The 2021 Lexus LX 570 has the trappings of a luxury SUV along with the apparatus of a serious all-terrain vehicle. It’s available in two-row or three-row configuration, with seating for five or eight, respectively.
With a $1,295 destination charge included, pricing starts at $88,125 for a two-row model, and $93,025 for a three-row.
The sole powertrain setup is a 383-horsepower 5.7-liter V8 engine, eight-speed automatic transmission, and full-time four-wheel drive. Fuel economy is a sore spot: 12 mpg city, 16 mpg highway, and 14 mpg combined.
For 2021 there’s an available updated Sport Package, a new limited-edition LX Inspiration Series, and Amazon Alexa compatibility. Nori Green Pearl is a new exterior color, and Glazed Caramel is a new interior color option. Inspiration Series production is limited to 500 units, of LX three-row models only.
Standard features on the LX 570 are straight from a luxury playbook, including designer-league 20-inch wheels, sumptuous heated and cooled power front seats, power sliding second- and third-row seats, wood interior trim, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, Lexus infotainment and navigation systems, four-zone climate control, moonroof, power liftgate, illuminated running boards, and Lexus logo puddle lamps.
A Lexus infotainment and navigation system with 12.3-inch display is standard on the LX 570. (Manufacturer photo)
Safety and driver-assistance technologies galore are also standard equipment.
My three-row LX 570 tester pulled out all the stops by adding optional four-figure Sport and Luxury packages, 450-watt Mark Levinson audio with 14 speakers, a DVD rear-seat entertainment system, and a collection of two- and three-figure items such as head-up display, wireless charger, cool box center console, and all-weather floor liners.
The LX 570 four-wheel drive system has five different settings for various off-road encounters: Rock, Rock and Dirt, Mogul, Loose Rock, and Mud and Sand. Its Crawl Control feature is enhanced by turn assist, hill-start assist control, and variable gear ratio steering.
LX 570’s burly body-on-frame underpinnings suitable for conquering rugged off-road conditions take their toll on the SUV’s pavement ride and handling. The comfortable and quiet interior pampers passengers, but uneven road surfaces can cause some bumpy intrusions. From the driver’s perspective, a bit of micromanaging is required to keep the LX on the straight and narrow, and steering requires more than the usual effort when maneuvering in tight spaces.
Rugged body-on-frame construction makes the 2021 Lexus LX suitable for all-terrain travel. (Manufacturer photo)
2021 LEXUS LX 570
Base price, including destination charge: $91,730
Price as driven: $106,845
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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