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2020 Lexus LX 570: pricey rugged luxury

James Raia

A luxury sport utility vehicle with strong attributes for off-road use is a niche offering in the vastly varied automotive marketplace. It’s a head-shaking quality of the 2020 Lexus LX 570.

The wisdom of excursions on rugged terrain in a top-line luxury vehicle may be questionable. But as one friend who’s refreshingly dispassionate about automobiles often says: “If no one bought ’em, they wouldn’t make ’em.”

2020 Lexus LX 570: pricey rugged luxury 1Fewer than 5,000 of the 2020 Lexus LX 570 have sold in each of the past two years. Peak yearly sales are were just under 8,000 when it debuted in 2008.

For 2020, Lexus offers few changes in the LX 570, a small luxury apartment on wheels. But a new Sport Package includes a few intriguing features: a revised grille, different lower bumper styling, chrome-accented side mirrors, semi-aniline leather-trimmed seats and a black headliner. A “cool box” refrigerated console compartment is new as a stand-alone option.

The LX 570 also continues the third generation as a leader in a segment with only a few rivals. The competition includes the Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX80 and Mercedes-Benz GLS-Class.

2020 Lexus LX 570 powers in plushness

Available in one trim, a 5.7-liter V8 with 383-horsepower and an eight-speed automatic transmission. The LX 570 also has standard four-wheel drive and moves well considering it weighs about 6,000. It can two a 7,000-pound trailer

The only new-buyer decision is selecting the two-row or three-row version. The former seats five, that latter eight. Seating options are easy to alter without compromising safety. Ten airbags

As a luxury vehicle, the LX 570 helps define the luxury manufacturer — nearly to a fault. The standard comfort features list is exhaustive: leather-trimmed seats, wood trim, power-operated second and third rows, four-zone air conditioning, and navigation with a 12.3-inch screen.

Standard safety equipment includes a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure warning, full-speed adaptive cruise control, and a blind-spot warning system with rear cross-traffic alert. Ten airbags ad

Luxury manufacturers thrive on outdoing the competition with stand-alone or option packages. What’s not to like in the LX 570? It has semi-aniline leather trim with contrast stitching, heated and ventilated front- and second-row seats and a dual-screen rear entertainment system. A head-up display, a Mark Levinson premium stereo, wireless device charging and a heated steering wheel are also appealing.

Interior styling also some masculine elegance. Several wood and leather options are available, including contrasting black and tan shades. It’s complemented by a Lexus signature, an analog clock.

With its interior plushness, the LX 570 provides ultimate comfort and a powerful ride. Like rivals, front-row passengers view the road from high, well-built and full-vision perches. There’s an overt sense of security on the open road.

A multi-state road trip, with some off-road side treks in the jumbo Lexus? Let’s go. Take turns driving watch movies from the back rows. Relax to the quality sounds of the symphonic-quality sound system. Cruise down the freeway without stress and drive for hours in ideal comfort.

When off-roading arrives, the LX 570 offers utilizes, a two-speed transfer case and a crawl control system that helps it negotiate rocks and an has several numerous off-road traction-control options. The suspension is height-adjustable.

It all sounds like fun, as long as it’s possible to forget a few downsides of owning a 2020 Lexus LX 570. It’s a chore to enter and exit the beast and it requires a sizable bank account to operate. Gas efficiency is pathetic: 12 miles per gallon in city driving, 16 mpg on the highway.

Regardless, enjoy the versatility of traveling on-road or off-road in luxury. But remember: it will cost you $100,540 and a healthy chunk more for proper cleaning.

Article Last Updated: June 9, 2020.

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