2016 Lexus LX 570 Gets Off-Road Scars While Doing Jeep Impersonation

Underneath all that glitzy chrome is a ladder frame, solid axles, but no mechanical differentials. Engineers used a brake-based system to mimic how a diff works and save weight. But it still weighs around 3 tons which makes it heavier than all the Range Rovers.

Motor Trend put Lexus' claim of off-roadability to the test by letting the LX 570 play in a Jeep sandbox. We're talking about a real dirt trail, not the mall curb most SUVs usually deal with. Using a combination of brawn and clever electronics, the Lexus handles it like a champ.

Jonny Lieberman, who has always been a critic of the new Lexus design language, also proves that it's bad by comparing it with the LX's sister car, the Toyota Land Cruiser V8. They are the same underneath, save for the hydraulic suspension, but because of the Spindle Grille, the approach angle is not as good.

Did we mention the truck gets some serious off-road scars? We kind of expected that to happen even before watching the video. The last time MT got some serious off-roaders, the uber-expensive Mercedes-AMG G65 lost its front bumper.

While we're on the subject of price, we have to address the $90,000 elephant in the room. That's at least how much you'll have to pay for the LX 570. But that's still not as much as some Range Rovers and G-Wagons. Sure, the 5.7-liter V8 engine makes only 383 horsepower and delivers 90 percent of its 403 lb-ft (546 Nm) peak torque at 3,600 rpm. However, do you really need laggy turbochargers on an off-road course? With thorough revisions both inside and out, the only flaw we can find with this 4x4 is that grille.