2021 Lexus LX Reviews, Pricing & Specs
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Lexus’ large luxury SUV gets some slight changes for the 2021 model year, with a new Sport package being introduced for three-row models. Additional changes are largely cosmetic, but Amazon aficionados will be pleased to find that Alexa compatibility has been added to the LX’s infotainment system. As welcome as that change is, the LX’s infotainment still leaves a lot to be desired. Thankfully, the LX offers a lot more than just tech.
Built on the same platform as the Toyota Land Cruiser, the LX is as much “go” as it is “show,” with the chops to tackle the trail and the looks to turn heads (as long as you don’t pinstripe it too badly out on the trail). For help in the looks department, the Sport package adds unique 21-inch wheels, special trim, and a choice of Atomic Silver, Black Onyx, or Eminent White Pearl paint. Three-row models also have the new option of the Inspiration Series #2 package, which gets you blacked out 21-inch wheels, trim, badging, and lenses, and adds red aniline leather upholstery inside.
You can also get the LX with only two rows instead of three, but the engine stays the same regardless. A monster 5.7-liter V8 sits beneath the hood, ready to deliver the full force of its 383 horsepower and 403 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission. Unfortunately, impressive as those numbers sound, it’s simply not enough to motivate the LX at anything other than a leisurely pace. Zero to 60 mph will take more than seven seconds when the competition is doing the same trot at least a couple of seconds faster. And don’t think you’re trading speed for efficiency either. With a gas-mileage rating of 15 mpg combined, the LX is one of the less-efficient vehicles you can buy today.
But if you’re headed to the gas station more often than you’d like, at least you’ll be doing it with authority, because every LX rolls with full-time four-wheel drive (4WD), and comes standard with five multi-terrain modes, a locking limited-slip center differential, and an adaptive suspension.
From the factory, the LX comes pretty well equipped, with four-zone climate control, leather, 14-way power seat for the driver and 12-way for the front passenger, LED headlights, and a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. However, many will want to add the Luxury package for the nicer leather, heated steering wheel, and heat and cooling for the front and second-row seats. Plus, if you go for the Sport package, you get all the features from the Luxury package added in.
That all sounds very good, but it’s about where the good news ends. This generation of LX has been around since the 2008 model year, and it’s definitely showing its age. The competition is faster and more efficient, has more space for cargo and passengers, rides better, and has better tech. Amazon Alexa is nice, but the LX still doesn’t offer Android Auto or Apple CarPlay, or even WiFi. It may share the same underpinnings as the Toyota Land Cruiser, but the Land Cruiser can tow another 1,100 pounds over the LX’s 7,000-pound limit. The bottom line is, the LX is nice, but there are simply better options out there right now.
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2021 Lexus LX Pricing
Trims & specs
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Rear air conditioning: with independent controls · Dual rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Rear side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Bluetooth auxiliary audio input · In-Dash CD: DVD · IHeartRadio internet radio · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · AM/FM radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 9
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 13.9 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.6 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: leather · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: leather · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Interior accents: wood · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Assist handle: rear · Cargo area power outlet: 115V · Cargo cover: retractable · Center console: dual level · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: rear · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: 3 driver · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): USB front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: front · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: door pockets · Sunshade: side window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 14
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.31 · Limited slip differential: center · Locking differential: center · Transfer Case: electronic hi-lo gear selection
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust tip color: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: metallic · Mirror color: body-color · Mudguards: front · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Running boards: illuminated · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: power adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Google POIs · Infotainment: Enform · Infotainment screen size: 12.3 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: MPG · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: maintenance reminder
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: puddle lamps · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: automatic high beam dimmer · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: tilt/slide · Roof rails: aluminum
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: surround view · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: fuel cut-off · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Upholstery: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: underbody · Size: full-size
Spare Wheel
Rim type: aluminum alloy
Stability and Traction
Traction control: with trailer stability control
