2025 Lexus LX 700h Initial Drive Review: An Ideal SUV for a Particular Customer Segment

      "Who am I?"

      The exceptionally attractive Derek Zoolander once posed this question to his own reflection. Like Derek, I too have found myself contemplating various matters lately. For instance, how do I characterize the Lexus LX? Who is its target audience? What exactly is the LX? And ultimately, does the LX understand its own identity?

      I comprehend the appeal for the used LX buyer—after all, the LX has always been essentially an upscale Land Cruiser—but the profile of a new LX purchaser has continuously puzzled me. Who are these wealthy adventurers seeking the durability of a Land Cruiser combined with the luxury and tranquility of an LS? Recognizing the need for introspection, Lexus invited me to wine country to experience their latest creation: the 2025 Lexus LX 700h.

      Lexus

      The Essentials

      Let's begin by examining the fundamentals together. The Lexus LX serves as the company's premier SUV, and the 700h model represents the pinnacle of that offering. It is also the inaugural hybrid version of the LX. This SUV operates as a series hybrid, similar to the Toyota Tundra, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, 4Runner, and Tacoma, with which it shares a platform. In this configuration, it delivers 457 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque, compared to the "standard" LX 600 which provides 409 hp and 479 lb-ft.

      Toyota and Lexus have stated that this system prioritizes power over efficiency, yet fuel economy is slightly enhanced to 19/22/20 mpg city/highway/combined, up from 17/22/19 in the LX 600. While I can't verify the fuel consumption figures, I can confirm the power aspect. An informal test showed a 0-60 mph time in the mid-to-high six seconds, which feels adequately brisk for a vehicle weighing nearly three tons. The internal combustion engine is a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6, complemented by an electric motor positioned between the engine and transmission.

      6,200 Pounds of F-Sport

      Although the LX 700h is quick, it is not designed as a performance vehicle. The F-Sport model, aimed at more street-oriented driving, features unique suspension adjustments along with a rear anti-sway bar and rear Torsen LSD, in addition to the center Torsen, to enhance its dynamics. On the rough, twisting roads above Napa, it performs well, though you can easily exceed what the chassis can comfortably handle.

      This isn't the primary focus of the LX, but it does hold its own under demanding driving conditions, contrary to my initial expectations. On a particularly rugged and narrow stretch of road where I anticipated the rear solid axle and hefty weight to hamper performance, the LX simply locked in. There was no tramlining, no traction control interruptions, and it managed the challenging terrain as smoothly as any well-maintained road I encountered. This is likely a benefit of its advanced, long-travel suspension—more on that later.

      Lexus

      With a robust mid-range surge of power, the 700h excels in cornering, outperforming what one might expect for a vehicle of its size. While you wouldn't typically push a rig of this size to its limits, the LX is predictable and manageable when you do. The brakes are powerful, yet I'd be cautious about pushing your luck during canyon carving with such a heavy luxury SUV, which weighs in at 6,200 pounds. Lexus describes the LX with superlatives like “effortless and refined on any road,” and those terms certainly do capture its essence.

      Over Trails in the Overtrail

      When Lexus refers to "any road," it implies that some of those routes may be unpaved, unmaintained, or not even designated as roads. In response, Lexus introduced a new Overtrail trim exclusive to the 700h. First seen on the GX, the Overtrail trim targets the "overlanders' choice" within the range. This is Lexus' effort to tap into the growing trend of adventure travel that relies on vehicles. Fortunately, unlike many modern "rugged" trims, the Overtrail LX encompasses much more than mere cosmetic upgrades. In fact, the LX 700h Overtrail features no badges indicating its uniqueness, which is a refreshing change. The most noticeable feature is the understated black 18-inch wheels paired with 33-inch Toyo A/T tires, the same seen on the GX Overtrail, along with distinctive colors and slightly altered front-end design.

      On that note, I should comment on the aesthetics of the LX. Similar to the Land Cruiser 300 it is based on, I don't find the LX particularly visually appealing; the Lexus spindle grille appears somewhat off when scaled to this size. It conveys a sense of luxury, but not striking enough to capture immediate attention. How would one describe it? Underground ostentation? The luxury is evident in the details rather than broad design strokes. This "stealth wealth"