- Doors and Seats
5 doors, 8 seats
- Engine
5.7i, 8 cyl.
- Engine Power
270kW, 530Nm
- Fuel
Petrol (95) 14.4L/100KM
- Manufacturer
4XD
- Transmission
Auto
- Warranty
4 Yr, 100000 KMs
- Ancap Safety
NA
2021 Lexus LX570 S review
Despite approaching the end of its life, the challenge for the 2021 Lexus 570S is to improve upon what has been – certainly according to owners – a near-perfect platform. That being the LandCruiser 200 Series, of course.
- Effortless engine
- Cabin ambience and insulation
- Premium driving experience
- Thirsty around town
- Infotainment system's lack of smarts
- Firm ride on poor surfaces
The Toyota LandCruiser 200 Series is big, comfortable, effortless, adept at off-road work and towing, capable of wafting over any road surface with composure, and perhaps most importantly, fit for purpose. Still, that hasn’t stopped Lexus buyers from walking straight past a Toyota badge to the more premium option.
In the case of the 2021 Lexus LX570 S, though, the sales pitch is more difficult than any other. Sure, it brings more to the table, if more was even needed, and it is a step up in terms of premium execution, especially inside the cabin. Forget, too, any hint of off-road ability that might be whispered about on the inner-city school run. No matter what’s beneath the ostentatious skin, the 570 S is not a 4x4 that is likely to head too far off-road.
Do you like the styling? We tend to favour the less-encumbered Toyota base product, but there’s no doubt the LX570 S makes a statement on the road. It stands out, it looks different, and it looks formidable. Something that fans of the Lexus brand undoubtedly covet. And, as we always say, daring to be different in a styling sense is reason to celebrate.
The S – which is petrol only – steps things up a notch from the regular LX570, with the price starting from $168,767 before on-road costs. Standard equipment builds on the already laden LX570 with an Enhancement Pack, which costs more than 18 grand as an optional extra. Additional standard S trim includes 21-inch forged alloy wheels, a unique grille, lower bumper trim, badges, performance dampers, puddle lighting and alloy pedals.
The 570’s off-road ability is there, though. Much like a fighter who keeps his devastating upper cut in the kit bag only for special occasions, if called upon, the LX could, in theory, go just as far as a 200, just as easily.
The ladder-frame chassis, adjustable suspension, full-time four-wheel-drive, proper low-range gearing, broad array of electronic trickery, and 360-degree camera system all point to off-road ability the envy of many. Still, it’s a fair bet to say that people spending this much money are hardly looking to add some bush pinstriping to the equation.
So, with dreams of outback travel parked definitively, we head out into the urban jungle to get a sense for what Lexus has added to the already desirable 200 Series party. Don’t get me wrong either, a 200 Series was always far from perfect, but speak to owners and they will almost unanimously tell you one thing – the 200 did exactly what they hoped or expected it to.
Under the aggressively styled bonnet, and behind the whopper of a grille, there’s an ode to mechanical engineering of another era. That is, no hybrid, no electrification, no battery pack, or turbochargers. Just a hefty, formidable, albeit technologically advanced, naturally aspirated V8. It’s easy to get the rose-tinted glasses out for this one. Measuring in at 5.7 litres, it’s an engine that has served duty within the frame rails of many a quality Toyota or Lexus for a long time.
Key details | 2021 Lexus LX570 S |
Engine | 5663cc naturally aspirated petrol V8 |
Power | 270kW @ 5600rpm |
Torque | 530Nm @ 3200rpm |
Weight (kerb) | 2740kg |
Drive type | Full-time 4x4, low range transfer case |
Transmission | Eight-speed automatic |
Power to weight ratio | 98.5 kW/t |
Price (MSRP) | $168,767 |
Time might have moved on, the all new Toyota 300 Series LandCruiser is a pointer as to just how much, but despite its age, this engine is as impressive as it’s always been. Its 270kW at 5600rpm and 530Nm at 3200rpm aren’t stratospheric by any means in modern terms, but countering that is the effortless way in which the power and torque are generated.
The conventional eight-speed automatic is smooth, if a little slow to react when you stand on the throttle pedal with gusto. At regular loads, though, it’s perfect for the task at hand.
Against an ADR-claimed 14.4L/100km on the combined cycle, we slurped our way through an indicated 20.1L/100km on test, without driving like louts. Ah, the good old days…
However, and it’s an important point to note for family buyers, the 138L fuel capacity and the easy lope that the 5.7-litre gets into on the freeway means, free of the clogged city confines, you’ll be able to tackle long road trips relatively efficiently. At an easy 100-110km/h cruise, expect to see live numbers like 10 or 11L/100km.
The LX570 S is quiet, refined and insulated once you thud the door closed. The high-riding seating position affords a commanding view of the road ahead and the cabin is a premium place to be. The leather trim is typical Lexus fare – beautiful and executed with attention to detail. The faux-woodgrain trim doesn’t really add to the sense of occasion, but the inclusion of high-quality soft-touch surfaces works well.
