- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 7 seats
- Engine
3.3DTT, 6 cyl.
- Engine Power
227kW, 700Nm
- Fuel
Diesel 8.9L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
5 Yr, Unltd KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2024 Lexus LX500d review
The big luxury Lexus four-wheel-drive uses the Toyota LandCruiser as a starting point, but is changed into something that feels quite different.
- Better off-road and towing chops than most other luxury SUVs out there
- Different suspension components improve the ride quality
- Impressively comfortable as a long-distance tourer
- Ride isn't as salubrious as car-based competitors
- Second row not as spacious as you might imagine
- Six-month service intervals are overkill for most
2024 Lexus LX500d
So you want a LandCruiser, but it's not quite luxury enough. Or you want something big and salubrious, but you prefer the idea of something Japanese-made over the usual throng of European options. Throw in the need (or want) for some serious off-road and towing capability, and you'll likely be eyeing off the big-boy Lexus LX500d.
So while the big Lexus might compete with the likes of a BMW X7, Audi Q7 or Mercedes-Benz GLS in some buyers' minds, it's really only the Range Rover that can offer the same combination of luxury, capability, space and utility.
The 2024 Lexus LX500d is based on the same platform as the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, and this diesel-powered model even shares the same relatively new combination of a 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged diesel V6 and 10-speed automatic transmission.
But can the flagship model from Toyota's luxury division play both sides of the street? Appeal to the well-to-dos in the leafy suburbs, while still holding a nose to the off-road grindstone?
How much is a Lexus LX500d?
Whereas the LandCruiser 300 Series only comes with diesel power in Australia, we have the option of a more powerful twin-turbocharged petrol V6 that powers the LandCruiser in other markets. It's the more expensive option, however, and we have here the least expensive option of the LX range. It's called the LX500d, which has the $5500 Enhancement Pack thrown in for a panoramic sunroof, 22-inch alloy wheels and a kick-sensing boot.
This starting point in the range comes with a hefty starting price of over $150,000, which means we've got about $175,000 worth of automobile by the time it's on the road. It's also worth noting that pricing has been increased for 2024.
But there is a hefty amount of standard equipment on offer here. This includes a 12.3-inch infotainment display, 7.0-inch secondary display and 8.0-inch digital instrument cluster. There are also heated front seats with 10-way driver's seat adjustment (and eight for the passenger), a 25-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system, leather trimming, height-adjustable hydraulic suspension (more on that later), and room for seven inside with an electrically deployable third row.
There's also full-time four-wheel-drive, a low-range transfer case, locking centre differential, and a variety of off-road driving modes and assistants.
There are some differences to note here. Comparing this LX500d to the urban-focussed and top-spec LandCruiser 300 Sahara ZX, the Toyota gets a Torsen limited-slip differential, adaptive damping and 20-inch wheels. This spec gets other Sahara goodies like a chilled centre console, heated and vented seats front and (outboard) rear, along with rear entertainment screens.
Top-spec LandCruisers (Sahara ZX and GR Sport) only get five seats, while the Lexus here gets seven. The LandCruiser makes do with 'only' 14 speakers, and standard 20-inch wheels get upgraded to 22-inch with the $5500 Enhancement Pack. The Lexus also gets a head-up display and 'BladeScan' adaptive LED headlights, which are similar in performance to matrix LED technology.
Key details | 2024 Lexus LX500d |
Price | $157,061 plus on-road costs |
Colour of test car | Khaki Metal |
Options | Enhancement Pack – $5500 - 22-inch alloy wheels - Panoramic sunroof - Kick-sensor boot open |
Price as tested | $162,561 plus on-road costs |
Drive-away price | $175,140 (Sydney) |
Rivals | Mercedes-Benz GLS | BMW X7 | Land Rover Discovery |
How big is a Lexus LX500d?
At 5.1m long and nearly 2m wide, the Lexus LX is a large chunk of metal. The Khaki Metal green colour is great, but that huge spindle grille and 22-inch wheels mean this thing is not going to be missed in traffic.
Lexus lists the height of the LX at 1885mm (1895mm for the LX500d plus Enhancement Pack), but this is adjustable through the hydraulic suspension of the LX.
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On the inside, you are met with a sumptuous interior of leather, soft-touch materials, buttons and chunky dials. If you've spent time in a LandCruiser 300 Series, you'll see the familiarity here. But at the same time, the usage of materials certainly ups the ante.
