Instead of rolling out a 2012 version, Lexus held back a year to get ahead a year with the LX 570—if that makes any sense. The second-generation LX 570 wasn't due until 2014, yet here it is for 2013, without a 2012 version to precede it, even though this 2013 is more like the style refresh anticipated for 2012, since it debuted at the 2011 auto shows. Selling just shy of 4,000 models in 2010 probably slowed things down a bit, but the more likely culprits are the vast improvements to the driving dynamics of this 8-person luxury utility vehicle.

If you thought the LX 570 was miraculously capable before, just wait 'til you experience the tightened low-speed turning radius and new additions like Crawl Control and selectable active suspension modes tailored to varying degrees of on-road comfort and off-road prowess. While some of that isn't especially new to fans of the LX, the new automated Easy Access amenities are sure to impress. That "old" Active Height Suspension learns a new trick for 2013, lowering this behemoth for a shorter step up while retracting the steering wheel and driver's seat until you start the engine, returning the steering and seat to their upright and normal positions for take-off, and retracting again shortly after landing in a parking spot and turning off the engine without even so much effort as an overhead announcement requires.

Lexus also endowed the 2013 LX 570 with its second installment of the company's Enform 2.0 informatics system update, connecting you to services like local search, social networking, table reservations and streaming music via voice recognition—not to be confused with "voice command," which doesn't respond to casual improv like this system. A household-standard 120-volt outlet now waits in the center row to charge whatever the cellular du'jour providing all that internet connectivity happens to be, so you can rest squarely in those improved-cooling front seats and move the world with just your lips and fingertips.

Aside from function, Lexus also freshened the style in this year's slightly taller and wider edition, adding several stainless-steel accents to the exterior to go along with the new grille, wheel design and metal-accented lamps, sporting turn signals in the side views and new grey and tan paint variants. Inside the cabin is a new tan leather treatment—dubbed Parchment instead of the 2011's Cashmere—and several real mahogany and dark chrome accents. A new color multi-information display nests nicely in the artfully re-arranged dash to round out an impressively improved flagship for the 2013 Lexus lineup.

Nothing at all changed about the engine, fuel economy or safety standards, so the 2013 LX 570 is still a V8 powerhouse with 7,000 pounds of towing know-how and almost all of those 403 lb-ft of peak torque available at just 2,200 rpm. The 6-speed automatic transmission coupled with the same full-time 4-wheel-drive system is still flawless, but all together it also still guzzles premium gas for 12 mpg city/18 highway—but it can go more places and do more things than the 2011, so keeping that figure was a feat nonetheless. The few drivers who stopped joy-riding long enough to leave a review are ecstatic, and since the customer is always right, it looks like Lexus hit the nail on the head with this remake. Bravo.