Initiated in 1989 as a Toyota division, Lexus has become one of the renowned manufacturers of luxury vehicles. The Lexus LX series has launched models that have gained ground because of their agility, comfort and prime drivability. Short for Luxury Crossover, the LX series models deliver a blend of a comfortable ride and an incredible driving experience.
Let’s go through the complete Lexus LX history and find out how it progressed over the years with its state-of-the-art innovation.
Lexus LX Evolution
According to the annual used car market report 2021, the Lexus LX is one of the most popular cars in the UAE.
Here are the details of the history of Lexus LX series which will reason for its popularity as one of the most used Japanese SUVs.
FIRST-GENERATION LEXUS LX (1996-1997)
The first Lexus Luxury SUV hit the international markets in 1996, inspired by the Toyota Land Cruiser J80. It soon became the talk of the town because of its performance and luxurious design.
LX 450 debuted with a front fascia that featured two air intakes and a square grille between the headlights. Plastic mouldings over wheel arches and doors were panelled to the side of LX. Clear and corner-mounted signals were installed at the front side of the vehicle. It housed a 112.2-inch wheelbase and stood at 75.2 inches.
Lexus modified the dashboard design of J80 by replacing the fabric-covered interior with leather. The centre stack wood trims and door panels were matched with high-quality material and different colours. The interior offered seating for seven along with two jump seats provided in the trunk. The wide cabin provided plenty of space between the first and second rows. The rear seats could be folded against side windows, freeing cargo space.
The first LX was equipped with a 4.5-litre engine having 215 Horsepower. The vehicle housed an AWD drivetrain with a 5-speed manual transmission.
SECOND-GENERATION LEXUS LX (1997-2007)
The LX second generation was rolled out in 1998 with a bigger size and more luxurious features as compared to the former generation.
The front fascia of the LX 470 was iterated with a new headlight arrangement, grille and wheels. The vehicle depicted remarkable off-roader capabilities with a two-box shape and flared arches. It also sported quad headlights and optional side steps.
The vehicle’s interior was introduced as a blend of hi-tech and entertainment. It was decorated with leather and wood trims surrounding the cabin. This included a Mark-Levinson 11-speaker sound system. An optional DVD Rear Seat Entertainment System (RSES) and Bluetooth feature were added as well.
Moreover, the LX 470 became distinct with a 4.7-litre V8 engine. It provided 230 hp at 4800 rpm with a torque of 445Nm. The front axle was modified to an independent front suspension that increased road handling. The 4-speed automatic transmission increased the power to 173 KW at 4800 RPM. Adjustable height control and adjustable variable suspension were also added as advanced features.
SECOND-GENERATION LEXUS LX FACELIFT (2003-2007)
In 2005, the 5-speed automatic transmission was paired with a 4.7-litre V8 engine which produced power of 235 hp. A year later, VVT-i technology was introduced in the Lexus LX history, which increased the power to 275 hp. During the last year of the second generation, Lexus launched a limited edition model 470.
THIRD-GENERATION LEXUS LX (2007-2021)
The third generation of the Lexus LX series was unveiled in 2007 at the New York International Auto Show.
Lexus modified the exterior of the Land Cruiser V8 for the Lexus LX new generation. The front fascia of the LX 570 consisted of horizontal bars on the grille with big and swept headlights. There was an addition of side steps, 20-inch light alloy wheels and rear roof spoilers.
The interior was transformed into full-leather upholstery. It was upgraded with a 19-speaker audio system and an onboard hard-drive system.
The LX 570 came equipped with a 5.7-litre V8 engine and 6-speed automatic transmission. In addition to an AWD system, it also consisted of a differential lock centre and low-range gear.
THIRD-GENERATION LEXUS LX FACELIFT 1 (2012-2015)
By 2012, Lexus altered much of its cars’ designs. The front fascia was modified with a “Spindle Design” on the front grille. The headlights were made sharper and taller on the outer sides. Wheel arches were added to cover the wider light-alloy wheels along with a wide tailgate at the back.
THIRD-GENERATION LEXUS LX FACELIFT 2 (2015-2021)
The third Lexus LX generation received a second facelift in 2015. The front fascia was redesigned with the look of a bow-tie grill and sharp headlights. The towing capacity was increased to 3175 Kg. The 8-speed automatic transmission was also introduced while the low-range transmission case remained intact.
The old Lexus LX interior was completely redesigned with the addition of a 12.3-inch infotainment screen. Safety features such as Remote Touch multimedia and Rear Seat Entertainment System were added to accommodate the passengers in navigation.
FOURTH-GENERATION LEXUS LX (2021- PRESENT)
Lexus LX’s next generation was launched in 2021 and is based on the Toyota Land Cruiser J300 series.
The body frame of the latest SUV is based on the GA-F platform with several enhancements and luxurious features. The wide front fascia is flanked by a pair of tall scoops which grip the LED fog lights. The tailgate features a light strip of LED taillights and a roof spoiler has been added to improvise the overall appearance.
The latest LX interior comes with a four and five-seater layout. There is an upper 12.3-inch infotainment system with a lower 7-inch control panel display. The infotainment has been added with the features of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.
A twin-turbo V6 power plant is installed in the latest LX with a ten-speed automatic gearbox. It stands at 409 hp with a torque of 649 Nm at 3600 RPM. A longer wheel travel has been introduced for both axles which marks the competence of the recent SUV in off-roading.
This was all about the Lexus LX history and how the series has evolved throughout the years. Being a famous nameplate among the luxurious SUVs, the Lexus LX models depict innovation and advanced technology and offer a comfortable ride.
Therefore, if you wish to avail the above-mentioned features and want to add such a vehicle to your collection, go through these used Lexus LX in the UAE to pick a ride of your choice.
Stay tuned to UAE’s top auto blog to learn more facts and history about popular automakers and their car models.
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