2019 Lexus LX 570

The 2019 Toyota LX 570 is a luxury SUV offered in two configurations: a standard three-row version that seats eight or a two-row LX 570 that seats five.

Both come with a 5.7-liter V8 (383 horsepower, 403 pound-feet of torque) paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel-drive system. An adaptive suspension that is height-adjustable and automatic load leveling are also standard. Other standard mechanical components include 20-inch wheels, Crawl Control (a low-speed off-road cruise control), Multi-Terrain Select (off-road vehicle settings) and hill start assist.

Standard exterior features include automatic LED exterior lighting, power-folding and auto-dimming mirrors, automatic wipers, windshield wiper de-icers, running boards, a tow hitch, and a power liftgate.

Electronic driver aids include standard forward-collision warning with pedestrian detection and automatic emergency braking, blind-spot monitoring and rear cross-traffic alert systems, lane departure warning, full-speed adaptive cruise control, a drowsy driver warning system, an automatic parking system, multiview parking cameras, and Lexus Enform Safety Connect emergency communications.

Interior comfort and convenience features include a sunroof, keyless ignition, and entry, four-zone automatic climate control, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated front seats, power-adjustable front seats, driver-seat memory settings and a 40/20/40-split second-row seat (folding, reclining, power-sliding and heated). The three-row LX 570 also has a power-operated  50/50-split third-row seat that folds up against the cargo area sides.

Infotainment features includes the Lexus Remote Touch interface (a 12.3-inch center display with center console mouselike controller), a navigation system, Bluetooth, a USB port, the Lexus Enform infotainment smartphone app suite, and a nine-speaker sound system.

The optional Luxury package adds heated and ventilated second-row seats and upgraded leather upholstery with contrasting stitching. You can also add 21-inch wheels and a heated steering wheel.

Some options are exclusive to the three-row LX 570 and include a head-up display, a wireless smartphone charger, a refrigerated coolbox under the front center armrest, a 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system and Lexus Enform Remote with smart-device vehicle controls. There’s also an optional rear-seat entertainment system that includes a pair of displays mounted to the front seatbacks.

Although SUVs are often associated with outdoor recreation and going off-road, the reality is that only a few of them are truly capable of bouncing over rocks and gullies. And of those, there are even fewer that can be considered luxurious. As such, the 2019 Lexus LX 570 is quite the rare beast. The LX 570 can conquer punishing terrain while surrounding occupants in a comfortable cocoon of leather and rich wood trim.

But there are some trade-offs for the LX’s all-terrain capabilities. It’s not as confident-handling on the pavement as some of its main rivals, and it’s certainly not as pleasant as conventional SUVs that are intended for on-road use. Age is partially responsible for the LX 570’s drawbacks. The LX was last redesigned in 2008, which is positively ancient for a vehicle. In the 11 years since, other automakers have reworked their SUVs and given them newer technology that improves comfort, convenience, capability, and efficiency.

The LX 570’s interior looks and feels the part of an SUV with an $86,230 starting price. Leather lines the seats and door panels, while every switch and button moves with a weight that imbues a feeling of quality. Gloss wood trim comes standard, however, our tester features an open-pore Walnut finish that’s available with the $1,190 Luxury package. That pack also includes items such as heated and ventilated first and second-row outboard seats, Lexus’s Climate Concierge (essentially automatic climate control that works with the likes of the heated and cooled seats to better improve driver and passenger comfort), and higher quality leather with contrast stitching. Opting for the Luxury package also requires dropping $150 on a heated steering wheel.

It’s no secret that the 2019 Lexus LX is a fancified Toyota Land Cruiser, but there’s plenty to demarcate this luxury-brand model from the mainstream version. Lexus takes advantage of the Land Cruiser’s off-road-ready capability and buttresses it with enough premium gear to transform it into a luxurious, family-friendly SUV. The slight uptick in price versus a Land Cruiser brings an exterior overhaul, a refined and premium cabin, and a suite of driver-assistance features. The LX’s blend of off-road capability, size XL luxury, and V-8 power sound remarkably similar to what a Range Rover offers. But despite appearances, this package is not just aging, it’s legitimately old—as its driving characteristics make clear. The LX serves its specific purpose adequately, but there are numerous, more attractive SUV alternatives if your mission requires plushness, a top-shelf image, and three rows of seats.