PLANO, Texas (Nov. 9, 2022) – Building on the acclaimed redesign for the 2022 model year, the 2023 Lexus Lx 600 refines its position as the flagship SUV with targeted, customer-focused enhancements. Since its inception in 1995, the LX has carved a unique niche in the luxury SUV segment, embodying a compelling duality: it’s both a supremely comfortable and amenity-rich long-distance cruiser and a rugged, globally tested off-road machine, proven in over 50 countries and regions.
At the heart of the Lexus LX 600 lies a potent 3.4-liter V6 twin-turbo gasoline engine, delivering a harmonious blend of high output and torque. This power is managed with sophisticated control systems – the Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system and Electric Power Steering (EPS) – ensuring refined handling both on paved roads and challenging terrains.
Stepping inside the LX 600 reveals a cabin meticulously crafted for passenger comfort and intuitive usability. The instrument panel is dominated by the Lexus Interface, featuring a dual-display configuration. A prominent 12.3-inch upper screen works in concert with a 7-inch lower screen to provide a wealth of information, entertainment options, and vehicle control adjustments, all contributing to a seamless and enjoyable driving experience.
The interior of the LX 600 offers a curated palette of five color options, allowing personalization to suit individual tastes: Palomino, White/Peppercorn, Circuit Red, Black, and Sunflare.
Externally, the Lexus LX 600 strikes a compelling balance between athletic dynamism, practical functionality, and undeniable visual appeal – a design philosophy first showcased in the 2022 NX. The LX’s proportions are carefully optimized to project an image of both sophisticated luxury and robust capability, creating a powerful and commanding presence.
For exterior finishes, the LX 600 is available in a spectrum of seven colors: Eminent White Pearl*, Atomic Pearl, Manganese Luster*, Nori Green Pearl, Caviar, Ultra White (F SPORT Handling), and Black Onyx (F SPORT Handling).
*Premium paint option available for an additional $595.
KEY TECHNICAL FEATURES of the Lexus LX 600
GA-F Platform: Foundation for Superior Ride and Handling
The 2023 Lexus LX 600 continues to utilize the robust GA-F platform introduced in the previous model year. This platform is instrumental in enhancing body rigidity, a critical factor in achieving the Lexus Driving Signature – characterized by a smooth, composed ride and exceptional comfort. The GA-F platform contributes to the LX 600’s predictable and balanced handling during cornering, acceleration, and braking, as well as improved stability when venturing off-road.
To ensure both exceptional off-road prowess and refined on-road manners, the front high-mounted double-wishbone suspension, optimized suspension geometry, and carefully tuned coil springs work in harmony. This system provides both vehicle stability and ride comfort. Crucially, the suspension stroke is engineered to be sufficiently long – 100 mm (3.93 in.) of bound and 145 mm (5.7 in.) of rebound – maximizing both on and off-road driving performance.
Power and Responsiveness: 3.4-Liter Twin-Turbo V6 and Direct Shift-10AT
The heart of the Lexus LX 600 is its 3.4-liter V6 twin-turbo gasoline engine (V35A-FTS). This powerplant generates an impressive 409 horsepower (415 PS) and a substantial 479 lb.-ft. of torque. Notably, the engine sustains peak torque across a broad rev range, up to approximately 3,600 rpm. This characteristic enhances drivability in diverse conditions, from everyday on-road driving to demanding off-road situations where low-speed control is paramount.
The Direct Shift-10AT automatic transmission complements the engine’s performance. It delivers smooth initial acceleration, characteristic of a torque converter, while also providing the direct acceleration feel of a manual transmission through lockup activation across almost its entire operating range (except from a complete stop). The transmission’s close-ratio gear spacing and rapid shift times contribute to crisp gear changes, creating a driving rhythm that is intrinsically linked to the engine’s sound and performance.
The wide gear ratio spread ensures both comfortable starts and efficient high-speed cruising. The low first gear ratio amplifies driving force at low speeds, enabling smooth starts and robust low-speed off-road performance.
For enhanced durability in off-road environments, an oil pan guard is integrated into the lower section of the automatic transmission. This protective element minimizes the risk of oil pan damage from impacts encountered on challenging terrain.
Lexus Driving Signature: On-Road Performance Refinement
The Lexus Driving Signature is further enhanced in the LX 600 through the integration of the high-output twin-turbocharged engine, Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB), and Electric Power Steering (EPS). These systems work in concert to deliver a driving experience characterized by seamless transitions between deceleration, steering, and acceleration in all driving scenarios. The inclusion of the Active Height Control (AHC) system and Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) further contributes to enhanced grip, traction, control, and an overall sense of driving confidence and security.
