• 2012 Lexus LX

• Used Lexus LX
• Repairs Lexus LX

The Lexus LX 570 impresses reviewers with its off-road capabilities and relatively comfortable city ride. Though its engine is plenty powerful for most test drivers, its abundant power means you’ll take a significant hit at the gas station. Few competitors can match the LX’s off-road performance, but unlike many other mountain-climbing SUVs, the LX doesn’t offer much of a trade-off in on-road manners.

• "Few luxury SUVs handle on-road duties as well as the off-road ones like the LX. Plenty of power to tow or just go really fast. Refined and quiet, the epitome of Lexus luxury." -- Car and Driver
• "The … Lexus LX 570 offers a remarkable combination of around-town civility and off-road capability.” -- Edmunds
• "Highway wind rush is impressively low, but coarse-surface tire thrum is noticeable. So, too, is the V8's classy-sounding growl at full throttle." -- Consumer Guide

Acceleration and Power

The 2012 Lexus LX’s 5.7-liter V8 makes 383 horsepower and 403 pound-feet of torque, and is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Test drivers say that’s plenty of power to get the heavy LX going, and they mention that the transmission is fairly smooth and accurate.

According to the EPA, the Lexus LX 570 nets 12/18 mpg city/highway, which is pretty poor, even for a V8-powered luxury large SUV. The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid is far more fuel-efficient, with an EPA-estimated fuel economy rating of 20/23 mpg city/highway, even in four-wheel drive models. However, the Escalade Hybrid isn’t nearly as capable off-road as this Lexus is.

The LX can tow up to 7,000 pounds, which is about average for its class.

• "Lexus says 0-60 mph takes 7.2 seconds, which seems right to us. LX 570's muscular V8 and smooth, responsive transmission deliver good highway-speed passing punch." -- Consumer Guide
• "The powerful 5.7-liter V8 engine provides remarkable acceleration for such a large and heavy vehicle, and it makes quick work of towing tasks.” -- Edmunds
• “The six-speed automatic isn’t quite as smooth as Lexus’s newer eight-speed, but it’s still slicker than most.” -- The Truth About Cars

Handling and Braking

Overall, reviewers say that the Lexus LX 570’s ride is comfortable both on and off the pavement for such a large SUV. Some complain of light steering and significant body lean, though this is a fairly common trait among most trucks and truck-based SUVs. A standard adjustable suspension lets drivers choose between comfort, sport and normal ride settings.

The Lexus LX comes standard with full-time four-wheel drive, a two-speed transfer case and a manual-locking, limited-slip differential. Since it’s based on the Toyota Land Cruiser, the LX retains most of its sibling’s off-road prowess. Lexus also adds off-road aids that are becoming common to most off-road SUVs, like rock crawl control, hill-start assist and a side-view camera, though it doesn’t offer a terrain selection system like Land Rovers, Jeeps or the Ford Explorer have.

• "Supple ride for such a big guy." -- Car and Driver
• "The topper, though, is how good this luxury vehicle is once you leave the pavement. The LX 570's combination of rugged construction, advanced suspension design and off-road Crawl Control program lets owners easily motor through all but the toughest terrain.” -- Edmunds
• "It's equally as comfortable off-road as well.” -- Kelley Blue Book
• "For a beast, it rides extraordinarily well, quelling the roughest pavement we could find." -- Left Lane News
• "The steering is too light for our tastes but is quick and has good feedback. Fairly tight turn radius aids maneuverability. This SUV exhibits stable highway feel and fairly modest cornering lean, but high build and hefty weight demand lots of slowing for tighter bends." -- Consumer Guide