Ultra-modern Styling & Old-school Bones

The Best Of Both Worlds?

- Brett T. Evans

To those in the know, the Lexus LX 570 is so much more than a posh luxury SUV designed for Westchester County lawyers and Beverly Hills plastic surgeons. Although its overpowering Lexus-signature spindle grille and massive 20-inch wheels are made for priority placement at the valet stand, the biggest Lexus on the market today actually takes most of its mechanicals from the 200-Series Toyota Land Cruiser. That means the LX 570 is equipped with such niceties as a locking center differential, low-range transfer case, and the latest in Toyota’s off-road electronics.

Our time with this particular LX 570 was split into two occasions—the first being our trip to the Colorado Climb in September and the second a full week of daily driving and a two-night trip to Palm Springs a month later. Both encounters gave us a strong handle on what this Lexus does best: Get dirty in the mountains one day, then polished up for a wedding the next.

Dapper in Denver

Given its aging platform (the 200-Series Land Cruiser debuted more than 12 years ago), weexpected old-school off-road dynamics from the Lexus LX 570 in our day of off-roading in the Rocky Mountains near Breckenridge. With the center differential locked and the 20-inch wheels and P285/50R20 tires moving through a commendable amount of travel, the big SUV tackled a technical, rock-strewn trail without any drama whatsoever.