2024 Lexus LX 600 review: Combination of ruggedness and luxury

Introduction

If you love adventure but also have a taste for the finer things, the 2024 Lexus LX 600 strikes the perfect balance. It’s got all the ruggedness you’d expect from an off-roader, but with top-notch materials and luxury features throughout. Think of it as the ultimate family vacation ride, where comfort meets capability—perfect for both the mountains and your neighborhood streets.

Brief overview of the LX 600

The Lexus LX 600 is a full-size luxury SUV that takes the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser’s legacy of reliability and toughness to the next level. Whether it’s parked in your suburban driveway or sitting outside your exclusive lakeside cabin, the LX 600 blends into both worlds effortlessly. Let’s look at what makes the LX 600 a choice for urban dwellers with a desire for open space.

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Introduction to key features and what sets it apart

Just because the Lexus LX 600 is derived from a Land Cruiser, doesn’t mean it is identical. Here are some of the key features that separate the LX 600 from the Land Cruiser and other competitors:

• Refined Ride and Technology
• Rear-Passenger Comfort
• Premium Interior
• Quiet, Smooth Drive
• Better Fuel Efficiency

Key Technical Features

Some of the key tech features are going to be familiar, especially if you know Land Cruisers. However, Lexus has a few tricks of its own. Let’s look at all of the things that I think sets this vehicle apart from its competition.

GA-F Platform

The GA-F platform is where some seriously impressive engineering happens. Thanks to its body-on-frame construction, the Lexus LX 600 handles like a champ both on and off the road. That design adds some serious strength for off-roading, but it also makes it feel like you’re driving a tank on the highway. Weighing in at nearly 6,000 pounds, this SUV is a heavy hitter, built to take on anything you throw at it.

The lower center of gravity and advanced 4WD technology gives it good traction and stability; things you want on the trail.

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V35A-FTS Engine

Thanks to the V35A-FTS engine, you can handle low-speed off-road situations and high-speed highway driving with the same amount of confidence.

With a nod to the future, this twin-turbo V6 3.5L is a replacement for the 5.7L V8 of the past. It brings improvements to both performance and efficiency. This is the same engine that’s in today’s Land Cruiser 300 and is standard in all LX 600 models.

The V35A-FTS delivers 409 horses and 479 lb-ft of torque, which is much better than the older V8. That torque is immediate, thanks to the twin-turbo setup. Off the line, in 0-60 MPH, you can get in the 6.0-second range, with one reviewer swearing he made it in the 5.0-second range. It’s a heavy vehicle, so it takes a bit to get going. Once it does, it smooths out.

With the replacement of the V8 – a real gas hog – the new engine with its advanced fuel injection brings more fuel economy to the ride. It’s a difference between 17/22-23/19-20 MPG in this engine to the V8’s 12-13/16-18/14 MPG.

Direct Shift-10AT

With a pairing of the twin-turbo to the Direct Shift-10AT, there are crisp gear changes, which make acceleration feel smooth and effortless. You can’t ask for anything more than that when driving at highway speeds and merging into traffic.

AHC Suspension / AVS

The Active Height Control (AHC) and Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) are two popular features on the LX 600.

The AHC system allows the vehicle to automatically or manually adjust the ride height as needed. When off-road, the system raises the suspension to provide more ground clearance, so you can tackle rocks and steep inclines without any trouble.

The automatic lowering features can be useful when loading cargo or helping passengers in and out of the vehicle. Plenty of owner reviews rave about how this system adds a ton of convenience by eliminating the need to manually prep the vehicle for different terrains.

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EPS / ECB

Two more popular features are the Electric Power Steering (EPS) and Electronically Controlled Brakes (ECB).

The EPS system replaces the traditional hydraulic steering with an electric motor for better feedback. Steering feels responsive without being overly sensitive and it lightens up in tight spots like a parking lot. The tightening reduces the effort needed to move this huge SUV around a small corner.

The same steering system is responsive on rough trails where the hydraulic systems can be more sluggish. There are no oversteering or understeering issues.

The ECB system operates on electronic controls that offer quicker brake response. On steep descents, the brakes are smooth and not jerky or abrupt. When using the Downhill Assist Control, the ECB maintains consistent pressure; you won’t lock up your wheels.

These two systems work in the background, working to make the Lexus LX600 safer.

