2024 Lexus LX 600 Sports Luxury review (video)

Lexus offers a somewhat unique take on the full-size luxury SUV experience with its 2024 LX 600, promising not just a significant overhaul in design and technology since the predecessor, but outstanding off-road performance with its LandCruiser underpinnings. Many of the rivals can’t match this for outright toughness and capability.

It’s powered by a smaller yet more potent 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol, replacing the long-serving V8, yet it introduces way more torque and better economy than before. And if economy is a top priority, the 500d diesel variant lives on as well (previously called 450d), with a new twin-turbo V6 diesel.

Here we’re checking out the LX 600 in Sports Luxury trim. It features five seats, but a seven-seat layout is available in the base trim levels for both 600 and 500d. A 2025 update is on the way next year, with a new LX 700h hybrid potentially on the cards for Australia.

2024 Lexus LX 600 Sports Luxury: Specifications

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol
Output: 305kW@5200rpm / 650Nm@2000-3600rpm
Gearbox: 10-speed auto
Drive type: Four-wheel drive, diff locks, dual range
Wheels: F & R: 22×8.0, 265/50
ANCAP: Not tested
Tare weight: 2565kg
Power-to-weight: 8.40:1 (kg:kW)
Official consumption: 12.1L/100km
Our consumption: 12.6L/100km
Fuel tank/Fuel type: 110L/95 RON

Power efficiency: 25.71kW:L/100km
0-60km/h: 3.11 seconds*
0-100km/h: 6.37 seconds*
60-110km/h: 4.42 seconds*
1/4 mile: 14.63 seconds at 158.9km/h*
Max acceleration: 0.718g*
100-0km/h braking: 3.41 seconds at 43.34 metres*
Max deceleration: -1.200g*
Decibel at idle: 40*
Peak decibel at 60-100km/h: 83*
Starting price: $176,476

*Figures as tested by Driving Enthusiast on the day. Manufacturers’ claims may be different

2024 Lexus LX 600 Sports Luxury: How much does it cost?

Competing against the likes of the BMW X7 and big daddy Range Rover, the LX 600 might miss the mark in terms of fine luxury and utmost attention to detail. But it isn’t priced as steeply as those rivals, yet it offers superior off-road performance in most cases.

Lexus Australia offers the LX in seven different trim levels, spanning from the base, the Sports Luxury, the F Sport, and the Ultra Luxury. The diesel is not available in the latter, and the F Sport pack is not available with seven seats.

Prices start from $155,976 for the absolute entry 500d, plus $3500 for the 600 petrol. This test vehicle configuration starts from $176,476 (excluding on-road costs). These prices place it quite advantageously in the luxury class. For comparison, the cheapest Range Rover starts from $257,404 (D350 HSE).

2024 Lexus LX 600 Sports Luxury: Interior & packaging

The cabin is nicely crafted, exuding a sense of elegance while maintaining great functionality. High-quality materials are used in most areas, from soft-touch leather for the seats and detailed stitching, to Shimamoku black ornamentation. All of which add a sophisticated flair.

Lexus has incorporated plenty of tech in the latest model, including a dual-screen setup with a 12.3-inch main display and a 7.0-inch lower screen for climate controls. Together, they form the heart of the new ‘Tazuna’ cockpit design, aimed at minimising driver distraction with intuitive access to essential controls.

And yes, there are still plenty of physical buttons around the place. Almost too many, in fact. But lovers of older-school setups will appreciate being able to make quick selections while on the go without having to dive into screens. Conversely, some elements, such as some of the button designs specifically, might seem a bit crude and old for those that prefer a modern and contemporary layout.

Seating options cater to a variety of needs, with configurations for four, five, or seven passengers. The four-seat Ultra Luxury variant optimises comfort by offering independent captain’s chairs for the second row, complete with 48-degree reclining, soothing massage functions, and a passenger-side ottoman.

But in this regular five-seat form the front seats present a commanding driving position with excellent visibility. The big seats also offer a supple yet supportive station for your body. It feels really nice sitting up front here.

Rear passengers are treated to plush accommodations as well, including soft leather seats, full climate control facilities, and more than enough legroom. Headroom is good but, like with the Toyota LandCruiser (based on the same TNGA-F platform), the body is mounted on top of the chassis, which means the floor is quite high and that means your legs do not drop down as far as they might in a monocoque frame. Still plenty of room nonetheless.

Right up at the back the boot measures in at 1109L, expanding to 1960L with the second row folded down. It’s a huge space to play with, and if you stick with the five-seat configuration you can really utilise the room for a huge cross country road trip. The seven seat layout offers 174L of boot space with all rows up.

