The LX Killed the Land Cruiser, Now the 2022 Lexus LX 600 Looks Ready To Replace the Legendary Toyota SUV in a Safari-themed Photoshoot
The first Toyota Land Cruiser was a bare-bones 4×4. But every subsequent generation became more luxurious. Finally, in 2021, the Land Cruiser’s price had climbed to nearly that of its cousin, the Lexus LX 570. As sales plummeted, Toyota canceled the North American Land Cruiser. But this leaves a safari-ready-luxury-SUV-sized hole in Toyota Motor Corporation’s lineup. The all-new 2022 Lexus LX 600 is poised to step into the Land Cruiser’s place.
The 2022 Lexus LX 600 SUV price: higher than the Land Cruiser would have been
Many SUV fans know the Lexus LX series has Land Cruiser origins. When Toyota spun off its Lexus luxury brand, it rebadged some Toyota Land Cruisers as the Lexus LX series. Over the years, the Land Cruiser has grown larger and more capable, and so has the Lexus LX. But at the same time, the Land Cruiser became an increasingly luxurious SUV and thus more expensive.
For example, by the 2021 model year, the Lexus LX price started at $86,970. The same year, the 2021 Land Cruiser started at $85,665. Toyota Motor Corporation found its SUVs were competing with each other. When the Land Cruiser’s U.S. sales slumped, Toyota decided not to offer the new 300-series in North America.
The 2022 Lexus LX 600, however, will be available in the United States. The sticker price of the new LX will probably be several thousand higher than 2021’s $86,870 model. With opulent options such as the “ultra luxury package,” top-trim LX 600s will easily command six figures.
The 2022 Lexus LX 600 specs: borrowed from the Toyota Land Cruiser
The 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 debuted in markets outside North America during the summer of 2021. It was the first vehicle on the Toyota New Global Architecture full-frame (TNGA-F) chassis. The LX 600 will ride on the same chassis.
Toyota is pioneering a series of common chassis for all new Toyota and Lexus vehicles. Each chassis leverages lightweight alloys and composite materials. For example, all TNGA-F vehicles use a fully-boxed frame to save weight. They also share height-adjustable coil-spring suspension on all four corners.
The new chassis shaved an impressive 400 pounds off the 2022 LX. In addition, the LX 600’s center of gravity is lower than the LX 570s, while the new SUV is 20% stiffer. This translates to some serious off-road ability and on-road performance.
The Land Cruiser 300 series was also the first SUV with Toyota’s new Dynamic Force 3.4-Liter V6. This engine is a next-generation powerplant, using twin turbochargers and VVT-i technology to achieve greater power and efficiency than a V8.
The all-new V6 will make 409 horsepower in the 2022 Lexus LX. This is 30 more horsepower than the outgoing model, making the 600 the most powerful LX ever. The SUV will also benefit from a ten-speed automatic transmission and a limited-slip differential.
The Lexus LX 2022 interior makes it the king of the safari
While the 2022 LX 600 will be able to conquer the trails like a Land Cruiser, it will do so with the distinct style of a Lexus. The automaker is heaping on the technology and interior options for its flagship SUV.
The Lexus LX driver will enjoy three separate screens. The first is the horizontally-mounted 12.3-inch dashboard touchscreen. This screen gives the driver and front passenger access to the infotainment center, navigation, Apple Play, Android Auto and the Lexus personal assistant. Below that screen is a 7-inch touch screen to control vehicle functions such as the temperature controls. Finally, the driver has their own 8-inch digital instrument panel above the steering wheel column.
The LX 600 improves on the LX 570 with a third row of seating that folds flat into the cargo area. Either half of the 50/50 seat row can recline or stow away on its own.
Finally, buyers can also option their SUV with the LX 600’s ultra luxury package. Lexus has created this four-person setup with a pair of rear captain’s chairs in the place of a rear bench. Artisans upholstered the top-trim SUV in diamond-stitched semi-aniline leather. The resplendent cabin even features a power-retractable ottoman and personal tray tables.
Just like the Land Cruiser before it, the Lexus LX 600 is ready to give any adventure a swanky safari vibe–whether on-road or beyond.
