2022 Lexus LX 600: All Must-Know Details of the Flagship SUV Are Revealed
The 2022 Lexus LX 600 is all-new and will bring unparalleled capability, luxury and technology to the Lexus range. We have all the details.
The Lexus LX was launched in 1995 and has sat at the top of the Lexus SUV food chain ever since. It was always a capable and comfortable machine, but it was in need of some updating. Well, that update is here in a big way as the 2022 Lexus LX 600 has been totally redesigned from the ground up. Just about every last nut and bolt in the full-size luxury SUV is completely new. Lexus is known for luxury and technology, but the new LX 600 is going to be raising the bar even higher.
This will mark the fourth LX generation for Lexus. The first three have been quite successful with over half a million of them being sold worldwide. The LX has been known for its combination of luxury and technology along with being rugged and able to travel almost anywhere. Think of it as an armored plated fuzzy slipper. Lexus has made big changes to its biggest SUV. There is a lot to digest so let’s get right to it.
Platform and Powertrain Improvements
The LX 600 is built on the new GA-F platform. It is 20 percent more rigid, but weight has been reduced by a significant 441 pounds. Weight was reduced but power has also been added. The old 5.7L V8 made 383 horsepower and 403 pound-feet of torque. That engine has been replaced with a new 3.5L twin-turbo V6. Horsepower is now rated at 409 and the torque figure has swelled to 479 pound-feet.
This new engine is now connected to a new Direct Shift-10AT transmission. “A wide range of gear ratios is employed for strong starting comfort as well as high-speed driving. The low first gear increases the driving force when starting at low speeds, providing a smooth start and powerful low speed off-road driving performance. In contrast, the high gearing in the 10th gear keeps the engine speed low during high-speed cruising, resulting in a quiet ride and lower fuel consumption.” The new transmission is protected by an oil pan guard to keep any rocks from damaging the pan when you venture off-road.
Lexus Driving Signature
The new platform and engine contribute to only some of the improved dynamic driving characteristics in the LX 600. Active Height Control (AHC) and Suspension and Adaptive Variable suspension (AVS) are also part of the new SUV. The AHC system offers three different heigh settings while the vehicle is in motion. There is Normal, Hi1 and Hi2. There is a Low setting as well that can be used when the vehicle is at rest to make for easier ingress and egress. “Additionally, AHC not only adjusts the vehicle height but also responds to changes in vehicle posture, such as the amount of pitch and roll, and it stabilizes vehicle posture during turning, acceleration and deceleration by optimizing the spring rate as needed.”
Power Steering and Brake Upgrades
The new LX 600 uses a new Electronic Power Steering (EPS) system. A motor and reduction gear are used instead of conventional hydraulics. “It enables subtle tuning and provides a light steering sensation at low speeds, such as when driving off-road, and full steering weightiness at high speeds.” The Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system uses a sensor to detect the degree of brake pedal depression and it creates a braking force with the hydraulic brakes to provide a more liner brake feel.
Wheels, Tires, and Differentials
If you interested in more on road cruising than off-road bashing, then you may be interested in the new 22-inch forged aluminum wheels. These are the largest offered in the entire Lexus lineup. 18-inch and 20-inch wheels are also available for those that plane to venture off-road. If you do decide to do that you will be in the most capable LX ever. In addition to the hardware improvements the LX 600 has some software upgrades such as Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) and Crawl Control. There is also the introduction of the Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) and the LX’s first dual display, which enables the new LX to be driven with a greater sense of confidence when off the beaten path. Also available exclusively on the F Sport model is a Torsen Limited Slip Differential.
Ultra Luxury
Jeeves, take us to the opera! If that sounds like something you might say, then the new Ultra Luxury LX might be for you. This trim is a Lexus-first, four-seat LX designed to coddle passengers. The two rear seats can be reclined and a maximum of 43 inches of leg space is available. There is even a footrest that can be deployed behind the front passenger seat. “Added comfort features such as sunshades on the side and quarter windows, reading lights and a rear seat display are standard. An Ultra Luxury-exclusive air conditioning system offers unique overhead ceiling vents for a full body comfort breeze experience.” When you want someone else to take the wheel, the back of the Ultra Luxury LX 600 is where you want to be.
F Sport
If you don’t want someone else to take the wheel and you want more sport in your sport utility vehicle, the F Sport LX 600 is for you. You will get sportier looks with the 22-inch wheels exclusive to this trim. In addition, you will get the F mesh design spindle grille with a jet-black chrome grille frame. Exclusive F Sport badging is also applied throughout the vehicle. On the performance side of things is the aforementioned Torsen LSD and special tuning of the EPS and AVS systems.
Exterior Design
The LX 600 is instantly recognizable as an LX but has been tweaked for a fresher look. The spindle grille remains but has a three-dimensional shape. The headlights have also been upgraded to lend more of a three-dimensional shape to match the grille. “For the rear combination lamps, tail lamps have been adopted that combine an L-shape and a continuous axial flow from the front to the shoulders and then to the rear silhouette.” In other words, this is a good-looking SUV that has been updated but stays true to the LX roots.
New Multimedia System
As we said, everything about the LX 600 is new, inside, and out. On the inside you will find the new Lexus Interface multimedia system. “The Lexus Interface’s 12.3-inch upper touchscreen with added LX-exclusive 7-inch lower touchscreen, provides intuitive technology at the occupants’ fingertips. The screen’s new Human Machine Interface (HMI) enhances user interaction through sight, touch and voice, while balancing accessibility needs. With the Lexus Interface User Profile feature, the driver’s personalized settings and experience can be retained in the cloud and accessible on the go in other Lexus Interface equipped vehicles. Once a profile is created in the Lexus App, guests can use a Bluetooth handheld device, smart key or manual login to access it.” Quite simply this is the most technologically advanced LX in history.
Lexus Safety System+ 2.5
The new LX 600 comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5. The suite of safety features included is this system is so complete we think nearly every letter in the alphabet was used for all the feature abbreviations. There is the Pre-Collision System (PCS), which includes Frontal Collision Warning (FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), and Pedestrian Detection and Bicyclist Detection (PDBD). “All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) can be activated above 30 mph and is designed to perform vehicle-to-vehicle distance controls down to 0 mph and can resume from a stop. Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/ SA) is designed to help notify the driver if it senses an inadvertent lane departure at speeds above 32 miles per hour via steering wheel vibrations or audible alert.” Lane Tracking Assist (LTA) is also included.
When Can I Get It?
The LX 600 is scheduled to arrive at U.S. dealers in the first quarter of 2022. Hopefully the microchip shortage is solved by then. Because as you can tell by all the features and technologies, this baby is going to need a lot of chips. The wait should be worth it though. This SUV looks to be a winner and will be ushering in a host of new first-ever Lexus features.
Images: Lexus
Join the Club Lexus forums now!