Wheels & Tires

The wheels and tires on the 2024 LX600 are exceptional on trails. The largest wheel size is the 22-inch on the F Sport trim level for a much more commanding presence on and off the trails. The larger wheels offer a smooth and stable ride, with reduced road noise – a much-needed feature for driving long distances on the highway. However, the standard 20-inch wheels work just as well.

When paired with off-road systems like the Multi-Terrain Select, the tires work effortlessly to handle all the mud and dirt you can throw at them.

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Instrument Panel

The instrument panel is a combination of digital and analog, which is appealing to those of us who like to glance at our gauges. In addition to fuel gauges and a speedo, you can track your MPG and the outside temperature. When you switch driving modes, the display changes to give you information about the mode. You can customize the instrument to suit your needs.

There’s more to the digital dash than the instrument panel. There is a 12.3-inch display propped up on the dash. It doesn’t quite fit in because it’s rectangular; it’s like an afterthought but is home to the important things like your playlist, your backup camera when you’re in reverse, and all of your connected devices. Unlike the LX 570, the LX 600 gives you more options than just asking Alexa to open your garage door. You get the full connectivity suite that is common in most new cars. Additionally, this is now a touchscreen, so no more joystick or mouse pad.

A 7-inch screen rounds out the display where you’ll find off-road controls, climate settings, and other information pertinent to the vehicle. Are there too many screens? Not really when you consider each one has its purpose, and they all deliver different information. All models but the base has heads-up displays on the windshield.

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MTS

Toyota made sure you have all of the tools you need when it comes to using the off-road feature in the Lexus LX 600. The Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) system adapts to the terrain under your tires. There are six modes: Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow, and Rock.

Auto Mode

Your go-to mode for mixed terrain. It intelligently adjusts the settings based on real-time road conditions, making it the perfect mode for driving from paved roads to gravel and dirt paths.

Dirt Mode

Once you hit the dirt, hit the Dirt mode for more traction without any overcompensating. You’ll never feel out of control.

Sand Mode

Like the Dirt mode, the Sand mode keeps you from bogging down in soft sand without any wheelspin.

Mud Mode

Face it; everyone lives for Mud mode, so get out and get dirty as soon as you can. The mode will keep you from slipping even when the mud is thick and wet.

Deep Snow Mode

Like the other modes, this mode will deliver power evenly while preventing slippage in drifts.

Rock Mode

The rock mode is for more technical off-roading. It regulates the engine power and braking to keep you stable while crawling over rocks and uneven surfaces.

Crawl Control

The Crawl Control is the power behind the technical off-roading. It’s like cruise control on a highway but for extreme conditions. It automatically manages the engine power and brake pressure for navigating over and through the worst parts of the trails. Or maybe, they’re the best parts of the trails.

To engage the Crawl Control, turn it on, and select the desired speed. From there, the system takes over. This is a particularly handy feature when you want to spend your time navigating instead of worrying about speed. There is minimal tire slippage and the pace is consistent.

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Downhill Assist Control

The Downhill Assist Control lets you focus on driving around bigger rocks and trees on your downhill trek, especially when you run into looser gravel. The brakes are maintained through hydraulic pressure and applied to all four wheels, so no wheel lockup and no skidding.

MTM

You can have all of the driver helpers you want, but if you can’t see where you’re going, they don’t matter. That’s why the Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) is like having an extra set of eyes on board.

Four strategically placed cameras gave you real-time 360-degree views of everything around the vehicle. This helps keep from getting too close to the trees and out of ditches. The MTM can display blind spots underneath and on the sides, so you can see anything that might scrape or damage the undercarriage before you hit it.

All of your views are projected onto the driver-assist screen, which gives you ample time to plan your next move. In tight spots on the trail, it helps to switch between viewing angles for a better view of any obstacles.

The cameras are great for parallel parking, too.

Lexus Safety System+ 2.5

Without Toyota’s commitment to safety, the Lexus LX 600 would be just another SUV, but with Toyota’s safety record, the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 reduces accidents and driver fatigue making it a safer SUV.

The Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) is great for long-distance driving. It saves on gas since it’s always adjusting to the traffic in front of you so there’s no surging up and down like you have when you manually adjust the cruise control, and the Lane Departure Alert (LDA) keeps you between the lines on the road. If you veer too far over, the system gently puts you back in the middle of the lane. When you use the turn signal, the Blind Spot Monitor will let you know if there is someone next to you.

