While the Toyota Land Cruiser is no longer available in the U.S., buyers can get a more lavish version with the 2022 Lexus LX 600. The flagship SUV from Toyota’s upscale brand combines opulence and off-road chops but has a higher price tag than some other large luxury SUVs and doesn’t quite meet the high bar that its cost would suggest.
Base Price: $126,000
As Tested: $128,030
Horsepower: 409
Mileage: 17 mpg city/22 mpg highway/19 mpg combined
The LX 600 gets a makeover for 2022 and is now in its fourth generation. A twin-turbocharged V6 replaces the V8, there’s a new platform, F Sport and Ultra Luxury trims are added, and it gets better fuel efficiency and can tow more than the outgoing model.
It comes in five trims: LX 600, LX 600 Premium, LX 600 F Sport Handling, LX 600 Luxury, and LX 600 Ultra Luxury. Starting prices range from $86,900 to $126,000. Four-wheel-drive is standard on all trims. It comes with either two rows of seating with room for four or five passengers, or three rows with seating for seven.
The LX 600 is powered by a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 engine that makes 409 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque, paired with a new 10-speed automatic transmission. The LX 600 weighs nearly three tons but the powertrain easily moves this beast down the road. Acceleration is brisk from a stop, and the LX600 effortlessly speeds up for merging and passing at freeway speeds. The 10-speed shifts quickly and smoothly. There is noticeable body lean when cornering. All in all, the LX 600 handles like a smaller vehicle, and performance is improved over the 2021 model.
Fuel economy is about average for a large luxury SUV. EPA ratings for my tester are 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway with a combined rating of 19. I got 18 mpg during my week with a mix of city and highway driving.
With its old-school body on frame design, the LX 600 can handle moderate off-roading. It has standard four-wheel-drive, low-speed crawl and selectable drive modes that let you choose from dirt, sand, mud, snow, and rocks. It’s no Jeep or Range Rover, but the LX 600 can tackle many outdoor adventures. Want to cross a stream? No problem, the LX 600 can traverse water of up to 27.5 inches deep. A multi-terrain monitor utilizes four different cameras so you an see what’s in front, behind and on both sides of the vehicle.
When properly equipped, the LX600 can tow up to 8,000 pounds.
The cabin is refined and modern, with premium materials and lots of creature comforts. The center dash is dominated by two touchscreens. My Ultra Luxury tester accommodates four passengers in two rows of seating with plenty of room for adults in both rows. Seats are comfortable and supportive, even on long drives.
Standard features include keyless entry, push button start, rearview camera, surround-view camera system, leather upholstery, 10-way power-adjustable driver’s seat, eight-way power-adjustable passenger seat, heated front seats, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, eight-inch digital instrument cluster display, infotainment system with two touchscreens, 10-speaker premium audio system, satellite radio, navigation, Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, four USB ports, wireless device charging, Wi-Fi hot spot, moonroof, auto-dimming rearview mirror, and universal garage door opener.
Available features include a head-up display, rearview mirror camera, semi-aniline leather upholstery, quilted leather upholstery, ventilated front seats, heated and leather-wrapped steering wheel, a wood steering wheel, cooler in the center console, 25-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound audio system, heated and ventilated second-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, reclining and massaging rear seats, dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, rear center armrest and table, passenger-side rear-seat power-adjustable footrest, manual rear-window sunshades, two additional USB ports, rear wireless device charging, ambient interior lighting, and automatic high-beam headlights.
Standard driver assistance technologies include forward collision warning, forward automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, lane departure warning, lane keep assist, lane tracing assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, front and rear parking sensors, traffic sign recognition, and pedestrian detection.
The infotainment system uses two touchscreens. The 12.3-inch screen tops the center stack and has media, navigation and smartphone integration. A smaller seven-inch screen fits below with climate and seat controls. Physical buttons and knobs also make it easy to adjust frequently used settings such as volume and climate. The system has crisp graphics and responds quickly to touch and voice commands.
The LX 600 has less cargo space than most rivals. There are 41 cubic feet behind the second row. A power liftgate is standard, and hands-free liftgate is available.
The good:
Brisk acceleration
Moderate off-road prowess
Upscale, luxurious cabin
Lots of standard and available features
Standard wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay
The not-so-good:
Below average cargo space
Relatively high price
Pricing info:
My tester starts at $126,000. Crossbars are $450. Carpet cargo mat is $140. Wheel locks are $95. Delivery fee is $1,345 bringing the grand total to $128,030.
Bottom line:
The redesigned 2022 Lexus LX 600 is better than its predecessor. But the appeal may be limited to potential buyers who can spend a hefty amount on a big luxury SUV that can tackle moderate off-roading. For them, it’s worth a look.
