I used to be one of those car enthusiasts who turned their nose up at large SUVs. For years, I scoffed at the idea of massive, leather-laden, off-road-capable family vehicles. I would often judge buyers for what I perceived as wasteful and unnecessary purchases – these enormous, gas-guzzling behemoths, seemingly bought just to ferry a couple of kids and their digital devices. However, after spending time behind the wheel of several of these SUVs, including the 2024 Lexus LX 600, I must admit, my perspective has shifted. The LX 600, in particular, has been a revelation, proving that there’s more to these vehicles than meets the eye.
The current Lexus LX 600 shares its foundation with the globally available Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series, a model not offered in the United States. While the U.S. market is receiving the newly reintroduced 2024 Toyota Land Cruiser, it’s the smaller, hybrid four-cylinder version. If you’re seeking the robust V8-powered Land Cruiser experience in America, the Lexus LX 600 is the closest and arguably more luxurious alternative. Its Land Cruiser lineage is evident from the moment you lay eyes on it.
2023 Lexus LX 600 front exterior design showcasing its large grille and boxy shape, exuding a powerful and luxurious presence.
With its commanding tall hood, muscular lines, boxy silhouette, and the signature, generously sized Lexus grille, the LX 600 has a presence that demands attention. Despite its luxurious wheels and prominent Lexus badging, it projects a more utilitarian vibe than many of its luxury SUV counterparts, giving it a unique character. This character truly shines through from the driver’s seat, making the LX 600 an undeniably charming brute.
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Lexus LX 600: The Basics – Land Cruiser DNA in a Luxury Package
Without driving the Land Cruiser 300 Series directly, it’s challenging to definitively say how the LX 600’s driving experience compares. However, the shared DNA is undeniable, both inside and out. Both vehicles are built upon Toyota’s robust TNGA-F body-on-frame chassis, the same platform that underpins the Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, known for their toughness and durability.
Lexus LX 600 showcasing its front grille and headlight design, emphasizing its luxurious yet rugged aesthetic.
Lexus LX 600 side profile highlighting its boxy shape and large wheels, suggesting its off-road capability and luxurious stance.
Lexus LX 600 rear view demonstrating its taillight design and overall robust SUV proportions.
Image Credit: Nico DeMattia
From a design perspective, the Lexus LX 600’s styling can be polarizing. The massive grille, stretching from the bumper to the hood, dominates the front fascia, almost consuming its entire width. The horizontal grille slats leave little visual breathing room. The appearance package on the test vehicle featured a dark matte gray finish for the grille and exterior trim, which, while toning down the flashiness somewhat, arguably makes it appear slightly less premium. However, the Nori Green Pearl paint on the test car complemented the darker trim exceptionally well. Personally, smaller wheels and chunkier tires would enhance both the aesthetics and ride comfort, providing a more compliant feel on rough roads.
Stepping inside the LX 600, the Land Cruiser influence becomes even more apparent, which is certainly not a negative aspect. While the designs aren’t carbon copies, the underlying dashboard and center console architecture of the Land Cruiser are clearly visible within the LX. Lexus’s contemporary 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a familiar and user-friendly feature across the newer Lexus lineup, is a welcome addition. However, the smaller supplementary screen positioned below it feels somewhat redundant. This secondary screen manages climate controls and displays off-road information, but its diminutive size makes it challenging to view, read, or operate while driving. Lexus might have been better served by retaining the Land Cruiser’s physical buttons for these functions.
Lexus LX 600 interior showcasing the dashboard, infotainment screens, and luxurious seating, highlighting the blend of technology and comfort.
Lexus LX 600 interior close-up on the center console and gear selector, emphasizing the premium materials and driver-focused design.
Lexus LX 600 interior rear seats demonstrating legroom and overall spaciousness, although noted as being relatively cramped for its class.
Lexus LX 600 interior driver's seat and steering wheel, highlighting the comfortable and well-appointed cockpit.
