Say hello to something extra special in the already impressive Lexus lineup: meet the 2022 Lexus LX 600 Ultra Luxury. Sure, it looks like your typical LX from the exterior - polished, stately and extremely commanding; but open the door, and you're in for a big surprise. It's the first LX in history to offer a four-seat configuration with VIP seating. As the reviewer, I was the driver, yet the interior is so nice that I would have enjoyed being a passenger.
Deciding between new vs used? We've reviewed the LX every year since 2020. Here's a list.
The LX is all-new for 2022. Commanding exterior features are its huge spindle grille and new 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, the largest ever in Lexus' lineup.
Want to compare? I've also reviewed the F Sport model.
Powertrain
Pop open the hood and you won't find the old V8. Instead there's a new 3.5-liter V6 twin-turbo that's more powerful with more torque thanks to the turbocharging. The new engine which is mated to a great performing 10-speed automatic delivers 409-horsepower and an impressive 479 lb.-ft. of torque. The LX is also very capable off-road too thanks to standard full-time four-wheel drive and other off-road features like Crawl Control and a Multi-Terrain monitor.
The impeccable craftsmanship and quality that you expect from Lexus is immediately apparent when you open the doors.
The diamond-stitched semi-aniline quilted seats with embossed, power-folding, headrests are highlights. The 10-way power driver's seat is supremely comfortable. Both front seats are heated and ventilated.
The heated leather and wood-trimmed steering wheel complements the interior design as do the door panels which feature a mix of touch materials, glossy black, and wood along with integrated black Mark Levinson sound speakers.
A sizable center console shies away from glossy black, opting for a more subtle affair with more wood trim and quilted leather. It's home to a leather gear shift knob, auto brake hold and wireless charger along with various four-wheel drive and height controls.
The mostly digital driver display doesn't stray from the Lexus norm, maintaining a bright, easy to read and familiar face that suits the LX just fine. Though I wonder when Lexus will bring over its newest driver display seen in the recently redesigned RX and NX.
I continue to love that Lexus designs center console bins that open from both sides. Inside the LX console bin you'll find a CoolBox instead of your typically storage space.
I'm a fan of the LX two touchscreen set-up. It starts with Lexus' fantastic new 12.3-inch multi-media touch screen, which as I've noted before, is quick and responsive. Navigation maps look great and directions are spot on.
Underneath the multi-media screen you find an LX-exclusive 7-inch lower touchscreen where you access climate controls and other vehicle information. You switch Drive Modes using an actual physical dial in the center stack.
Lexus' first four-seat Ultra Luxury grade is all about a VIP experience for the rear seat passengers.
Seats feature Ultra Luxury-exclusive curved headrests, seatbacks and cushions that Lexus says are designed to maintain a secure posture. They're heated and ventilated, recline up to 48 degrees and feature massage. Add to all this, there's a right side power recliner with a sliding ottoman.
Passengers can control their every seating whim, along with the climate, using the digital touchscreen in the rear center console. Keep the cupholder lid closed and the glossy black, scratch-resistant top, can be used as a table.
A dual rear-seat entertainment system features displays that can power fold down when not in use. Rear seat passengers also have storage space with DC power, charging ports and headphone jacks along with a wireless charger.
Manual sunshades on the side and quarter windows keep passengers comfy in the summer.
The Ultra Luxury features a remote and kick sensor power lift gate. As you'd imagine with just two-rows, you get plenty of cargo space. A cargo cover hides valuables.
It may be a large SUV, but I do enjoy being behind the wheel of the LX. That's because the ride is so comfortable and confident. It's equipped with Adaptive Variable Suspension and Active Height Control.
Acceleration is powerful and well-matched to the heaviness of this SUV. I of course appreciated Sport Mode and paddle shifters. The engine isn't what I would call quiet, but the ride itself is. A road trip in here would be quite enjoyable.
If your passengers have any mobility issues, you will certainly appreciate the side running boards due to the vehicle's 8-inch ground clearance.
The 2022 LX comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 2.5. It includes Pre-Collision System (PCS), which includes Frontal Collision Warning (FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Pedestrian Detection and Bicyclist Detection, along with Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist. Other +2.5 features include Intelligent High Beams and Road Sign Assist. I'm a big fan of All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control and find it easy to activate and use.
Other standard lineup safety features: Blind Spot Monitor and Intuitive Parking Assist with Rear Cross-Traffic Alert and Braking as well as a Panoramic View Monitor. A head-up display is also terrific with easy to read graphics.
Of course VIP seating and all the features that come with the LX come at a cost. A triple-digit one to be exact. Including my test model's optional $595 premium paint, the total MSRP with destination is nearly $128,000. I do think I would have thrown in power rear sunshades for the price and massaging front row seats.
It's not often one photo sums things up this well, but this one does. The LX Ultra Luxury is Lexus at its flagship finest.
2022 Lexus LX 600 Ultra Luxury in a few words: The ultimate LX SUV.
Warranty: 36 months/36,000 miles basic warranty; 60 months/60,000 miles powertrain.