seven-seater. You get a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster behind the steering wheel and a 12.3-inch touchscreen system, both of them bonded in common glass.
Until last year, the GLS was offered with two engine options – a 3.0-liter, six-cylinder turbocharged mill that churns out 362 ponies and 369 pound-feet of torque, and a 4.0-liter, V-8 bi-turbo engine that milks 483 horses and 516 pound-feet of twist. The latter has now been discontinued, which means you can only get the 362-horsepower engine here. Power is routed to the wheels via a nine-speed 9G-Tronic automatic gearbox. The GLS takes 5.9 seconds to sprint to 60 mph from rest, a full second quicker than the Lexus LX 600. The 2022 Mercedes-Benz GLS starts at $77,200.
BMW X7
If the Lexus LX is a little too loud for you and the GLS a little too sober, then the X7 will fit your bill perfectly. The stout-faced German looks bold but without slipping into the gaudy status. It is filled to the brim in terms of features with stuff like four-zone automatic climate control, three-stage heated front seats, heated armrests, etc. The touchscreen system supports Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and there’s a 10-speaker audio system on offer, too.
But, all the action lies under the hood. It comes with two engine options. The xDrive40i features a 3.0-liter, inline-six-cylinder twin-turbo mill that makes 335 horses and 331 pound-feet of torque, whereas the M50i comes with a 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V-8 engine that produces 523 ponies and 553 pound-feet of twist. Power is sent to all the wheels via an eight-speed auto gearbox in both cases. So, in case a six-pot mill doesn’t suffice your needs, the BMW X7 is your default choice of the three SUVs here. The V-8 takes just 4.5 seconds to sprint to 60 mph from rest, whereas the six-pot engine takes 5.8 seconds. The 2022 BMW X7 xDrive40i starts at $74,900 and the M50i starts at $99,800.
2022 Lexus LX 600 – Safety and Driver-Assistance Features
Lexus has equipped the 2022 LX with the Lexus Safety System +, and it includes stuff like:
- Pre-Collision System
- Emergency Steering Assist
- Lane Tracing Assist
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control
- Road Sign Assist
- BladeScan (Adaptive High Beam)