The 5.7-liter motor is reported to blast the 5995-pound truck from 0 to 60 in less than seven seconds. Three different suspension settings allow you to tune the ride from firm to soft (even wallowy) on the fly. Of note, the tow rating for the LX has been increased by 2000 pounds to 8500. That's best in class, and in real-world pulling, the LX 570 shrugged off an 8000-pound trailer we hitched to the built-in receiver. To further encourage towing, the LX includes a seven-pin connector, prewiring for an aftermarket trailer brake controller, and dual air and water cooling to control automatic transmission fluid temperatures.
As you'd expect in a Lexus, the silent three-row cabin is draped in high-quality materials and sensibly placed switchgear. The interior offers first-in-class four-zone climate control for front-seat and middle-row passengers. The only interior shortcoming is that the electronically stowed third row doesn't fold flat and can't be removed, a throwback to the truck's live-rear-axle heritage.
Lexus aims to triple the number of LXs sold annually in the United States to around 10,000; however, they're expected to cost over $70,000. No doubt some buyers will have to have the best, but there's something tragic about this vehicle wasting so much of its capability so much of the time.
| 2008 Lexus LX570 |
| Base price | $74,645 |
| Price as tested | $75,825 |
| Layout | Front engine, 4WD, 4-door, 8-pass SUV |
| Engine | 5.7L/381-hp/401-lb-ft DOHC 32-valve V-8 |
| Transmission | 6-speed automatic |
| Wheelbase, in | 112.2 |
| Length x width x height, in | 196.5 x 79.6 x 75.6 |
| Curb weight, lb | 5995 |
| GVWR, lb | 7275 |
| GCWR, lb | 15,775 |
| Payload capacity, lb | 1280 |
| Max towing capacity, lb | 8500 |
| Cargo volume, cu ft | 83.1 |
| 0-60 mph, sec | 6.6 (est) |
| Quarter mile, sec @ mph | 15.0 @ 92.0 (est) |
| 60-0 mph, ft | 130 (est) |
| Fuel econ, city/hwy, mpg | 13/19 (est) |
| CO2 emissions, lb/mile | 1.28 (est) |
| On sale | Currently |