Lexus LX 450d

2.32 crore (ex-showroom) we say: The Flagship Lexus Has a Lot Going for It, Except for the Price.

- Girish Karkera

The world over, as it has panned out, Lexus has become synonymous with luxury cars that run on hybrid power. This one is about half way there. Strange we say that about a flagship car but this is a pure (for want of a better word) oil burner. Of course, there is a hybrid version too but not in India because when it comes to shelling out big monies for big SUVs, we still like them to be conventional.

Derived from the same platform as the much, much cheaper Toyota Land Cruiser 200, the LX has presence of a different kind. The massive spindle-shaped grille at the front, unique three-LED headlamps and chunky 18-inch wheels, all add to a mix of modern and old-school looks we like from a full-sized SUV.

While Lexus has been around since 1989 globally, in India, we have had our fair share of imports. It’s 2017 and what we get are cars that sport its new design language that was introduced a couple of years ago. Like its other stablemates, the LX boasts edgy design with sharp lines and corners. Taking a cue from the name, you can actually see the letter ‘L’ in various forms on the vehicle – be it the LED DRLs, the fog lamp recesses in the front bumper or even in the way the spindle grille is shaped. Lexus is only offering 18-inch alloys for now in India but it comes with chunky Bridgestone rubber and looks more than adequate for a car this size.

Sitting in the LX is like watching the world around from a vantage point. You need to climb in, literally; ground clearance is 225mm. But there is help in the form of adaptive suspension that lowers the car by around 50mm to make getting in and out easier.