Lexus’ flagship SUV soldiers into 2026 without any substantial changes, other than a new Luxury trim for the hybrid LX 700h, plugging a noticeable gap between the Premium and Executive VIP models. After all, not every buyer wanted the rear cabin configured with two fixed VIP seats, rather than the more flexible, foldable three-seater row.
Previously, this Luxury trim was only available on the non-hybrid LX 600, and adds a lengthy list of upgrades, including 22-inch wheels, a 25-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, front massage seats, semi-aniline leather, heated and ventilated second-row seats, power-folding third-row seats, and rear-seat displays. Notably, the rugged Overtrail trims are still available for the hybrid model.
We wouldn’t be surprised if Luxury becomes the volume seller now that it can be paired with the superior hybrid powertrain. Smoother at low speeds and quicker to spool, the electric assistance addresses the lethargy of the LX 600. This 3.4-litre twin-turbocharged V6 is mated to a nickel-metal-hydride battery and an electric motor integrated into the 10-speed automatic gearbox, generating 457 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. That’s 48 hp and 104 lb-ft more than the LX 600, but it’s also towing an additional 180 kg.
The LX 700h performs and sounds more like a large-displacement V8 with vigorous low-end thrust and a punchy mid-range. The hybrid polishes out the gearbox transitions, too, so you never feel the ten cogs swapping places, resulting in seamless shifts between gears and modes of propulsion. It’s one of the smoothest Lexus electrified units in play, and a far cry from the agricultural four-cylinder hybrid in the Land Cruiser. But don’t expect dazzling fuel consumption numbers. The hybrid’s mission is geared more towards refining the powertrain rather than assisting in the fuel economy – this is a 2,800 kg SUV after all, and requires 91-octane premium fuel.
We’re fairly certain that those cross-shopping a Lexus LX already have some familiarity with its storied badge. The LX is virtually a Toyota Land Cruiser 300-Series that’s sold overseas, and both sit on the same ladder frame as the Toyota Tundra pick-up truck. There’s a kind of imperviousness that comes with the LX, an aura of durability and confidence that the wheels will simply melt away anything they encounter, especially with the hydraulic suspension ramped up to its highest setting.
That said, prospective owners should temper their expectations for ride comfort. The LX can feel cumbersome if you’re upgrading from an RX or TX, as it takes time to acclimate to its heightened seating position, ungainliness around corners, and larger footprint. Clearly, it’s not as nimble as a BMW X7 or Mercedes-Benz GLS, especially without any rear-axle steering.
The LX 700h Luxury, with its 22-inch wheels and Dunlop Grandtrek tires, does absorb bumps and pockmarked roads better than the Overtrail+ with its Toyo Open Country tires, but it’s not a consequential night-and-day difference. Ultimately, its limiting factor is the body-on-frame chassis. Though the LX does utilize an adaptive variable suspension with hydraulics, it doesn’t hold a candle to the on-road compliance and oscillation control of the similarly off-road-focused Land Rover Defender or Mercedes-Benz G550.
The LX maintains an even keel in terms of interior quality and comfort. It may be a glitzed-up Land Cruiser, but the LX is a proper indulgence. The whisper-quiet cabin suggests outstanding insulation, and if Lexus HQ had a library, we would expect it to be at the same, diminutive decibel level. Soft touches and feathery feedback from the switchgear add to its zen-like atmosphere, as do the buttery semi-aniline leather seats and surfaces. The cooler box underneath the center console is a functional size and uses the air conditioning fans to provide a frosty effect, unlike the narrow, strictly ‘cold walls’ in the Range Rover units.
Unfortunately, the LX is not nearly as spacious as its exterior dimensions may suggest. The cabin is narrow and less generous than that of some unibody SUVs with better interior packaging. The LX cabin wraps around you, from the high center console to the slanted and angled door panels, feeling cozier than it is cramped. The dual-center touchscreens are an intriguing addition, and we appreciate Lexus’ under-reliance on digital real estate. There’s a real button for nearly every high-function feature, and a multitude of shortcuts on the steering wheel as well. We breathe a sigh of relief at the lack of the haptic sensors that plague the TX and RX models, but are baffled that it takes five button presses to activate the massaging seats.
Lexus’ dizzying array of models and trims can make it difficult to choose a winner, but the new Luxury trim and hybrid unit are the specs you want, combining a flexible seating arrangement with a well-oiled powertrain. We may not get the 300 Series Land Cruiser here in Canada, but it turns out we are offered the more luxurious variant instead.
Specifications:
Model: 2026 Lexus LX 700h Luxury
Paint Type: Atomic Silver
Base Price: $138,191
Price as Tested: $149,835
Wheelbase(mm): 2,850
Length/Width/Height (mm): 5,095 / 1,990 / 1,895
Curb weight (kg): 2,840
Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbocharged V6, nickel-metal-hydride battery, electric motor
Horsepower: 457 hp
Torque: 583 lb-ft
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
Engine & Drive Configuration: Front engine, 4WD
Observed Fuel Consumption (L/100km): 14.8
Tires: Dunlop Grandtrek; P265/50R22
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