2008 Lexus LX570 - First Drive

bankhead submitted on 12/20/2007 Official AutoSpies Timestamp: 12:29 PM
from: www.motortrend.com

Tags: 2008 Lexus LX570 , 2008 Lexus LX570

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2008 Lexus LX570

2008 Lexus LX570 - First Drive

Sure, she's a dancing hippo, but she's light on her big feet and well turned out.

A jet-lagged, carb-loaded mind is wander-prone, so while the Lexus rep described how the cross-linked variable-rate shocks use a spring-rate valve to help limit dive, squat, and roll in the new LX 570, improving its dynamic handling, I daydreamed first of hippopotami in ballerina skirts, then of the Rubenesque Motormouth Maybelle dancing to "Big, Blonde, and Beautiful" in the musical adaptation of John Waters's "Hairspray." This largest Lexus has no more business vamoosing through chicanes than it does scaling 45-degree slopes, fording two-foot-deep streams, or straddling nine-inch-tall rocks, and yet it's capable of doing all the above.

In fact, it seems to have been optimized for such bushwacking, with innovations like Crawl Control (think three-speed downhill-assist that also works uphill), Active Height Control (which can tip-toe three inches above or kneel camel-like 2.4 inches below normal ride height. "What percentage of your buyers go off-road?" a colleague asks. "Um, I don't think we have numbers on that," the presenter dodges. Later we tackle ranch trails carved to showcase the LX's 24-inch chassis articulation (the max one wheel can deflect without another leaving the ground) and are impressed. Read Article

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DaHarder - 12/20/2007 2:23:45 PM

+10 Boost

"The LX 570 is not fun to drive. It's hyper-quiet, comfortable, and capable all out of proportion to its buyers' needs, always ready to pirouette or plie on demand."

But the question is...

Is the Toyota Land Cruiser any less so?

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w209w114 - 12/20/2007 2:28:34 PMView My AgentSpace

+7 Boost

Hyundai - 12/23/2007 6:07:15 PM

+2 Boost

Why get a GL?

Because you have the money!

You don't actually need the offroad capability or all the leather and wood, but it sure looks nice (that is the reasoning behind all of these purchases that we pretend to rationalize, when really, we don't at all need them!).

carguy68 - 12/20/2007 2:26:41 PM

+7 Boost

yawn

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JWalkerLegrande - 12/20/2007 4:02:19 PM

0 Boost

Remember, the primary target for this beast was the Escalade. Hard for me to picture the BET Awards night showing the pimped LCs or LXs. This things is the next Tundra - DOA.

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r15mohd - 12/20/2007 4:11:30 PM

+3 Boost

next tundra? the tundra has pretty much met its sales traget, won numerous awards, including truck of the year, you shouldn't anticipate such success up front. ;)

the LX is a great vehicle, a close friend of mine owns a 2007 LX and is seriously considering upgrading once this comes out. it is truly an amazing truck...from options released so far!

r15mohd - 12/21/2007 8:26:51 AM

+5 Boost

due to fall of market...toyota are doing something evey automaker will do in 2008.

please don't try and assign it with bad sales, both aspects are on either end of the spectrum!

Porschinator - 12/20/2007 4:11:01 PM

-1 Boost

At 12/18 mpg will Eco-hippies bash it like they do for Hummers?

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r15mohd - 12/20/2007 4:21:37 PM

+3 Boost

how many of the vehicles in this class can capture a standard ULEV II rating, which the LX570 is most likely going to achieve?

may not be the best mpg available, but it doesn't produce harmful gases as do the others. same mpg with better greenhouse!

DaHarder - 12/20/2007 4:26:48 PM

+4 Boost

That's still vastly better MPG than my 2004 range Rover Ever Achieved, and with far more space/utility.

If it is rated ULEV II, then that is quite an accomplishment, though not unexpected from Toyota.

flychronic - 12/20/2007 7:04:52 PM

0 Boost

I really think Lexus missed the mark with this design,I really was expecting more. I am still buying one, since I have no other choice.

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Bill - 12/20/2007 8:05:56 PM

+2 Boost

No choice?

