2026 Lexus LX Expert Review
Reviewed by Bob Hernandez
The Lexus LX blends rugged Land Cruiser roots with the polish of a flagship luxury SUV. It’s built to tow, tackle trails, and carry families in comfort, all while showcasing the brand’s most capable side. After decades on sale, it remains the ultimate Lexus in terms of utility and refinement.
Other luxury full-size three-row SUVs include the Cadillac Escalade, Infiniti QX80, and BMW X7.
What’s New
For 2026, the LX’s Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 suite gains Curve Speed Management, which helps regulate speed through curves when cruise control is active. Other updates are trim-specific—Manganese Luster paint is now offered on the Overtrail, and the LX700h F Sport Handling picks up an optional F Sport appearance package, which adds:
- Exterior color-matching lower front and rear bumper accents
- Black outside mirror covers
- Black rear spoiler winglets
- Color-matching running board accents
What We Think
As Lexus’ biggest and priciest SUV, the LX should feel like the brand’s highest expression. For 2026, it still doesn’t quite get there.
The body-on-frame design and standard four-wheel drive give it credibility as a true off-roader, and in that role it’s capable and impressive. With trims like the Overtrail, the LX proves it can push farther off the beaten path than most luxury SUVs, blending trail hardware with high-end touches.
Everywhere else, though, the LX struggles to measure up. Ride quality remains trucklike, handling feels heavy, and cabin space is surprisingly tight for a full-size SUV. The third row is cramped, access is awkward, and interior materials and tech don’t stack up well against newer or more recently updated rivals.
The addition of a hybrid powertrain and the continued Overtrail option help make the LX more appealing, improving efficiency, range, and off-road ability. Still, outside of those highlights, the LX feels like a niche choice rather than a class leader.
Top-Ranked Competitors:
MotorTrend Tested
In the LX600, a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 delivers 409 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque, good for a 0–60-mph sprint of 6.7 seconds in MotorTrend testing. The LX700h pairs that same engine with an electric motor integrated into its 10-speed automatic, boosting output to 457 hp and 583 lb-ft. That extra muscle helped it hit 60 mph in a quicker 6.2 seconds.
For context, the Infiniti QX80 uses a slightly larger twin-turbo 3.5-liter V-6 and nine-speed automatic, producing 450 hp and 516 lb-ft. Despite the numbers, it was slower to 60 mph at 6.8 seconds.
MPGs and Range
The LX600 returns 17/22 mpg city/highway, giving it a total driving range of up to 401 miles. Surprisingly, the LX700h hybrid isn’t much more efficient, returning 19/22 mpg, and it has a shorter maximum range of 358 miles thanks in part to a fuel tank that’s about 3 gallons smaller than the gas model’s.
The Infiniti QX80 is even thirstier, achieving just 16/19 mpg, though its range also hits 401 miles due to a tank with 2.5 gallons more capacity than the LX600’s.
Safety Features
The LX added Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 last year, introducing enhanced active safety and updated driver assist technologies to the SUV. Standard features include:
- Adaptive cruise control
- Lane keeping
- Front automatic emergency braking with pedestrian detection
- Emergency evasive steering assist
- Automatic high-beams
Cargo Space and Interior Room
Although the LX has a sizable exterior, its interior space is surprisingly limited compared with other full-size three-row SUVs. Both passenger and cargo room fall well short of most direct competitors.
Technology
Infotainment
The LX features a 12.3-inch driver display and same-size infotainment touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The dash also features a secondary 7.0-inch lower touchscreen. Also standard are wireless charging in the forward part of the cabin, and six USB ports.
Sound System
The base system includes 10 speakers. Lexus also offers a Mark Levinson 25-speaker upgrade.
Available Upgrades
Optional convenience features include a rear-seat wireless charger and a digital rearview mirror. Luxury touches elevate the cabin with second-row captain’s chairs, massaging front seats, and illuminated door sills. On the Overtrail model, available locking differentials further enhance off-road capability.
Value
Standard Features
Every LX comes equipped with a robust powertrain and some off-road capability—not something every luxury SUV can claim. Standard features also include heated and ventilated front seats, heated second-row outboard seats, a heated steering wheel, ambient lighting, a cool box, and power-folding third row.
Recommended Trim
The LX Overtrail trim stands out as the most compelling choice. It adds genuine off-road capability, rugged hardware, and unique styling while retaining the comfort and luxury the LX is known for.
