2024 Lexus LX

The Lexus LX is the biggest and fanciest SUV in the Lexus lineup. It’s an opulent SUV with luxurious seating for up to seven, the latest safety and infotainment tech features, and impressive off-road capabilities that may surprise you. It also has the advantage of being a Lexus, which means class-leading resale value and a relatively headache-free luxury car ownership experience.

As a full-size luxury SUV, the Lexus LX is technically in the same class as the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. However, it’s a closer rival to the similarly sized BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and Land Rover Range Rover.

We’ve spent hundreds of hours driving and evaluating this generation of full-size luxury SUVs, including the Lexus LX.

The Lexus LX just got some updates for the 2023 model year, and it carries over into 2024 with no notable changes.

Lexus models are typically value propositions in their respective classes. However, the Lexus LX has a higher starting price than German rivals like the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. In the Luxury and Ultra Luxury trims, the LX is priced comparably to the Land Rover Range Rover.

Class-Leading Resale Value

Before buying an LX, check the Kelley Blue Book Fair Purchase Price to know what you should really pay. The Lexus LX earns our Best Resale Value Award for a full-size luxury SUV. On top of having the best resale value of any luxury brand, Lexus is our Best Luxury Brand in our Lowest 5-Year Cost to Own Awards.

The 2024 Lexus LX is powered by a 409-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 engine matched with a 10-speed automatic transmission and 4-wheel drive (4WD). We found this engine a good fit for the LX, which excels at long-distance highway cruising and occasional off-road adventures. Acceleration is strong, and there always seems to be extra power on tap, even at highway speed.

The LX has what Lexus calls the “Lexus Driving Signature.” That’s a fancy name covering a wide range of features that make this big SUV drive so nicely. It includes Active Height Control, which can change the ride height based on driving conditions; Adaptive Variable Suspension, which is standard on all but the base trim; and electric power steering.

We found the Eco, Comfort, and Normal drive modes make the handling too ponderous for our liking. Changing it to the Sport or Sport+ modes stiffens the suspension and sharpens the steering to make the ride more stable in city driving. But we like switching back to Comfort mode for eating up miles on the highway. The sportier suspension system in the F Sport Handling model makes the LX remind us of its German rivals.

As for off-road performance, the LX shines when the pavement ends. Standard 4WD, Multi-Terrain Select, and a locking center differential make it capable of tackling rough terrain without sacrificing luxury.

Fuel Economy

The fuel economy of the Lexus LX is below average for a 6-cylinder SUV in this class. It gets a combined fuel economy rating of 19 mpg. For comparison, the 6-cylinder variants of the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and Range Rover all get 20 mpg combined or better.

Premium gas is required for the LX, which further adds to its fuel costs.

Lexus has a reputation for making very comfortable seats, and our testing proved that the LX is no exception. This is especially true in the Ultra Luxury trim, where we enjoyed putting our feet up on the power ottoman (which you’re not supposed to use while the car is moving) in the rear passenger-side seat. The front seats are supremely comfortable in any trim, and we’d be happy to make a cross-country road trip in this cockpit.

The LX has two screens in the center stack — a 12.3-inch infotainment screen and a 7-inch screen for controls like climate and seat settings. We like the interface and the connectivity features like wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, but we had to lean forward a bit to use the touchscreen.

The third-row seats in the Premium, F Sport Handling, and Luxury trims are nice to have in a pinch, but they’re not as roomy as we hoped. There are 31.1 inches of third-row legroom, which is less than the BMW X7 (33.3 inches) and Mercedes-Benz GLS (34.6 inches). The cargo room is a similar story. The LX only has 11 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third row. Again, that’s less than the X7 (12.8 cubic feet) and GLS (17.4 cubic feet). However, if you fold down the third row in the LX or opt for one of the two-row models, it has a generous cargo hold with more than 40 cubic feet of volume.

Most Lexus SUVs have pleasant, soft, flowing body lines, but the LX is decidedly boxier while still speaking the distinct Lexus design language. It looks exactly like what it is; an upscale luxury SUV with a measure of off-road chops. We like the sportier look of the popular F Sport Handling trim with a blacked-out grille and unique 22-inch wheels.

Twin-Turbo V6 engine
The turbocharged V6 engine powering the LX delivers smooth and authoritative power with more than 400 horsepower. It’s a perfect match to the standard 4-wheel-drive system, making the LX ready for snowy roads and rough terrain.

Lexus Safety System+ 2.5
This standard safety tech suite bundles many driver assistance features, making the drive safer and more relaxed. Features include automatic emergency braking, full-speed adaptive cruise control, road sign assist, automatic high beams, and more. Features like these often come as a costly option package in luxury SUVs.

Lexus Interface
The Lexus Interface infotainment system has a 12.3-inch touchscreen that’s user-friendly and loaded with features. It has navigation, SiriusXM, and wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay. Audio is upgradeable to an immersive Mark Levinson 25-speaker system.

Multi-Terrain Select
This feature improves the off-road capabilities of the Lexus LX. On top of standard 4WD and a locking center differential, this feature lets the driver choose from six off-road modes: Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow, and Rock, enabling this SUV to be ready for anything.

F-Sport Handling
We’re not surprised the sporty F-Sport Handling model is the most popular trim of the LX. On top of the stylish black grille and 22-inch wheels, it has a Torsen limited-slip differential, a sport-tuned adaptive variable suspension, and performance dampers for a sportier ride.

Ultra Luxury
The top Ultra Luxury model lives up to its name. This posh 4-seat SUV has premium features like diamond-stitch semi-aniline leather seating, a rear entertainment center, heated and ventilated reclining rear seats, a power ottoman for the rear passenger-side seat, and much more.

The standard engine in the Lexus LX is a little stronger than the base engines in the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS. However, the Lexus only has one engine option, while most of its rivals have high-performance V8 variants available, some of which can make more than 600 horsepower. It’s hard for us to find fault in the V6 under the hood of the Lexus, but drivers craving a luxury SUV with the performance of a high-powered sports sedan will find what they’re looking for elsewhere.

A 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6, producing 409 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, powers every Lexus LX. Output is sent to all four wheels via a 10-speed automatic transmission.

4-Year/50,000-Mile Warranty

The Lexus LX is backed by a 4-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a 6-year/70,000-mile powertrain warranty. This coverage is slightly better than what’s typical among luxury brands and the LX’s competitors.

Safety

The Lexus LX hasn’t been crash-tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) or National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), but it’s well-equipped with standard safety features. The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 safety tech suite bundles automatic emergency braking, lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control, road sign assist, and more.