Class: Premium Large SUV
Miles driven: 206
Fuel used: 12.2 gallons
| CG Report Card | |
|---|---|
| Room and Comfort | C |
| Power and Performance | A- |
| Fit and Finish | A- |
| Fuel Economy | C+ |
| Value | C |
| Report-card grades are derived from a consensus of test-driver evaluations. All grades are versus other vehicles in the same class. Value grade is for specific trim level evaluated, and may not reflect Consumer Guide's impressions of the entire model lineup. | |
| Big & Tall Comfort | |
| Big Guy | B |
| Tall Guy | B |
| Big & Tall comfort ratings are for front seats only. "Big" rating based on male tester weighing approximately 350 pounds, "Tall" rating based on 6'6"-tall male tester. | |
| Drivetrain | |
| Engine Specs | 409 horsepower |
| Engine Type | 3.4-liter turbo V6 |
| Transmission | 10-speed automatic |
| Drive Wheels | AWD |
Real-world fuel economy: 16.7 mpg
Driving mix: 65% city, 35% highway
EPA-estimated fuel economy: 17/22/19 (city, highway, combined)
Fuel type: Premium gas recommended
Base price: $126,000 (not including $1345 destination charge)
Options on test vehicle: Roof-rack cross bars ($450), carpeted cargo mat ($140), wheel locks ($95)
Price as tested: $128,030
Quick Hits
The great: Upscale Cabin, refined and responsive drivetrain
The good: Simple controls, much-improved fuel economy
The not so good: Not as roomy as other large SUVs in the premium class
More LX 600 price and availability information
CG Says:
For 2022, Lexus completely redesigns its flagship SUV on an all-new platform. The 2022 Lexus LX gets new off-road-focused technology features, the new Lexus Interface infotainment system, and a more-efficient powertrain: A 409-hp turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission replaces the previous 383-hp 5.7-liter V8 and 8-speed automatic. The powertrain switch also brings about a name change: it’s now LX 600 instead of LX 570.
The 2022 Lexus LX 600 comes in five trim levels: Base, Premium, F Sport, Luxury and Ultra Luxury. The Base has a second-row bench seat for five-passenger capacity. The new-for-2022 Ultra Luxury features a four-passenger layout with reclining and massaging second-row captain’s chairs. The other models get a third-row seat for seven-passenger capacity. The new-for-2022 F Sport model is tuned for on-road performance via changes to the suspension and steering, as well as a limited-slip rear differential. It has its own grille and 22-inch wheels, along with unique interior touches.
New standard tech features include an 8-inch digital gauge cluster, 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen, and 7-inch climate-control touchscreen; enhanced voice recognition; wireless phone charging; and wireless Android Auto/Apple CarPlay connectivity. Available convenience items include a power liftgate, power moonroof, head-up display, 25-speaker stereo, and rear-seat entertainment system. An appearance package with black and gray trim is offered on Premium and Luxury trims.
The 2022 Lexus LX 600 retains the LX’s high level of off-road driving capability. Six selectable drive modes for varying terrain modulate engine, steering, braking and suspension behavior for different conditions. Standard active safety features include forward collision warning with automatic emergency braking and pedestrian/bicyclist detection, lane departure warning with steering correction, lane keeping assist and adaptive cruise control.
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The LX’s redesign brings a much-needed infusion of modernity to this resolutely old-school SUV, while retaining the rugged-yet-luxurious personality that has long been the LX’s trademark. Fuel efficiency has been improved as well, though some class rivals have a more buttoned-down feel on-road and offer better cargo space The very similar Toyota Land Cruiser has been redesigned along the same lines as the LX for the global market, but that vehicle has been discontinued in North America for 2022. With the expanded LX model lineup, Lexus hopes to attract Land Cruiser buyers as well as shoppers of other premium large SUVs.
John Biel:
The Ultra Luxury is the new high muckety-muck of the fully redesigned 2022 Lexus LX 600 line and it seems that privacy is what owners are paying for with it. Outfitted with a big console in back, the Ultra Lux has just four seats. It’s sort of a “personal-luxury” SUV.
Those four seats are comfortable and cushy. However, a wide front console fosters something of a hemmed-in perception. Headroom is generous in both rows but rear-seat legroom isn’t as ample as might be expected in a large vehicle.
Storage options for personal items are varied. Space is limited in the segmented glovebox but the front console box is large enough to hold six 1-liter bottles—great because in the Ultra Luxury it’s a cool box to keep them chilled. Door pockets with bottle holders are about average in size. Meanwhile, the rear console has a small covered storage space and its own wireless charger. There’s just one hard-sided seat pouch, this on the back of the driver’s seat, but that’s because an ottoman is built into the back of the passenger seat as a convenience for a reclining right-rear occupant. (“It’s good to be the monarch,” you’ll think riding back there.) Cup holders are found in both consoles—exposed up front but covered in back.
The driver-information display is informative and easy to read. Graphics change a bit with driving mode. Counter to the CinemaScope wide-screen trend running through the industry, the LX uses two sizeable screens, one over the other. The top one is a touchscreen for audio, navigation map, surround view, etc. Audio was easy to tune and program—especially for a Lexus—and there is a physical power/volume knob. Climate controls reside on the lower screen with function buttons and repetitive-push levers for temperature settings. There are separate rotating dials for drive modes and drive-wheel selection.
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LX’s new turbocharged V6 delivers convincing big-SUV power, and it does so fairly quietly. Transmission operation is smooth. With this powerteam your reviewer averaged 18.55 mpg in a stint of 122.6 miles made up of 67 percent city-type driving.
Steering seemed a little numb in “Comfort” or “Normal” drive modes and a little firm in “Sport” and “Sport S” modes. There wasn’t a lot of apparent ride/handling change between the Sport modes.
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2022 Lexus LX 600 Ultra Luxury Gallery
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