The Lexus LX has a strong reputation for real off-road capability and reliability. It has a go-anywhere sensibility paired with a high-level of luxury, which both pampers and gets you where you want to go. With features such as a full-time four-wheel drive drivetrain, a locking center differential, high articulation suspension systems, Crawl Control, and the Multi-Terrain Select system, it’s uniquely capable of crossing sand, rocky mountains, and riverbeds without modifications.
What’s truly special about this full-size body-on-frame SUV, though, is that for all its capability, it still has smooth and quiet on-road manners. Another huge bonus for owners—but perhaps not for those who want to buy one used—is the fact that the LX has a strong resale value. This bougie SUV also has a strong history of standard safety features, with the Lexus Safety System+ introduced in 2015 and the enhanced active safety suite, LSS+ 2.5, which came on the scene in 2022.
If you’re looking for modern functionality, such as Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, you’ll have to look to the fourth-generation models, which begin in 2022. However, this generation has also taken a bit of a reliability hit due to a massive recall for its V6 engine in 2022 to 2024 models, so it can be a bit of a mixed bag, and you’ll want to do your homework.
Lexus LX: Cost, Reliability, and the Best Years to Buy
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Lexus LX Pros and Cons
- Lexus LX Generations
- Lexus LX Fourth Generation (2022–Present)
- Lexus LX Third Generation (2008–2021)
- Lexus LX Second Generation (1998–2007)
- Lexus LX First Generation (1996–1997)
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Lexus LX years are the best?
Most generations of the Lexus LX are fairly bulletproof in terms of reliability, but if we were looking for the best tech and reliability combined, we’d opt for the 2021 model year—the last of the third generation. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, it has zero complaints, zero investigations, and zero recalls. Frankly, any vehicle in this 13-year generation would be a good bet. If you’re looking for something in the current generation, we’d recommend starting with the 2025 model year, though that will be very pricey, even if you can find a used example. This is the only model of the current generation with a better-than-average predicted reliability score from Consumer Reports.
What are the worst Lexus LX years?
We don’t usually say this, but we’d actually steer clear of the current, fourth-generation Lexus LX. It has been plagued with engine issues in the 2022 to 2024 models due to debris from the manufacturing process that could contaminate the engine. There have been widespread reports of stalling, and the fix is a complete engine replacement. So, if you’re looking at this generation, make sure it’s a model that has already had the engine replaced.
Is a used Lexus LX a good deal?
The Lexus LX is a very expensive car, with base prices for the current models topping $100,000, but you can get $30,000 off the original MSRP if you look at previous generations. We’d say that’s a good deal. You’ll pay around $62,000 for a 2021 model, and, if you go further back in the third generation—say to 2018—you can get an LX 570 for around $46,000.
Lexus LX Pros and Cons
Pros:
- Standard all-wheel drive
- Comfortable
- Offers two or three rows
Cons:
- Poor fuel economy
- Unintuitive technology
- Not as spacious as some competitors
Lexus LX Generations
Lexus LX Fourth Generation (2022-Present)
When the Lexus LX entered its fourth generation, it became the most luxurious, most rugged, and most advanced version of this full-size body-on-frame SUV. It’s built on the GA-F Toyota New Global Architecture platform, shared with the J300 Toyota Land Cruiser, the Sequoia, and the Tundra. It’s also 441 pounds lighter than the previous generation, which improves the ride and handling.
The V8 was ditched for this generation, as was the previously logical alpha-numeric nomenclature. The Lexus LX 600 is now equipped with a 409-horsepower, 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6 and paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. When properly equipped it can tow up to 8,000 pounds.
At launch it had five trim levels: Standard, Premium, Luxury, F Sport and Ultra Luxury.
Other than the powertrain, one of the biggest changes for this generation was the inclusion of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto with the addition of the Lexus Interface infotainment system. There were three screens up front, including a 12.3-inch gauge cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen that displays navigation and audio controls, and a lower seven-inch screen that displays climate controls and driving support for the Multi-Terrain Select system.