Active Height Control (AHC) Suspension and Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS)
The AHC suspension system allows for ride height adjustments based on driving conditions. It offers a range of height settings: three for driving (Normal, Hi1, and Hi2) and a Low setting for easier entry and exit. Ride height adjustments are managed through shock absorbers, gas and hydraulic springs, and metal springs. Rear wheels also incorporate a spring rate switching mechanism to expedite ride height adjustments.
The system intelligently adjusts vehicle height in response to Drive Mode Select or Multi-Terrain Select activation, as well as the transfer case selection. Ride height status is conveniently displayed on both the gauge panel and the 7-inch touch display. Beyond height adjustments, AHC proactively responds to changes in vehicle posture, such as pitch and roll, optimizing spring rates to stabilize the vehicle during cornering, acceleration, and braking.
In conjunction with the transfer case being in the L4 range or specific Multi-Terrain Select modes, the suspension automatically adjusts to Hi1 or Hi2 to suit the terrain. At higher speeds in Hi1 or Hi2, the system automatically lowers the vehicle to mitigate road surface interference and enhance handling stability.
The suspension tuning is designed to provide optimal comfort and handling in varying conditions. It softens for a more compliant ride over bumps in urban driving and stiffens for a flatter, more stable ride when cornering. Automatic height adjustments during driving and lowering at standstill for easier access are additional benefits of the AHC system.
The adoption of a linear solenoid valve system in the AVS provides rapid and precise damping force adjustments. This responsiveness enables intricate and smooth control, adapting to both road surface variations and dynamic driving inputs.
Electric Power Steering (EPS) and Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB)
The EPS system replaces conventional hydraulic steering with an electric motor and reduction gear. This allows for fine-tuned steering characteristics, providing light steering effort at low speeds, such as during off-road maneuvers, and progressively firmer steering feel at higher speeds. The vehicle responds faithfully and linearly to steering inputs. The light steering feel at low speeds reduces driver fatigue, while the appropriately weighted steering at higher speeds reinforces the Lexus Driving Signature feel.
The Electronically Controlled Brake (ECB) system utilizes a sensor to precisely measure brake pedal input and modulates hydraulic braking force for more linear braking performance. When Multi-Terrain Select is engaged for off-road driving, the ECB system enhances driving stability through precise braking control, counteracting wheel slip or spin.
Wheel, Tire, and Rear Torsen® Limited Slip Differential (LSD) Performance
Beyond off-road capabilities, the Lexus LX 600 offers available 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, the largest in the Lexus lineup, enhancing on-road performance and aesthetics.
Exclusive to the F SPORT grade, a Torsen® LSD is employed to optimize rear tire traction. During cornering acceleration, it intelligently distributes driving force between the rear wheels based on load, enhancing control. In straight-line driving, it responds to road condition changes, contributing to overall stability.
Heritage of Capability
The Lexus LX 600 proudly maintains its heritage, inheriting the 2,850 mm (112 in.) wheelbase established with the first generation in 1995. This wheelbase is a key factor in providing both exceptional off-road performance and a spacious interior. The ground obstacle angles (approach angle, departure angle, and ramp break angle), a maximum stable inclination angle of 44 degrees, a climbing ability of 45 degrees, and a maximum river crossing depth of 700 mm (27.5 in.) are all carried over from the previous model, underscoring its enduring off-road pedigree.
Advanced Technology and User Interface
19.3-Inches of Screen Access: Intuitive Information at a Glance
The LX 600’s instrument panel is designed to be informative without being distracting, featuring a 12.3-inch upper screen and a 7-inch lower screen. The upper display handles navigation, audio controls, and the Multi-Terrain Monitor during off-road driving. The lower 7-inch touch display is dedicated to climate control and serves as a driving-support screen for Multi-Terrain Select. This dual-screen setup allows drivers to view camera images on the upper screen while simultaneously monitoring real-time vehicle status on the lower screen, optimizing information access during off-road adventures.
Evolved Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) for Confident Off-Roading
The Lexus LX 600 is equipped with Multi-Terrain Select (MTS), offering six selectable modes – Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Deep Snow, and Rock – to optimize performance across various off-road conditions. MTS integrates and controls brake hydraulics, drive power, and suspension settings, tailoring vehicle behavior to the chosen mode. This allows drivers to confidently match vehicle performance to prevailing road conditions.