There are so many choices in this class.

flychronic - 12/21/2007 1:41:11 PM

+1 Boost

I already had a 4.4 X5,Cayenne S and currently have a 06 RR, what is the point of repeating? Thus, the LX570.
Plus it's for my wife and kids, I couldn't care less how it performs. Although I have to say the Cayenne and LX 570 are even in the ugly dept. The X5 and RR are still a beauty IMO.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/20/2007 8:04:14 PM

+4 Boost

Not as slow as it looks

LX 570 /// 0-60 = 7.4secs

Range Rover Sport Supercharged /// 0-60 = 7.1secs

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Bill - 12/20/2007 8:12:43 PM

+4 Boost

I don't get it. Why do people care about 0-60 times in an SUV? If I want a sports car, I'll buy a sports car. Not some overweight SUV that already gets piss poor fuel economy and isn't meant to drag race.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/20/2007 8:22:05 PM

0 Boost

You do not get it ?

I Do

The Range Rover Sport Supercharged uses a Supercharged 4.2 L engine that produces 390-400hp and it only manages 7.1secs for 0-60. {This vehicle is marketed as a Fast, Agile & Sporty SUV}

So if the 383hp LX570 manages it in 7.4secs while cocooning the occupants in ultra quiet luxury, then it is not as Clumsy as it looks.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/20/2007 9:48:10 PMView My AgentSpace

-5 Boost

BMW X5 4.8i /// 0-60 in 6.4

Better mileage

Better looks

Better interior (than either of the above)

I know what I'd choose... and I did.

Bill - 12/21/2007 6:17:07 AM

-3 Boost

Mr. I95,

My point is as follows:

Why stuff an overpowered engine into an overweight SUV for the sake of luxury and poor fuel economy?

I prefer the European mentality when it comes to these big SUVs: equip them with a diesel engine and you can still have loads of fun while achieving better fuel economy.

Two weeks ago I tried the GL320 CDI and I was impressed with the power and acceleration. You might think a 3.0 V6 CDI engine would be "underpowered" for such a heavy truck, but it isn't. The enormous torque reserves make up for any weight defecits present.

I like how Lexus claims to be "green" and then they produce something like this, with no diesel or at least a hybrid alternative.

I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/21/2007 7:02:37 AM

-1 Boost

S4:
I agree with you, if i am in the market again for an SUV for City or Suburb use then the X5 4.8i or Cayenne Turbo are my only choices. {Maybe X6} hence my ommision of the X5 from my above comparison.

However if I had 2-3 children and have to do school runs and we need a vehicle with seating for 7 { Which is quite useful very often } or i had to buy an SUV for use in Nigeria i would only consider the Q7 4.2 TDI or this LX570 as it makes a lot of sense for its intended use.

Fastonekiller:
I have driven the Range Rover Sport Supercharged on many occasions and it drives nothing like it looks, It looks like it can hold its own against or beat the X5 or Cayenne S but it is so slow and unresponsive compared to either. The only one that drove as well as it looked was my cousin's that was modified by Overfinch {40k mod}.

I am 6ft 4in and the driving position in the Range Sport has my Right Knee jammed up against the Center Console.

Do not be fooled by the Range Sport Looks, it is not sporty unless you are comparing it to its Big Brother or the likes of the Escalade & Navigator, it is not Agile again unless you are comparing it to the Behemoths mentioned above, I have not driven the LX570 yet but i am confident that based on the 0-60mph times, it will be a lot more agile than it looks, which i think is better than looking a lot more agile that it actually is.

autopro - 12/21/2007 11:02:07 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

That is till that POS brakes down.

lexusis350 - 12/20/2007 9:20:59 PM

+1 Boost

I was just looking at the LX on Lexus' website and this is an incredible vehicle. I thought the last one was nice, but this one blows the old LX out of the water. I'm extremely impressed with this.

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enthusiastx11 - 12/20/2007 9:33:59 PM

+1 Boost

that's one expensive toyota! just went and built one on the lexus site: $84,000!

given that most of these are driven in suburbia there are much better options for less...X5 4.8, GL550, etc.

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I95SPEEDINGTICKETS - 12/20/2007 9:42:40 PM

-2 Boost

Oh ?

I was under the impression that a fully loaded 4.8 X5 was around the $80k mark.

