Driven: 2026 Lexus LX 600 Luxury SUV

The 2026 Lexus LX 600 delivers the comfort and craftsmanship we expect from the Japanese automaker’s flagship SUV, along with off-road-capable hardware beneath its polished exterior. We enjoyed the Luxury model’s smooth, quiet ride and powerful engine. And while its interior is luxurious, its center stack and tech feel a little behind the times.

There’s no mistaking the LX for anything other than a Lexus. An enormous spindle grille dominates the front, with horizontal bars that emphasize the SUV’s width. Angular headlights and substantial bodywork give it a commanding presence, while the Atomic Silver paint on our test vehicle complemented its bright trim. The Luxury grade rides on 22-inch forged alloy wheels, which look appropriate on something this substantial.

The LX 600 comes in Premium, F SPORT Handling, and Luxury grades. Buyers interested in the hybrid LX 700h can also choose the off-road-focused Overtrail or four-seat Ultra Luxury. The seven-passenger Luxury vehicle we tested sits toward the plush end of the range while retaining the hardware that makes the LX more capable than its appearance might suggest.

Under the hood is a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 producing 409 hp and 479 lb-ft. of torque, paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive. Acceleration is satisfying, with enough pickup to get this big SUV moving without feeling strained. It has the muscle for highway passing, too. The sticker lists an 8,000-pound towing capacity and EPA estimates of 17 MPG city, 22 highway, and 19 combined.

The ride is very comfortable and quiet. Adaptive damping provides a noticeable difference between the softer and sportier settings, giving the drive-mode selector a useful purpose. Eco, Normal, Comfort, Sport S, and Sport S+ adjust combinations of powertrain response, suspension damping, steering assistance, and climate operation. Comfort would be our choice for most driving, although we appreciate being able to firm things up when desired.

Adaptive cruise control and lane centering features work reasonably well, but we’d like a more advanced hands-free option for highway-speed travel as we’ve experienced in competing luxury vehicles. Traffic Jam Assist does provide hands-free steering, acceleration, and braking assistance in low-speed traffic. It’s helpful in congestion, but it doesn’t satisfy the need for a system that supports hands-free cruising at normal highway speeds.

The LX is built on the TNGA-F family’s body-on-frame architecture, closely related to the underpinnings of Toyota trucks, the Land Cruiser, and Lexus GX. Its Active Height Control uses hydraulics to lower the body for easier entry and loading or raise it for rough terrain. Lexus lists approximately 8.1 inches of ground clearance based on the Luxury’s tire size. In Low mode, the chassis drops by 1 inch, and it rises between 1 and 3.3 inches in various off-road modes.

Off-road equipment includes a two-speed transfer case, locking center differential, Multi-Terrain Select, Crawl Control with Turn Assist, and Downhill Assist Control. These systems manage traction, power delivery, and braking for conditions far removed from your paved commute. There’s plenty of capability here, though LX owners are likely to remain on pavement most days.

Inside, the materials and assembly are excellent. Leather, dark finished wood, and carefully fitted trim give the cabin the expensive feel it should have. Lexus offers several leather color schemes, including White/Peppercorn and the brown Palomino option. Subtle ambient lighting adds a splash of color after dark.

The power-adjustable front seats are comfortable for long trips, with heating, ventilation, and extendable thigh supports. Those extensions are especially welcome for those of us with longer legs. The massage function is wonderfully relaxing once it’s running. Getting there is less relaxing, requiring four or five touchscreen presses depending on your starting screen. A dedicated button or more accessible shortcut would make this otherwise excellent feature much easier to enjoy.

We’re less enthusiastic about the dashboard layout. The upper widescreen and smaller lower touchscreen have different interfaces, surrounded by numerous switches and knobs. We like physical controls, particularly for temperature and volume adjustments, but the overall arrangement here feels a bit disjointed. The lower display shows climate settings, vehicle graphics, and acceleration and G-force information. It also displays off-road system status, but during ordinary driving, much of its content feels redundant or unnecessary. We’d prefer one larger, integrated screen and driving and off-road mode controls placed away from the multimedia controls.

The upper 12.3-inch touchscreen runs Lexus’s multimedia system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. There’s a wireless charging pad on the console, a fully digital instrument panel, and a head-up display that can show navigation directions. The Mark Levinson audio system sounds crisp and punchy, making it one of the cabin’s more enjoyable features.

The chunky center console presents another missed opportunity. Despite taking up considerable space, it offers relatively little storage compared with newer SUVs that use floating consoles and open shelves underneath. The storage lid opens from either side, which is convenient, and the built-in cooler is a nice touch. Still, the compartment is surprisingly small given the console’s exterior dimensions.

The camera system is particularly useful in something this size. Its sharp backup image and overhead surround view make maneuvering easier, with parking-sensor indicators showing nearby obstacles. The digital rearview mirror provides a wider view behind the vehicle and remains useful when passengers or cargo block the conventional mirror’s sightline.

The second-row bench is comfortable and roomy enough for three adults. Outboard passengers get heated and ventilated seats, with separate rear climate controls and manual pull-up window shades. The entertainment screens give passengers another way to pass the time, especially paired with fancy Mark Levinson headphones. One conspicuous omission is a panoramic sunroof. The LX has a conventional moonroof over the front seats, which feels stingy in a luxury SUV at this price.

Sliding and folding the second-row seats makes third-row access reasonably easy. Once back there, knee room is better than we expected, but headroom is limited, and the space still feels cramped. The two rear seats have power reclining functionality and USB-C ports on both sides. Those conveniences are welcome, though we’d reserve these seats for smaller passengers or occasional use.

There are just 11 cubic feet behind all seven seats. Cargo space improves considerably with the third row folded, increasing to 44 cubic feet behind the second row and 64 with both rear rows folded. In its five-passenger configuration, the LX has a spacious luggage area. With seven aboard, packing requires more restraint.

We enjoyed the LX 600’s power, quiet ride, comfortable seats, and beautifully finished cabin. Its cramped third row, scattered front screen layout, and limited console storage are harder to overlook at this price. Lexus currently lists the entry LX 600 Premium at $108,050, including destination. Our vehicle’s sticker showed a $116,000 base price and $120,854 total, including rear entertainment, accessories, and its $1,450 delivery charge. For buyers who value comfort and off-road capability, it has considerable appeal. We’d just like to see its dash and center console updated to provide a more modern and integrated experience.