It’s hard to believe that the third generation of the Lexus LX has been around for a decade. The LX 570, built on a rugged body-on-frame design, was first unveiled in 2007 at the New York International Auto Show. To illustrate how long ago that was, it was the same year when Steve Jobs introduced the first iPhone, the Marvel Cinematic Universe had yet to launch, and brands like Hummer, Pontiac, Saab, Saturn, and even Mercury were still operational.
So, how does Lexus manage to continue selling a vehicle that is well beyond its typical life span? The answer lies in its facelifts. The LX has undergone three significant updates, with the latest one arriving just two years ago, featuring a completely redesigned interior that retains only the roof and doors from the prior version. Despite its age, the three-ton SUV retains the same 5.7-liter V8 engine it debuted with in 2007, generating 383 horsepower and 403 lb-ft of torque.
For 2018, Toyota Racing Development (TRD) Japan is elevating the LX with a distinctive body kit. This kit incorporates newly designed front and rear bumpers, larger 21-inch forged aluminum wheels, and a sportier version of the controversial spindle grille. This kit will be available as an optional trim called Superior for customers in the Middle East and Russia.
These markets are familiar with Lexus’ special editions. In Russia, buyers can opt for the LX equipped with a 4.5-liter twin-turbocharged V8 diesel engine, which delivers 268 horsepower and 480 lb-ft of torque. Meanwhile, in the Middle East, the 2014 LX offered a limited-time factory-installed supercharger, boosting the output of the same 5.7-liter V8 engine to a respectable 450 horsepower—placing it in the performance bracket typically associated with Lexus’ F models. However, it’s important to note that an LX F version is not in the plans.
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