Test Drive: 2023 Lexus LX 600 F Sport

2023 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Handling

Class: Premium Large SUV

Color: Manganese Luster

Miles driven: 80

Observed fuel economy: 15.1 mpg

Driving mix: 60% city, 40% highway

EPA-estimated fuel economy: 17/22/19 (mpg city/highway/combined)

Fuel type: Premium gas

Snow Performance: N/A

Base price: $106,370 (not including $1345 destination charge)

Options on test vehicle: Special paint ($595), Mark Levinson premium audio ($2660), dash cam ($375), floor mats ($140)

Price as tested: $110,140

Quick Hits

The great: Mechanical refinement, top-notch materials and build quality

The good: Quiet cabin, plenty of passenger space, decent fuel economy for the class

The not so good: No longer a category bargain

Tom Appel:

Maybe you’ve seen Jeep drivers—especially Jeep Wrangler drivers—signaling to each other as they pass on the road. Most often they will flash their high beams in greetings, though waving isn’t rare. It’s a Jeep thing, as they say, and the casual kinship of the exchanges seem to suit the Wrangler community well.

Saab owners at one time would engage in similar mutual acknowledgement, though the exchanges were usually more furtive, on the order of a hand raised gently off the steering wheel, but almost never a full wave.

While Jeeps Wranglers are everywhere, Saabs were always more precious, and less common in traffic. And if Wrangler ownership is more akin to being part of a big party, Saab ownership was a little more cultish, more of a secret society.

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And, while I don’t know that one doesn’t exist, I would suggest that Lexus LX 600 ownership merits a certain sub-rosa fellowship. This because the big Lexus is almost secretly very good, and, likely to the delight of LX owners, somewhat rare.

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Indeed, the biggest Lexus is something of a large-SUV outsider. It is smaller than similar-segment vehicles from Cadillac or Lincoln. And, if you ignore the grille—hard to do, we realize—rather staidly styled, and, unlike the aforementioned Cadillacs and Lincolns, is available only in a single body length.

The LX was completely redesigned for the 2022 model year, at which time the big Lexus’ companion model, the Land Cruiser, was dropped from the Toyota brand’s North American lineup. Also at this time the LX was moved upscale, with a commensurate increase in price. More on that in a moment.

Consumer Guide recently spent a week with the Lexus LX 600, in athletic F Sport Handling trim. If you’ve only been exposed to a previous generation of the LX, or perhaps you’ve never spent time with one at all, you’ll want to take careful note of the five things we believe are secrets known only to members of the Mason-like LX 600 secret society. Read on:

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The LX 600 is Pretty Fast

The previous-generation LX, the LX 570, was no slouch when it came to acceleration. Powered by a 383-horsepower 5.7-liter V8, the ‘570 boasted more than sufficient muscle to pass and merge. But, as potent as the LX 570 was, it’s bested handily by the LX 600.

Powered by a 409-horsepower twin-turbo 3.4-liter V8 mated to a slick-shifting 10-speed automatic transmission, the LX 600 accelerates to 60 mph from a stop in around 6.0 seconds, and feels good doing it. Oh, and the 600 is easier on the gas, too…

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The LX 600 is Reasonably Efficient

In Consumer Guide testing, LX 570 models we’ve evaluated returned between 13.3 and 13.8 mpg. Our test LX 600 returned 15.1 mpg in cold weather which included some idle warm-up time. A 2022 LX 600 tested by Consumer Guide did even better, traveling 16.7 miles on a gallon of gasoline.

We didn’t have an opportunity to take the ‘600 on an extended highway trip, but suspect that the 10-speed automatic would contribute to relatively efficient long-trip operation.

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The LX 600 is Kinda Sporty (in F Sport trim)

The LX 570 had its charms, but handling wasn’t one of them. Frankly, the old LX was reduced to something of a sloppy mess when pushed hard, a condition exacerbated by copious nosedive during aggressive braking.

We’re happy to report that the LX 600 is a much more athletic vehicle than the LX 570. The LX’s Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) is tuned for improved handling on F Sport Handling models, and the payoff is real. Like so many Lexus models in F Sport trim, the LX 600 falls short of true sportiness, but instead exudes a reassuring confidence in routine driving, and responds well to being hustled through traffic and on on-ramps and off-ramps. And, the F Sport Handling-specific trim elements—including the unique grille—go some distance towards making the SUV look just a little menacing—in a good way.

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The LX 600 is Now More Luxurious

Somehow, the old LX, despite its size, was actually a little cramped in the front row, at least for larger folks such as this author. The all-new 600, despite being no larger outside, makes much better use of cabin space. Indeed, four passengers will enjoy a road trip in the LX 600 in great comfort. Note that we said four. While the base 2023 LX offers space for five passengers, the Premium, F Sport Handling, and Luxury models accommodate up to seven passengers, in a 2-3-2 configuration. That said, the LX isn’t quite wide enough to offer comfortable three-abreast 2^nd-row seating, and the 3^rd-row bench seat is best left to young children and the truly tiny.

In addition to space, the LX 600 serves up a commendable level of refinement, including sophisticated ride comfort, cabin quietness, and high-end cabin trim. And, though a $2660 option, the Mark Levinson-branded audio system—as found in the LX—ranks among the better premium-vehicle stereo upgrades.

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The LX is Expensive

The LX 570, though never a bargain, was always something of value play when compared to the Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator. That is not the case with the LX 600. Consumer Guide evaluated a 2022 Premium Luxury that came to $128,030. Our test F Sport Handling seen here, clocks in at $110,140. Those figures come in right about where the Escalade is priced, despite the LX being smaller, slightly less powerful, and wanting for 3^rd-row passenger space. These prices also represent a significant jump from the 2021 LX 570, which started under $90,000.

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And while we’re balking at the price, we’ll vent about a niggling issue. The LX 600’s Head-Up Display system works as advertised, but if you’re approaching 6-foot tall, you’ll find the display—which is projected onto the windshield in front of the driver—is cut off from view. While squatting down a little affords driver’s full view of the projection, doing so sort of defeats the purpose of the system.

***

Does the Lexus 600 play as the discreet option in the large luxury SUV segment? Cadillac moved around 40,000 Escalades last year, and indeed you see them everywhere. 0nly 4000 LX 600s hit the road during the same period, so give the Lexus points for exclusivity. Yes, the Lexus is smaller than the competition–but just as pricey, but it is extremely refined, easier to park, and, for the class, easy on the gas as well. If this big Lexus is in your price range, and if you’re willing to join the club and learn the secret handshake—and maybe engage in subtle, guarded waving–the LX 600 will likely serve you well.

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2023 Lexus LX 600 F Sport Gallery

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