The marketplace for the 2022 Lexus LX within the U.S. is not simply crowded with Land Rover varieties, Lincoln's flagship Navigator, and the revised Acura MDX. It competes instantly with fashions that weren't in the marketplace when the last-generation LX debuted in 2007, together with the Hyundai Palisade and Kia Telluride.

This new technology LX must be greater than only a fancier tackle the Land Cruiser, a mannequin that has exited the U.S. It wants to maneuver the needle for extra than simply Toyota and Lexus loyalists, and goshdarnit, it tries actually onerous.

The brand new LX sits in nearly the identical footprint because the outdated, however its inside dimensions have gotten worse for occupants. All variations of the SUV have much less legroom for each passenger, irrespective of if it is the two- or three-row model. It has additionally misplaced gobs of cargo room within the generational switchover.

The posh arm of Toyota are promoting the mannequin in 5 variants the U.S., together with two new fashions, the LX 600 F Sport Dealing with and top-tier LX 600 Extremely Luxurious.

Lexus has put a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 below the hood of the SUV and paired it with a 10-speed computerized transmission. The engine produces 409 horsepower and 479 pound-feet of torque extra effectively than the earlier technology's V8 energy plant.

2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport
The face of the brand new LX has many o the hallmark angles and breasts of Lexus sedans.Toyota Motor Gross sales U.S.A. Inc.

With the LX's over 400-pound weight discount from the earlier mannequin, the powertrain is ample to speed up with out the trace of being held again. It does it whereas attaining

There's a large upside with the brand new engine and weight reduction mixture. The brand new LX will get 17 miles per gallon (mpg) within the metropolis and 22 mpg on the freeway. That is up from the 12 mpg within the metropolis and 16 mpg on the freeway the earlier technology achieved.

Constructed on the identical platform because the 2022 Toyota Tundra and 2023 Toyota Sequoia, the LX's trip and dealing with are worlds above the place they had been final mannequin yr. Nonetheless, the mannequin drives like a truck and is not as partaking or easy to deal with because the MDX or Kia Telluride.

2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport
The 2022 Lexus LX 600 wears "Lexus" badging on its liftgate.Toyota Motor Gross sales U.S.A. Inc.

Within the extra performance-focused LX 600 F Sport mannequin there is no sort of sportiness. Although it comes with Torsen restricted slip differential and distinctive 22-inch wheels, the identify is extra advertising and marketing than packaging.

The inside of the LX suffers kind the identical Lexus design that plagues the corporate's Sienna. The big heart console takes up far an excessive amount of area and subdivides the cabin greater than is right.

The remainder of the cabin options aesthetics which can be straight from the fashionable Lexus playbook. Black plastic dominate surfaces, on the console together with buttons that management the local weather and drive dynamics, attracting mud and fingerprints like moths to mild.

2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport
The 2022 Lexus LX has a big, truck-like console that subdivides the cabin.Toyota Motor Gross sales U.S.A. Inc.

Regardless of its shrunken proportions, the seats within the first two rows of the LX are comfy for adults. Hours behind the wheel and tight, twisting turns aren't sufficient to make one uncomfortable.

In premium variations of the SUV, the second row captain's chair is ready to be maneuvered right into a recliner mode that makes these afternoons ready at soccer apply a bit extra enjoyable. However, the automobile needs to be powered on to maneuver the seat, so put together to stretch to close off the LX after transferring from the driving force's seat to the second row.

The most important enhancement to the LX is its infotainment system, which consists of a 12.3-inch higher display and 7-inch decrease display. The screens aren't as responsive as what could be perfect, however there is not any Lexus Distant Touchpad in order that makes up for almost every thing.

2022 Lexus LX 600 F Sport
The SUV has two contact screens on the middle console.Toyota Motor Gross sales U.S.A. Inc.

The place the Lexus LX wins is in its commonplace security gear. Every mannequin comes with Lexus Security System+ 2.5, which encompasses a pre-collision warning system, computerized emergency braking, pedestrian and bicyclist detection and emergency evasive steering help. Adaptive cruise management with stop-and-go performance, lane departure warning with steering help, lane tracing help, highway signal help, and computerized excessive beam headlights spherical out the package deal.

The options, like each different security system have their highs and lows, however nothing is so egregious that it's price noting right here.

Look, the LX is ok. It strikes the LX story forward, however is held again by the shortage of passenger and cargo area. Its excessive price ticket causes it to compete instantly with the Land Rover Vary Rover, which has additionally lately undergone a generational change. If Land Rover conquests any of these clients, it is as a result of they're purchasing for reliability over type.

Land Cruiser orphans might transfer to the LX, however the upscale and lower-priced four-wheel drive SUVs which have arrived on-market, particularly the brand new Toyota Sequoia Capstone, could also be extra intriguing choices.

The 2022 Lexus LX 600 begins at $88,245 and goes as much as $127,345 earlier than vacation spot and supply prices. Although it is priced to compete with the Vary Rover, the LX is not as refined.

At first look, except a purchaser actually desires to have that "L" emblem up entrance, there's not lots of purpose to go together with the LX and never a high-grade Sequoia when it turns into obtainable, whereas saving tens of 1000's of dollars within the course of.

None of those points are an LX downside. They are a Lexus downside.