Lexus LX 570 Proves This Dinosaur Is Thriving
The 2015 Lexus LX 570 is a luxury and go-anywhere SUV that’s become something of an automotive dinosaur still living comfortably in modern times.
To car aficionados, a Dino (Dee-no) is the “affordable’’ Ferrari model built in the late 1960s and early 1970s. To Baby Boomers, Dino (Dy-no) was the Flintstones’ lovable pet dog/dinosaur from the 1960s animated sitcom.
Both have historically significant places in our culture.
To me, a dino—OK, a dino-saur—is an interesting older product or person, something or someone that’s seen it all but still has a place on the current scene.
Today’s test car, the 2015 Lexus LX 570, is just that, a luxury and go-anywhere SUV that’s become something of an automotive dinosaur still living comfortably in modern times.
The LX 570 has been in the Lexus lineup since 2008; however, its roots are with Toyota’s Land Cruiser, developed in the 1950s as a challenger to the iconic Range Rovers and Jeep Wranglers.
These days, the luxury SUV market is strong. Recent figures compiled at Edmunds.com show SUVs account for a large chunk of luxury sales—65.9 percent at Acura, 49.3 percent at Cadillac, 44 percent at Lexus, 35.8 percent at Mercedes-Benz, and 49.9 percent at Porsche.
Those same figures show that women shoppers considering luxury brands favored SUVs over cars, 41.2 percent to 35.5 percent.
So where does our test SUV fit into this rosy SUV picture?
INSTRUMENTAL: The LX 570 has the controls and look of recent-generation Lexus vehicles—a familiarity that breeds content for many drivers.
Well, it’s a throwback—a ladder frame (body-on-frame) truck-style construction in an era of unibody SUVs and crossovers.
It’s also thirsty. EPA figures rate it as 12 mpg in city driving, 17 on the highway, and 14 overall. We actually did better driving the West Coast of Florida, heading up to the St. Petersburg Grand Prix.
On the highway, we managed 18.2 mpg with the green ECO (economy) sign on much of the time. Later, on a separate tank of gas, driving around the city of Naples, Florida, that number dropped to 15.6.
Premium fuel feeds a 5.7-liter V-8 that produces 383 horsepower and 403 lb.-ft. of torque and feeds it to full-time four-wheel-drive via an older-but-dependable six-speed automatic transmission.
Flip the console-mounted switch from Eco to Power, and everything changes. While not a rocket, the LX 570 has no trouble keeping up with traffic and pulling out to pass.
The first time you make a hard stop, you realize that, at 6,000 pounds, this is a really heavy vehicle, but the heavy duty brakes do the job easily.
The 4WD system features a low range with crawl control, turn-assist, and hill-start assist functions. Active traction control sends power to each wheel individually and selectable driving modes include Rock, Rock and Dirt, Moguls, Loose Rock, Mud, and Sand.
While hardly a “low-rider,’’ the LX 570 does drop down several inches via active height control to make entrance a bit easier, then returns to its normal 8.9-inch ground clearance. Standard running boards ease entrance and egress.
Friends (and Lexus owners) Hank and Sue Sarazen joined us for an evening ride and raved about the second row’s adjustable seats, comfortable cushions, legroom, and visibility.
The third row, with its iconic throwback sideways-folding seats, is meant more for children or gymnasts.
Those seats, even when folded, chop away at the cargo space, though it is easy also to fold the second row for added carrying space.
The LX 570 comes in a single trim level with an MSRP of $83,855 (including $925 delivery, processing, and handling fee).
Even then, there were add-ons. Our test vehicle had a luxury package ($1,510), Mark Levinson audio system ($2,350), intuitive park assist ($1,000), and dual-screen rear DVD system ($2,005) for a bottom line of $90,720.
The luxury package adds leather-trimmed heated and cooled front seats, heated second-row seats, a heated steering wheel, a “cool box’’ in the center console, and additional wood trim.
Included with the park assist is a wide view from the front and side cameras to augment the rearview camera.
On the road, the LX 570 rides “like a Lexus,’’ the refinement achieved by suspension technology that continually adjusts shock absorber damping rates over various changes in the road surfaces.
In New England, that means smoothing out suspension grates on bridges and the season’s preponderance of potholes; in Florida, it’s more dealing with speed bumps, reflectors built into the roadways, and raised directional signs implanted in the middle of highway lanes.
Instead of a single rear liftgate, access to the cargo area is via a two-way clamshell-style tailgate. The top section is powered, the bottom half lowers manually. In theory, it’s a good setup; however, only taller drivers can lift heavy items into the rear without lowering the bottom half.
The LX 570 stands apart with its old-school boxy shape in this era when designers talk about incorporating a sense of motion into stationary vehicles and most vehicles have similar silhouettes.
Its can-do design includes a standard trailer hitch and 7,000-pound towing capacity.
Lexus has a full range of crossover SUVs starting with the new NX, continuing with the just-redesigned RX, the GX, and the big brother LX 570.
In that grouping, there’s something for everyone, and a place in the lineup for those who want this combination of luxury and off-road ability—perfect for a drive through Jurassic Park.
2015 Lexus LX 570 SUV
THE BASICS
Price, base/as tested (with destination):$83,855/$90,720. Fuel economy, EPA estimated: 12 city/17 highway/14 combined. Fuel economy, Globe observed: 15.6 city/18.2 highway. Drivetrain: 5.7-liter V-8, 6-speed automatic, full-time four-wheel-drive. Body: Body-on-frame, large, luxury SUV.
THE SPECIFICS
Horsepower: 383.Torque: 403 lb.-ft. Overall length: 197 in. Wheelbase: 112.2 in. Height: 75.6 in. Width: 77.6 in. Curb weight: 6,000 lbs.
THE GOOD
Go anywhere ability, luxury appointments, Lexus smoothness.
THE BAD
Price, fuel economy, somewhat dated navigation and infotainment center.
THE BOTTOM LINE
A luxury SUV that shows Lexus reliability (in lieu of cutting-edge systems) and can take you most anywhere in comfort.
ALSO CONSIDER
Audi Q7, Infiniti QX80, Land Rover Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz GL Class.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com