2010 Lexus LX 570 - Review

The Basics:

The 2010 Lexus LX 570 is the third year of the new design first released in 2008. With exterior styling cues that'll let observers know it's a Lexus without hitting them over the head with its size, the LX 570's exterior design strikes an organic balance. Inside, excellent materials complement a luxurious yet functional layout, with controls well at hand.

Sharing its core underpinnings with the Toyota Land Cruiser, the LX 570 has body-on-frame construction for durability and off-road performance, plus a 381-horsepower 5.7-liter V-8 engine that does the job on the highway and off. Passing and acceleration are a snap, but the nearly 6,000-pound weight is never far out of mind when maneuvering or braking. Visibility, while good forward, can be difficult to the sides or rear as with many large SUVs, particularly on city streets.

A six-speed automatic transmission and Torsen limited-slip differential system deliver the power to the ground, helping the big Lexus tow up to 8,500 pounds. Despite the six-speed gearbox, the LX 570 returns a disappointingly low 12 mpg city.

Getting in and out of such a big vehicle can be a challenge for smaller adults and children, but Lexus has an available active height control system that lowers the vehicle about 2 inches to ease ingress and egress. It also pays attention to the speed, raising the vehicle at low speeds to aid ground clearance and lowering it again at high speeds to help reduce aerodynamic drag. A Crawl Control setting in the off-road electronics equipment aids in negotiating tricky passages.

Inside, the 2010 LX 570 has three rows of seating. While it shares a basic layout with the Toyota Land Cruiser, the LX 570 is more opulent and ornate. Wood trim, matte-metallic surfaces, leather, and high-grade plastics abound. There are a few shortcomings, however: While the front seats are spacious and comfortable, the third-row seating is too small for full-size adults, and it doesn't stow flat in the floor.

"Loaded" is an apt descriptor for the average LX 570, and there are even more optional upgrades if you choose. Standard equipment highlights include four-zone climate control, power sliding second-row split seating, voice-activated navigation system with Bluetooth, sound system, XM Satellite Radio, and new for this year, Enform and Safety Connect, Lexus' new in-house telematics and emergency roadside services. If that's not enough, optional extras include a rear-seat entertainment system, radar-adaptive cruise control, and a 19-speaker Mark Levinson audio system. African Bubinga wood trim, heated and ventilated seats, and custom wheels are also available.

Safety is no place to scrimp, and Lexus doesn't with the LX 570, equipping stability control, ABS with all-terrain mode, front and second-row side airbags, side impact airbags for the second and third rows, and front knee airbags all as standard.