Image Credit: Nico DeMattia
As expected from a Lexus, the LX 600’s cabin is generally refined, featuring high-quality materials, supportive and comfortable seats, and a steering wheel that feels excellent in hand. However, interior space is surprisingly limited for such a large vehicle. With two car seats installed in the second row, a five-foot-five passenger in the front seat found their knees uncomfortably close to the dashboard. The third row is realistically only suitable for smaller occupants. Considering the LX 600’s imposing exterior dimensions, the relatively cramped interior comes as a surprise, as it visually suggests a vehicle capable of accommodating a large group with ease.
Powering the Lexus LX 600 is a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 engine, producing a robust 409 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque. This engine is paired with a smooth-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission and a full-time all-wheel-drive system, incorporating a Torsen limited-slip center differential for enhanced traction and off-road capability.
Lexus LX 600 engine bay showcasing the twin-turbo V6 engine, emphasizing power and modern engineering.
Driving the Lexus LX 600: On-Road and (Light) Off-Road Impressions
The engine’s performance feels more energetic than its 0-60 mph time of 6.9 seconds might indicate. The 10-speed automatic transmission operates seamlessly, effectively fading into the background. While the powertrain isn’t necessarily a standout feature, it certainly doesn’t detract from the overall experience. It allows the other positive attributes of the LX 600 to shine, which is arguably all you can ask for in a large, off-road-capable luxury SUV. However, the hybrid V6 powertrain found in the Sequoia might offer an even more engaging driving experience in this application.
Lexus engineers deserve considerable praise for managing to imbue a rugged body-on-frame chassis with such enjoyable on-road driving dynamics. While the LX 600 isn’t flawless – the ride can be somewhat firm and truck-like, likely exacerbated by the large 22-inch wheels – driving this big Lexus is consistently engaging. The steering is a highlight – nicely weighted, surprisingly responsive, and accurate. The LX 600 feels more agile than its size would suggest, and forward visibility is excellent. It might not offer the ultimate luxury of a Range Rover, nor the outright truck-like nature of a Sequoia, but it strikes a compelling balance between the two, making each drive feel special. Every time I got behind the wheel, I found myself genuinely looking forward to the drive.
Lexus LX 600 driving on a paved road, showcasing its on-road presence and handling capabilities.
However, it’s worth noting that the LX 600’s charms are most appreciated from the driver’s seat. Passengers were more likely to notice the somewhat choppy ride over uneven surfaces and the limited interior space. Their experience in the LX 600 wasn’t quite as positive as the driver’s perspective.
While the Lexus LX 600 is designed to be highly capable off-road, pushing its limits wasn’t on the agenda, especially considering the expensive 22-inch wheels. However, it was tested in light mud and sand, where its Land Cruiser heritage shone through, handling these conditions with ease. While the vast majority of LX 600 owners may never venture onto a muddy trail, it’s reassuring to know that the capability is there if needed.
Lexus LX 600: Highs and Lows – Weighing the Pros and Cons
I found myself making excuses for the LX 600, which might indicate a degree of bias. However, as my week with the vehicle progressed, I discovered significantly more aspects to appreciate than to criticize. Its design, for instance, grew on me considerably over time. The white and brown leather interior was particularly appealing, and I even began to rationalize the somewhat cramped interior as an acceptable trade-off for rugged capability.
Lexus LX 600 interior showcasing the luxurious leather seats and door panels, highlighting interior craftsmanship.
Lexus LX 600 exterior front three-quarter view, emphasizing its imposing stance and large grille design.
Lexus LX 600 exterior rear three-quarter view, showing taillights and overall SUV body shape.
Image Credit: Nico DeMattia
That’s not to say the LX 600 is without flaws. The firm ride, limited rear seat space, practically unusable third row, and minimal cargo capacity with the third row in place all detract from its practicality as a family SUV. Admittedly, with the third row folded down, the cargo area expands to a generous 41 cubic feet. However, families larger than four might find the LX 600 less than ideal. The price is also a significant factor, with the as-tested vehicle reaching nearly $110,000.
