The Lexus LX is one of those luxury SUVs with serious off-road cred that is often overlooked, because of its image, and probably because within the greater-Toyota stable it is often overshadowed by the enormous reputation of the Toyota Land Cruiser.
The image of the Lexus LX is also somewhat confusing, as it has a distinctly American influence to its styling, with a chrome-laden front-end that is in-your-face, to say the least! As for the rest of the vehicle, its alloy wheels are also rather glitzy, especially as they are dramatized by pronounced running boards between the wheel arches.
Yet this is not to say the LX is ugly, just that it’s different. And when you take a closer look and breath in the undoubted quality of the bodywork and interior, and digest its full range of hi-tech specification, the Lexus LX has a lot to recommend it, even in the high price altitude where it competes.
Ever since the Lexus brand arrived here in the early 1990s, these cars have been noted for impeccable engineering and unimpeachable build-quality, and the LX is no exception to this rule. What is more, this is a luxury off-roader with a very high level of hard-core off-road ability, using tried and tested technology developed by not-so-distant cousins Toyota.
The engine choices
The Lexus LX comes in just two models. These are the LX 450d, which comes with a 4,5-litre V8 diesel engine, and the LX 570, which is the petrol model fitted with a 5,7-litre V8. Aah, isn’t it refreshing to be able to relate model nomenclature with engine sizes!
The diesel version is also a V8, this one of 4,5-litre displacement; the 450d offers up 195 kW and 650 Nm of torque, and uses a 6-speed automatic gearbox with low-range transfer case to provide power to all-four wheels. The 570 is endowed with 270 kW, 530 Nm and an 8-speed automatic gearbox.
There are 5-seater and 7-sater models on offer
The LX 450d is the 5-seater model in the range, whilst the LX 570 is the 7-seater. This model has full seat belt equipment for the third row of seats, using belts that are actually retract into the roof lining for passengers six and seven.
Off road capability
The LX models use Multi-Terrain Select that includes ABS and crawl control, the system automatically adjusting the electronic and transmission systems to best negotiate a chosen terrain. Crawl Control automatically applies brake and throttle applications when negotiating very slow-speed challenging off road terrain.
Adaptive air suspension
The LX has adaptive air suspension that offers automatic variable vehicle height, depending on the terrain. Off road , the air suspension automatically adjusts the height of each individual wheel to provide optimum variations of ground clearance and traction.
Loaded with hi-tech
The Lexus LX has LED headlights with adaptive high beam function, as well as cornering light and turning light capability, and automatic light levelling. The large infotainment screen may seem like a bit of an add-on on top of the dash, but it’s laden with multimedia and connectivity functions, and has menu short-cut buttons as well. Panoramic view cameras are a feature that assists in both urban and tricky off-road situations. The LX comes with 10 airbags.
There is also lane-keeping assistance, cross traffic assistance, adaptive cruise control and pre-crash safety systems which prepare the vehicle if a collision is imminent.
Performance
The LX 450d is rated with a 0-100 km/h time of 8,6 seconds and a top speed of 210 km/h. Claimed fuel consumption is 10,2 litres/100 km. The LX 570 lunges to 100 km/h in 7,7 seconds, while, again, top speed is limited to 210 km/h. Consumption on the petrol model rises to a claimed 14,5 litres/100 km.
Pricing
With such an advanced specification, coupled to a vast array of dynamic attributes and luxury-orientated specification, the Lexus LX pricing suddenly begins t look very attractive. The LX 450d is priced at R1 823 700, while the big petrol-fuel LX 570 is priced at R1 890 200
The competitors
Land Rover Discovery
The model that competes with the Lexus LX price-wise is the top-of-the range Discovery model, the HSE Luxury Si6, which sells for R1 617 084. The new-generation Land Rover Discovery was introduced here in early 2017 and its launch was quite controversial as it embodies a vast array of electronic off-road driving assistance that traditional Land Rover drivers had previously shunned.
However, there is no doubt that dynamically the latest Discover offers vastly superior highway and urban capability, and its electronic off-road functions can be a real boon to inexperienced off-roaders. In other words, the latest Disco is targeting a new group of affluent buyers, and opening up a whole new world of off-road adventure in an extremely attractive and user-friendly package.
Like the Lexus LX, the Discovery offers luxury with superior off-road ability, and comes with proper low-range as well as high-range transmission to all four wheels. The Luxury Si6 model uses a 250 kW V6 engine with 400 Nm of torque, and is rated faster on acceleration than the Lexus LX, with a 7,1 second 0-100 km/h time.
The latest Discovery is laden with driver assistance and comfort features. Some people who consider the Lexus LX might also prefer to opt for the top-of-the-heap Range Rover Vogue models, but these are more expensive. Pricing for the Range Rover Vogue starts in the R2,2-million region and tops out at an astounding R4,67-million for the Range Rover SVAutobiography Supercharged model.
Mercedes-Benz GLS
There are two models of the Mercedes-Benz GLS available here. These are the 400d 4Matic model starting at R1 787 480 and the GLS 580 4Matic priced at R1 971 160. This big Merc SUV is a 7-seater, and it offers similar luxury levels to the Lexus LX.
Yet although these vehicles are similar in size and price, it should be noted that the all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz GLS has a different orientation to the LX and the Discovery. The Mercedes-Benz is principally a car with on-road performance as a priority, while its off-road capability is secondary.
The GLS does offer a degree of off-road ability, due to the fact that it has permanent all-wheel-drive, and its standard-fit air suspension can be used to raise the ride height to clear obstacles. It should also be noted that Mercedes offers a special off-road transmission package for the GLS, but this still doesn’t include a low-range transfer case, a necessity for hard-core rock-crawling.
The GLS has a very well-specced and beautifully trimmed cabin as far as luxury is concerned, and it enjoys the latest Mercedes-Benz MBUX infotainment system for front and rear passengers, which is really state of the art.
Performance-wise, the Mercedes GLS is the quickest of the trio under the spotlight here. The 243 kW diesel model reaches 100 km/h in less than 6,5 seconds, while the 376 kW GLS 570 does 0-100 km/h in 5,3 seconds and tops out at 250 km/h!
Verdict
The interesting aspect to this comparison is that all three vehicles can be compared in terms of size, seating configuration and pricing, and yet they are all so different! If you want a luxury SUV with King Kong status and serious on-road performance then you should go with the Mercedes-Benz GLS.
If you want an SUV that has the best mix of on-road performance and real rock-crawling capability, then the Land Rover Discovery would be a great bet. It also has an old-English charm to it that is seductive.
But for the best all-rounder here, we would choose the Lexus LX. Its image may be a bit confusing, but its off-road ability is stunning for such a massive luxury-orientated 7-seater. What’s more, we love the fact that Lexus models come with a complete specification so it is not necessary to spec them with all manner of expensive options.
Add to all that a reputation for reliability that is second to none, and we would choose the Lexus LX, ever time.
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