The console fridge works perfectly for the family road trip, taking care of 4-6 water bottles neatly, but there’s a shortage of storage for things like wallets, phones and other small items, certainly in the main section of the centre console.
You get wireless phone charging, and a DVD player (strange), but not smartphone mirroring for either Apple or Android users. The familiar infotainment screen (no touch functionality but 12.3 inches for broad visibility) is in place, as is the Remote Touch control system, which is well past its use-by date.
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The LX570 S claims seating for eight, but we call it seven in proper comfort. Eight if the third row is for pre-teenage kids. There’s acres of room and comfort on offer in the second row, and once into the third row, it’s not bad back there either. Air controls right the way through ensure you’ll be comfortable in a brutal Aussie summer too. Visibility across all three rows is excellent.
The second-row seats tumble forward to open up access to the third row, which folds forward manually, but toward the sides of the LX (into their stowed position) electrically. They do rob the luggage area of usable space, but if you’re using the third row regularly, that’s a compromise you have to accept. And if you’re not using the third row, then you might remove them altogether. There's 349L on offer with the third row in use, 1085L with the second row in play, and a handy 1962L if you fold the second row.
The inclusion of rear seat entertainment is a reminder of the age of the platform. Whereas the modern family is more likely to just ask for a tablet mount behind the front seats, the LX570 S features fixed screens, wireless headphones, HDMI input and a 12-volt power outlet. There are no USB inputs in the second row, which are almost mandatory for a family car in 2021.
While there are no less than six driving modes on offer, we spent our time toggling between Eco and Comfort with neither feeling like they have sapped the big V8 of too much of its weaponry. Even in those more efficient modes, when you do nail the throttle pedal, the big V8 rises from its slumber with impressive urge. As you’d expect then.
Modern buyers, who’ve gorged on a diet of force-fed torque curves, might be surprised by the naturally aspirated V8’s willingness to sing to redline despite its size. Interestingly, it delivers its best work in the middle of the rev range, with the climbing revolutions not necessarily matched by a cascade of power delivery higher up.
That’s the point of a big V8, though, historically anyway. The whole ethos was based around not having to thrash it to find its sweet spot, and the Lexus V8 is very much of that ilk.
The first thing we noticed on our drive was the change the 21-inch rims made to the on-road drive. The LX is firmer, sharper, and more likely to reflect a poor road surface than the 200 Series. Which, in isolation, is strange, because you’re never going to get a 4x4, closer to three tonnes than two, to react in a sporty fashion, no matter how biased we might be.
Some do it well, but the use of the term sporty is probably a stretch. So, in effect, the LX570 S isn’t sharp enough to be sporty, but the firmness has removed some of the ability to waft over poor surfaces. It’s not uncomfortable by any means, but we’d appreciate a softer ride in this segment.
The counter argument to the point above is the removal of that wafty sensation you get from the 200 Series has been replaced with a more adept sense of body control and reaction. Despite its size and weight, the LX570 S is quite direct and precise in the cut and thrust of the daily commute. The way the steering, suspension and brakes work means you’ll start to forget how big it is as you thread it through traffic.
The fact the suspension has to deal with the overall heft of the LX, not to mention the weight of the 21-inch rollers at each corner, means the slightly too hard ride is the only thing that detracts from the utter serenity of the cabin. And it’s a minor gripe. The LX is as luxurious from behind the wheel or the passenger seat as this segment’s buyer would expect.
At a glance | 2021 Lexus LX570 S |
Fuel consumption (claimed combined) | 14.4L/100km (combined) |
Fuel consumption (on test) | 20.1L/100km |
Fuel tank size | 138L |
Tow rating | 3500kg braked, 750kg unbraked |
Boot volume | 349L to third row, 1085L to second row, 1962L to first row |
Length | 5080mm |
Width | 1980mm |
Height | 1865mm |
Wheelbase | 2850mm |
Turning circle | 11.8m |
ANCAP safety rating | Untested (but the 200 Series, on which it is based, has a five-star rating) |
Warranty | 4yrs/100,000km |
Servicing cost | $2970 (three years) |
Price (MSRP) | $168,767 |
Colour as tested | Starlight Black |
Options as tested | No other options |
Competitors | Audi Q7, Mercedes-Benz GLE, BMW X5 |
Lexus covers the LX570S with a four-year/100,000km warranty, and services, priced at $495, are required every six months or 10,000km. That might grate a little if you put bulk kays on your SUV. Services are capped through the first three years.
Safety kit is extensively catered to, with 10 airbags, autonomous emergency braking, radar pedestrian detection, adaptive cruise control, lane-departure warning, blind-spot monitoring, rear-view camera, and rear cross-traffic alert among the standard inclusions.
There’s no doubt the LX570 S is feeling its age, but there’s also no doubt that it’s a not-so-subtle reminder of the greatness of a big, effortless V8 engine and the platform it powers.
The motoring world is moving on at pace, but the LX570S is a premium, upper-large SUV with all the Lexus DNA you expect. It might be old world in 2021, but it’s a solid execution of the best luxury SUVs from that era.