Other safety features on the LX 600 include the front-end collision alert, pedestrian alert, and Road Sign Assist.

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Key design features

The Lexus LX 600 is a perfect blend of functionality and premium luxury materials. Inside and out.

Exterior Design

The LX 600 looks like a Lexus with its signature spindle grille that makes it recognizable in a crowd, which is just what Kiyotake Ise, then head of Lexus, wanted it to do. There are sharp angular lines that make up the rest of the body and an odd hood dip that blends into the grille but serves no real purpose other than beefing up the front end. If the chrome grille is too much chrome for you, the F Sport model has a black mesh finish to it.

Speaking of chrome, Lexus uses chrome accents along several points on the body like the base of the side mirrors, the window trim, the door handles, and the headlights. And, that’s just on the outside. There’s more inside.

The rear has Lexus’ traditional light bar across the entire back, and LED brake and reverse lights. All of these little details bring elegance to the entire SUV.

As long as the LX 600 body is, the wheelbase may appear to be too short at 112.2 inches, but only from the side views. It’s perfect for the 27-inch approach and 24-inch departure angles. The running boards are not retractable, but they blend into the overall appearance.

The Lexus LX 600 is a gorgeous vehicle with hidden off-road talents.

Photo by lexus.com

Interior Design

As nice as the exterior is, nothing outside prepares you for the luxury of the inside. Until you sit behind the wheel, it’s hard to appreciate how soft and comfortable the seats are or how the leather steering wheel feels under your hands. This is a vehicle that makes you want to spend all of your time in, and not just for the driver; passengers will stay in their seats long after you stop the car.

The plush leather seats conform to your body, and the leather is soft and supple from the base model on up. Each seat is stitched with precision for a finished appearance, and driver and passenger seats are heated and ventilated; even the rear seats have heat and cooling built in.

In the two-seat models, the rear seats are captain chairs with a massage and recline feature. See what I mean about not wanting to leave their seats? In addition, there is overhead climate control for each seat in the back and in some models, an entertainment system for each seat. That might be overdoing it since most people have their own personal tablets or phones, but the screens do have a “cast” feature, so bring your own entertainment.

In the upper models, the Mark Levinson Surround Sound uses 19 speakers to deliver premium sound that ups the level to First Class.

I want to note that when you shut the door, it has a solid thump to it that makes the cabin a soundproof room. That’s a big plus when you’re out on the highway.

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Test drive report

The only way that you’re going to be able to fully appreciate all the LX 600 has to offer is to get behind the wheel and take a test drive. You’ll find these models at your local Lexus dealership, and used models can be found at highline used car dealerships.

Selectable Models

The Lexus LX600 is available in the following models:

LX 600

LX 600 (Base Model)

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LX 600 premium

LX 600 Premium

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LX 600 F SPORT Handling

LX 600 F SPORT Handling

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LX 600 Luxury

LX 600 Luxury

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LX 600 Ultra Luxury

LX 600 Ultra Luxury

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Sales are suspended as of September 2024.

The temporary pause in 2024 Lexus LX 600 sales last September was driven by supply chain issues and production shifts, as the auto industry faces wider challenges. With the growing demand for electrified vehicles, Lexus and parent company Toyota have had to prioritize models that align with this trend, which affected the LX 600’s traditional combustion engine production.

This reflects Lexus’s strategy to focus more on electrified options and could give them time to streamline production for smoother inventory delivery. While a long-term discontinuation hasn’t been announced, Lexus is likely adjusting to new regulations and gearing up for future releases, possibly including hybrid versions of the LX. Meanwhile, the brand continues to see strong sales for its electrified models, underscoring its shift toward sustainable mobility.

Interested in an LX 600 Or Something Similar?

If you’re shopping for an LX 600 and looking for a good off-road vehicle, then maybe the Land Cruiser is what you’re looking for. This is the basis for the LX 600 but without the high price tag. You trade in the LX upscale interior for a more practical Land Cruiser interior, but if rolling through mud is more fun to you than watching the billboards go by on long trips sitting on leather seats, consider putting a Land Cruiser in your driveway.

FLEX Automotive is the number one Land Cruiser dealership in Japan with over 50 years of experience selling Land Cruisers. Our new San Diego store continues that tradition and brings the renowned Renoca Series to the shores of the U.S. The Renoca Series is a blend of traditional appearances with modern technology. If you need help, contact us, and let’s talk about your new Land Cruiser.