Before Toyota unleashed the all-new Lexus LX for the 2022 model year, a number of Japanese motoring publications reported the imminent launch of a hybrid powertrain based around the standard twin-turbo V6 engine. Said publications expected the newcomer’s moniker to be LX 750h as opposed to LX 600 for the combustion-only version, but alas, that proved incorrect. Earlier this year, Toyota filed LX 700h with the Canadian Intellectual Property Office, meaning that a hybrid is coming indeed.
That was March 2023, and Toyota has already updated the LX for the 2024 model year. As the headline implies, the 700h is nowhere to be seen. The 600 remains the only choice in the lineup, along with five grades: 600, 600 Premium, 600 F Sport Handling, 600 Luxury, and the 600 Ultra Luxury.
Is there anything remotely new about the LX for the 2024 model year? The answer is a big fat no, unfortunately. Looking at the bigger picture, starting prices for all of the aforementioned trims remain unchanged. Including the $1,350 delivery fee, the 600 kicks off at $89,165 in the US market. At the other end of the spectrum, the 600 Ultra Luxury can be had for $129,255 at the very least.
The 2024 Lexus LX 600 Ultra Luxury comes with four seats, and the rear seat reclining angle can be controlled up to 48 degrees for unparalleled comfort. A fold-down display located behind the front passenger seat also needs to be mentioned, along with a massive 43 inches (that would be precisely 1,100 millimeters in the metric system) of rear legroom. Not bad at all, huh?
The VIP seats include curved headrests and soft urethane for superlative vibration absorption performance. Sunshades for the rear windows and quarter windows, overhead ceiling vents, DC power supply, USB slots, and headphone jacks pretty much round off the poshest LX for 2024.
Photo: Lexus
Those who prefer to drive rather than be chauffeured are presented with the 600 F Sport Handling. Priced at $103,375 at press time, said trim lives up to its name with front and rear performance dampers, a rear stabilizer bar, a Torsen-style differential, and unique tuning of the electric power steering and adaptive variable suspension systems.
Although codenamed V35-FTS by Toyota, the Lexus LX 600’s engine actually displaces 3.4 liters. In this application, the force-fed sixer makes 409 horsepower and 479 pound-feet (650 Nm). Connected to a 10-speed automatic tranny, said lump returns 19 mpg (12.4 l/100 km) combined.
What about the LX 700h that has yet to be launched? Borrowed from the Tundra, the Sequoia's standard i-FORCE MAX powertrain is rated at 437 ponies, 583 pound-feet (790 Nm), and 20 mpg (11.8 l/100 km) with four-wheel drive or 22 mpg (10.7 l/100 km) in 2WD flavor. In other words, it offers 48 more horses and 48 more pound-feet (65 Nm) over the non-hybrid i-FORCE twin-turbo sixer.
Toyota should really consider hurrying up with the LX 700h because indirect rivals (think unibody rather than body-on-frame utility vehicles) already offer hybrid assistance. The Mercedes-Maybach GLS and BMW X7-based Alpina XB7 come to mind, with both packing mild-hybrid systems in combination with twin-turbocharged V8 engines.
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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