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.2 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: height · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): rear · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with voice recognition · Navigation system: memory card navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Enform Remote Connect · Smart device app function: engine start
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Towing and Hauling
Trailer hitch: Class IV
Windows
Front wipers: variable intermittent · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent
Air Conditioning
Automatic climate control front air conditioning · Dual front air conditioning zones · Automatic climate control rear air conditioning · Dual rear air conditioning zones
Airbags
Dual front airbags · Dual front knee airbags · Passenger airbag deactivation: occupant sensing deactivation · Front side airbags · Third row side curtain airbags
Audio System
Antenna Type: diversity · Voice recognition audio system · Auxiliary audio input: iPod/iPhone integration · In-Dash CD: DVD · IHeartRadio internet radio · MP3 player: CD MP3 Playback · HD radio · Satellite Radio: SiriusXM · Total Number of Speakers: 9
Brakes
ABS: 4-wheel · Braking assist: hill start assist · Electronic parking brake: auto off · Front brake diameter: 13.9 · Front brakes: ventilated disc · Rear brake diameter: 13.6 · Rear brakes: ventilated disc
Comfort Features
Armrests: rear center with cupholders · Center console trim: leather · Dash trim: wood · Door sill trim: illuminated scuff plate · Door trim: wood · Floor Mat Material: carpet · Floor Material: carpet · Floor Mats: front · Interior accents: wood · Shift knob trim: leather · Steering wheel trim: leather
Convenience Features
Adaptive stop and go cruise control: semi-automatic · Assist handle: rear · Cargo area power outlet: 115V · Center console: dual level · Cruise control: adaptive · Cupholders: front · Dimming rearview mirror: auto-dimming · Easy entry: power steering wheel · Memorized settings: 3 driver · Multi-function remote: keyless entry with panic alarm · One-touch windows: 4 · Power outlet(s): 12V front · Power steering: speed-proportional · Power windows: lockout button · Reading lights: third row · Rear power outlet: 12V · Steering wheel: power tilt and telescopic · Steering wheel mounted controls: audio · Storage: sunglasses holder · Sunshade: side window · Universal garage door opener: Homelink · Vanity mirrors: dual illuminating
Driver Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 14
Drivetrain
4WD Type: full time · Axle ratio: 3.31 · Limited slip differential: center · Locking differential: center · Transfer Case: electronic hi-lo gear selection
Engine
Battery: maintenance-free
Exterior Features
Door handle color: chrome · Exhaust tip color: black · Front bumper color: body-color · Grille color: metallic · Mirror color: body-color · Mudguards: front · Rear bumper color: body-color · Rear spoiler: roofline spoiler · Rear spoiler color: body-color · Rear trunk/liftgate: liftgate · Running boards: illuminated · Window trim: chrome
Headrests
Front headrests: power adjustable · Number of front headrests: 2 · Number of rear headrests: 3 · Number of third row headrests: 3
In Car Entertainment
Connected in-car apps: Amazon Alexa · Infotainment: Enform · Infotainment screen size: 12.3 in.
Instrumentation
Fuel economy display: range · Instrument cluster screen size: 4.2 in. · Warnings and reminders: lamp failure
Lights
Daytime running lights: LED · Exterior entry lights: security approach lamps · Front fog lights: LED · Headlights: LED · Tail and brake lights: LED
Mirrors
Exterior mirrors: power folding
Passenger Seat
Adjustable lumbar support: power · Power adjustments: 12
Rear Seats
Type: 40-20-40 split bench
Roof
Moonroof: anti-trapping feature · Roof rails: aluminum
Safety
Active head restraints: driver · Automatic emergency braking: front · Camera system: surround view · Child seat anchors: LATCH system · Cross Traffic Alert: rear · Crumple zones: front · Impact sensor: alert system · Parking sensors: rear · Pre-Collision Warning System: visual warning · Pre-collision warning system: pedestrian detection · Rearview monitor: in dash
Seatbelts
Emergency locking retractors: front, rear, third, and fourth row · Front seatbelts: 3-point · Seatbelt force limiters: front · Seatbelt pretensioners: front and rear · Seatbelt warning sensor: driver and passenger · Second row seatbelts: 3-point · Third row seatbelts: 3-point
Seats
Driver seat power adjustments: reclining · Front seat type: bucket · Passenger seat power adjustments: reclining · Rear headrests: adjustable · Rear seat folding: split · Rear seat manual adjustments: reclining · Third row headrests: adjustable · Third row seat folding: split · Upholstery: leather-trimmed
Security
Power door locks: anti-lockout
Spare Tire
Mount Location: underbody · Size: full-size
Spare Wheel
Rim type: aluminum alloy
Stability and Traction
Traction control: with trailer stability control
Steering
Steering ratio: 14.2 · Turns lock-to-lock: 2.6
Suspension
Driver Adjustable Suspension: height · Front Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Front Spring Type: coil springs · Front Suspension Classification: independent · Front Suspension Type: double wishbones · Leveling: self leveling suspension · Rear Shock Type: gas shock absorbers · Rear Spring Type: coil springs · Rear Suspension Classification: solid live axle · Rear Suspension Type: multi-link · Stabilizer bar(s): front · Suspension control: electronic
Telematics
Driver assistance app: roadside assistance · Electronic messaging assistance: with read function · Navigation system: memory card navigation system · Phone: voice activated · Phone wireless data link: Bluetooth · Smart device app compatibility: Enform Remote Connect · Smart device app function: lock operation
Third Row Seat
Type: 50-50 split bench
Tires
Type: all season
Tires and Rims
Wheel type: aluminum alloy
Towing and Hauling
Trailer hitch: Class IV
Windows
Front wipers: speed sensitive · Laminated glass: acoustic · Liftgate window: fixed · Power windows: with safety reverse · Rear wiper: intermittent