Similar to the LandCruiser 300, the dashboard of the Lexus is covered in an array of big physical buttons and dials, while air-conditioning controls are handled by a separate display under the main screen. There's a USB-A and USB-C power outlet, along with a generously sized nook for your wallet. There are two cupholders alongside the gear shifter, and a wireless charging pad further back.
There's a big centre console and room for bottles in the doors, but there's isn't a stack of other storage space on offer inside the LX.
There's plenty of comfort, however. The seats are soft and comfortable, and match up to electric adjustment in the steering column for excellent driving ergonomics. The LandCruiser 300 Series is good in this regard, but the Lexus is certainly better.
The second row perhaps isn't as spacious as you might expect, especially in terms of leg room and the footwell. Those with longer legs might find their knees to be in surprising proximity to the seat backs, but the comfort levels are quite good. The backrest can be tilted for some extra comfort, and separate air-conditioning controls (we've got four-zone climate here) are nice to have. Two USB-C outlets are here for power, and window sunshades are always nice to have.
The third row is decently spacious, and is helped by easy access (especially with the suspension lowered) into the rearmost area. There are power outlets and air vents in the back area, along with a 220V point for charging smaller electronics.
Its boot size is small when all seven seats are in play at 174 litres. Drop that third row (electrically, by the way), and boot space grows to 982L.
2024 Lexus LX500d | |
Seats | Seven |
Boot volume | 174L to third row 982L to second row 1871L to first row |
Length | 5100mm |
Width | 1990mm |
Height | 1885mm |
Wheelbase | 2850mm |
Does the Lexus LX500d have Apple CarPlay and Android Auto?
Infotainment in the 2024 Lexus LX comes via a 12.3-inch touchscreen display, which is complemented by a volume dial and cracking 25-speaker Mark Levinson sound system. This is technically a 'base' specification, but this system is quite special. It offers 2400 watts of power, has a big ol' subwoofer in the boot and eight separate 100mm speakers throughout the cabin (on top of the rest) to provide a lot of punch, but also plenty of clarity.
The operating system also has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, both of which need to be plugged in to operate. No great loss in my opinion, and the inclusions of digital radio and native navigation will appease town and country users alike.
The 7.0-inch display lower down helps with air-conditioning controls as well as some vehicle controls, while the digital instrument cluster in front of the driver is relatively basic in terms of its functions and displays, especially at this price point.
Is the Lexus LX a safe car?
The 2024 Lexus LX is listed as untested by local crash-testing authority ANCAP. This puts it at odds with most (but not all) vehicles within the Lexus range.
It also goes against the grain of the technically similar Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, which garnered a five-star ANCAP result in 2022. This runs across the LandCruiser range, excluding the GR Sport.
2024 Lexus LX500d | |
ANCAP rating | Untested |
What safety technology does the Lexus LX500d have?
As you would expect, the Lexus LX gets a fairly comprehensive range of active safety equipment as standard fit. While driver attention or fatigue monitoring isn't accounted for, this is perhaps part of the reason that the onboard safety systems in this vehicle are well tuned and non-obtrusive. This isn't the car that bings and bongs with wanton glee, but feels much more subtle in its operations.
Lane-keep assistance and adaptive cruise-control systems are smooth as well, making trafficked roads and long drives easy to consume.
Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB) | Yes | Includes cyclist, junction and day/night pedestrian detection and steering assistance |
Adaptive Cruise Control | Yes | Includes traffic jam assist, curve speed reduction and overtaking assistance |
Blind Spot Alert | Yes | Includes standstill BSM (for opening doors in traffic) |
Rear Cross-Traffic Alert | Yes | Alert and assist functions |
Lane Assistance | Yes | Lane-departure warning, lane-keep assist, lane-centring assist |
Road Sign Recognition | Yes | Includes speed limit assist |
Driver Attention Warning | No | |
Cameras & Sensors | Yes | Front and rear sensors, 360-degree camera |
How much does the Lexus LX500d cost to run?
Similar to the LandCruiser 300 Series, the Lexus LX gets more stringent service intervals of every six months or 10,000km. While there might be a handful that go off-road regularly and do a lot of towing that will appreciate the more rigorously stamped logbook, it does seem like overkill for the majority of urban-focussed users of this vehicle.