Lexus LX 600 Features, Options, and Competition: Luxury and Value
As expected for a vehicle with a starting price near $93,000, the LX 600 comes generously equipped even in its base configuration. Heated, 10-way adjustable seats, a heated steering wheel, 20-inch wheels, an 8,000-pound towing capacity, and the advanced 12.3-inch touchscreen are all included as standard. A base model LX 600 offers a comprehensive set of features that would satisfy most buyers.
The Luxury trim test vehicle added further enhancements. While the standard LX 600 is a five-seater, the test car featured seven seats. The Luxury package also includes quad-zone climate control, a convenient “Cool Box” refrigerator in the center console for beverages, and a high-fidelity Mark Levinson surround sound system. The $1,295 Appearance Package replaced the standard chrome trim with dark gray accents on the grille, door trim, and roof rails. Active air suspension was an additional $1,300, and the dual-screen rear entertainment system added a substantial $2,240 to the price. These options brought the as-tested price to a considerable $109,945.
Lexus LX 600 interior detail of the Mark Levinson sound system speaker, highlighting the premium audio feature.
Lexus LX 600 rear entertainment screens, showcasing the optional dual-screen system for passenger enjoyment.
Image Credit: Nico DeMattia
While expensive, this price point is not unreasonable within the luxury SUV segment. The Range Rover, a key competitor, starts at nearly $109,000 and can easily exceed that figure with options, offering similar seating and comparable, if not superior, off-road capabilities. The Mercedes G-Wagen, another rival, has a starting price just above $141,000 and only offers seating for five. Compared to these competitors, the LX 600 appears to offer relatively good value.
Lexus LX 600 Fuel Economy: Thirsty but Expected
It’s hardly surprising that the Lexus LX 600 isn’t particularly fuel-efficient. Hauling nearly 6,000 pounds requires significant engine effort, and fuel consumption reflects this. The EPA rates the LX 600 at 19 mpg combined, but real-world testing yielded just over 17 mpg over a week. To be fair, fuel economy wasn’t prioritized during the test drive. Nonetheless, the LX 600 is less fuel-efficient than some of its competitors.
EPA fuel economy sticker for Lexus LX 600, displaying official MPG ratings for city, highway, and combined driving.
Image Credit: EPA
However, fuel economy is unlikely to be a primary concern for LX 600 buyers. This is a six-figure, three-row, three-ton, leather-lined SUV, after all. Practicality and fuel efficiency often take a backseat to luxury, capability, and presence in this vehicle segment.
Lexus LX 600 Value and Verdict: Is the LX Worth It?
Assessing the value of a vehicle like the Lexus LX 600 is subjective. It’s undeniably a superfluous vehicle, making it challenging to quantify its value in purely rational terms. Buyers in this segment don’t typically prioritize value; they purchase these SUVs because they desire them and can afford them.
However, when considering its direct competitors – primarily the Range Rover and Mercedes G-Class, the main off-road-focused luxury SUVs in the U.S. market – the LX 600 emerges as a compelling value proposition. While it may not possess the sophisticated locking differentials of the Range Rover and G-Wagen, its off-road capability is more than sufficient for the vast majority of buyers in this segment. Interior quality is on par with these rivals, although the Range Rover offers a noticeably more comfortable ride, while the Lexus exhibits a more truck-like ride quality.
Lexus LX 600 driving through a scenic off-road trail, demonstrating its adventurous and rugged nature.
Lexus LX 600 parked on rocks, highlighting its off-road capability and robust build.
Lexus LX 600 driving through a shallow stream, further emphasizing its off-road prowess and adventurous spirit.
Image Credit: Nico DeMattia
That truck-like ride quality, however, contributes to the LX 600’s distinctive character. There’s a sense that beneath the luxurious veneer, the Lexus LX 600 is a fundamentally robust and capable truck. It does make compromises as a family vehicle due to its limited seating space, and it may not reach the same level of plushness as a Range Rover. But its charmingly brutish nature is undeniably appealing. The Lexus LX 600 won’t resonate with every luxury SUV buyer, but for those who appreciate its unique blend of ruggedness and luxury, it’s a truly awesome vehicle.
