Introduction

The Lexus LX 470 offers luxurious comfort with outstanding off-road capability and strong towing capability. The LX shares many of the high-tech features of Lexus's flagship sedan, the LS 430, including a video display that can help the driver spot objects (such as a child on a tricycle) behind the vehicle when backing up. Bluetooth communications technology allows hands-free operation of your cell phone without having to pull it out of your jacket pocket or purse. A Mark Levinson audio system, now standard, provides the ultimate in mobile music. Both seat-mounted side-impact airbags and side-curtain airbags look after your passengers' safety. A tire-pressure monitor has been added to 2006 models. Its interior is elegant and well equipped and can seat up to eight passengers. Its 4.7-liter V8 is smooth and powerful. The 2006 models are significantly more powerful than last year's models, thanks to electronically variable valve timing (called VVT-i). This setup also helped the LX to become certified by California as a ULEV II ultra low emissions vehicle, and that same engine is used in all 50 states. The five-speed automatic transmission is smooth and responsive. And the LX is rated to tow up to 5,000 pounds. Active safety features, including Vehicle Stability Control, anti-lock brakes and traction control, work as a team to help the driver maintain control in an emergency handling situation. The systems sense when the LX is being driven off road and compensate accordingly. Six airbags and other passive safety features help protect occupants in the event of an accident. Lexus offers the best quality, durability and reliability in the business, with retailers dedicated to customer satisfaction.

Walkaround

The LX 470 looks big, but it's actually shorter than the LS 430 sedan and is designed to fit into a typical two-car garage. The Lexus LX 470 is related to the Toyota Land Cruiser but presents a more upscale appearance. Body cladding, integrated running boards, a chrome Lexus grille, and elegant use of paint contribute to this impression. Graphite-finish wheels and LED taillights, both new for '06, further distinguish the Lexus from the Toyota. The overall result is a functionally handsome vehicle, although some of the newest luxury SUVs look more contemporary.

Interior Features

Lexus makes beautiful interiors and the LX 470 lives up to that reputation. Three rows of seating are provided. The LX 470 has room for eight people and seats six luxuriously. Large door openings make getting in and out easy. The front seats are supremely comfortable. There's a good view of the road ahead while large outside mirrors provide good rearward visibility. Attractive bird's-eye maple trim adds an upscale look to the rich leather-trim upholstery. The steering wheel and shift knob are handsomely finished in a combination of wood and leather. The LX is packed with luxury and convenience features. Big rear quarter windows swing out at the touch of a pair of dash-mounted buttons. Side mirrors retract electrically for parking in tight quarters. Auxiliary power outlets are provided in the dash, center console and rear cargo area. A trip computer, digital clock, and compass keep the driver well informed. A hydrocarbon sensor automatically switches the climate control to the Recirculate mode when high levels of air pollution are detected, while an activated charcoal micron filter removes dust, pollen, and odors from the interior air stream, a benefit for hay fever sufferers. Automatic climate controls are integrated into the navigation system. Steering-wheel audio controls make it easy to adjust volume and change pre-set radio stations. The rearmost jump seats are among the best of their type. They are comfortable and relatively easy to access. They can be folded aside when not in use, but they are big and take up cargo space. Removing them provides an additional 15 cubic feet of cargo capacity for a maximum of 90.4 cubic feet, still less than the Cadillac Escalade (104) but significantly more than the Range Rover (75). With the rear jump seats and the second-row seats set up to carry passengers, the LX 470 still offers 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space. Other interior features include a sophisticated security function for the remote keyless entry system, child safety-seat anchors for the second-row seat, a digital compass integrated into the auto-dimming rearview mirror, rear cupholders and cargo-net hooks. The optional rear-seat DVD entertainment system plays movies on a 6.5-inch, wide-format overhead screen that deploys from the headliner ahead of the second row. The DVD player is mounted in the cargo area (in the right rear quarter panel) and the system includes two sets of wireless headphones and a remote control. The navigation system screen can be used to watch DVD movies, but only when the transmission is in Park to eliminate any temptation to watch and drive at the same time. The audio portion of the movie can be played over the system while moving, though. The navigation system can be operated with voice commands.