The operational range of Multi-Terrain Select extends across both low range (L4) and high range (H4). The Auto mode intelligently utilizes sensor data to assess road conditions and dynamically optimize brake pressure, driving force, and suspension control. This feature allows for consistently ideal driving performance across diverse terrains without requiring manual mode switching.
Crawl Control: Low-Speed Off-Road Mastery
When engaged in low range, Crawl Control empowers the LX 600 to navigate challenging terrain at very low speeds. It offers five driver-selectable speed settings: LO, MIDL, MID, MIDH, and HIGH. Crawl Control intelligently manages engine output and hydraulic braking pressure to minimize tire slippage and optimize chassis behavior, allowing drivers to focus on steering through difficult obstacles.
Downhill Assist Control: Controlled Descends
Downhill Assist Control is designed to automatically regulate hydraulic brake pressure at all four wheels when descending steep slopes. This system ensures stable descents without wheel lockup. Drivers can maintain a chosen vehicle speed via a switch, allowing them to concentrate on steering inputs without needing to manage braking and acceleration, thereby reducing driver workload.
Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM): Enhanced Visibility in Challenging Environments
The Multi-Terrain Monitor (MTM) system utilizes four cameras to provide comprehensive visibility around the LX 600. Camera views from the front, sides, and rear can be displayed on the 12.3-inch screen, enabling drivers to assess road conditions, particularly in blind spots.
The Back Underfloor View feature uses pre-captured foreground images to create transparent-underfloor views. By overlaying vehicle and wheel position indicators, drivers can effectively assess underfloor conditions and front-wheel placement. Another view option renders the vehicle transparent and magnifies the area around the rear wheels, aiding in obstacle awareness and distance estimation around the rear of the vehicle.
LX 600 Grade Specific Features: Ultra Luxury and F SPORT Handling
ULTRA LUXURY Grade: Unparalleled Rear Seat Experience
The four-seat Ultra Luxury grade elevates the LX 600 experience, placing a premium on rear passenger comfort and amenities. The front passenger seat can be moved forward and the rear seat reclined up to 48 degrees to create an expansive and relaxing environment. The rear seat display, positioned behind the front passenger seat, can be folded down for enhanced forward visibility, creating an airy and open VIP seating experience with a maximum legroom of 1,100 mm (43 inches). This optimized seating posture can be easily achieved with a single button press on the rear control panel. A deployable footrest behind the front passenger seat further enhances comfort from head to toe.
The rear seats in the Ultra Luxury grade feature unique curved headrests, seatbacks, and cushions, designed to gently cradle the head, hips, and lower body. This VIP seating is engineered to mitigate lateral G-forces and absorb road irregularities. The seat shapes promote secure posture, while the use of soft, vibration-absorbing urethane minimizes unwanted movement, even in off-road driving scenarios.
Additional standard comfort features include sunshades for side and quarter windows, reading lights, and a rear seat entertainment display. An Ultra Luxury-exclusive air conditioning system incorporates overhead ceiling vents to provide a full-body comfort breeze experience.
Every detail in the Ultra Luxury grade is meticulously considered. The rear control panel, which centrally manages all rear passenger functions, is carefully designed for intuitive operation. The wireless charging pad is positioned lower for unobstructed visibility when seats are reclined. Cup holders are equipped with lids, and when closed, the scratch-resistant, self-healing paint surface can be used as a writing table. A large console box provides ample storage, and integrated DC power supply, USB, and headphone jacks enhance functionality.
F SPORT Handling Grade: Sport-Focused Dynamics and Styling
For drivers seeking a more dynamic driving experience and sport-inspired aesthetics, the F SPORT Handling grade is available.
Exterior styling enhancements for the F SPORT Handling grade include exclusive 22-inch forged aluminum wheels and an F mesh design spindle grille with a jet-black chrome grille frame. Inside, the steering wheel and shift lever are wrapped in textured genuine leather for enhanced grip and style, complemented by exclusive F SPORT emblems throughout the cabin. Custom-crafted F-designed seats further enhance lateral support during spirited driving. The F SPORT Handling grade is exclusively offered in Ultra White (exterior) with Circuit Red (interior) color combination.
Driving performance in the F SPORT Handling grade is specifically tuned with standard front and rear performance dampers, a Torsen® LSD, and a rear stabilizer. Unique tuning of the EPS and AVS systems delivers performance-oriented responsiveness and handling characteristics exclusive to the F SPORT Handling grade.