The capped-price servicing schedule of Lexus runs for 60,000km and three years, with each visit costing $495. From that point, the cost of servicing is no longer covered by a capped-rice program, and may vary between dealers.
This means you'll pay the best part of $1000 per year in servicing after two visits, and $2970 for the total of three years. For reference, this is marginally more expensive than the mechanically similar LandCruiser 300 Series, but Lexus Encore membership does bring some level of benefit.
This includes service pick-up and drop-off, a loan vehicle, fuel discounts, valet parking offers and more as part of the Encore program.
Insurance for this spec of LX500d – which I refuse to call an entry-level model – starts from $5439. This is a comparative quote for a 35-year-old male living in Chatswood, NSW. Insurance estimates may vary based on your location, driving history, and personal circumstances.
At a glance | 2024 Lexus LX500d |
Warranty | Five years, unlimited km |
Service intervals | 6 months or 10,000km |
Is the Lexus LX500d fuel-efficient?
Whereas Lexus claims efficiency of 8.9 litres per 100 kilometres, which is an impressive figure for a 2.7-tonne off-roader and on par with the 300 Series LandCruiser, we weren't able to match the same kind of efficiency with our time in the Lexus LX500d. Although, the readout of 11.5L/100km in our week with the vehicle (in which was split between town and highway duties) is still pretty good by my reckoning.
Heavier town usage would likely see the consumption creep northwards, and an 80-litre fuel tank does put the Lexus LX500d at a disadvantage to the LandCruiser 300 Series, which has a 110-litre tank for a longer driving range.
Fuel efficiency | 2024 Lexus LX500d |
Fuel cons. (claimed) | 8.9L/100km |
Fuel cons. (on test) | 11.5L/100km |
Fuel type | Diesel |
Fuel tank size | 80L |
What is the Lexus LX500d like to drive?
The drive experience of the Lexus LX is something of a mixed bag depending on which direction you approach it from. On one hand, the adoption of height-adjustable suspension and active damping, which is mostly run through an onboard hydraulic system, gives the Lexus a much different driving feel to what you get in a LandCruiser 300 Series.
It's a more premium driving experience, softer and more cosseting, but not at the detriment of excessive body roll and floppiness. The hydraulic system, which connects to the shock absorbers in a similar manner to a Nissan Patrol, can actively resist body roll, but also has the ability to raise and lower the ride height.
Range Rovers and Land Rovers do this, but use an airbag-based suspension system with an air compressor to control height. Here's it's done through the damper rather than through the spring.
The Lexus seems to have a bit less of that ladder-chassis jiggle you can pick up in the new LandCruiser, especially across undulating and rough surfaces. However, if you're coming from the other side of the equation, you could find the Lexus a little disappointing.
Compared to car-based SUVs that have little or no off-road and towing chops, the Lexus LX500d does still carry somewhat of a truck-like feel. Coming from the body-on-frame construction and full ladder chassis, there's more weight, a taller ride height and less rigidity to contend with, which means the Lexus isn't as refined as others of this size and price point.
But don't forget, this rig will tow 3500kg, can cross rivers and climb mountains.
The steering has an electrically assisted set-up – compared to the electro-hydraulic steering system of the LandCruiser – and once again provides a noticeably different tactility over its cheaper cousin. It's light but also direct and responsive, allowing the Lexus to feel a bit less heavy and truck-like.
Combine good steering, impressive body control and four driven wheels – and don't forget 700Nm – and you can hustle the big Lexus along much faster than you might expect. It's not enjoyable and engaging in the same way that a sports car is, but the car can hold a surprising pace through twisty roads. Only the F-Sport gets the additional assurance and sure-footedness of a limited-slip rear differential.
The 3.3-litre twin-turbocharged diesel V6, which is a new engine for Lexus and Toyota, is unchanged between the two brands. It also comes with a 10-speed automatic gearbox and the same full-time four-wheel-drive system (with a locking centre differential).
With 700Nm available as low as 1600rpm, the diesel V6 feels every bit as muscular and responsive as the old V8, but has a better ability to rev out and deliver power at the same time. It's certainly not as refined as the latest batch of six-cylinder diesels from the likes of BMW, Land Rover and Mercedes-Benz (who all use an inline-six these days), but it's not overtly gruff either.
