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2008 Lexus LX 570 Road and Trail Test

Lexus has a long-standing reputation for class, finesse, and performance

Lexus' newest SUV is not what I'd call little. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

without compromising on quality, reliability and durability. Those attributes can be found in all of its products, from the most basic IS 250 right up to the ultimate Lexus, the LS 600h. So, it's no surprise that when the Japanese auto manufacturer unveiled their new full-sized LX-series luxury SUV that all of these qualities were present and accounted for.

Introduced to North America in 1996, the LX has proven to be a fully-capable sport utility vehicle, with its rugged underbody and slew of off-roading features. It has also established itself as refined, sophisticated and desirable by those shopping in the luxury SUV market, although its presence isn't as noticeable as a Mercedes-Benz G-Class or Land Rover's Range Rover. Now, with the introduction of the new LX 570, Lexus is raising the bar on their flagship SUV, and in the process hoping to gain a little more of the public's attention.

The LX 570 shares its platform with the recently redesigned Toyota Land

Bright tail lamps are surrounded in chrome. Classy! (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

Cruiser, and was built with the phrase “Forceful Elegance” in mind. The engineers at Lexus wanted to create a rugged yet elegant SUV with the ability to “go anywhere, anytime” but still endow it with an atmosphere of comfort and quality. They most certainly have. The exterior styling is also heavily influenced by Lexus' L-finesse design language, meaning that the “designers created an exterior that places a priority on function and Lexus excellence, marrying the style of the Lexus sedan series with the framework of a genuine 4WD vehicle.”

Outside, the SUV's updated body style sports long, lean curves, chrome accents, a body-colored spoiler and some nice looking wheels. On the inside, a first-in-class 4-zone independent climate control system is included for those sitting in the front and those sitting in the rear. Finally, a vehicle that not only allows its passengers to be exceptionally comfortable - because this generation of LX is the roomiest of them all - just by sitting inside on the premium leather seats, but gives them the

Ride in comfort in the leather-trimmed, timber-clad LX. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

added comfort of personalized climate zones. And for most of those who know me, the heat is on full blast when everyone else's air conditioning is pumping out cool air!

You really couldn't ask for more comfortable rear seating accommodations. The 8 occupant LX has very easy-to-access seats both in the 2nd and 3rd rows, and if the last row of seats isn't necessary for your lifestyle, they fold out of the way quickly. Unfortunately, the 3rd row seats still don't fold flat, but fold up and to the side like they have since this SUV was introduced, however, there is still ample cargo room for hauling all sorts of gear.

Handy on a vehicle this size is the LX's sensory system. Each LX comes standard with clearance and back-up sensors, as well as a back-up camera that is linked with the drive-based navigation system. Furthermore, there's a wide-view and side monitor system with cameras mounted on both side mirrors, as well as on the trunk and sensors integrated into the bumpers. Talk about a great parking lot,

All those switches control the LX's off-roading gear. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

fender-bender preventer. When enabled, “the split screen display allows the driver to see both front and passenger-side view images at the same time. The system disengages automatically when the vehicle exceeds 7 mph.” One problem that I often face with larger SUVs is visibility around the front and rear pillars due to their height and size. Lexus makes it not only easy to see what's going on around me, but even easier to park and back up.

Powering the all-new luxury SUV is an all-new 5.7L, 32-valve, DOHC V8 boasting dual variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i). It produces 383 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 403 lb-ft of torque at 3,600 rpm. That's a 115 horsepower increase from the previous generation LX 470, which used the 4.7L V8 engine, and an increase of 75 lb-ft of torque. The new 5.7L is also more emissions friendly and fuel efficient, but how? Besides featuring a more technologically advanced engine architecture with dual VVT-I, it also gets a new 6-speed automatic transmission with a sequential mode shifter

Four-zone climate control... fancy, very fancy! (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

and lock-up torque converter. These changes yield better fuel efficiency results at 12 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway.

