2009 Lexus LX 570

Full-sized sport-utility vehicle with enhanced off-road and safety features

By Nina Russin

2009 Lexus LX 570

The LX is Lexus’ full-sized sport-utility vehicle, with seating for up to eight passengers, and 8500 pound towing capacity. The current model, introduced last year, improves on the original LX 470 with a larger, more powerful V8 engine, enhanced off-road and safety technology.

Powerful 5.7-liter engine

The 383-horsepower V8 engine is 42 percent more powerful than the 4.7-liter V8 on the outgoing model: 403 foot-pounds of torque makes the LX extremely capable in off-road situations, and gives the SUV surprisingly good low-end acceleration.

Making six thousand pounds of sheet metal accelerate from zero-to-sixty in 7.4 seconds is a feat worthy of respect. The trade-off is lackluster fuel economy: about 14 miles-per-gallon on average.

Fortunately, the six-speed automatic transmission gives the car reasonable gas mileage on the highway: about 18 mpg. The LX can cruise along flat roads at 75 miles-per-hour and rarely rev above 2000 rpm.

Fans of Lexus passenger cars will appreciate similar performance from the LX, notable for its compliant suspension, and quiet interior. Despite its two box architecture, there is no noticeable wind noise around the windshield or side mirrors. Mud and snow tires on standard 20-inch wheels produce very little road noise. Read the rest of this entry »