Next-Generation Design: Form and Function Harmonized
The Lexus LX 600’s interior and exterior design language seamlessly blends superior functionality with striking aesthetics. The front A-pillars are positioned rearward, creating a cab-backward silhouette, while the robust body and 22-inch wheels project a dynamic and powerful image. The signature spindle grille features a three-dimensional design comprised of seven sets of floating bars, creating a seamless and frameless structure. This design is rooted in function: precise millimeter-level adjustments to each bar’s thickness achieve both a distinctive visual identity and the high level of cooling performance demanded by the twin-turbo engine. Large side radiator grille openings further enhance cooling efficiency and are shaped to optimize airflow.
The headlamps feature L-shaped clearance lamps with integrated daytime running lights. Their three-dimensional form and layered inner lenses create a sense of depth and visual interest that changes with viewing angle.
The LX 600’s profile conveys a sense of solidity and mass, with a substantial horizontal body line extending from front to rear, merging into muscular rear wheel arches. The quarter pillars taper from the roofline towards the rear window, while a distinctive chiseled line flows from the lower rocker panel edge upwards to behind the rear tires.
The redesigned rear LEXUS logo symbolizes the next generation of Lexus design. The rear combination lamps incorporate L-shaped tail lights and a continuous axial flow that extends from the front to the shoulders and rear silhouette, creating a cohesive and dynamic visual signature.
Lexus Interface: Intuitive and Connected Multimedia System
The North American-developed Lexus Interface multimedia system provides seamless connectivity and navigation for the LX 600. The system features a 12.3-inch upper touchscreen and an LX-exclusive 7-inch lower touchscreen, offering intuitive technology at the occupants’ fingertips. The Human Machine Interface (HMI) enhances user interaction through sight, touch, and voice, balancing accessibility and functionality.
Lexus Interface incorporates a Voice Assistant, designed with a human-centered approach. The Voice Assistant is intended to be the primary method of interacting with the multimedia system. Utilizing dual microphones with speaker location capability and enhanced noise cancellation, the system supports a voice-first approach, enabling front seat occupants to access navigation, media, phone, and vehicle control settings through natural voice commands.
Lexus Interface prioritizes an intuitive and seamless user experience, mirroring the familiarity of smartphone operation. The Lexus Interface User Profile feature allows drivers to store personalized settings in the cloud, making them accessible in other Lexus Interface-equipped vehicles. Profiles can be created and accessed via the Lexus App, Bluetooth® devices, smart keys, or manual login.
The Lexus Interface native navigation system is designed for ease of use and functional beauty. Featuring 100% cloud capability and integrated Google Points of Interest data, the system delivers faster and more accurate routing and mapping. Over-the-air (OTA) updates provide real-time map updates and enriched media experiences. The native navigation system remains accessible even without network connectivity. Offline mode intelligently detects areas with low connectivity and proactively downloads relevant maps and services.
Lexus Safety System+ 2.5: Advanced Safety Technologies
The Lexus LX 600 comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5, a comprehensive suite of active safety features. The Pre-Collision System (PCS) includes Frontal Collision Warning (FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Pedestrian Detection, and Bicyclist Detection. PCS features enhancements to the lens camera and millimeter-wave radar, expanding its detection range. At intersections, the system can, under specific conditions, recognize oncoming vehicles when making left turns or pedestrians during left and right turns, activating PCS functions as needed. Additional PCS functions include Emergency Steering Assist (ESA), which provides steering support within the vehicle’s lane when prompted by the driver.
All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC) activates above 30 mph and maintains vehicle-to-vehicle distance down to 0 mph, with stop-and-go functionality. DRCC includes a smooth overtaking feature. When following a slower vehicle, activating the turn signal initiates an initial acceleration in preparation for lane changes. After changing lanes, the vehicle resumes acceleration to the preset speed.
Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/ SA) is designed to alert the driver to unintended lane departures above 32 mph via steering wheel vibrations or audible alerts. It can also provide subtle corrective steering inputs to help keep the vehicle within marked lanes. When DRCC is active, Lane Tracing Assist (LTA) provides slight steering force to help maintain lane centering, using lane markers or preceding vehicles. LTA alerts the driver with visual and/or audible warnings or steering wheel vibrations.
Additional Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 features include Intelligent High Beams, which automatically switch between high and low beams based on detected preceding or oncoming vehicles. Road Sign Assist (RSA) uses cameras and navigation data (where available) to recognize and display road sign information on the multi-information display (MID).
The 2023 Lexus LX 600 is scheduled to go on sale by the end of 2022.
Updated July 28, 2023.
