Facelifted: Lexus LX 570

Lexus calls it the epitome of luxury SUVs. What can be said with certainty is that the face-lifted LX 570 sure has enough presence to warrant itself a place next to the imperious Range Rover. In order to compete in the top echelons of SUV’s, a glitzy grille is like a birth right – a family crest, so to speak. So, the new LX 570 gets the “spindle” grille found on the GS saloon and RX SUV, while the headlights are now available with high beam assist, incorporating the habitual LED daytime running lights.

Your money’s worth:

It’s not as if the LX needed any more presence, but all eight passengers now have even more toys to enjoy at the  R1 178 600 price tag. Starting up front, the LX is kitted out with three TV screens, Mark Levinson sound system that includes 19 speakers and 450 Watts of maximum power. Even the rear seats are power assisted, with the ability to power slide and recline.

If you do want to take this behemoth off-road, then the centre console contains the Multi- Terrain Select mode via the full-colour touch screen. It certainly is very lavish inside, with TV screens at the back, utility items such as a 12v outlet for the bar fridge that should hold your Moet & Chandon champagne. The rear seat passengers can even play video games on the one screen, while the other screen plays a DVD.

Under the opulent bonnet:

The LX570 is rather large in size; see one on the road and a little Yaris will whimper as the 5, 7 litre V8 engine powering the Lexus barks next to you. It produces 235 kW and a planet-moving 530 Nm of torque. All that power is transferred via a six-speed automatic ‘box incorporating paddle-shifts, which according to Lexus will get the SUV from 0-100km/h in 7, 5 seconds.

Let’s be honest, spotting a vehicle like the LX grazing amongst the hard-core off road machinery is like seeing Michael Phelps on the track next to Usain Bolt. Most driving is likely to be done in the city.  With this in mind, Lexus is quoting a figure of 14,8 l/100 km on the combined cycle. The LX has an electronic muzzle of 210 km/h, and features disc brakes on all four wheels, as well as a plethora of safety nets. Multi-terrain ABS, EBD, VSC, off-road traction control and hill-start assist with crawl control really should make the off-roading it does do, easy going on simple gravel roads.

The rock-climbing brigade will be happy to know that the four-wheel drive system fitted features a Torsen limited slip centre differential, and power transfer between high and low range is easily distributed by the push of a button on the console. Bear in mind that all of these features are standard.

The LX 570 is covered by a 4-year/100 000 km manufacturer’s warranty and Lexus Distance Plan Complete maintenance plan for a period of 4 years/100 000 km.