2016 Lexus LX 570 Review
The new 2016 Lexus LX 570 is out. What’s different? What makes the LX 570 unique among the Lexus lineup? It got a chance to get a good review in Australia, even though the demand in Australia is expected to be at about 20 units per month.
It seems to have some excellent off-roading capabilities, but the real question is this. Lexus is a luxury brand. At the price that Lexus is asking, the LX 570 remains out of reach for many people. Out of the few people who can comfortably afford the LX 570, how many people are going to take it off-roading?
Almost a Complete Makeover
This new Lexus received several new style features over its predecessor. In fact, the entire thing almost looks brand-new. The only parts that appear to have remained the same since the 2015 model came out are the doors in the roof. The brand is instantly becoming recognizable due to its new “Spindle Grill.” Any way you look at it, this SUV is a beast.
More Features Than You Can Shake a Stick at
As a luxury vehicle with a higher price tag, standard features become a joke. It includes: keyless entry and push-button start, quad-zone climate control with ventilation for all three rows, easy entry air suspension that drops the car for better access, leather trim, heated front seats with driver’s side memory function, electric steering column adjustment, a fridge between the front seats, LED headlights with auto high beam, auto lights and wipers, electric sliding second row seats, electric folding third row seats, power tailgate, 20-inch wheels and a 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system that is controlled via a 12.0-inch media screen with satellite navigation and traffic updates.
Whew – that’s a rather long-winded list.
Don’t Forget the Safety Features
Safety is always in the forefront of people’s minds. This model has a surround-view camera (with configurable forward-view monitor for off-roading), front and rear parking sensors, lane departure warning, blind spot warning, forward collision warning and auto braking, rear cross-traffic alert, and radar cruise control and 10 airbags.
The Optional Enhancement Pack
Toyota’s team didn’t stop there. Shell out extra cash and you can get their optional enhancement pack which includes 21-inch wheels, a heated steering wheel, ventilated front seats, and heated and ventilated second-row outboard seats.
That’s a lot of car for the money.
Multiple Drive Modes
There are several different drive modes – Normal, Comfort, Sport S, Sport S+ and Custom. Each of these modes changes the reactions of the steering, suspension, engine and transmission, with “Custom” allowing you to select your own preferences.
Rack and Pinion Steering System
Such a large SUV can appear to be difficult to control. Toyota took this into consideration and gave it a rack and pinion steering system over an electronic steering system. Many buyers of this vehicle probably aren’t going to take it at high speeds the unless they’re on the highway and the rack and pinion steering system provides a smoother experience in stop-and-go traffic and at slower speeds.
Crawl Control
The “Crawl Control” is a feature that was borrowed from Toyota’s Land Cruiser. It is a cruise control feature for low speeds. More and more neighborhoods are enforcing a lower residential speed limit which can be difficult to maintain manually. This feature is aptly named “crawl control” instead of “cruise control,” allowing you to stay under the speed limit with ease.
The Multiview Camera System
The Multiview camera system is excellent because it allows you to see over crests when cruising at speeds as low as 20 km/h. When you pair it with the “Turn Assist” feature that locks the inside wheels and powers the outside wheels, it makes tight turning safe and easy. With a vehicle this size, it honestly makes it feel as if you were driving a smaller car.
Central Media Screen
This vehicle sports a 12.3-inch LCD screen that controls the radio and acts as the GPS. The toggle system controls the display, which can prove difficult to control whether you’re parked or traveling at high speeds on the highway.
60/40 Third Row Split
The third-row bench seat is split in a 60/40 fashion. This allows you to fold down one of the seats and get more cargo space than you normally would in a 50/50 system while still allowing one of the seats to remain upright for a passenger.
It Does Best on the Highway
Most luxury vehicle brands, the Mercedes and BMW included, get better gas mileage and handle better at higher speeds than they do at lower speeds. The Lexus LX 570 is no different. In fact, it’s almost a disservice to have so many different driving modes, when one or two would do perfectly.
The Worst Thing about This Vehicle?
It’s a gas-guzzler. The ladder frame chassis and air suspension in the vehicle don’t make this the most stable vehicle in the world. You need to put it in the Sport or Sport+ driving mode to really get a smooth ride. Although the V-8 engine does provide more power over the V6 engine, fuel is on the expensive and without a diesel or hybrid option.
2015 LX 570 at Auction in Japan
This is a beautiful grade 6 vehicle with only 81 KM on the clock. It was first registered in November 2015 and is at auction today. By the time you read this, you may well have missed your chance to bid for this particular one, but don’t worry! With between 7 to 8 million vehicles passing through the auctions every year, there will always be more along in the future.
Here is the translation of the inspection report:
“Grade 6, nterior A, first registered November 2015, LX 570 model, four-wheel-drive, FAT, AAC, service book, sunroof, original alloy wheels, power steering, power windows, leather, original TV, original navigation system, airbag, one owner, Mark Levinson sound system, rear entertainment system with 2 monitor screens, beige leather seats, seat heater, seat ventilation, eight-seater, 81 kilometres, Lexus safety system plus, powered tailgate, multi-Lane monitoring with four cameras, blindspot camera, pre-crash safety system, radar cruise control, charging point, cooler box, marks as per map”
