Lexus LX 2022: four-seat, five-seat and seven-seat specs coming to Australia for luxury 4WD

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When the Lexus LX large 4WD launches in Australia, the luxury off-roader will offer more choice for buyers with new variants and three seating configurations on the table.

Globally, there are several options debuting with the new LX including brand new diesel and petrol powertrains as well as opulent and off-road focused grades that should broaden the mammoth SUV’s appeal. 

The fourth-gen Lexus LX moves to the same TNGA-F underpinnings as the overwhelmingly popular Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series. Like the first three iterations, the latest LX promises greater plushness and opulence than its Toyota cousin, yet without sacrificing off-road ability.

This time though, the LX is moving into the VIP zone, and it sounds like the four-seat configuration may make it to Australia, according to Lexus Australia managing director Scott Thompson.

Speaking to Chasing Cars at the launch of the marque’s first EV, the UX 300e small SUV, Mr Thompson said that “[Lexus Australia will] offer probably three different seating configurations” for the LX.

VIP four-seater LX firms for Australia

The debut of the “J300” Lexus LX in October saw the brand confirm a superlux four-seater variant for the first time, with captain’s chairs in the first and second rows.

The configuration isn’t so much about providing ease of access to the third row (because there won’t be one one) but instead giving maximum comfort and space to rear occupants. 

Much like the LS luxury sedan, it appears the LX ‘VIP’ will offer rear-seat riders the ability to control cabin functions such as climate settings, music, navigation all while reclining. 

The front passenger seat is able to fold forward, providing a metre of legroom, with a flip-out ottoman for maximum relaxation. 

High-grade leather and wood will abound in the cabin, giving the LX a distinctly upmarket vibe. Key rivals include the BMW X7 – which is seven-seat only – and the Mercedes-Benz GLS, which offers buyers a four-seater variant in flagship $360,800 GLS600 Maybach guise.

Presumably, the other two seating configurations referred to by Mr Thompson will include more traditional seven and five-seat layouts.

LX F Sport and Offroad variants being considered

In 2020, the Lexus LX was available in two grades in Australia denoted by the engine. The LX 450d diesel was the more attainable specification, and the LX 570 built on that car’s appointments with a 19-speaker Mark Levinson stereo, fixed sunroof and 138L fuel tank.

When the LX 570 S launched in March 2021 with its distinctive grille design, and more opulent equipment levels there was some interest, with Mr Thompson confirming Lexus will “bring in an F Sport variant based on the learnings from the S Edition.” 

With the introduction of the VIP variant, Lexus should have a luxurious off-roader to compete with the likes of the Range Rover, but there are naturally questions about an opulent opponent for the Land Cruiser GR Sport variant.

In Japan, Lexus will offer a premium adversary for the Land Cruiser GR Sport with the Lexus LX 600 Offroad variant that wears 18-inch alloy wheels with all-terrain tyres (instead of 22-inch items on the VIP) and also boasts front, rear and centre diff locks.

Lexus Australia chose not to comment on the introduction of a potential premium adversary for the Land Cruiser with the LX 600 Offroad.

“So with that information, yes, it will play a bigger role.”

Will the 2022 LX have petrol and diesel engines?

As was the case until the third-gen LX went off sale in Australia, the fourth-gen vehicle will offer both petrol and diesel powertrains  – though both motors have been shrunk from eight to six-cylinders.

Under the bonnet of LX 600 is a 305kW/650Nm 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol V6 which sends power to all-four wheels via a 10-speed torque converter automatic. The other option is a 227kW/700Nm 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6 featured in the LX 500d.

On the topic of which is right for Australia, Mr Thompson ruled neither in or out, saying “our job is to find the right powertrain for the marketplace.”