From Where I Sit: The 2025 Lexus LX 700h Ultra Luxury

It's now the fourth model year since Toyota took a big leap---making the new generation of what it sells in other countries as the Toyota Land Cruiser the sole property of Lexus as the LX series and bringing the vehicle those other countries know as the Land Cruiser Prado to the USA as the new Land Cruiser.

The move has freed Lexus to go even more upmarket with the LX, a head-on assault on Range Rover that wasn't practical when the same vehicle was available on Toyota lots for ten or fifteen thousand dollars less.

Out of the gate, Lexus priced the 2022 LX 600 at $101,000. The 2023 LX 600 Ultra Luxury I reviewed that year started at $130,000.

This year, Lexus introduces a hybrid---the LX 700h. While Range Rover has a plug-in hybrid, Lexus has chosen to go plugless for now, at least. Lexus is no stranger to PHEVs, offering a plug-in version of the smaller RX hybrid, the RX 450h+.

The LX 700h pairs the same 3.4-liter V6 gasoline engine that's in the LX 600 with an electric motor and comes up with 457 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. That's an increase of 48 and 102, respectively.

There's only a 1 mpg improvement in fuel economy for the hybrid (an EPA-estimated 20 mpg combined), because Lexus chose to focus on performance. Zero to 60 times drop half a second to 5.5 and everything just feels smoother in terms of power delivery and response.

It's a ten-speed automatic transmission, with adaptive variable suspension, active height control, multi-terrain select, crawl control with turn assist and an 8000-pound towing capacity (it comes with an integrated tow hitch).

Cargo space varies, depending on whether you specify third-row seating or not. Ours did not have it.

In fact, this test vehicle was the Ultra Luxury trim (the other three trims are Overtrail, F Sport Handling and Luxury), which specifies four-passenger seating and captain's chairs, along with a rear-seat entertainment system.

The reclining chairs are great in and of themselves, but this generation of LX has an achilles heel---a lack of second-row legroom. It's 36.6 inches in three-row LXs, which is tight for a luxury vehicle---but in the two-row versions, that drops further to just 33.8 inches. That's compact-car legroom. Fine for kids, but no adult in the second-row seats, regardless of recliners or entertainment, is going to have a luxury experience.

The folks up front, however---wow. It's like moving from coach to first class on a trans-Atlantic flight. Lots of room, phenomenal materials and craftsmanship and abundant views through the large windshield and windows.

The base price of the 2025 Lexus LX 700h Ultra Luxury is $140,000 ($141,350 with destination. That's as of this writing. Tariffs were announced on April 2, and the LX 700h is assembled in Japan. By the time you read this, retail pricing may have changed.

Standard equipment, in addition to what we've already covered, includes triple-beam LED headlamps and taillamps, a power moonroof, roof rails, a power rear door with kick sensor, automatic door closers, four-zone climate control, wireless device charging, a digital rear-view mirror, manual sun shades for the rear doors, a refrigerated center console box, ambient lighting, a Mark Levinson premium audio system with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and a three-month subscription to SiriusXM satellite radio, Lexus Connected Services, digital key, traffic jam assist, 22-inch forged alloy wheels, semi-aniline leahter-trimmed heated and ventilated front seats with driver's memory and driver massage, a leather and wood trimmmed heated steering wheel, illuminated front door sills, a 2400-watt power outlet and a comprehensive suite of active safety features.

The 2025 Lexus LX 700h Ultra Luxury had no extra-cost options, so the price tag (again, as of this writing) reads $141,350.

The Lexus LX is a world-class luxury SUV let down by abominable second-row legroom. If you never have rear seat passengers I couldn't recommend it highly enough.

If you do have rear seat passengers, I couldn't recommend it.