Upscale -- but complicated -- comfort
Women know that sometimes being beautiful can also be complicated. It
may take quite a bit of preparation - hair, nails, and makeup, not to
mention uncomfortable undergarments - to appear our finest, but the
results are always worth it.
Such is also true for the
gorgeous 2008 Lexus LX 570 sport/utility vehicle. Lexus' luxury-laden
version of Toyota's recently redesigned Land Cruiser looks beautiful
and touts plenty of plush and posh trappings. The results are worth it,
even if it can sometimes feel a little over-elaborate in executing them.
The stoutly new eight-passenger Lexus is powered by a hefty
383-horsepower 5.7-liter V-8 engine borrowed from the Toyota Tundra and
offers a quiet comfortable ride, as well as a nicely appointed
interior. While its curvaceous lines help to hide its muscular girth,
the LX 570 is in fact quite generously sized; in fact it's only
half-a-foot shorter, one hand's-width narrower, and 600 pounds lighter
than a Hummer H2.
I observed fuel economy of 11.4 mpg around town, and 18 mpg on the
highway, a significant improvement over the larger vehicle's 9 mpg
average.
Lexus
offsets its immensity with an electro-hydraulic Adaptive Variable
Suspension that offers four levels of enhanced driving comfort and
performance, as well as Active Height Control system that raises and
lowers the vehicle to assist entry and exit while helping to improve
aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. Steering was so sensitive that I was
able to maneuver this vehicle with just one finger on the wheel, even
at low speeds. My pre-production test vehicle exhibited an alarming
shudder at highway speeds; it concerned me enough to wonder if I might
have had a flat. A quick glance at the in-dash electronic tire pressure
monitor revealed that all four tires were properly inflated. As these
review vehicles can sometimes be abused by their testers, it's possible
this one was in need of a front-end alignment and tire re-balance.
Its
full-time four-wheel drive is adept at handling slippery winter weather
or deep mud; high/low are activated with the turn of a knob and locked
in with the push of a button. An innovative Crawl Control feature
regulates engine output and braking force to propel the vehicle forward
or reverse in three low-speed settings to assist negotiating especially
rough, rocky surfaces or steep grades.
A bewildering collection of controls for all its high-tech features is
located on the center console. Even though the LX 570 claims to be
capable of scaling 45-degree slopes, climbing over 9-inch-tall rocks,
or wading across 2-foot-deep streams, very few of its drivers will
demand such performance -- or ever need to touch these buttons.
Managing the SUV's large size is made more graceful thanks to a
rearview camera that displays what's behind the vehicle on an in-dash
display whenever it is shifted into reverse. Combine this with optional
wide-view cameras mounted in the grille and passenger side mirror for
unparalleled visibility around the vehicle. The side-view mirrors
automatically fold in when parked, to keep them safe from contact with
inattentive drivers passing by - an especially nice touch if you must
park in narrow spaces.
Technology
abounds throughout the stately Lexus. Its Adaptive Front Lighting
system is especially useful when navigating dark, twisty roads thanks
to high-intensity headlights that move to illuminate turns and curves
in the road as the driver steers into them. This is one of those
features that sounds ho-hum on paper but reveals its true value when
experienced as intended. Once we realized how they functioned, I almost
drove us off the road watching the lights sweep from side to side in
response to my steering input!
A Smart Access entry system
offers a keyless pushbutton start; the driver merely needs to have the
keyfob tucked into her purse or diaperbag. The vehicle recognizes the
driver by unfolding the sideview mirrors upon approach and unlocks the
doors the moment the handles sense a tug. This is a fabulous feature
when you're as key-handicapped as I am.
The second-row seats power fore and aft by 4 inches, the seatbacks fold
40/20/40, and split and tumble forward 60/40 to allow a variety of
cargo and access options. A pair of perplexing tie-down straps are
tucked under the seatbottoms; pay attention the first time you use
them, or you might never get them back into their little hidey-holes.
The Gordian third-row power seats require operating a variety of
buttons and straps to employ, and four separate power buttons to tuck
them away. I found the system overcomplicated, but my five-year-old
found it fascinating, insisting on watching the motorized seats flip
and fold up and down every time he entered or exited the vehicle.
Occupants
are protected by no fewer than 10 standard airbags, including driver-
and front-passenger knee bags, front- and second-row seat-mounted side
bags, and side curtain airbags for all three rows. All eight seats
feature three-point belts, and active front-seat headrests move up and
forward almost instantly in certain rear collisions to cushion the
occupant's head and reduce whiplash injuries.
In addition to its standard safety features, Lexus offers an available
Pre-Collision System that works with its Adaptive Radar Cruise Control
to sense an impending collision, then react by issuing warnings,
offering steering and braking assistance, and tightening seatbelts to
prepare passengers for the imminent impact.
Family friendly features include two child seat latches and three
tethers in the second row and a dozen cup and bottle holders throughout
the cabin. Abundant nooks and crannies -- including useful storage
slots in the fold-down tailgate -- tuck away toys and gear (in our
case, die-cast cars and plush animals). Two power points are available
to front-seat passengers, plus an additional 110W plug is in the
wayback. Onboard entertainment options include a premium Mark Levinson
DVD audio sound system with 19 speakers and a rear-seat DVD setup with
wireless headphones.
Comfort
features include heated and cooled front leather seats and a
ventilation system that utilizes nearly 30 vents across four separate
zones to keep occupants at their desired temperature. The split rear
gate operates at the touch of a button to power up, while the bottom
section is hydraulically damped to lower smoothly to prevent bashing
the heads of any eager little helpers, and closes gently to prevent
pinching fingers.
By the time my week-long review of the Lexus
was over, I felt slightly overwhelmed by the collection of complicated
contraptions provided in the guise of luxury. But, as any woman knows,
it takes a lot of effort to be beautiful. Suffice to say that all its
behind-the-scenes luxury and performance paraphernalia has culminated
to make the Lexus LX 570 one fine vehicle.
By Brandy Schaffels
Editor, AskPatty.com