Autoblog and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article.Big in JapanLexus's biggest SUV might not be its most convincing. In the battle of rugged and luxurious rugged SUVs, Lexus may be competing with itself. Both the LX and GX are ladder frame SUVs capable of far more than unibody numbers. They're both incredibly well-appointed in their respective Luxury trims, and both offer off-road Overtrail versions for those who want go off pavement regularly. It's the price difference that's shocking. The base LX 600 costs $108,500 before options and destination. The GX 550 is $68,335. That's $40 grand right there, and the differences aren't all in the LX's favor.Amos KwonMy tester was a 2026 Lexus LX 600 Luxury with a base price of $116,000. The Luxury grade LX 600 adds 22″ forged alloy wheels, 7-passenger seating with power-folding 3rd-row seats, Semi-Aniline leather trimmed heated/ventilated front seats with memory and massage, heated/ventilated 2nd-row outboard seats, leather/wood sheated steering wheel, Mark Levinson premium audio, and illuminated front door sills. My tester's options included rear-seat entertainment. The total price, including $1,450 delivery, processing, and handling, came to $120,854.Exterior & Interior Styling – 7.75/10Amos KwonThe LX 600 has a lot of presence because everything on it is big, especially the spindle grille. It's huge but evolved, melding better with the front end than the last generation's, which looked like an afterthought. The seven-bar grille (or fourteen-bar, depending on how you look at it), takes up most of the front fascia's real estate. The deeply sculpted and creased clamshell hood looks great from the outside, as well as from the driver's seat.View the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe bulky body is characterized by big wheel arches and that awkwardly shaped D-pillar that seems out of place. The Luxury's huge 22″ alloy wheels add presence and set it apart from the rest of the lineup's smaller diameter rims. Around back, the full-widht taillights are nicely layered, a more complex version of the ones found on the RX and NX. The LX 600 is a tall vehicle, but the numerous horizontal lines keep the visual height down.I would argue that the GX 550 looks better than the LX 600. It's proportions are better, and the styling is cleaner. Plus, it has more than a whiff of Land Cruiser, with more refined details and that rugged edge.Amos KwonThe cabin of the LX 600 Luxury is nicely styled, but it's more utilitarian than most competitors like the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator, BMW X7, and Mercedes-Benz GLS. That said, everything is attractive and the materials are excellent, if not truly posh. The cream-colored perforated leather seats look good but lack contrast piping that could ratchet up the visual punch. The dash is thick and could benefit from the handsome open pore wood found on the center console.View the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleAdvertisementAdvertisementThe interior of the LX 600 Luxury certainly upgrades the materials, but the overall focus is on comfort and functionality. Soft touchpoints dominate without making the interior look overdone. The cabin does an excellent job of form following function rather than the other way around. It doesn't attempt to throw a massive screen across the width of the dash because that's not what the LX is about. It's ruggedness and utility first and luxury second.The cabin of the less expensive GX 550 Luxury+ might not have open pore wood, but it does provide standard Semi-Aniline leather seats and a more modern layout. The look inside the GX is cleaner, but it doesn't feel as substantial as the pricier LX.Technology & Infotainment – 8.5/10Amos KwonEvery Lexus LX 600 uses a two-screen control layout that feels purpose-built for a large, highly equipped SUV. A 12.3-inch upper touchscreen runs the Lexus Interface system. It comes with cloud-based nav and "Hey Lexus" voice assistance. The more interesting screen is the dedicated 7″ version just below it, providing climate settings and vehicle functions, including drive-mode selection, an array of off-road data, throttle information, and vehicle-angle displays.Amos KwonThe Luxury trim also includes a 12.3-inch digital gauge display, a head-up display, a digital rearview mirror, wireless phone charging, Wi‑Fi capability, and six USB charging ports, giving the cabin the connectivity expected at this level. The look might not be sexy like an Escalade's but it's very functional. Physical controls for climate, audio, drive modes, locking diff, and ride height are all within reach and don't require use of a screen, a big reason to choose an LX over some competitors.Amos KwonThe Luxury gets one of the best sound systems today: a 25-speaker Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound system, which uses the main 12.3-inch display as its control hub and gives the cabin a genuinely high-end listening experience. The Luxury also adds a rear-seat entertainment system with twin 7″ screens, wireless Bluetooth headphones and transmitter, plus two extra USB ports for third-row passengers.Space, Comfort, and Usability – 8/10Amos KwonAdvertisementAdvertisementThe LX 600's interior build quality is about as good as it gets. Everything feels solid and high quality, including the substantial soft close doors, palatial seats, and high-grade plastics. The LX 600 Luxury also gets semi-aniline leather upholstery that are thick, soft, and supple. Front seat cushioning is spot-on, and they're excellent for long distance driving. The second row is also comfortable in all positions, and the middle spot lacks the dreaded bulge that makes long distance travel challenging. The rear climate controls provide full temperature adjustment, and heating/ventilation settings for the outboard seats.View the 4 images of this gallery on the original articleInterior comfort in the first two rows is commensurate with the LX 600's high price tag. The It's when you move back to the third row that the cost comes into question. While the second row is a decent 36.6 inches, the third row provide just 31.1 inches. The LX 600's third row seat cushions are too close to the floor, pushing passengers' legs up into their chest. It's only good for shorter trips.The Driving Experience – 7.5/10Amos KwonThe last LX had a 5.7-liter 3UR-FE V8 engine that delivered 383 horsepower and 403 lb-ft of torque. It has been replaced by a more powerful 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 with 409 hp and 479 lb-ft, mated to a 10-speed automatic instead of the old 8-speed. The engine delivers substantial low-end torque for passing, trail use, and towing, and it the powertrain will launch the 5,661-lb LX 600 Luxury to 60 mph in 6.1-seconds. It's buttery smooth, has ample torque, and pulls hard. It won't match the twin-turbo V8 in the current BMW X7 M60i, but it's more than sufficient for everyday use.Amos KwonIn daily straight-line driving, the LX 600 Luxury is smooth and rides like its on pillows. The SUV feels solid and compliant. Dare it to turn with a little bit of speed, and it becomes floaty and ponderous. Highway speeds are smooth and quiet, but it lacks the mid-range oomph of V8s from the Germans. Steering has heft but is devoid of feedback. There's ample body roll, as well.AdvertisementAdvertisementOn the plus side, the LX 600 has genuine ladder-frame off-road capability with full-time four-wheel drive, low-range gearing that can raise the suspension by two inches, and a locking center differential. Granted, the Overtrail trim is more rugged, but even the Luxury trim bests most luxury competitors. The LX 600 can also tow up to 8,000 pounds. It's one of the few three-row luxury SUVs that can manage real off-roading, although owners will probably never dare. In Luxury+ trim, the GX 550 can manage around 7,600 pounds.Final Verdict – 8/10The Lexus LX 600 Luxury works as a flagship SUV for buyers who want true all-terrain capability without giving up a well-appointed, high-quality cabin. Its commanding road presence, twin-turbo V6 performance, excellent interior materials, and purposeful technology suite make it an appealing alternative to more road-focused luxury SUVs, while its rugged foundation gives it a sense of solidity and prowess that's rare in the segment. But you can have a nimbler off-roader in the GX than the LX thanks to its smaller dimensions. The GX exhibits more power when its needed.This story was originally published by Autoblog on Aug 28, 2026, where it first appeared in the Reviews section. Add Autoblog as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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