Looking over all the info, it appears as though the LX will be left out again of the HID/Xenon arena. The brochure states that it has regular reflecting halogen projectors. Pretty embarrassing if you ask me.

 

I am quite sure that Lexus research this subject and decide to take another road. I have no problem with it.

 

Lexus/Toyota does not believe in HIDs on their big SUVs for safety reasons.

 

I'm actually quite disappointed with this decision. While the projectors on our 2006 LX470 are not bad, they aren't as good as most HID headlamps... let alone the ones on the 2006 LS430 that my parents now drive.

BTW - HID's have been an option in other markets for the "old" LX 470 so I'm not sure the "toyota doesn't believe in HID's on big trucks" rationale makes sense.

 

Not sure, but maybe the US regulations are tougher??

 

it has to do with DOT law. I think any thing above certain height of the headlight can't have High Intensity Discharge light.

 

yep, they say the headlights are to high ?or something like that for H.I.D.'s

 

+04 LS430 projectors are IMO, the best projectors out there (output-wise).

 

Yeah another very satisfied customer with the LS430 output.

I hate driving the LX at night, it's just too unsafe with that kind of mass.

 

On the other hand, it's a Lexus/Toyota thing because other manufacturers have HIDs (with auto leveling) on their big SUVs. For example, an '07 G500/55 comes with HIDS.

 

I agree that this appears to be a Toyota thing. Don't understand it either.

But I would not consider it to be a really big deal. My personal experience driving the HID cars is that optically you have noticeably more light and feel comfortable. But you don't really see more if you pay attention to the difference. What I mean is that you seem to be picking up the objects further away just about as well with good halogen as with the HIDs.

 

I guess I am just being picky, but then again if I'm spending $80k, I can be picky. All my vehicles I drive now have HIDs and not only does it look cool, to me it makes quite a difference on the road. The height thing is difficult to believe as Escalades, etc are even higher up and have them. There isn't a lot else out there in comparison, but I would find it hard to believe that there are many vehicles at all over $70k that don't incorporate HIDs these days. Anybody know of any others?

 

Frankly this HID business is not even a bleep in my decision making. Whenever I purchase a vehicle the first thing that I look for is reliability , follow very close by safety and front seat comfort.

The few times I have been on the road at night in my 2006 LX470 had no problem with the lighting system, my wife drives a 2006 LS430 which has great lighting and I do not find much visual difference except, with the oncoming traffic.

 

Then how do you explain the HID's on the Escalade, Denali and MB GL and Range Rover products?

 

Yeah and have you ever had one stuck behind you at a redlight? I've had to readjust my mirrors to keep from getting my eyeballs X-Rayed IMO Lexus and Toyota are doing the right thing and wish other automakers would be as considerate when picking lights for their giant SUVs. The projector beam headlights in my old '98 LX and my current GX and Spyder work great IMO. Maybe if I lived in Germany and drove on the Autobahn at night I would want HIDs but alas I live in a swamp.