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By Jim Meachen and Ted Biederman

(July 24, 2022) The all-new 2022 Lexus  LX 600 enters the marketplace as a big and luxurious three-row vehicle for those who value a soft ride, ultra-quiet interior, most of the safety and convenience technology available — and the ability to go far off road. It's the king of the SUVs in the Toyota/Lexus stable replacing the long-running LX 570 and helps fill the void created by the departure of the Toyota Land Cruiser from the North American market.

Americans never embraced the truck-based Land Cruiser as much as the rest of the world — the vast majority of SUVs today are car-based. So, with budgets ever-shrinking, Toyota has decided to suspend importing the Land Cruiser here, making the LX 600 the first LX without a Land Cruiser counterpart.

Although completely redesigned, the new LX is hard to discern from the old LX without seeing both side-by side. It follows the boxy and bold styling of its predecessor while continuing with the larger over-the-top grille, which in all but the F Sport model consists of seven horizontal bars. A huge blacked-out spindle grille is employed on the F Sport — such as our test car — to distinguish it as the "performance" trim level.  

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The basic design carries over looking a bit top-heavy with thick pillars, large mirrors and only a minimally raked windshield. A new headlight design, intake ducts and wheel options ranging from 18 to 22 inches  represent departures from the previous LX 570’s profile.

A new platform, codenamed GA-F, underpins the LX 600 allowing Lexus to focus on off-roading capabilities thanks to a solid rear axle and four-link rear suspension. The new platform's rigidity is increased by 20 percent and the generous use of aluminum reduces curb weight by 441 pounds compared to the outgoing model.


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The LX also receives electronic power steering and electronically controlled brakes,  revised suspension mounting points allowing for longer spring and shock stroke and both Active Height Control and Active Variable Suspension.

Of the numerous upgrades and differences, perhaps the biggest is the engine, which is no longer a V-8. For the first time since the LX was introduced in 1995 as the LX 450, a six-cylinder returns.
Have no fear, this modern V-6 is more potent than the 5.7-liter 383-horsepower V-8 it replaces. It's a twin-turbocharged V-6 making 409 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission. And all-wheel drive is standard across the lineup

On the road the V-6 feels refined and quiet as most owners of this luxury Lexus would expect. At the same time, it exhibited ample power that has been measured from 0-to-60 in as low as 6.1 seconds, good enough for merging into fast-moving traffic or passing on a two-lane blacktop without a hint of drama.  

The new V-6 definitely improves gas mileage, but it's still at the low end of the scale for big SUVs measured at 17 mpg city, 22 highway and 19 combined on the more expensive premium grade gas. But when you look at the 2021 LX 570 mpg numbers —12/16/14 — it's a giant step forward in fuel efficiency.

2022 model towing capacity is listed at 8,000 pounds with a payload capacity of 1,565 pounds compared to the outgoing V-8 tow rating of 7,000 pounds and a payload capacity of 1,585 pounds.

Styling features of the F SPORT trim, the first time the F designation has been used on the LX, include new and exclusive 22-inch forged aluminum wheels and F mesh design spindle grille with a jet-black chrome grille frame. Inside, the steering wheel and shifter feature textured genuine leather for improved style and grip, while the exclusive F SPORT emblem is applied throughout. A custom crafted F designed seat further enhances the sporty image. An Ultra White exterior with a Circuit Red interior are offered as an F SPORT grade exclusive.

Driving performance for the F SPORT grade features uniquely tuned standard front and rear performance dampers, and a rear stabilizer. Special tuning of the EPS and AVS offers performance focused response and handling stability that — Lexus says — only the F SPORT can provide. But don't get too excited about carving up winding backroads with the F Sport package. While it handles adequately, the LX's main mission is to provide its occupants with a  comfortable and luxurious long trip companion with the ability to tackle difficult off-road challenges.

Note that the F Sport suspension offers a slightly stiffer ride than the other LX 600 trim levels and might not provide the floating ride quality Lexus owners expect.

Inside a wide center console between the front seats creates a cozy cockpit environment. Quilted leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped dashboard, wood trim, and smoked-chrome accents give the LX a high-end appearance and luxury ambiance. The entry-level Standard trim comes with room for five across in two rows of seats; the Premium, Luxury, and F Sport trims come with a third row of seats that increases passenger capacity to seven.

The top-spec Ultra Luxury model, which caters to the VIP who may employ a chauffeur, is only offered as a four-seat layout, with dual captain's chairs in the rear divided by a center console, plus rear-seat entertainment displays, wireless smartphone charging capability, and specially designed seats to maximize comfort.

The LX 600 also introduces the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 suite of driver’s aids. The package includes industry standards like collision warnings, emergency braking, pedestrian and cyclist detection, lane-keeping tech and even road sign recognition. Intelligent headlights can switch from high to low automatically and adaptive cruise control can bring the LX 600 to a complete stop and then resume driving.

The LX 600 starts at $88,245 including destination charge and ranges up to $127,345 for the Ultra Luxury trim. Our F Sport trim carried a base price of $102,345 and with the addition of the excellent Mark Levinson audio system had a bottom line of $105,005. Edmunds auto buying service says the LX 600 is selling near or very slightly over MSRP.



2022 Lexus LX 600

Essentials
Base price: $88,245; as driven, $105,005
Engine: 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6
Horsepower: 409 @ 5,200 rpm
Torque: 479 pound-feet @ 2,000 rpm
Drive: four-wheel
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Seating: 2/2/2
Wheelbase: 112.2 inches
Length: 200.5 inches
Curb weight: 5,665 pounds
Turning circle:  NA
Towing capacity: 8,000 pounds
Luggage capacity: 11 cubic feet
Cargo capacity: 64 cubic feet
Fuel capacity: 21.1 gallons (premium)
EPA rating: 17 city, 22 highway, 19 combined
Also consider: Land Rover Range Rover, BMW X7, Mercedes GLS Class

The Good
• Ample, smooth power delivery
• Luxury-like interior
• Increased towing capacity to 8,000 pounds

The Bad
• Not as much cargo space as some rivals

The Ugly
• Woeful gas mileage on premium gas