Did someone say, show me the money?

2008 Lexus LX 570

Lexus LX 570 — 2008 Preview: It’s not easy being wealthy. People are always buggin’ for cash, and there are so many choices to be made, like what type of leather to order inside your car, where to buy that summer home or what kind of caviar to serve. It’s confusing, irritating and inconvenient. Rest assured, we can’t relate – but Lexus can, and does, with the all-new and vastly improved 2008 Lexus LX 570. It’s bigger, more powerful, more luxurious and more able to go off road. In essence, it’s more of everything rich people like, which makes living the luxury life just so much more confusing. If only the LX came with a little butler who made all the hard choices for its customers, now that would really be something…

What’s Under the Hood

The 2008 LX 570 boasts a 5.7-liter V8 engine and a six-speed automatic transmission that makes more than 100 horsepower and almost 100 more lb.-ft. of torque at a lower rev range than the previous LX. That has happy benefits all the way around, from towing (6,500 pounds to 8,500 pounds) to off-road performance and overall performance. That’s just the start: The new LX has a thoroughly improved suspension that includes ride height control and a “multi-terrain ABS braking system that reacts to emergency stops on gravel or sand. There’s also a new “Crawl Control” for off roaders, and a new blind corner monitor feature that reveals previously blind road areas to drivers.

What’s Inside

Though the wheelbase stays the same, engineers waved their golden wands and created more room: four inches in length, says Lexus, plus an inch at the top. We didn’t sit inside, but can imagine that such gains help third-row occupants most of all. In typical fashion, you should find this Lexus of Lexi to be quiet and thoughtfully designed, with plenty of cupholders, Lexus Link and other features such as a 19-speaker (yes, 19) Mark Levinson Audio system with surround sound, a hard disc that holds up to 2,000 songs, and a rear entertainment system with a 9-inch screen. Optional packages include analine leather, a Smart Key card and “Bubinga” wood trim – the kind of wood they make instruments out of. It ain’t Pine #3.

What Lexus Says

“The all-new LX 570 is packed with the luxury appointments and seamless technology our buyers expect of a Lexus vehicle,” said Bob Carter, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. “Equally important, the new LX 570 sets a high-water mark for Lexus by providing the amount of interior space, comfort, luxury, and ride quality our customers demand.”

What We Think

Sit back for a moment and consider how far Lexus has come in a relatively short time. From thinly rebadged Toyotas to ultimate luxury machines like the LX 570, if you’re into a quiet ride wrapped in some of the finest materials available, program your local Lexus dealer into your navigation system today and plan to make a visit later this year, when the 2008 Lexus LX 570 arrives.

by Brian Chee
Photo Credit: Lexus, Brian Chee

© 2007 Autobytel Inc. All rights reserved.

Teeth grinding in Bavaria continues

2007 Lexus RX 350

Why We Drove It

As one of the leaders in the crossover luxury segment – indeed, the one that started it all – the Lexus RX 350 received a shot of power and a new name for the 2007 model year, making it more competitive with its classmates and more fun to drive. It’s got that same old look, though, and it still lollygags around corners like a bathtub – and many of its competitors are doing much better things. As with all cars, these crossovers are constantly changing, and while this RX is an above average player that will provide many year and miles of satisfaction, we look forward to the Toyota/Lexus answer to cars like the new Acura MDX in a few years.

Performance:

With a new 3.5-liter V6 comes more power: 270 horsepower and 251 lb.-ft. of torque mated to a five-speed automatic transmission that delivers power either to all four wheels – as in our tester – or to the fronts. That delivery is exquisitely smooth, though geared for fuel economy. In other words, it’ll dump you into the next gear before the engine really needs it, resulting in less performance but less gas slurping.

Handling

There’s a little too much body roll. This is a luxury SUV, mind you, not a performance luxury machine, so aggressive driving isn’t really a strong suit. The fact is though, it’s not as bad a handler as BMW fans would have you believe. It’s compliant, yes, and soft in the corners with plenty of squealing and crying. Yet it’s fast and light, with responsive – but numb – steering. Driver and passengers are isolated from the harsh world outside, swaddled in comfortable leather and protected by a suspension that absorbs virtually all road imperfections. You still feel the road, it’s just that it feels like carnival taffy.

Visibility

With the backup camera, not an issue at all. Without it, seeing out the back window was a little tough, and the C-pillars are pretty thick from the driver’s viewpoint.

Fun to Drive

Skip this section BMW fans, for you’ll likely not appreciate the fact that the Lexus RX 350 is fun to drive, thanks to a boost in horsepower and torque. It’s the same old quiet and comfortable Lexus, but this time it’s got a new attitude: a little meaner, a little 5 o’clock shadow, a little rough around the edges. Sure, it will still rock your baby to sleep. But then it’ll get up and party like a frat boy.

© 2007 Autobytel Inc. All rights reserved.