Lexus LX 2022: luxury Land Cruiser detailed for Australia with petrol and diesel options

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If you think the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series is a little basic, then the opulent Lexus LX might be the vehicle for you.

The LX will go on sale in April 2022 in a choice of either a 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6 in the LX 500d, or a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 for the LX 600 depending on what tickles your fancy. Altogether the LX range has swollen from three to four grades.

While pricing has not yet been released, the range will kick off with an ‘entry-level’ seven-seat option, followed by the five-seat F Sport, five-seat Sports luxury and the top-spec Ultra Luxury which includes a ‘captain’s chairs’ in a four-seat configuration and is paired only with the LX 600.

When it arrives, the LX will compete against go anywhere luxury vehicles like the Mercedes-Benz G Wagon, BMW X7, Range Rover and of course the Land Cruiser 300 Series Sahara ZX.

What do you get in each grade?

The range kicks off with the LX 500d and LX 600 which receive a solid level of equipment as standard including 20-inch alloy wheels, seven seats bound in leather and adaptive LED headlights.

Inside, Lexus includes 10-way power adjustment for the driver and eight-way for the front passenger with heated seats for both, plus four-zone climate control to keep everyone happy.

The interior features an array of screens with a 12.3-inch screen stacked on top of an additional 7.0-inch unit for multimedia which now includes wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto that can be used to play music through the 25-speaker Mark Levinson sound system.

An additional 8.0-inch screen can be found in the gauge cluster which is joined by other niceties such as a head-up display and wireless phone charging.

The standard safety suite includes AEB with pedestrian and daytime cyclist detection, blind spot monitoring, adaptive cruise control, lane keep assist and tyre pressure monitoring.

Moving up to the five-seat LX Sports Luxury adds larger 22-inch forged alloy wheels, dual 11.6-inch screens for the rear passengers, a spindle grille and the hand-made ‘Takanoha’ wood veneer.

The LX F Sport lives up to its name as the more dynamically capable option by adding additional body bracing to increase the chassis rigidity along with a limited-slip differential between the rear wheels and adaptive performance dampers.

Lexus matches the hardware with a black mesh-style grille, unique 22-inch alloy wheels and aluminium pedals and sports seats in the cabin for a more sporting feel.

The interior also gains a perforated leather trim along with heating for the steering wheel and rear outboard seats, a cool box under the centre armrest and even a fingerprint ID system to prevent undesirables from starting the car. 

Lexus has introduced the LX 600 Ultra Luxury to the range which is available exclusively with a four-seat configuration and has a distinct focus on rear passengers.

Those in the second row are treated to up to 860mm of legroom and the ability to recline the seat up to 48 degrees plus a five-stage massage function.

Rear occupants also gain a centre control panel that can be used to control the wireless phone charger, climate control and dual 11.6-inch displays and more.

What is powering the Lexus LX?

Gone are the big V8s of old, and now under the bonnet of the LX 500d is a 227kW/700Nm 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6 which is shared with the Australian Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series. 

Naturally, the motor is hooked up to a 10-speed automatic transmission, and the standard off-road smarts include full-time 4WD, low-range transfer case and locking centre differential.

The beauty of the LX over the Toyota Land Cruiser is that in Australia the Lexus offers a petrol powertrain in the LX 600 – though no longer the 270kW 5.7-litre V8 – with its 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 offers more rounded outputs of 305kW and 650Nm.

More details on pricing and exact availability are expected to follow soon in the lead up to the on sale date in April 2022.