2015 Lexus LX570

By Mauricio Lezcano / carsntravel.com / Photos Lexus US Media

2015 Lexus LX 570 goes where other luxury SUVs don’t dare, and goes there with utmost luxury, a full capability three row prestige luxury utility vehicle for which there seems to be no role it cannot fill.

New for 2015
For 2015, Lexus raises the LX 570’s multimedia capability by giving it standard Sirii Eyes Free Mode, which is compatible with the iPhone 4S and iPhone 5 models forward and puts select Apple’s Siri technology at your service. Siri lets you call contacts, select and play music from iTunes, get turn-by-turn navigation through Siri and Apple maps, and much more. In addition, the Lexus Enform App Suite has been upgraded to include iHeartRadio 4.0 and adds Slacker for even more music-listening choices.

Engine / Transmission / Performance
The 5.7-liter V8 engine produces 383 horsepower and 403 lb.-ft. of torque and is teamed to a six-speed automatic transmission with standard full-time four-wheel drive. Having 90 percent of peak torque available at just 2,200 rpm not only makes the LX 570 an exceptional vehicle for towing, but also makes it a pleasure to pilot in everyday driving.

Full-capability requires full-time four-wheel drive, and the LX 570 has it with a Torsen limited-slip locking center differential that splits torque 40:60 under normal driving conditions. The Torsen differential responds on the move to changing conditions, adjusting the torque distribution as necessary. On-road, 4WD’s traction benefits are seamless, requiring no intervention from the driver. Off-road, the driver can lock the center differential for driving over especially challenging surface conditions.

The four-wheel Active Traction Control system helps to control wheel slip, and, using the Multi-Terrain Select system, you can match A-TRAC’s performance to the prevailing conditions. Selectable modes include Rock, Rock and Dirt, Mogul, Loose Rock, or Mud and Sand.

Interior
Make no mistake, even with its myriad capabilities, the Lexus LX 570 remains an exceptionally luxurious machine. The 14-way power adjustable driver’s seat includes dual-function lumbar and cushion extender, while the 12-way power front passenger’s seat features lumbar adjustment. Standard cabin amenities include four-zone independent climate control, navigation system, a rear back-up camera, a power-sliding second-row seat and power-retractable third-row seat.

The LX 570 offers room and comfort for eight, but when you need to haul cargo, the versatile cabin layout comes to the fore. The 50/50 split power-retractable third row seat folds to provide 41 cu. ft. of carrying space. Fold the split middle row, and you’ve got 83 cu. ft. of space to fill. The clamshell-design tailgate, which features a power upper section, is more versatile than a one-piece hatch.

Connectivity
The LX 570 does an exemplary job of keeping everyone onboard informed, as they wish. The standard navigation system features Voice Command casual-language voice recognition. The system can recognize over 100 voice commands, can map over eight million points of interest and can also display information in English, French and Spanish.

Lexus Enform expands the uses of a Bluetooth smartphone. The LX offers the available Lexus Enform Destination Services, with Destination Assist and eDestination, and provides access to the subscription-free Lexus Enform App Suite.

These voice-enabled apps let you search the Internet through Bing, make restaurant reservations through OpenTable, get movie tickets via MovieTickets.com, listen to Internet radio, search business reviews on Yelp and check in on Facebook Places.

The standard nine-speaker Lexus Premium Audio system can play from just about any digital source, including CD, iPod/USB connectivity, HD Radio with iTunes tagging, and streaming music via Bluetooth. The available 19-speaker, 450-watt Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound audio system turns the LX 570 into a mobile concert hall. And, for rear seat passengers, an available dual screen rear seat entertainment system allows two sources to be viewed at the same time. A 12-volt power outlet in the middle row seat can power a video game, laptop computer or other device.

Summary
With seating for eight, the LX 570 continues a two-decade run as a benchmark in the luxury utility category. It remains one of the few models that combine sumptuous luxury with true off-road capability.

The manufacturer’s suggested retail price starts at $82,930.00, the one I drove included the Luxury Package, Mark Levinson Audio System, Intuitive Park Assist with Wide View Front and Side Monitor, Dual-Screen DVD Rear-Seat Entertainment System, and it came in at $90,720.00 including delivery, processing and handling fee.
mlezcano@carsntravel.com

Posted in CAR REVIEWS, Lexus.

Emilio Lezcano

Journalist - Editor - Photographer
Professional Race Car Driver

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