The all-new Lexus LX flagship SUV will, unlike its Toyota LandCruiser twin, be available with both petrol and diesel powertrains when it hits Australian dealers during April.

    It’s the first full-model change for what is effectively Japan’s Range Rover in 14 years.

    Update 11/4/22: This price and spec story went live on March 17, but we’ve pulled it forward following the release of local imagery.

    The range comprises a new base seven-seat variant with both engine options, a five-seat Sports Luxury, a five-seat F Sport, and a four-seat Ultra Luxury – the lattermost being only available with the smoother petrol engine.

    The new-look interior offers a large degree of differentiation against the LandCruiser, headlined by a 12.3-inch main touchscreen, and a separate 7.0-inch lower display. Conversational voice commands and Lexus Connected Services are part of the package.

    Pricing

    With a starting price of $148,800 before on-road costs, the Lexus’s entry point is $10,000 greater than the flagship LandCruiser Sahara ZX using the same engine, and tops out at $210,800 before on-roads.

    By contrast, the outgoing LX range kicked off at $137,513 and topped out at $168,644 before on-roads.

    • 2022 Lexus LX500d: $148,800
    • 2022 Lexus LX600: $152,300
    • 2022 Lexus LX500d Sports Luxury: $165,800
    • 2022 Lexus LX600 Sports Luxury: $169,300
    • 2022 Lexus LX500d F Sport: $171,800
    • 2022 Lexus LX600 F Sport: $175,300
    • 2022 Lexus LX600 Ultra Luxury: $210,800

    All prices exclude on-road costs.

    Engines and 4×4 features

    The LX500d models use the LandCruiser’s 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel making 227kW and 700Nm, while the $3500 more expensive LX600 range uses a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol with 305kW and 650Nm – up 35kW and 120Nm on the old 5.7-litre V8.

    Both LX500d and LX600 powertrains use a full-time all-wheel-drive system, with power channelled through a 10-speed automatic transmission with a low-range transfer case.

    Off-road features include a Multi-Terrain Select system with various drivetrain modes – Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow and Rock – and active height control suspension with Normal, High 1 and High 2 settings.

    A Multi-Terrain Monitor uses four cameras to help you position the car if you’re off the beaten path. There’s also an automated Crawl Control feature for help during treacherous moments.

    Another new function called turn assist uses braking to increase the LX’s response to the driver’s steering inputs, tightening the turning radius.

    A trailer wiring harness with towing hitch is fitted to all grades, and the towing capacity is 3.5 tonnes like the LandCruiser 300.

    Fuel economy

    Fuel consumption figures are yet to be revealed. The LandCruiser 300 diesel’s claim is 8.9L/100km for context, which should be more or less mirrored. The petrol remains to be tested.

    Dimensions

    Underpinning the new flagship Lexus is the familiar Toyota LandCruiser GA-F platform, bringing weight reductions of more than 110kg and a better front-rear weight balance.

    The 2850mm wheelbase remains, as does the body-on-frame construction.

    The LX’s dimensions are listed as 5085mm long, 1990mm wide and 1885mm tall in North America – if the yet-to-be-revealed Australian figures are different we will update this.

    MORE: Toyota LandCruiser v Lexus LX, differences snapshot

    Safety

    The Lexus LX hasn’t yet been crash tested by ANCAP or Euro NCAP. The related LandCruiser earned a five-star rating earlier in 2021.

    Safety equipment includes:

    • AEB with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection and intersection turn assist
    • Front and rear Parking Support Brake with obstacle and vehicle detection
    • Blind-spot monitoring
    • Adaptive cruise control
    • Lane Tracing Assist
    • Traffic sign recognition
    • Emergency steering assist

    Servicing and warranty

    Owners get a five-year warranty, and also join Lexus’s Encore Platinum ownership program.

    It comes with three years of capped-price servicing, costing $595 for each of the first six scheduled services with shorter-than-average intervals of six months/10,000km.

    Standard equipment

    LX500d and LX600 seven-seat base

    Standard equipment includes:

    • 20-inch alloy wheels
    • Three-beam LED headlights, adaptive high-beam
    • 12.3-inch central touchscreen
    • 7.0-inch lower screen
    • 8.0-inch digital driver display
    • Head-up display
    • “Hey Lexus” natural speech recognition
    • 25-speaker Mark Levinson sound system
    • Four-zone climate control
    • Leather upholstery
    • 10-way driver and 8-way front passenger seat power adjustment
    • Heated front seats
    • ‘Shimamoku’ wood trim
    • DAB+ digital radio
    • Satellite navigation
    • Apple CarPlay and Android Auto
    • Wireless phone charging
    • Surround-view camera
    • Multi-terrain monitor
    • Lexus Connected Services with stolen vehicle tracking, automatic collision notification and SOS call functionality

    A $5500 Enhancement Pack adds 22-inch alloy wheels, a sunroof, and a hands-free tailgate with kick sensor.

    LX500d and LX600 Sports Luxury five-seat over the base with enhancement pack

    • Ventilated front seats
    • Heated and ventilated second-row seats
    • Heated steering wheel
    • Centre console cooler box
    • Digital rear-view mirror
    • Soft-close doors
    • Fingerprint identification push-button start
    • 22-inch forged alloy wheels
    • Premium leather-accented seats
    • ‘Takanoha’ ornamentation – wood veneer
    • Dual 11.6-inch rear-seat screens

    LX500d and LX600 F Sport five-seat over the base with enhancement pack

    • Ventilated front seats
    • Heated and ventilated second-row seats
    • Heated steering wheel
    • Centre console cooler box
    • Digital rear-view mirror
    • Soft-close doors
    • Fingerprint identification push-button start
    • 22-inch forged alloy wheels
    • Darkened alloy wheels
    • Blacked-out mesh grille
    • Hadori aluminium ornamentation
    • Aluminium pedals and scuff plates
    • Perforated F Sport seats with added bolstering
    • Exclusive Flare Red interior trim option
    • Torsen limited-slip differential rear
    • New performance dampers
    • Adaptive Variable Suspension

    LX600 Ultra Luxury adds

    • Two rear captain’s chairs with 48-degree reclining, massage function, ‘deluxe’ headrests, a passenger-side ottoman, and quilted upholstery offered in black or Sunflare colour choices.
    • A unique rear centre console packages a touchscreen display for seat and air-conditioning controls, a wireless smartphone charger, two USB-C ports, and additional storage space “for a luxurious chauffeur-driven experience”.

    Colours

    Six exterior colours are available on the all-new LX, consisting of Sonic Quartz, Titanium, Liquid Metal, Onyx, Graphite Black and Khaki Metal.

    F Sport grades use the exclusive White Nova hue in place of Sonic Quartz.

    MORE: Everything Lexus LX

    Mike Costello
    Mike Costello is a Senior Contributor at CarExpert.
    Buy and Lease
    Uncover exclusive deals and discounts with a VIP referral to Australia's best dealers
    Uncover exclusive deals and discounts with a VIP referral to Australia's best dealers