S4cabriofoxone - 12/20/2007 9:51:13 PMView My AgentSpace

-2 Boost

Nope. Loaded to the gills at about $75K... but well-equipped at $65K.

chilipalmer - 12/21/2007 11:29:53 AMView My AgentSpace

+2 Boost

The Lexus dealer I work for has been allocated one by Lexus for the initial vehicle and they are building full spec at $84,088. This Lexus will certainly seperate the men from the boys when it comes time to pay up!!

huu76 - 12/20/2007 11:05:03 PM

+2 Boost

This is too much SUV for me, but a hybrid version would be interesting if they dropped it below $60K.

What % goes off-road. That's a stupid question, try 0. What happens to an SAV/SUV when off-road comes onroad in the form of 2ft of snow or torrential rain or construction?

"All of the vehicles included in the comparison test climbed to the summit...the X5 required a second run at the incline to make it to the next flat...With two tires spinning freely, we were officially stuck....we managed a U-turn...and let Hill Descent Control handle velocity on the way back down to the road."
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=44276/pageNumber=1?synpartner=edmunds&pageurl=www.edmunds.com/used/2001/bmw/x5/100000552/roadtestarticle.html&articleId=44276

Read how many complaints they had about the X5 but because of the badge, it was allowed a 1st place tie with the MDX.
http://www.edmunds.com/apps/vdpcontainers/do/vdp/articleId=71177/pageNumber=6

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huu76 - 12/20/2007 11:07:06 PM

-3 Boost

I do like the old X5's looks, but as a vehicle, it's practically useless.

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DaHarder - 12/21/2007 1:17:34 AM

+1 Boost

You obviously don't own one...

My X5 4.8is is a gem, great performance, solid utility, tough as nails.

Bill - 12/21/2007 6:19:05 AM

0 Boost

"I do like the old X5's looks, but as a vehicle, it's practically useless."

What does that make the Lexus RX then? Useful?

Htay7500 - 12/21/2007 6:27:51 PM

+1 Boost

an LC, X5 or GL would be the top of my list. I'd have any one of these over a glorified LC and tahoe/suburban.

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Denali - 12/23/2007 10:50:48 PM

+1 Boost

the LX/LC are still one my top 3 best SUV ever but i wouldnt get the new LX, over a brand new LC, ill get the last gen LX, im sorry but if im looking in this range the X5 or GL wouldnt come to mind, im a grown azz man with grown taste, RR sport, the real G wagen, and of course the "BLING out Caddy ESV" lol...

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bevisroy - 12/27/2007 5:26:58 PM

+1 Boost

WONT GET OUT OF ITS OWN WAY

As usual Lexus estimates 0-60 mph 7.4 sec (mfr est)

What a bunch of hooey.

Lexus ALWAYS understates their 0 - 60 times by at least .5 seconds. Here are the results of the 5 Top Luxury Cars in this test which was reported in the January Issue of Car and Driver. Please note these tests were all done on the same day at about the same time and at the same altitude. The results reflect the average of 3 runs and all cars are the 2007 vintage.

Mercedes S550 5.6, 0 - 60 quarter mile in 14.1 (Benz show 5.4 in their specs)
BMW 750iL 5.7, 0 - 60 quarter mile in 14.2
Jag XJ Super 6.0 0 - 60 quarter mile 14.5
Lexus LS460L 6.2 0 - 60 quarter mile 14.6
Audi A8 6.8 0 - 60 quarter mile 15.2

Note that Lexus, as usual, is more than the 5.4 the manufacturer CLAIMS to get by .8 seconds.

Also note the LS430 (prior model the LS460 replaced) was rated at 295 HP and was actually 278 when Lexus corrected their rating. And there were no refunds or apologies from the so-called "quality" car company. ABC - Always Be Careful what you buy from the (REPREHENSIBLE) Toyota/Lexus people.....

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autopro - 12/29/2007 10:55:37 AMView My AgentSpace

+1 Boost

I bought a range rover in 1998 it left me stranded three times,the bought it back and gave me a new one,and the same thing happen two more times,so I traded it in on a 2000 Lx470 an put 300,000 miles on it and had no problems.That's why people buy Lexus products.

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