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12/04/2012
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If you ever wondered just how luxurious and capable a SUV can get, you need to find out and drive the 2013 Lexus LX570 SUV. Sporting a new Lexus spindle grille, 20-inch alloy wheel design and upgraded interior for the 2013 model year, the eight-passenger LX 570 continues to deliver on challenging off-road adventures as well as luxurious daily driving. We had the chance to drive this offering from Lexus that resembles a luxury townhouse inside and a sleek SUV of today from the exterior.
Exterior
The 2013 LX 570 sports a new look at both the front and rear. New LED daytime running lights complement the new headlamp design and new larger fog lamp bezels. Taillamps are also updated, while the rear license plate surround gets a revised look and the tow hitch cover is more integrated. Both front and rear bumpers are refreshed, and the rear bumper protector is enhanced by a stainless steel accent. When you see the 2013 Lexus LX570 SUV on the road, there is no mistaking this vehicle, and in the star fire pearl paint of our test model, this is one luxurious looking set of wheels. Some of the notables include turn signals that have been added to the side mirror and wider body side moldings sporting a new look. Two new exterior colors are available: Medium Nebula Gray Pearl and Satin Cashmere Metallic, replacing Twilight Gray Metallic and Golden Almond Metallic.
Interior
There is certainly a ‘wow’ factor when you set foot into the 2013 Lexus LX570 SUV for more than a few reasons. The spacious, eight-passenger cabin of the LX 570 received a number of upgrades and changes. The driver's seat incorporates a new Easy Access system, which makes entering and exiting the vehicle easier. The steering wheel and driver's seat automatically retract when the ignition is turned off. Front seats also feature improved cooling, and a 120-volt power outlet has been added to the middle row. The instrument panel has been updated and a new color display is applied. A dark chrome finish for the center instrument cluster and front side air vents, along with a new chrome accent above the glove box, freshen the look of the instrument panel as well. The cabin of the 2013 LX 570 also sports mahogany wood trim. Parchment replaces Cashmere as an interior leather trim color.
A full array of standard luxury amenities includes four-zone independent climate control, front seat power-seat cushion extenders, a rear back-up camera, Lexus Navigation System and nine-speaker Lexus Premium Sound system with iPod/USB connectivity, HD radio with iTunes tagging, and streaming music via Bluetooth. The Lexus Navigation System includes Lexus Enform with Safety Connect (and a complimentary one-year trial subscription), Voice Command casual-language voice recognition and Bluetooth phonebook download. The system now comes with the next-generation Lexus Enform Application Suite, the system that leverages the customers' mobile phone technology to provide a new level of connectivity and information management. Users can conduct local searches through Bing, or utilize voice-enabled apps to make restaurant reservations through OpenTable, get movie tickets via MovieTickets.com, or tap into internet radio, including Pandora.
Users can appreciate the ability to check in on Facebook and search for various business reviews including restaurants on Yelp. SiriusXM data services offer information on stocks, traffic, weather, sports and fuel prices. Enform is supported on iPhone, Android and Blackberry. SiriusXM services offer complimentary 90-day trial subscriptions and require separate audio and data subscriptions. The standard power-sliding second row seat slides forward and aft 3.5 inches for passenger comfort and cargo storage versatility. The second row seatbacks provide a convenient 40/20/40 split. The second row seat is specially engineered to make tumbling it forward easy for anyone. A power retractable third row seat is standard. The split rear tailgate features a power upper door, while the bottom section raises and lowers with minimal effort.
Our test model LX 570 came equipped with an optional Luxury Package that included a cool box for beverages, semi-aniline leather-trimmed upholstery with contrast stitching, heated steering wheel and mahogany wood trimmed door switch plates, heated and ventilated front seats and heated second row seats (outboard position only) and Smart Access. In addition to the Luxury Package, the new LX 570 features a rear dual-screen rear seat entertainment system with wireless headphones and three-prong electrical outlet. This system allows two video sources to be viewed at the same time – for instance, one can be used as a DVD player while the other as a game console or audio player. For audiophiles, a 19-speaker Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound audio system is also available with 450-watts maximum power and 15 channels, and we can attest that this system is downright incredible!
Performance
Once thing that we learned quickly in the revamped 2013 Lexus LX570 SUV is that whatever type of driving experience you prefer, this machine offers all of them and more! The LX 570's 5.7-liter V8 delivers the punch and towing power demanded in this segment. The powerplant produces 383 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and peak torque of 403 lb.-ft at 3,600 rpm. Crucial to LX customers who tow with their vehicles, 90 percent of peak torque is available at just 2,200 rpm. Fuel efficiency is moderate coming in at 14mpg in the city and 17mpg in highway driving.
The LX 570 is equipped with an electronically-controlled six-speed automatic transmission that estimates road conditions and predicts the driver's intention in order to select the appropriate gear ratio for the vehicle's speed and the driving conditions. A sequential shift mode allows the driver to select gears manually. Even at very low speeds, such as trail driving, the transmission operates smoothly and imperceptibly.
The LX 570's transfer case provides full-time four-wheel drive that is equally adept at handling the rigors of slippery winter weather or deep mud or snow. The system uses a TORSEN limited-slip locking center differential to distribute power 40:60 front-to-rear, directing more power to the wheels with the best grip should slippage occur. Four-wheel Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) employs both brake and throttle intervention to help control wheel spin.
Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) helps maintain directional control during cornering and can be disengaged via the "TRAC off" switch. The updated Crawl Control feature provides optimum throttle and brake modulation when maneuvering over rough, uneven or difficult surfaces. The new Turn Assist feature also helps by tightening the turning circles by adding more brake force to the inside rear wheel. The new Multi-Terrain Select also allow you to optimize performance by choosing from five types of terrain. Hill-Start Assist Control (HAC) helps provide additional control for off-road driving by helping to keep the vehicle from rolling back when your foot moves from the brake to the gas pedal on a steep incline or slippery surface.
The standard split five-spoke, 20-inch alloy wheels with Liquid Graphite finish wear 285/50R20 tires. The multi-terrain ABS system determines road-surface conditions and automatically optimizes lock-up control, selecting the suitable ABS profile for on- and off-road driving surfaces. Electronic Brake-Force Distribution (EBD) employs the ABS to properly balance braking forces between the front and rear wheels, while Brake Assist (BA) provides auxiliary force to assist the driver during emergency braking. When you drive this Lexus, you get the feeling that anything is possible, but please remember that all cars and trucks have limits, even though the LX570 can take on some incredible tasks.
Overview
The sprawling 2013 Lexus LX570 SUV will command respect on and off the road, but the interior is what stole the show for us, and safety is also at a premium. The LX570 was also the first in its class to offer available Pre-Collision System with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control. In addition, LX 570 is the first Lexus to offer the optional Wide-View Front and Side Camera feature designed for use in tight settings, such as parking garages. With cameras located within the front grille and under the passenger outside mirror, the driver can check hard-to-view areas by simply pressing a button on the dashboard and viewing the camera images on the standard navigation system screen. The Wide-View Front and Side Camera functions up to a vehicle speed of about 7.5 mph and can display the front and side views simultaneously in split-screen mode. For those who have the funds to dish out $88,670 (as tested), the Lexus LX570 should deliver all that you could want from a vehicle with four wheels!
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