The new Lexus LX is expected to be delivered between January and March 2023.
The Lexus LX500d SUV will be launched by late November 2022. The luxury SUV will have limited allocations, with each dealer only getting 10 units. Bookings have commenced for Rs 25 lakh and Lexus is expected to start delivering the first batch of its flagship SUV between January and March 2023; bookings for the next batch will begin after a year.
- India will only get the 3.3-litre diesel – LX500d
- Will rival new Range Rover, Mercedes GLS, BMW X7
The Lexus LX500d is said to have already been sold out and pan-India deliveries may not exceed double digits. All units of the LX SUV are expected to be pre-built, with customers only getting the option to select exterior and interior paint shades. Bookings for its cousin from Toyota – Land Cruiser LC300, on which it is based – commenced in August for Rs 10 lakh.
Lexus LX500d SUV: powertrain
The previous generation Lexus LX was offered with the LX450d diesel variant, and initially along with the LX570 petrol variant. However, with the advent of BS6, Lexus discontinued the diesel engine. However, this time around, Lexus is only bringing the diesel – LX500d – and not the LX600 petrol variant.
The LX500d gets the same 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel engine as the latest Land Cruiser LC300. It churns out 305hp and 700Nm of torque and is paired to a 10-speed automatic transmission. The LX500d gets all-wheel drive as standard, along with multi-terrain modes for off-roading.
Lexus LX500d SUV: exterior and interior design
The new LX500d continues to have an upright and boxy stance, along with prominent, squared-out wheel arches, just like the Land Cruiser. But to distinguish it from its Toyota cousin, it will get Lexus’ trademark grille and some unique styling bits. In profile, the two are quite similar but the Lexus gets a revised design for the rear quarter windows. At the rear, the LED tail-lights are connected by a light bar and Lexus is spelt out on the tailgate instead of the usual logo.
Inside, the LX gets a twin-screen set-up – an upper 12.3-inch unit that functions as the infotainment system and a lower 7.0-inch screen that shows various off-road data and climate control functions. Like the Land Cruiser, the LX’s starter button also doubles up as the fingerprint scanner.
Lexus LX500d SUV: expected pricing, rivals
The Land Cruiser LC300-based SUV’s price is expected to range from Rs 2.90 crore-3 crore (ex-showroom, India). Once launched, the LX500d will compete with the new Range Rover, Mercedes-Benz GLS, and the upcoming facelift of the BMW X7 in terms of pricing, as it will be a completely built unit (CBU) like its predecessor.
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