By Lexus's claims, the LX500d can cover the 0–100km/h sprint in as quick as 8.0 seconds. Opting for the 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged petrol engine, which offers more power but less torque, trims this down to 7.0 seconds.
And while 10 available ratios in the automatic gearbox might sound like overkill, the Lexus manages to handle them all well and not feel too busy or confused when rifling through them. Paying attention will see how often gear ratios are changed in this vehicle, but they are nearly imperceptible. The middle bunch of gears are close-knit, allowing the car to fine-tune RPM for optimal efficiency. The first few gears feel more familiar on take-off, while top speed (10th) barely ever gets a look-in on Australian roads.
We didn't get the chance to take this particular LX500d off-road this time, but we can draw upon recent experiences to give you an idea of the off-road capability here. Adding in height-adjustable hydraulic suspension gives the Lexus LX500d a nice advantage in overall ground clearance, and the off-road traction-control systems are unchanged from the Toyota.
This is a good thing because they are excellent. Along with providing a brake-based traction control to limit wheel spin adeptly, there is a nice variety of acronym-based assistants that can help those who are less experienced or lacking in confidence to go off-road.
Multi-Terrain Select, for example, is a kind of off-road traction-control system that can maintain a steady state of progress along challenging terrain, no matter if it's uphill or downhill.
Key details | 2024 Lexus LX500d |
Engine | 3.3-litre V6 twin-turbo diesel |
Power | 227kW @ 4000rpm |
Torque | 700Nm @ 1600–2600rpm |
Drive type | Permanent four-wheel drive, with locking Torsen centre differential |
Transmission | 10-speed torque converter automatic |
Power-to-weight ratio | 84.4kW/t |
Weight (kerb) | 2690kg |
Spare tyre type | Full-size |
Payload | 590kg |
Tow rating | 3500kg braked 750kg unbraked |
Turning circle | 12.0m |
How much weight can a Lexus LX500d tow?
Along with a 3500kg braked towing capacity, the Lexus LX500d has plenty of appeal as a high-end tow vehicle. The 227kW and 700Nm is one thing, but having height-adjustable suspension for managing sag from towball weight is a welcome feature.
The gross combination mass of 6780kg is good, and means you aren't being chopped up on towing capacity when the vehicle is loaded up. However, the usual caveat here applies with accounting for your towball mass within the payload, and only having 590kg in this regard means the Lexus will quickly run into payload issues when towing a large van.
Should I buy a Lexus LX500d?
The combination of luxury appointments and Toyota-sourced underpinnings hits a sweet spot for many Australian buyers, with the Lexus brand growing in popularity every year. And while overall volume of the Lexus LX isn't massive, there are still wait lists on certain models for buyers to stomach.
Perhaps this is partly because a big seven-seat SUV with a premium treatment and proper off-road ability is rare.
And if you don't actually want or need the off-road side of the equation, $150,000 does get you looking at some impressive machinery like the BMW X7, Mercedes-Benz GLS and Audi Q7. They will offer more premium touches and refinement for a suburb-bound family hauler.
However, only a Range Rover or Range Rover Sport can be considered a competitor to the Lexus LX, or British siblings like the Land Rover Defender and Discovery.
And of course, buyers of an LX500d would be remiss not to consider looking at a Toyota LandCruiser, especially in top Sahara ZX form.
How do I buy a Lexus LX500d? The next steps.
Like I mentioned, a relatively limited supply level means Lexus has been busy pumping out LX vehicles to patient order holders since it launched a couple of years ago. Wait times are still ongoing, but are reducing gradually as the car maker catches up to demand.
And while you can certainly spend more money on a Lexus four-wheel-drive, this base-spec model does feel plentiful in terms of equipment and kit to not need going further up the ladder. Consider the petrol-powered LX600, of course, or the Sports Luxury for even more accoutrements.
The next step on the purchase journey is to check the Lexus website for stock of your preferred LX variant. You can also find Lexuses for sale at Drive Cars For Sale.
Find your nearest Lexus dealer via this link. We’d also recommend test-driving the BMW X7 against this model (if you don't need the off-road ability), or look closely at the Range Rover Sport, which can be had for similar money.
If you want to stay updated with everything that's happened to this car since our review, you'll find all the latest news here.