Used 2017 Lexus LX

Based on the Toyota Land Cruiser, the 2017 Lexus LX 570 has all the trappings of a luxury SUV — fine leather, powerful V8, and safety and comfort amenities galore — and adds the ability to literally crawl up and down mountains. Unlike your average 3-row luxury-crossover SUV, the Lexus LX doesn’t mind dirt — it’s actually made for it. Built atop a truck-like chassis, Lexus’ flagship SUV features multiple off-road settings, a locking differential and low-range gearing. Despite its ability to take you far beyond civilization, the Lexus LX is relatively civilized in the city where most will dwell. Few vehicles outside of a Range Rover can match the LX’s blend of ruggedness and refinement, but at $90,000 its dual personality isn’t cheap.

The Lexus LX 570 SUV is a lesson in contradictions. On one hand, it’s comfortable, quiet and refined. You’re surrounded by the finest leather, beautifully crafted wood trim, and all the luxury trappings you can imagine. Despite its size, it’s practically graceful in corners; not sporty, but confident and comfortable. True, there’s a bit more rumble in the ride than you might expect in a Lexus, but there’s a reason: This is a real SUV. Underneath that plush cabin is a truck-type body-on-frame chassis. This rugged structure combines with a sophisticated 3-mode independent suspension setup, giving the big LX 570 an amazing ability to conquer off-road trails with ease. Where competitors like the Audi Q7 and Mercedes-Benz GL will call it a day, the LX 570 is more than capable of busting the brush and forging ahead thanks to its 2-speed transfer case and locking differential.

All 2017 LX 570 models feature a leather-lined 3-row/7-passenger configuration. But this big SUV differs from most others in that in addition to folding forward, the pair of small, power-operated 3rd-row seats also flip up against the sides to create a flat floor behind the second row, which also slides forward and back. Atop the center of the dash is a huge 12.3-inch widescreen that displays navigation, audio features and Apple Siri Eyes Free integration. We wager some of the prominent controls near the transmission selector will never be used; they’re for low-range gearing, locking the differential and setting off-road crawl speed.

Last year’s revamp made Lexus’ big brute even harder to ignore. Look at the size of that “spindle” grille — it could swallow a Yaris. The rest of the LX 570 is classic Land Cruiser DNA — tall, boxy, imposing. The rear features a clamshell tailgate, with the top portion opening and closing at the push of a button, and below that a manually operated tailgate like that of a pickup truck. While not quite as large as a Cadillac Escalade, the LX is a sizable rig. Make sure you have ample space in the garage if you intend to park it there.

ACTIVE SAFETY AND DRIVING AIDS
Every 2017 Lexus LX 570 has an impressive roster of driving aids that includes blind-spot monitoring with rear cross-traffic alert, pre-collision system with automatic braking and pedestrian detection, lane-departure alert and dynamic radar cruise control.

CRAWL CONTROL
Forget the leather and wood trim: The 2017 LX 570 is a real off-road-ready rig, and if you take it to such territory, you’ll appreciate its Crawl Control mode. It controls the brake and throttle inputs slowing the LX on steep grades, letting you focus on avoiding obstacles.

Every 2017 LX 570 comes with 4-wheel drive, a V8 engine and the active safety and driving aids referenced in “Favorite Things.” Standard equipment includes quad-zone climate control, a power moonroof, power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, leather interior, and a 14-way driver’s seat. This latest-gen Lexus LX convey standard navigation and other infotainment functions on a 12.3-inch screen that utilizes the Lexus Remote Touch Interface controller. That includes a 9-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with HD Radio, Bluetooth streaming audio, and USB and iPod inputs. In addition to 10 airbags, there’s a system that can automatically send help after an accident.

There are relatively few options for the 2017 Lexus LX 570, but those that are available are easy to recommend. Among them is the 19-speaker Mark Levinson audio system that will do wonders for your ears. A rear-seat entertainment system with twin 11.2-inch dual screens is available, as is a center-console cool box for keeping drinks chilled. The Luxury Package bundles semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior, 4-zone climate control and heated and ventilated front and 2nd-row seats. For just $150, the heated wood- and-leather steering wheel is a tasteful and satisfying bargain. Also available is a color head-up display.

There’s only one engine for the 2017 Lexus LX 570: a 5.7-liter V8 putting out 383 horsepower and a stout 403 lb-ft of torque. It gives the big Lexus a tow rating of up to 7,000 pounds. All LX 570 models come standard with full-time 4-wheel drive, a system that can make the LX ready for the trail with the press of a button to lock the center differential, and a real switch to engage the LX’s low-speed transfer case. The latest Lexus LX uses an 8-speed automatic transmission, but with 6,000 pounds to haul around, it improves fuel economy only a bit. At a combined 15-mpg rating, the LX is a thirsty rig.

5.7-liter V8
383 horsepower @ 5,600 rpm
403 lb-ft of torque @ 3,600 rpm
EPA city/highway fuel economy: 13/18 mpg

Note: Due to changes in EPA testing to more effectively reflect real-world conditions, some 2017 models show slightly lower fuel-economy scores than their 2016 versions.