Sometimes taking a year off can really pay dividends. It worked for Michael Jordan in 1994.
Does it work for the Lexus LX570, my tester for the week?
This big, bold SUV skipped model year 2012 to make some much-needed improvements.
The luxury full-size SUV enters model year 2013 with new looks both inside and out. The most noticeable difference is the addition of what I assume will be the new-look grille of the entire Lexus brand.
With an hourglass-like front grille, more prominence is given to front-end lighting (including new running lights and fog lamps) as well as a new front bumper. The entire front end of the LX looks vastly different in fact – like automotive rhinoplasty.
Inside, luxury is still clearly on display. More attention is given to accents, like the addition of mahogany wood and dark chrome trim inside. Subtle nuances like this don’t go unnoticed though, and really elevate the LX to luxurious heights.
Front-row passengers will enjoy the new “easy access” mechanism, which slides the steering back and the seats back to allow for easier entry for passengers of all sizes. Memory seats will take the driver right back to their preferred position once they settle into the all-leather seats.
There is nothing subtle about the 5.7-liter, V8 engine. With 383 horsepower and 403 lb./ft. of torque, the engine works with the 6-speed automatic transmission to drive this behemoth down the road, towing, or even off roading.
Weighing 6,000 lbs., the LX570 could think about some automotive liposuction, as the 7-passenger vehicle drives very large. Braking, thankfully, is firm and precise, but the LX570 lacks maneuverability. Spry, it is not.
A full-time 4-wheel drive system brings some additional control and the double-wishbone suspension softens some of the road, reminding you that you are in a luxurious vehicle. Blind spot detectors in the side mirrors would be a much-needed addition to the next model upgrade.
Always prevalent is how big the LX570 is, both in the way it drives and the way it feels inside.
The LX570 boasts a maximum cargo capacity of 83.1 cubic feet and can tow up to 7,000 pounds. The Toyota engineers added a crawl control switch that can aid in towing up steep grades, further adding to its rugged usefulness.
Because of its weight, the LX570 does have poor fuel economy. Rated at 12 city and 17 highway, this SUV will require a lot of trips to the gas station. In a week of almost all highway driving, I averaged only 14 MPGs. Unfortunately, premium gasoline is recommended by the manufacturer.
The Lexus LX570 has a MSRP of $80,930. With additional packages like a Mark Levinson Audio System, park assist cameras and dual-screen DVD entertainment system, my tester came in at $88,670.
Despite its gluttoness tendencies, the 2013 Lexus LX570 brings new looks and new luxuries to its already grand stature.
Jimmy Dinsmore is the Wheels editor at the Dayton Daily News and may be reached at (937) 225-2115. Follow him on Twitter @wheelseditor