Some (okay, 40) years ago, Los Angeles Magazine did a humorous one-page chart on how to tell "new money" from "old money". Under "cars", "new money" was "red Mercedes-Benz 450SL". Under "old money" was "midnight blue Honda Accord four-door".
Clearly, the goal posts have been moved since 1980. Even old money isn't that frugal anymore. But if the target is taste, refinement and value over flash, then the 2020 Lexus LX570 is old money.
This generation of the LX570, like its near-twin sister the Toyota Land Cruiser, has been on the market since the waning days of the George W. Bush presidency (12 years, for those who stopped counting). But it's had updates and refinements along the way---many of them in the six and a half years since we last reviewed one on the old TireKicker site.
One thing that remains constant is the LX570's power supply---a 5.7-liter V8 churning out 383 horsepower. The six-speed automatic transmission is now an eight speed and the EPA fuel economy estimates are still somewhat sobering---12 miles per gallon in the city, 16 on the highway.
The interior, though---this is what the LX570 is all about. Transporting yourself and your passengers in extreme comfort through whatever Mother Nature, fellow motorists and the Department of Transportation road crews can throw at you in extreme comfort. The LX570 is every bit as rugged, dependable and capable as the Land Cruiser, and that's saying a lot.
$91,380 is the base price for the 2020 Lexus LX570, which comes in only one trim level. The window sticker is at the bottom of this review so you can see for yourself, but among the highlights on the standard equipment list are full-time four-wheel-drive, 20-inch alloy wheels, navigation, leather (not just leather-trimmed) heated power front seats, a four-zone automatic climate control, a moonroof and a nine-speaker Lexus premium sound system.
Our test vehicle also had some extra cost options, including wireless charging ($75), a chilled center console box ($170), an upgrade to 21-inch, ten-spoke alloy wheels ($745), a head-up display ($900), the Luxury Package---Semi-aniline leather-trimmed interior with contrast stitching, heated and ventilated front and second-row outboard seats, four-zone Climate Concierge and LX door projector lamps---($1,190), an upgraded 19-speaker, 450-watt Mark Levinson Reference Surround audio system ($2,350), a dual-screen DVD rear seat entertainment system ($2,005), a heated Espresso steering wheel ($150), and a cargo mat, cargo net, wheel locks and leather key glove ($280).
With $1,295 delivery, processing and handling fee, the as-tested price of the 2020 Lexus LX570 comes to $100,540. If you've price-shopped full-size luxury SUVs lately, that number won't surprise, much less shock you. And in the Lexus, you get luxury, genuine off-road ability and legendary Toyota reliability.
Old money didn't get that way by being careless.
