Your membership has expired

The payment for your account couldn't be processed or you've canceled your account with us.

Re-activate

Save products you love, products you own and much more!

Save products icon

Other Membership Benefits:

Savings icon Exclusive Deals for Members Best time to buy icon Best Time to Buy Products Recall tracker icon Recall & Safety Alerts TV screen optimizer icon TV Screen Optimizer and more

    First Drive: Lexus LX 600 Brings Abundant Power and Compromises

    The six-figure SUV tries to do too much

    2023 Lexus LX 600 front, driving Photo: John Powers/Consumer Reports

    The all-new Lexus LX 600 wraps the redesigned Toyota Land Cruiser in a luxury package, with a powerful turbocharged V6 engine, safari-ready off-road capability, and enough luxury amenities to make a debutante blush. 

    For decades, the Lexus LX has been the premium interpretation of the legendary Land Cruiser, a full-sized SUV known for its durability and go-anywhere capability, and they were sold side by side. This LX soldiers alone in the U.S. with this latest generation, as the latest Land Cruiser is offered only in other markets. 

    more on SUVs and trucks

    The fourth-generation LX remains true to its heritage, starting with a body-on-frame construction, the same 112-inch wheelbase used on every prior LX, and a solid rear axle, like most pickup trucks and traditional off-roaders. This GA-F platform increases torsional rigidity by 20 percent while contributing to a significant 440-pound overall weight reduction compared with the outgoing LX. A strong foundation is essential for an off-road vehicle to withstand the body twisting over boulders and have a suspension that can be fine-tuned for smooth-riding urbane road manners. And that spectrum is the domain of the LX. It has always been a vehicle that can carpool by day, attend a red-carpet event at night, and conquer Death Valley on the weekends. Last redesigned for the 2008 model year, this LX brings a long-awaited update to tackle those diverse duties with modern acumen.

    The LX is offered in Standard, Premium, and Luxury trims, plus the new F Sport and Ultra Luxury versions. Prices span from $90,660 to $130,750, putting it in rarified company with the BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade, Jeep Grand Wagoneer, Lincoln Navigator, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and Land Rover Range Rover. And that price range is if you manage to pay the list price without dealer markups that may tack on 10 to 20 grand extra. 

    We rented an LX 600 from Lexus to assess this multi-talented beast. If you’re a Consumer Reports member, our initial expert assessment of the Lexus LX 600 is available to you below. 

    If you haven’t signed up to be a member yet, click below and become a member to access this full article and all our exclusive ratings and reviews for each vehicle we buy and test. Joining also gives you full access to exclusive ratings for the other products our experts evaluate in several categories, including electronics and home appliances.

    ​Sign up for CR’s cars email newsletter to be notified when we post our latest road-test results.

    What we rented: 2023 Lexus LX 600 Luxury
    Powertrain: 409-hp, 3.4-liter turbocharged V6; 10-speed automatic transmission; full-time four-wheel drive
    MSRP: $103,765
    Options: Dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system ($2,000), Active height control ($1,300), Appearance package ($1,295) 
    Destination fee: $1,345
    Total cost: $109,945

    Become a member to read the full article and get access to digital ratings.

    We investigate, research, and test so you can choose with confidence.


    Jeff S. Bartlett

    Jeff S. Bartlett is the managing editor for the autos team at Consumer Reports. He has been with CR since 2005. Previously, Jeff served as the online editorial director of Motor Trend for 11 years. Throughout his career, Jeff has driven thousands of cars, many on racetracks around the globe. Follow him on X: @JeffSBartlett