Lexus has a new flagship SUV, the 2022 LX 600. Based on the illustrious Toyota Land Cruiser that is no longer available in the United States, the LX 600 consolidates rugged SUV capability, modern technology, and Lexus luxury. It replaces the previous titleholder, the LX 570, and delivers more power, better fuel economy, a boost in towing capacity, and a wider selection of trim levels.
The LX 600 model lineup starts with an $88,245 base model. Next is the expected most popular model, the $96,345 Premium trim. The midrange F Sport breaks the six-figure barrier at $102,345. Extra portions of standard features are introduced with the $104,345 Luxury grade, and the top-level Ultra Luxury model tops it off at an eyebrow-raising $127,345. These prices include a destination charge of $1,345.
All models share the same engine, a 409-horsepower twin-turbocharged V6 joined to a 10-speed automatic transmission and producing a fuel economy rating of 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 19 mpg combined. Full-time four-wheel drive is standard.
I drove the LX 600 Ultra Luxury model, whose nearly 6,000-pound curb weight was a cinch for the might V6 to propel. A torque rating of 479 pound-feet helps enable an 8,000-pound towing capacity.
The 2022 Lexus LX 600 Ultra Luxury model has an executive-seating layout. (Lexus)
Steering is slightly relaxed, just enough to reduce highway driving effort and the ordeal of maneuvering in confined spaces –– two usual bugbears of large truck-based vehicles like this one.
The LX 600 Ultra Luxury interior looks smaller than imagined and has seating for only four passengers. But it has what Lexus refers to as “executive seating.” The two rear seats are oversized, have a 48-degree recline, and include massage. Between them is a sizable center console with a touchscreen control panel for operating the seats and other features. Using the panel, the right rear-seat passenger can also control the front passenger seat, presumably to provide better interaction between the executive seated there and the chauffeur up front.
Expensive luxury SUVs equipped for extreme terrain including rock crawling are an enigma. Who’s going to pay six-figure amounts for a beautiful brand new vehicle and trash it off-road? If the SUV is used only for rough dirt road driving, which can be done with a fraction of that equipment, what an unnecessary expense.
To my mind, the LX 600 Ultra Luxury with its executive seating seemed like the most preposterous example. But during the test week I had an insight that, to be honest, is brilliant. What if the “executive” in the LX 600 Ultra Luxury were a naturalist, a botanist, a wildlife expert or some other sort of outdoor scientist? It changes everything. They really do need that rugged terrain capability, and the time-saving advantage of making field notes, recording data, and scrolling through photos while someone else drives.
The massaging seats might be debatable.
A power rear door with hands-free kick sensor is standard on the 2022 Lexus LX 600 Ultra Luxury trim level. (Lexus)
2022 LEXUS LX 600 ULTRA LUXURY
Base price, including destination charge: $127,345
Price as driven: $128,030
Mary Lowry is a member of the Motor Press Guild and a member and past president of the Northwest Automotive Press Association. She lives in Snohomish County. Vehicles are provided by automotive manufacturers as a one-week loan for evaluation purposes only. Manufacturers do not control content of the reviews.
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