In terms of standard equipment and technology, the LX 600 offers wireless phone charging, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, a 25-speaker Mark Levinson sound system on the upper trims, digital radio, full surround-view camera display, tyre pressure monitoring, head-up display, and twin entertainment screens for the rear passengers in this Sports Luxury trim. It’s a properly kitted out SUV, ready for everything from a country-wide trip or simply the weekly shopping.

2024 Lexus LX 600 Sports Luxury: Powertrain & handling 

Gone is the traditional V8 that powered previous LX models. But don’t fret. The new 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 is more powerful, offers more torque, and is more efficient. It produces 305kW at 5200rpm and a healthy 650Nm between 2000-3600rpm.

This represents a significant improvement over the old V8s, with 35kW and 120Nm more while reducing fuel consumption. It’s paired with a 10-speed automatic that seems to manage well in suburban conditions, while offering low revs at highway speeds.

It does rush through the gears pretty quickly, just because there are so many of them. But it rarely feels confused or hesitant, and enjoys galloping up to speed in a rushed manner. It actually feels zippy and fun at times, like a smaller vehicle.

Acceleration is surprisingly brisk for such a large vehicle, with the V6 delivering strong low-end torque for effortless overtaking and top-end pull. We ran the usual sprints and saw 0-100km/h come up in 6.37 seconds, with the quarter mile done and dusted in 14.63 seconds. Not bad times for a vehicle that weights 2640kg (kerb) and with the drag coefficient of a brick (0.40Cd).

The LX 600 is able to tackle a variety of terrains, from smooth highways to more rugged conditions. About the only environment where it can struggle is in dense city settings. This is a big vehicle, measuring 5.1m long, 1.99m wide, and standing 1.85m tall. You need to be careful in those stupidly-small underground carparks, and it does take up plenty of width in regular parking spaces, so you need to warn the kids about swinging open the doors.

Fortunately, it is easy to drive and you’re always aware of its dimensions. Blind-spots are minimal (for a modern SUV), and the steering is straight-forward while providing a good, mechanical feel. It is an electric-assisted setup and it offers a variable ratio, which helps in car parks. Obviously this is no sports car, but it does feel quite intrinsic and engaging, so there are no hidden surprises.

The steering feels precise but lacks the sharpness you might find in a more dynamically-tuned competitor, such as the BMW X7. However, for most buyers, this will likely be a non-issue, as the LX 600’s smooth ride and composed handling at moderate speeds will be its primary appeal. And of course the off-road performance.

Thanks to its heavy-duty four-wheel-drive system and off-road modes from the Multi-Terrain Select system, the LX 600 is a beast off road. It easily tackles mud, sand and rocky trails, with height-adjustable suspension, low range and a rear and centre diff lock. You could say this offers just as much capability as the Toyota, but on the Sports Luxury you get 22-inch wheels wrapped in 265/50 tyres. These are not the idea setup for big adventure seekers.

All models come with Adaptive Variable Suspension and height adjustment. Lexus has worked in technologies which work in the background to help optimise the driving behaviour depending on the situation. For example, the AVS features speed-sensing control, roll posture control, anti-pitch control, repercussion control, roughness sensing control and unsprung damping control. All of this sounds very advanced, and it is, but what it does for you is make the LX handle well in the corners but also provide good suspension range and capability off road.

All models come with a Torsen limited-slip centre differential, and the F Sport adds Torsen LSD at the back. Either way, you’ll find it difficult to get this beast into a situation that it can’t escape from. The shiny bodywork is probably going to be your first concern, and then those big rims.

2024 Lexus LX 600 Sports Luxury: Key attractions/reasons to buy

• New twin-turbo V6: The twin-turbo V6 offers ample power and torque, and yet fuel consumption is much lower than the old V8.
• In-cabin tech: A well-integrated dual-screen infotainment system, wireless smartphone charging, and lots of physical buttons provide accessible functionality breadth.
• Off road king: Despite its luxury focus, the LX 600 retains robust off-road credentials, with proper diff locks and low range.
• Lexus reliability: Lexus is renowned for its build quality and reliability, and that should ensure peace of mind for long-term ownership.

2024 Lexus LX 600 Sports Luxury: Key considerations before you buy

• On-road dynamics: Compared with most rivals, which are primarily set up for on-road use. This is due to the LX’s off-road-focused underpinnings.
• Not as modern as some rivals inside: Taking a look at the dashboard, there are a lot of simple buttons and controls. For older-school drivers this is going to be a positive. But if you jump out of a Range Rover or BMW X7, this is going to look a bit dated.
• No more V8: It’s happening across the industry, but fans of the old V8 are going to be upset by the switch to a twin-turbo V6. Despite this offering more power and torque and lower consumption.