Another change of note was the expanded range of height positions with the Active Height Control suspension. It will automatically adjust vehicle height depending on the activation of the Drive Mode Select or Multi-Terrain Selection.
Standard features included a leather-trimmed interior, seating for five, a power moonroof, a power rear liftgate, quad-zone climate control, and the Lexus Safety System+ 2.5. Standard off-road tech included the adjustable suspension, four-wheel drive, a locking center differential, Crawl Control, Multi-Terrain Select, hill-descent control, and a Multi-Terrain Monitor.
The Lexus LX 600 Premium added a seven-seat option, power-folding third-row seat, heated-and ventilated front seats, a leather-trimmed steering wheel, a head-up display, and six USB ports. Leveling up to the LX 600 Luxury trim added ventilated second-row seats, manual rear sunshades, a one-touch, fold-flat power rear seat, and a 25-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. The Lexus LX F Sport was more than just a design package, though it did get a unique black grille, 22-inch alloy wheels, unique seats, and F Sport badging. It also added uniquely tuned front and rear shock absorbers, a Torsen limited-slip differential, a rear stabilizer, and specially tuned power steering.
The Lexus LX 600 Ultra Luxury is a new four-seat trim for this full-size SUV, and all the luxury features and amenities you can imagine. Standard were a digital rear camera mirror, a rear-seat wireless phone charger, dual 11.4-inch rear entertainment screens, diamond-stitched semi-aniline leather seats, massaging second-row captain’s chairs that recline, and a power rear ottoman for the right rear passenger.
In 2023, the Lexus LX added a standard heated steering wheel in the base trim and Takanoha wood trim in the Ultra Luxury trim. In 2025 the base and Ultra Luxury trims were dropped for the LX 600, but the bigger change—and perhaps the biggest change for the LX lineup throughout all generations—was the addition of a hybrid powertrain.
The Lexus LX 700h hybrid joined the lineup with a base Overtrail off-road trim and took over the Ultra Luxury trim from the LX 600. The LX 700h also offered F Sport Handling and Luxury trims.
The Lexus LX 700h was equipped with a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V6 in addition to the hybrid system, and total power output was 457 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. As you may have guessed, this system was more about power than fuel efficiency, and it didn’t get a significant increase in fuel economy over the gasoline model. In fact, both models got an estimated 22 mpg in highway driving. The LX 600 returned 17 mpg in city driving, while the LX 700h got 19 mpg. Like the LX 600, the LX 700h also had a maximum towing capacity of 8,000 pounds.
A couple of standout features on the LX 700h included the 2,400-watt AC inverter, which helped power your tailgate or campsite, and the inclusion of both an alternator and a starter, which enabled independent engine ignition in the event that the hybrid system became inoperative.
Lexus LX Third Generation (2008–2021)
In this longest-running generation for the Lexus LX, there was still a strong relationship with the Toyota Land Cruiser, and it shared the Toyota F1 platform with the J200 series Land Cruiser, the Toyota Tundra, and the Toyota Sequoia. The third-gen LX was longer and wider than the previous generation but retained the same wheelbase.
The Lexus LX was equipped with a 383-hp 5.7-liter V8 engine and a six-speed sequential-shift automatic transmission and was known as the Lexus LX 570. The front suspension used a double wishbone, while the rear kept the multi-link suspension with a solid rear axle.
At launch, the third-gen Lexus LX came standard with 20-inch wheels, an adaptive front lighting system, power-folding third-row seats, a four-wheel electro-hydraulic suspension, an updated adjustable height control system, a Crawl Control system for low-speed cruise control in off-roading situations, a multi-terrain anti-lock braking system, and hill-start assist control. Available luxury amenities in this generation included semi-aniline leather seats, four-zone climate control, heated-and-ventilated seats, a 19-speaker Mark Levinson surround sound audio system, navigation, XM satellite radio, park assist, a DVD rear entertainment system, and a center console cooler.
