Lexus’ new flagship SUV is just around the corner.
It’s only been 14 years, but the next-generation 2022 Lexus LX 600 is coming in just a few days’ time. The automaker teased some of its styling in announcing the reveal date, but “all will be revealed” on October 13 — per the short clip below. Like the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series, the new LX will debut in the United Arab Emirates, at 12:30 PM Eastern Time.
So what do we know about the Lexus LX 600 at this moment? Like the equally new NX crossover, the brand’s clearly moving in a new direction when it comes to styling. There’s a light bar connecting the full-LED taillights, as well as the brand name scripted across the center, in place of the Lexus logo. There’s a conspicuous absence of chrome, while the tailgate at least takes on a more angular look.
Unlike the old generation LX models, the “LX 600” doesn’t directly link to engine displacement. Far from offering a 6.0-liter engine (as much as some enthusiasts might love that), we expect this new SUV to pack the same powertrains as the Land Cruiser. That means this version should get a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter engine, putting out at least 409 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. The old LX used to put out just a touch more power and torque, so we’ll see if that remains true in this generation. Overseas markets will almost certainly get the 3.3-liter turbodiesel V6, but that won’t make it to the United States.
Hey, at least we’re actually getting the LX here. That’s something, right?
New look, new platform
Toyota launched the new Land Cruiser on its TNGA-F platform, so that should also ring true for the Lexus LX 600. The new platform and powertrain should result in some weight savings over the previous generation. Even so, we’re still talking about nearly 6,000 pounds here, but we may see slightly better fuel economy out of this new car than the measly 12 MPG City/16 MPG highway the old SUV managed.
Word has it, too, that this generation will also see the LX 750h, with some hybrid assistance. It’s not farfetched, given the new Tundra is launching with a hybrid option. That could bump power and torque figures up considerably, though there’s some variation in how much of a difference we’ll see from, say, the new i-Force Max unit in the Tundra. In that application, we get 437 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. It stands to reason the LX will see a bit more than that.
The Lexus LX 600 will still be a luxurious experience, to be sure, but it’s hard to believe the automaker will forget its off-road chops. So we should still get Multi-Terrain Select and Multi-Terrain Monitor here, like the Land Cruiser gets overseas. Overall suspension upgrades, a new 10-speed automatic transmission and a massive interior overhaul should be on the docket as well.
Again, we’ll know a lot more next week, so stay tuned!
