2021 Lexus LX 570 Test Drive Review

Shop Lexus LX 570 Inventory

2021 Lexus LX 570 Interior

Despite being the oldest SUV in its segment, the inside of the 2021 Lexus LX 570 features a luxurious interior. My tester boasted beautiful red leather on the seats and door panel, along with dark, glossy wood and brushed metal trim. The standard navigation system features a wide, 12.3-inch screen that's easily controlled through the mouse-like Remote Touch Interface. An array of buttons, knobs and switches are used to control all the various off-road functions and drive modes, and this tester also had a $170 cooled center console storage area.

For maximum comfort, the LX comes standard with leather seating, a 14-way power adjustable driver's seat, a 12-way power front passenger's seat, four-zone climate control, and a power-sliding second-row seat. Opting for the $1,190 Luxury Package makes the cabin even more upscale, as it includes perforated semi-aniline leather seats, heated and cooled front seats, heated and cooled outboard second-row seats, and a heated, wood-trimmed steering wheel. Additional options on this tester included the $2,350 Mark Levinson 19-speaker audio system, $2,005 dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system, $900 head-up display, and $75 wireless smartphone charger.

There's plenty of space for adults to sit comfortably in all three rows, but unlike most other modern three-row SUVs, the rear row of seats doesn't fold flat into the cargo floor. Instead they fold up against the wheel wells, which limits cargo volume.

Shop Lexus LX 570 Inventory

2021 Lexus LX 570 Powertrain

The 2021 Lexus LX 570 is powered by a 5.7-liter V-8 rated at 383 horsepower and 403 lb-ft of torque. That big mill is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. With EPA-rated fuel economy estimates of 12 mpg city and 16 highway, this old-school engine returns old-school efficiency. But it also returns a factory-stated 0-60 mph acceleration time of 7.3 seconds, which is decent for a luxury off-roader weighing close to three tons. Obviously, those aren't stellar fuel economy numbers, but my tester was able to beat both the official estimates and deliver 16.1 mpg after a week of driving.

Even with its big, 20-inch wheels and rugged body-on-frame design, the LX 570 has a surprisingly smooth ride, and with great sight lines and advanced driver-assist technology, it's extremely easy to drive. When it comes to off-roading, the LX is even more at home, as the full-time four-wheel drive and Torsen limited-slip locking center differential provides a torque split of 40:60 under normal driving conditions.

Since it shares its underpinnings with the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser, the 2020 LX incorporates off-road elements into its design, including 8.9 inches of ground clearance, 25 degrees of approach angle, and 23 degrees of departure angle. Plus, the standard Crawl Control feature made easy work of tough terrain, as I was able to do some light off-roading on sandy, rutty Florida trails, and it performed flawlessly.

Shop Lexus LX 570 Inventory

2021 Lexus LX 570 Safety

The 2021 Lexus LX 570 has not been rated by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which is normal for vehicles in this price range.

Lack of ratings aside, it does come standard with ten airbags and the Lexus Safety System+. This suite of safety features includes Pre-Collision System with Pedestrian Detection, All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, Lane Departure Alert and Intelligent High Beam.