2008 Lexus LX 570

The best luxury SUV on the planet

What do the star ratings mean?

Let's get the negatives out of the way right up front: EPA fuel economy estimates of 12 mpg city/18 mpg highway and a base price of $73,800 ($82,740 as tested). Now we can revel in the 2008 Lexus LX 570 together. Newly redesigned for 2008, the Lexus 570 is the flagship SUV in the Lexus lineup. Carrying a 4 year/50,000 mile basic warranty and a 5 year/70,000 mile powertrain warranty, the LX 570 is quite simply the best luxury SUV on the planet. Let's drive.

Larger Exterior Photos: Front Rear

There wasn't a whole lot wrong with the second generation of LX (1998 -- 2007), and Lexus wisely didn't throw out the playbook when it came time to rethink the model. The changes are subtle, and LX's character remains unmolested.

Riding on the same 112.2" wheelbase as before, the 2008 LX is 4" longer, 1" wider and 1" taller than before at 196.5" long, 77.6" wide and 73.4" high. Track has also increased by about an inch front and rear. At 8.9", ground clearance has been reduced by nearly an inch, and approach and departure angles take a corresponding, if minor hit. The overall look is slightly beefier, larger and -- well, refreshed. If LX 570 were a guy, you'd swear he's been working out. Not like crazy, not on steroids or anything -- just taking better care of himself.

In a nod to fashion, LX now rides on 20" 10-spoke alloy wheels, up from the 18" hoops of old. Thankfully, Lexus didn't change the functional and attractive horizontally-split tailgate, a signature feature. Most SUVs have gone to a full-length liftgate, which is simpler to build and install, but not nearly as handy.

Larger Interior Photo

Lexus does luxury really well. As American luxury (Cadillac, specifically) struggles to achieve German levels of luxury, Lexus has taken over old-school British luxury and applied modern precision. Paying particular attention to materials selection and the feel of surfaces to the touch, Lexus has crafted a cabin that coddles and supports at the same time. Where leather is called for, there is high quality, durable leather. Where wood is required, there's real wood. I'm no arborist, but I'd swear that's bubinga on the dash. Thick chrome and lustrous painted accents complete the look. If your therapist's office was decorated and finished as well as the LX's cabin, you'd keep your appointments until you had worked out all of those childhood feelings of inadequacy.

You're going to be sharing your LX with your significant other, so Lexus provides several driver memory settings for seat, mirrors and steering wheel, centralized on one panel.

Tons of technology comes standard with LX, including a very intuitive Bluetooth hookup, DVD Navigation with Rear Camera, cruise control, steering wheel audio controls, heated front seats, adaptive front lighting and rain-sensing wipers. My test vehicle also added some essential extras, like climate controlled seats ($890), rear seat entertainment system ($1,990) and the best stereo on four wheels, the Mark Levinson technology package ($4,200). You could easily recoup the cost of the stereo by holding listening parties in your LX. It's that good.

Finally, we get to the major upgrade on the LX. The old LX carried a 4.7 liter V8 that punched out 268 hp and 328 lb-ft of torque. This new 570 is fitted with the new 5.7 liter V8 from the Tundra. Horsepower is up to 383, and torque is up at 403 lb-ft, significant improvements, even considering that LX has gained 395 lbs this year, weighing in with a curb weight of 5,995 -- almost three tons! Still, Lexus claims 0-60 times of 7.4 seconds, and a 1/4 mile time of 15.8 seconds. Reduced coefficient of drag (.35 vs. .40 for 2007) also helps with speed and efficiency.

More speed and more weight requires bigger, better brakes, and LX answers the call with 13.4" discs up front, 13.6" rear, nearly an inch bigger than the old LX. Of course, there's a heap of technology associated with those brakes, including ABS, brake assist, electronic brake force distribution, vehicle stability control, active traction control, hill start assist and crawl control. I didn't drive LX 570 off of the pavement, but I have little doubt in its abilities.

LX doesn't neglect passengers. The second row is a palace, with great headroom, leg room and shoulder space. The third row is better left to cargo and small children, but since I'll never wind up back there, I didn't worry about it too much.

Driving LX 570 is way more fun than it ought to be. Not only did I feel like a king behind the wheel, the high seating position is commanding in traffic. And with an even tighter turning circle than before (38.7' vs. 39.7'), LX is positively nimble in tight situations, like mall parking garages.

So, have I convinced you that the 2008 Lexus LX 570 is the best luxury SUV on the planet? Luckily for all of us, it's a tight competition, and it's a heck of a lot of fun selecting a winner.

I've driven the competition. The best of the rest include the Mercedes-Benz GL, the Land Rover Range Rover Supercharged, the Cadillac Escalade and the Infiniti QX. Don't neglect the venerable Toyota Land Cruiser, either -- it shares most of LX's mechanicals, and just lacks a few of the real luxury options, while coming in about $10,000 cheaper.

Mostly, though, it comes down to feel and taste. The LX 570 just feels right to me. It's fun to drive. It's luxurious without feeling fragile in any way. It's substantial, but not enormous or conspicuous -- if you can call any vehicle that rides on 20" wheels inconspicuous. And I get the feeling that ten years from now, I'd still be happy driving my LX 570. That's why quality is a worthwhile investment.