Two trims of LX 570 are available: Premium and Ultra Premium. Both models share the same great new 5.7L engine and Lexus' full-time 4WD, and both feature a front double-wishbone with lower torsion bars and a rear four-link style live axle suspension. The ride quality is soft enough to create a 'touring' sensation, but firm enough not to let its comfort put you to sleep. It's comfortable both on city streets and highways.

While both LXs share many of the same features, like Lexus' proximity sensing smart key system with its push button start, the aforementioned 4-zone independent climate control system, a 10-way power adjustable heated and air conditioned driver's seat, 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels, chrome finished door handles and front grille, and so on, the Ultra Premium package comes with a few additional perks such as unique wheels, a Mark Levinson reference surround sound audio system with

Third row bench doesn't fold flat, but rather tips to the side. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

in-dash, 6-disc CD/DVD changer, 5.1 channel audio, 19 speakers and a hard disk drive, unique Bubinga wood trim, and radar cruise control.

Impressive navigation, sound system and seat warmers aside, the best part about this SUV has to be its excellent off-roading abilities. During the ride and drive program, Lexus set up an off-road course to demonstrate how competent the LX is out in the wilderness. Most LX buyers, however, generally won't take their new $74K 'baby' off-roading, but if in fact the roads of life take them off the straight and narrow, such features as an adaptive variable suspension with active height control (the suspension can raise and lower over five inches), as well as a full-time four-wheel-drive system will give them confidence that they'll be well cared for!

All the off-roading technology equipped on the LX 570 must be pretty complicated to use, right? Wrong. It's remarkable how

The LX has no problem getting muddy and hitting trails. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

easy it is to shift between the high and low gears, adjust the active height control and let the truck do its thing. Shifting into low-gear (and back) requires you to be in neutral and stopped. Then, with the press of a button, voila, the transfer case engages electronically. Easy as pie. Put it in drive and you're off. The height control is adjusted with the push and hold of a button. What's more, the LX 570 also comes with a crawl control feature for steep, slippery slopes. This function allows the driver to adjust the speeds at which they want the SUV to crawl at. The three speeds are 1 mph, 2 mph and 3 mph. During the course I let the LX crawl at 1 mph. All I had to do was pay attention to where I was going and steer as to not scratch its beautiful paint. It was brilliant. Now, I'm not a seasoned off-roader but after putting my faith in the LX, I was amazed as to how well it handles the rough stuff and what great technology it offers its driver.

The LX 570 also has a considerable number of safety features that ensure the well-being of those inside and out of the vehicle. First, the braking system is top notch with four-wheel ventilated discs, ABS, electronic brakeforce distribution (EBD) and brake assist (BA). The braking systems

One of the finest premium off-roaders on the planet, and now, it's cheaper too. (Photo: Alexandra Straub, American Auto Press)

were quite handy while driving on the off-road course, but also off the course, on pavement. And what better season to try out its braking capability than winter, with the slippery snowy surfaces and slick icy roads. Needless to say, the LX had no problem remaining in control at slower speeds with the brakes were 'tested' out! At higher speeds, my guess is that it would perform equal to its car and SUV siblings, which deliver superb braking in all conditions.

Furthermore with safety in mind, the cabin is lined with 10 airbags including dual-stage front airbags for the driver and front passenger, front seat-mounted side airbags, middle outboard seat side airbags, driver front passenger knee airbags and roll-sensing curtain-type side airbags for all 3 rows. And as mentioned above, the split screen monitoring system, back up sensors and camera, power folding mirrors and projector-style halogen headlamps enhanced with an adaptive front lighting system, and auto-swiveling system and headlamp washers provide peace of mind when behind the wheel.

With all the new upgrades and features, Lexus has raised the price of the LX 570 $6,405 more than that of the current generation SUV. Full pricing details will be announced when the LX's hits dealerships later this month.

Whether you consider the LX because of its stronger value proposition or because of its amazing attributes, this is one luxury SUV that will not disappoint its new owner, no matter what obstacles that fortunate soul happens to be driving over.

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