Following the introduction of the all-new Lexus LX last year, the Japanese brand has announced pricing and updates for the 2023 model year with select new features, more luxurious trimmings, and the expansion of the color palette on the F Sport Handling trim.
Now in its fourth generation, the LX has taken on higher levels of luxury than the defunct-in-the-USA Toyota Land Cruiser. Amplifying that for the new model year, Lexus's updates are small but meaningful. Now standard on the 2023 Lexus LX lineup is a heated steering wheel and rear-seat entertainment screen covers. Other tweaks are more trim-specific, with the F Sport Handling trim now gaining access to Nori Green Pearl paintwork.
Perhaps the biggest update is to the four-seat-only Ultra-Luxury trim, which now gets the option of Sunflare (orange) interior upholstery, while its trim inserts are now the more luxurious Takanoha wood - a luxurious Japanese style of engraved wood - instead of open-pore wood on lesser models.
That accounts for the biggest price increase in the LX 600 lineup, up to $129,250 from last year's $127,345. These prices include a destination and handling charge of $1,345.
The rest of the lineup has also been subject to a price hike. In base form, the LX 600 costs $89,160 - up from last year's $88,245 - with the Premium carrying an MSRP of $97,110. The F Sport Handling, which gets Nori Green for the new year, costs $103,370, while second from the top, the LX 600 Luxury asks $105,110.
If you haven't looked at the redesigned LX and are in the market for a big people hauler with impressive off-road clout, you're missing out. The model was completely redesigned for 2022 with major upgrades and is vastly better than the model it replaced.
Built on the TNGA-F platform, it's 20% stiffer than the last model, more capable off-road, and more luxurious with newer tech and refinement technologies.
The piece de resistance is the 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 in place of the old lump of a V8. The engine makes 409 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque, but most importantly, it's more fuel efficient than the last model, capable of 17/22/19 mpg, city/highway/combined.
By taking the Lexus LX more upmarket, it's beginning to shed its 'Land Cruiser with a fancy badge' image. The Toyota Sequoia has taken on the mantle of an affordable large off-roader, while the LX has moved into a territory where it can truly challenge the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator. The move has clearly proven the right one, as Lexus is struggling to keep up with demand.