One week with a vehicle often isn’t enough to get to know all its quirks, nor is it enough time to learn and navigate all the fancy, new technology that is constantly being added to new vehicles. However, there was one week — a long week that seemed never-ending — in which I did feel like I really got to know the 2023 Lexus LX 600.
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I didn’t have very high expectations — I didn’t have any, if I’m being honest — for the LX. It’s rare to see one on the road, and even then, it’s usually a much older generation of the SUV. I’ve yet to hear anyone say they’re in the market for a big Lexus. And I get it. An RX? Sure. An NX? Of course. Driving’s Elle Alder has a soft spot for the LC. But is there anyone who truly wants a giant Lexus?
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Lexus LX Canadian pricing and competition
Well, hear me out. During my week with the LX — driving back and forth from Mississauga to Guelph several times — I actually really enjoyed it! There’s only one trim called Premium and it costs $108,900 (plus $2,205 freight and PDI), however, there are several packages to choose from, all of which will add to that base price (duh). After adding the $20,600 Luxury Package, this tester costs a total of $131,838. The extra $20k includes head-up display (pointless, if you ask me), digital rear view mirror (great if you’ve got tall passengers blocking the back window), an awesome 25-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, ventilated second-row seats, cooler box (also pointless), easy close doors (such a great feature if you’ve got little kids who can never seem to shut the door hard enough), and more!
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Pricewise, you can get a Navigator or Escalade for roughly the same cost, give or take a couple thousand depending on the trim, but who’s really counting once you’ve passed the hundred-thousand-dollar mark? The Nissan Armada Infiniti QX80 is also big and costs some $15k less, but the Lexus’s interior (which we’ll get to in a bit) is far superior to the QX80’s and worth the additional thousands of bucks. If you’re truly cross-shopping in the larger-than-life segment, and want to stick to a figure above the $100k mark, I’d suggest the GMC Yukon Denali Ultimate that comes equipped with Super Cruise — it’s ultimate and super, what more do you need?
Is the Lexus LX 600 a good family car?
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If you’re set on buying a large SUV for your family, one that a small child can stand up in, then yes, the Lexus LX is a great family vehicle. But there are a few other reasons that I really enjoyed my week with this tester.
I often complain about seating because I have three little kids. Either the second row isn’t wide enough to comfortably fit three car seats or the third doesn’t have ample legroom for children in car seats because their legs don’t touch the ground, but rather stick straight out into the seat in front of them. And don’t even get me started on cargo space in a three-row SUV.
2023 Lexus LX 600Photo by Renita Naraine
Well, too late, I’ve already started. Usually, with the third row up, there’s extremely limited cargo space in a three-row SUV. In 2021, we took the Navigator on a road trip and I was surprised by how much I couldn’t fit into the trunk of such a large SUV. There’s not a lot of flat area, but if you can stack groceries, then you could potentially make it work. The Lexus LX is no different, but this time it wasn’t a surprise. I couldn’t even fit one big suitcase back there!
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On the plus side, the lack of cargo space meant some extra room for the third row passengers, which isn’t always provided in giant vehicles (minivans are your best bet for third-row legroom). Meanwhile, in the second row, I was pleasantly surprised to be able to comfortably fit my three car seats side by side. Sometimes we have issues fitting hands in between the seats to get the seat belts buckled, but not in here. There’s also the option of captain’s chairs which would definitely be more comfortable for adults, or kids who tend to fight about one breathing the same air as the other or god forbid, looking at one another. But the bench seat or separated chairs are equally good options depending on your needs.
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Utilizing the second row’s full capacity to fit all three of my kids meant the third row could be folded flat, opening up a ton of cargo space. The mesh bag comes in handy in this situation because you won’t need to stretch to reach all the things that slid forward on the drive home.
And if the kids get antsy during a drive, there’s an entertainment system consisting of two screens on the backs of the front seats, as well as a hidden compartment below the rear seat climate controls. If you push it open, it reveals an HDMI port, two USB-C charging ports, and headphone jacks — perfect options if you’re trying to tune out the sound of yet another Disney movie/song.
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How much more luxury do you really need?
Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, plus a wireless charger aren’t considered luxury anymore. In fact, it’s becoming increasingly odd to see vehicles without those features. Heated and ventilated seats? The front and second row each have them, but even that’s a creature comfort offered on many non-luxury vehicles.
So, what makes this vehicle luxurious, other than the trim name?
It’s the easy-close doors for me. That’s the most luxurious option in this vehicle. Maybe it’s the mom in me speaking, but not having to get out to ensure a door is closed/locked really is a simple luxury that I appreciate.
The LX can be optioned with an Executive VIP package. For $153,500 — an additional $44,600 above the base price — you, or more specifically, the passengers of your airport limo service can travel in ultimate luxury. The VIP package removes that third row of seating giving the utmost space to two rear passengers who now have access to massage settings, as well as their own wireless charger in the back. Not to mention, cargo space won’t ever be a problem.
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Because money clearly isn’t an option, I’d ditch the Nori Green Pearl paint seen on this tester and opt for the $650 Manganese Lustre instead. It looks grey to me, but hey, less is more (money).
2023 Lexus LX 600Photo by Renita Naraine
Is it easy to drive a big SUV?
Yes and no.
One of the first large SUVs I drove was the GMC Yukon, and I remember feeling intimidated and uncomfortable by its size, especially around school zones or anywhere small children might be running around. I’m slowly getting used to driving these larger vehicles, but I still find them a bit extra.
I grew to like the LX a lot quicker than any other big SUV. This one drives smoothly and has comfortable seats. It’s not the quietest vehicle, but a recent drive in the 2023 Cadillac Escalade reminded just how loud and heavy that feels and drives. For argument’s sake, the Escalade is a bit bigger than the LX, almost 30 cm longer, but that’s possibly the reason the LX feels slightly easier to park and maneuver out of parking spaces.
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There are different driving modes but why you’d choose anything other than comfort or eco is beyond me. What’s the point of a sport mode in this giant machine? But while we’re on the topic of eco, you should probably know you won’t be getting much eco out of the LX. While the other Lexus SUVs have hybrid variants, the LX does not. Its 3.5L twin-turbo V6 produces 409 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque. While its fuel consumption is a bit better than most of its competition, it’s really nothing to brag about. It has a combined rating of 12.7 L/100 km (14.2 city, 10.8 highway), but observed numbers were closer to the 14s.
2023 Lexus LX 600Photo by Renita Naraine
The more you drive it, the easier it becomes to handle — as is the case with many vehicles. That said, it’s still unnecessarily large and won’t be the greatest option if you plan on parking in a tight garage space that barely leaves room for you to open the doors.
Final thoughts
Big SUVs and pickups are becoming more and more popular with families of all sizes. While I still believe a minivan is your best option, there are worse options than the Lexus LX 600. I do believe if you’re in the market for a full-size SUV, you should give this one a look. I’m not sure you’ll be sold on a single dealership visit, but a test drive might just surprise you, especially when compared back-to-back with other large SUVs.
