Road Test: 2013 Lexus LX 570

Story by John LeBlanc Although they still only represent a small part of the new car market, ultra-luxury sports utility vehicles continue to be popular for buyers with the means. With such chariots costing in the $100,000 range, its hard to associate the term “value” in this bracket, but the facelifted 2013 Lexus LX 570 comes as close as possible to a solid investment. Since it was introduced for 2006, the Lexus LX has essentially been the fancier version of the more plebeian Toyota Land Cruiser SUV, still sold in the U.S. Because of its Land Cruiser roots, the all-wheel-drive LX 570 is no namby-pamby, car-based crossover that’s afraid to leave the pavement. As such, the Lexus is one of the few remaining luxury SUVs that can be used as a true off-roader. Standard kit includes a proper low gear range, locking centre differential, adjustable ride height (with up to 226 millimetres of grand clearance), adjustable shocks, and second-gear start function (for low-traction conditions). As well, the LX 570’s anti-lock-brake system-based “crawl control” can limit the vehicle’s front progress to 16 km/h. There’s even an old-fashioned hand brake mounted on the centre console, something real off-roaders will appreciate. The current, third-generation LX 570 has been around since 2008. But for 2013, the LX 570 gets Lexus’ now ubiquitous spindle grille as part of some new front and rear fascia designs and larger 20-inch wheels. Inside, the front seats get what Lexus calls the Easy Access system. This allows the steering wheel and driver’s seat to automatically retract when the ignition is turned off.  Front seats also feature improved cooling, and a 120-volt power outlet has been added to the middle row. The instrument panel has also been updated with a new colour display and new mahogany wood trim can be found throughout. Knowing the Lexus SUV will get you to your weekend chalet 365 days of the year, the LX 570 also does a good job as a luxury sedan, albeit a tall one. There’s not a bad seat in the Lexus’ cabin. Front row occupants in the Lexus are treated like royalty. Moreover, any time spent in its spacious second-row seats will have you waving to onlookers like Queen Elizabeth II. A power retractable third-row seat is standard. The split rear tailgate features a power upper door, while the bottom section raises and lowers for duck hunting expeditions. Push on its fluidic throttle, and the LX 570’s 5.7-litre eight-cylinder hurls this beast from rest to 100 km/h in a scant 6.9 seconds. Rivals are quicker, but none are as silky smooth or as quiet in going about their business as the Lexus. There’s a manumatic function, but you won’t need it. The six-speed autobox is happily married to the V8, finding the right gear at the right time. Rare is the buyer in this class that gives a hoot about the fuel bills; More importantly, the LX 570 can tow up to 7,000 pounds, but if you must know, the Lexus is rated at 17.0 L/100 km in the city, 11.6 on the highway, with a 13.8 as-tested number for my week of mainly urban driving. “Smooth” is the one word I’d use to describe the LX 570’s road manners. Sitting tall in its cooled or heated front saddles, the LX 570 glides down the highway, absorbing any and all road imperfections,  despite an old-fashioned body-on-frame, solid rear-axle design. Of course, like a Lexus LS luxury sedan, the LX 570 SUV isn’t too fond of hard cornering. Even with its suspension set to Sport, it rolls like ocean waves in turns, while its steering is as light as air and as numb as a piece of iron ore. In the end, the LX 570’s ability to treat its up to seven occupants as if they were riding in a luxury sedan — and the ability to scale Mount Everest — comes at a cost. While the extremely well-equipped base model starts at $87,500 ($2,450 less than the last model) that puts the Lexus in the top of the segment’s price range. My tester also had the only available option: the $7,350 Ultra Premium package that adds a 19-speaker 450-watt audio system, dual rear seatback DVD entertainment system, dynamic radar cruise control, pre-collision system, front console cool box and a heated steering wheel among other details. While competition can range from the Audi Q7 to the Lincoln Navigator to the soon-to-be-replaced Cadillac Escalade, the Lexus’ main rival is the Infiniti QX56, which starts at $73,200 and still costs considerably less at $82,245 when comparably equipped. That said, not only does the Lexus SUV feel like it would survive a zombie invasion, lots of people smarter than yours truly think it will also hold its value. The 2013 Canadian Black Book Best Retained Value Awards, gave the LX 570 the top spot in its category, as did Kelley Blue Book’s 2013 Best Resale Value Awards. For buyers looking for an ultra-luxurious, do-it-all vehicle, the 2013 Lexus LX 570 may be the best pace to park your automotive funds for several years. THE SPECS Type of vehicle All-wheel-drive full-sized SUV Engine 5.7L DOHC eight-cylinder Power  383 hp @ 5,600 rpm, 403 lb-ft of torque @ 3,600 rpm Transmission  Six-speed automatic Brakes  Four-wheel disc with ABS Tires  P285/50R20 Price: base/as tested  $87,500$94,850 Destination charge  $1,950 Natural Resources Canada fuel economy L/100 km 17.0 city, 11.6 hwy, 13.8 as-tested Standard features  Four-zone independent climate control, 14-way driver's seat, heated and ventilated front seats and heated second-row seats (outboard position only), a rear back-up camera, navigation system, voice recognition, Bluetooth connectivity, advanced voice commands, nine-speaker HD Radio/CD audio system with iPod and auxiliary input, steering wheel-mounted audio/phone controls, smart key with push-button start, trip computer, HomeLink, cruise control, leather and mahogany trim, tilt/telescopic steering, power doors, windows, locks, and sunroof, roof rack, integrated tow hitch and more

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