The Lexus LX is Lexus' longest-running SUV nameplate. This full-size, luxury SUV is mechanically identical to the Toyota Land Cruiser SUV, which means that a full-size steel ladder frame underpins it. Compared to the Land Cruiser, however, the LX offers a more luxurious interior and more pleasing driving dynamics. The LX is also renowned for its robust off-road capability, its outstanding durability, and its long list of standard premium features.
Thus far, Toyota Motors has produced three generations of the Lexus LX, and all of them have body-on-frame constructions. Power and capability have always been a significant part of what the LX is about, which is why the first generation features a large inline-six engine while the second and third generations feature even large V8 engines. In terms of models, the first-generation LX was only offered in an LX 450 model, while the second-generation LX was only offered in an LX 470 model; the current third-generation LX is available in LX 460, LX 470, LX 570, LX 570 Supercharged, and LX 450D models.
1st Generation: 1995–1997
Production began for the first-generation Lexus LX 450 in November 1995 in the US, and it continued until December 1997. The first LX 450 model rolled off the production line just a month after production started, selling over 14,000 units.
The LX 450 is almost identical to the Toyota Land Cruiser J80 in terms of looks; the only difference is Lexus badging, the front grille design, the wheel design, and the side body cladding. However, in terms of driving dynamics, the LX offers smoother rides and slightly better handling thanks to its more refined suspension tuning. On the inside, the LX 450 provides a leather-clad interior that also integrates wood-grain accents on the doors, dashboard, and centre console. Some of the interior features that this model offers include a 195-watt AM/FM cassette audio system with a 6-disc CD changer, a Lexus remote telephone system, and a power moonroof.
Under the hood, the LX 450 features a naturally-aspirated, 4.5-liter, twin-cam, four-valve inline-six engine that generates 160 kW and 373 N.m of torque. This engine pairs with a beefy 4-speed A343F automatic transmission with an overdrive gear. The LX 450 also has a robust full-time 4WD system with electronic front and rear locking differentials, so you can count on it to perform exceptionally well on off-road terrain.
2nd Generation: 1998–2007
1998–2002
The second-generation Lexus LX 470, which Toyota based on the Land Cruiser J100 SUV, is slightly larger, more refined, and more powerful than the first-generation LX 450. It debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show on December 1997 and went on sale the following year.
This generation is known for its unique quad-headlamp setup up-front. It is large, broad-shouldered, and muscular with a prominent grille and ample exterior chrome treatment. Under the hood, the second-generation LX 470 features a naturally-aspirated 4.7-litre V8 engine that generates 172 kW and 433 N.m of torque. This engine delivers 80% of its torque at just 1,100 rpm, so it does a great job of facilitating rapid launches. The first generation's 4-speed automatic transmission carries over to this model.
The off-road capability of the second-generation LX 470 is just as reliable as that of the LX 450. It also features a toughened full-time 4WD system with a limited-slip centre differential and electronic front and rear locking differentials. It has a high ground clearance and rides on 17-inch wheels with stout all-terrain tyres.
This model also offers improved handling and smooth rides thanks to the fact that it gains a front independent suspension and adaptive variable shock absorbers. It also comes equipped with a self-levelling active height-control system that has three height settings.
On the inside, the second-generation LX 470 offers full-leather upholstery with polished wood trim, a power tilt and telescope steering wheel, driver's seat memory settings, a six-disc in-dash CD changer, front and rear air conditioning, and much more.
2002–2005
The second-generation LX 470 received a slight update in 2002. It got a minor facelift that included a new front bumper design and larger 18-inch alloy wheels. It also got a retuned V8 engine that delivered an increased output to 175 kW and a new 5-speed automatic transmission. On the inside, this refreshed model got optional features like Bluetooth connectivity, a backup camera, a navigation system, a DVD rear-seat entertainment system, an 11-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system, and even a night-view infrared camera safety system.
2005–2007
The LX 470 got another model refresh in 2005 that also included an engine retune. The powertrains of the 2005-2007 LX 470 models deliver an improved output of 205 kW with up to 445 N.m of torque. The 5-speed automatic transmission also becomes a standard feature in these models. The late-cycle refresh of this model also came with features like LED taillights, an automatic climate control system, and optional XM Satellite Radio.
3rd Generation: 2007–present
The production of the third-generation Lexus LX started in 2007 in Hong Kong and the USA. In Hong Kong, the 2007-2013 third-generation LX models retained the LX 470 nameplate because they got power from a naturally-aspirated 4.7-litre 2UZ-FE V8 engine rated at 202 kW and 410 N.m of torque. From 2012 to 2014, however, the Hong Kong Lexus LX was renamed the LX 460 on account of its improved naturally-aspirated 4.6-litre 1UR-FE V8 petrol engine that generates 234 kW and 460 N.m of torque.
In many other countries, the third-generation LX models (2007-present) have an LX 570 nameplate, which signifies the presence of a naturally-aspirated 5.7-litre 3UR-FE V8 engine. This larger engine delivers market-dependent outputs. For example, the Australia-bound LX 570 models offer 270 kW and 530 N.m of torque while those made for the USA and Canada generate 286 kW and 546 N.m of torque.
Also available in Russia, New Zealand, Ukraine, South Africa, Azerbaijan, India, Australia since 2015 is a third-generation LX 450d turbodiesel model that delivers better fuel efficiency. The LX 450d model features a twin-turbocharged 4.5-litre diesel V8 engine that generates 200kW and 650 N.m of torque, and it manages to provide a fuel economy of up to 9.5 litres/100km in combined driving.
Yet another third-generation LX model that was only available from 2014-2015 is a Middle East-specific LX 570 Supercharged model. This performance-themed model bears a supercharged 5.7-litre 3UR-FE V8 gasoline engine that generates an impressive output of 336 kW and 706 N.m of torque. The LX 570 Supercharged requires just 5.8 seconds to sprint from zero to 100km/h and can reach a top speed of 241 km/h.
In addition to offering impressive power and performance, the third-generation LX models also provide smoother and more composed rides on account of their more rigid high-tensile-steel frames, their new double-wishbone front suspension systems, and their refined multi-link rear suspension systems. The third-generation LX also sees the introduction of off-road technologies like a crawl control system, a multi-terrain monitor, a hill start assist control system, and several others.
On the inside, this generation offers an even more luxurious interior with soft-touch semi-aniline leather materials, genuine exotic wood trim, and well-placed metallic accents. The convenience features offered in these third-generation models include a four-zone climate control system, a hard-drive-based navigation system, an infotainment system with an 8-inch/12.3-inch touchscreen display, a 450 watt 19-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound stereo system, a rear-seat entertainment system with a 9-inch display, and much more.
The third-generation LX models are also equipped with various driver-assistive technologies that help to improve safety on the road. Depending on the model, these driver-assistive systems may include an automatic high beam control system (aka adaptive front-lighting system) a pre-collision system, and a dynamic radar cruise control system.