The LX 570 got a slight refresh in 2011, which included a new front bumper and the first iteration of Lexus’s spindle grille. This was also the first time the LX got a heated steering wheel option. A more substantial facelift occurred in 2013, with a new grille, bumpers, and taillights. In 2016, the LX got some more exterior design tweaks, an all-new interior, an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a 12.3-inch navigation screen. At this time, it also got the Lexus Safety System+ as standard fare, which included a pre-collision system with pedestrian detection, lane departure alert, dynamic radar cruise control, and intelligent automatic high beams.
Vehicles in this generation are more widely available, and you’ll likely be able to find one for sale close to home. We saw prices ranging from $15,000 to about $80,000, but if you’re looking for a well-maintained, accident-free model with fewer than 100,000 miles, you’ll find some good options in the $40,000 to $50,000 range.
Lexus LX Second Generation (1998–2007)
Based on the J100 Toyota Land Cruiser, the second-generation Lexus LX hit the U.S. in the second quarter of 1998 and was called the LX 470. It shared the floor pan and most body panels with the Land Cruiser, but sported a larger grille, quad headlights, and different wheels.
The second-generation LX got an upgraded engine and was powered by a 230-hp 4.7-liter V8. It initially had a four-speed automatic transmission, but in 2003, it upgraded to a five-speed automatic. The Lexus LX 470 was rated to tow up to 6,500 pounds when equipped with the tow package.
The Lexus LX 470 dropped the old-school solid-axle layout for a front independent suspension, which included an adjustable height control hydraulic suspension and an adaptive variable suspension with normal, comfort, and sport drive modes. Options included a Nakamichi stereo with a six-disc CD changer. We saw the likes of vehicle stability control, brake assist, and Toyota’s Active Traction Control System (A-TRAC) become standard in 2000. Then a DVD navigation system and Mark Levinson sound system were offered from 2001.
The second-generation got a slight refresh in 2003, when it added the five-speed automatic transmission, an extra five horsepower, larger 18-inch wheels, a new front bumper, and a redesigned interior. At this time, the LX 470 also got available Bluetooth phone connectivity and a backup camera. Standard features included side-torso airbags, side-curtain airbags, and rain-sensing wipers, while an 11-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system with a DVD rear-seat entertainment system were optional. A Night View infrared camera system became an option in 2002.
The Lexus LX 470 got another refresh in 2006, which included LED taillights and 40 more horsepower.
You’ll likely have to travel for a second-generation LX, and most vehicles in this generation will be high mileage. However, you should be able to find a well-maintained model in the $15,000 to $20,000 range.
Lexus LX First Generation (1996–1997)
The first-generation Lexus LX came to the U.S. in early 1996, and it was based on the sixth-generation J80 Toyota Land Cruiser. Dubbed the Lexus LX 450, it got more luxurious interior materials, and softer suspension settings. It was nearly identical to the Land Cruiser on the exterior, except for the grille, wheels, and side-body cladding. It had the distinction of being Lexus’s first luxury SUV.
This was when the alpha-numeric nomenclature made sense, because the LX 450 was equipped with a 215-hp 4.5-liter inline-six-cylinder engine, paired with a four-speed automatic transmission.
It included leather upholstery and seating for up to seven passengers. It was pre-wired for the Lexus remote telephone system and had remote key entry. It had three options, which included a six-disc CD changer, electronic front and rear locking differentials, and a power moonroof.
You’ll be able to find a Lexus LX in this generation, but you’re going to have to travel for it. We found 13 for sale, and most had more than 100,000 miles. Prices were all over the board, but you’ll likely pay between $20,000 and $30,000. We did see one priced at $110,000, but that model only had 27,000 miles on it and looked to be in excellent condition.
