Gentleman’s club
THE LX570 IS THE MOST EXPENSIVE VEHICLE HERE, BUT DOES THAT MAKE IT THE PICK OF THE TRIO?
THE LEXUS LX570 first arrived in 2008 off the back of the then new Land Cruiser 200 Series. It differed from the LC200 in a number of ways, but most significantly with its 5.7litre V8 not found in the 200. It replaced the previous LX470, which was based on the LC100 and shared its 4.7-litre V8.
In late 2015, the LX570 received a major facelift and features upgrade led by a new eight-speed automatic gearbox, which replaced the previous six-speed auto from the LC200.
The long list of other new standard features included automatic emergency braking, radar cruise control, lanedeparture warning, blindspot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, head-up display and tyre-pressure monitoring. It also received Drive Mode Select at that time.
POWERTRAIN AND PERFORMANCE
THE LX570’S 5.7-litre quad-cam 32-valve V8 features variable valve timing on both cams and direct injection and is the largest engine offered in any Lexus vehicle. Despite being marginally larger in capacity than the V8 in the QX80, it produces less power (270kw vs 298kw) and less torque (530Nm vs 560Nm), but also doesn’t need to rev as hard to achieve its peak figures.
This is an engine of quite different character to the V8 in the QX80. It’s far quieter but also less edgy, urgent and revvy, and goes about its business with zero fuss. If it is refinement and civility you’re after then this engine is the pick of the three; although, it still isn’t short on performance even if it can’t quite match the punchy V8 in the QX80. The LX570’S eight-speed automatic is also the sweetest and smoothest shifting gearbox of the three, and perfectly complements the refined nature of the naturally aspirated engine.
ON-ROAD RIDE AND HANDLING
THE LX570 shares the unique suspension system of the LX450D, complete with its adaptive damping with driver-selectable modes, automatic adjustment of the front spring rate, and ride height adjustment that automatically lowers the vehicle by 20mm at the front and 15mm at the rear at higher roads speeds. The LX570, like the 450d, also has variable-ratio steering in place of the LC200’S system with variable hydraulic assistance.
The end result of all this is a
compliant, supple and very quiet ride on all road surfaces, even on the 21s that are part of the enhancement pack. The handling and stability on smooth roads is good, too, and Drive Mode Select does its best job here allowing the driver to firm up the damping to reduce the body roll and pitch and sharpen the steering to improve the turn-in characteristics.
However, like the LX450D, the LX570 is less happy on bumpy roads, especially at higher speeds where there’s a fair bit of bump steer from the rear axle, perhaps even more so than an LC200. Firming up the damping via Drive Mode Select doesn’t help on bumpy high-speed roads.
In fact, on rough roads, both Lexus models handle better in the Comfort mode for the chassis settings. This is where the Custom setting in the Drive Mode Select system comes into play as it allows the driver to pre-program the chassis for Comfort but the powertrain for Power, a combination not available in any of the default factory settings. The steering on both Lexus models is also heavier than the QX80 and doesn’t provide the same degree of feel.
OFF-ROAD
THE LX570 largely does what the LX450D does off-road, despite the different power characteristics of the two engines and the fact that the 570’s eight-speed gearbox affords it a better crawl ratio.
The big trick with both, compared to the QX80, is the height-adjustable suspension, but both Lexus models also benefit from the generous wheel travel from the live rear axle. Both also have Multi-terrain Select, which adapts the powertrain and chassis electronics for different terrain tyres; although, these settings are only available in low range. Both also have Crawl Control, which is effectively a low-speed offroad cruise control – although noisy, it’s surprisingly effective in difficult going.
The highest setting for the suspension also only operates when Crawl Control is activated, which means you may need to select Crawl Control when you don’t actually need the automatic throttle control it provides, just the extra clearance if affords.
CABIN, ACCOMMODATION AND SAFETY
THE LX570 seats eight, but the third row seat isn’t as roomy as that of the QX80, or as easy to access. Likewise, the second-row seat isn’t as spacious as the QX’S, especially for three adults.
The LX570 is still a big, comfortable and beautifully detailed and finished wagon with a mind-boggling array of convenience and luxury features, even if some features only come with the optional enhancement pack (see ‘What you Get’ sidebar).
PRACTICALITIES
ON TEST the LX570 used 19.4L/100km, which is slightly more than the QX80 – and both have similar (14.4 vs 14.5) ADR fuel-use figures. While both are obviously thirsty, more so than the LX450D, the 570 does have the biggest tank (138L) and is specified to run on 91RON whereas the QX80 asks for 95RON.
Given the LX570 has the same size brakes as the LX450D, it too will take the 18-inch wheels from the LC200 if you want a wider choice with more practical tyres; although, this is not something Lexus recommends.