Overview Lexus manages to pack two personalities into its large LX SUV, a luxury conveyance and a true off-roader. Compared to the nonhybrid, the LX700h hybrid reviewed here has an additional 48 horsepower and the ability to sling a bit of mud using electrons alone. The hybrid also has a fuel-economy advantage over the LX600, but it’s a slim one. Not much changes in terms of dynamics, with all LX models offering a smooth ride and handling that’s more tuned for long highway jaunts than twisty roads.Those who want to go full-on overlander with their LX should choose the Overtrail trim, which comes with a trio of locking differentials, skid plates to protect what’s underneath, and all-terrain rubber. Opt instead for the Ultra Luxury, and you get two rows of opulent seating, skipping the cramped third row.
Expert Tip: You’ll save about $8000 by opting for the slightly less powerful, nonhybrid LX600.What’s New for 2026?We’re not expecting any big changes to the hybrid LX for its second model year.Pricing and Which One to BuyUnless you’re planning to use the LX700h as an overlanding vehicle, we’d recommend skipping the rugged Overtrail. Instead, the mid-range Luxury trim should suit most people’s needs. It adds niceties such as semi-aniline leather upholstery, a Mark Levinson stereo system, and handsome 22-inch wheels, among other features.Engine, Transmission, and Performance
- Hybrid Powertrain: twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 and one electric motor, 457 hp combined
- Transmission: 10-speed automatic
- Drivetrain: four-wheel-drive
The LX700h is powered by the same twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 as the nonhybrid LX600, but it’s buttressed by an electric motor that pumps in an additional 48 horsepower, for a total of 457 horsepower. A 10-speed automatic transmission and a four-wheel-drive system are both standard. The electric motor can drive the LX700h at low speeds without kicking on the V-6, which can be helpful in low-range off-roading where precise throttle control is required. Speaking of off-road driving, the LX700h comes with plenty of gear for such adventures, including a locking center differential, an adjustable air-spring suspension system, and a Crawl Control feature. The Overtrail trim is the most capable, though, and features locking front, rear, and center differentials. A set of 18-inch wheels with 33-inch all-terrain tires is also standard on the Overtrail, and Lexus has endowed that trim with a front skid plate and a 2400-watt AC inverter, which off-grid campers will find useful, as it turns the LX into a power source when overlanding far from home. When we drove the LX700h, we found it to be refined and powerful, with quicker acceleration than the nonhybrid and seamless transitions between electric and gasoline power.0–60-MPH Times
- C/D 60-mph Test: 5.5 seconds
In Comparison: The LX700h is about a half-second quicker to 60 mph than the nonhybrid LX600.Additional ResearchTowing and Payload CapacityLike the LX600, the hybrid LX700h can tow a trailer weighing up to 8000 pounds.Fuel Economy and Real-World MPG
- C/D 75-mph Highway Fuel-Economy Test:20 mpg
- EPA City Rating: 19 mpg
- EPA Highway Rating: 22 mpg
The EPA hasn’t released any fuel-economy information for the 2026 LX Hybrid yet, but the 2025 model earned ratings of 19 mpg city, 22 mpg highway, and 20 mpg combined. For more information about the LX Hybrid’s fuel economy, visit the EPA’s website.Interior, Comfort, and CargoFirst Row: The LX’s front seats are supremely comfortable and come with standard massage. There’s a good amount of room up front, too.Second Row: In row two, most LX700h trims come with a three-across bench, while the Ultra Luxury swaps in a pair of reclining chairs and does away with the third row. Though regal in their appointments, the Ultra Luxury’s seats reduce legroom, making the space feel a bit tight.Third Row: The available third-row seat offers good room for the upper half of adult torsos but is cramped for legs and feet due to the location of the rear axle and hybrid battery underneath. Buyers opting for the Overtrail can choose to delete the third row in favor of additional cargo space.Cargo Capacity: With all seats folded, the LX700h offers a max of about 62 cubic feet of cargo room. Three-row models reserve a scant 7 cubes behind the rear-most row, while the two-row version comes in at 31 cubic feet when the seats are in use.Infotainment and Connectivity
- Infotainment: 12.3-inch touchscreen
- Connectivity: Bluetooth, wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility
- Audio System: 10-speaker stereo (standard), 25-speaker Mark Levinson stereo (optional)
The LX’s dashboard comes with three standard displays: an 8.0-inch screen for the gauge cluster, a 12.3-inch touchscreen for the infotainment, and a separate 7.0-inch screen for climate and vehicle controls. Wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are both standard, as is a head-up display. Wireless charging is offered, and audiophiles can upgrade the stereo to a 25-speaker Mark Levinson surround-sound system—it’s included on the Luxury and Ultra Luxury trims but otherwise optional.Safety and Driver-Assistance FeaturesA suite of driver-assistance features is standard on the LX and includes automated emergency braking, adaptive cruise control, and lane-keeping assist, although the LX lacks a hands-free highway driving assist system like the Cadillac Escalade’s Super Cruise.
- Standard Safety Features: automated emergency braking with pedestrian-and-bicyclist detection, lane-departure warning with lane-keeping assist, adaptive cruise control with a lane-centering feature
For information about the LX Hybrid’s crash-test results, visit the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) and Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) websites.Warranty and Maintenance CoverageThe LX comes with the same warranty package as all other new Lexus models, including a year’s worth of complimentary scheduled maintenance.
- Limited Warranty: four years or 50,000 miles
- Powertrain Warranty: six years or 70,000 miles
- Hybrid Component Warranty: eight years or 100,000 miles
- Complimentary Maintenance: one year or 10,000 miles
C/D Test Results and SpecsWe test every vehicle we can. Data in the chart below may be for a different model year if the model remained unchanged from when we last tested it.SpecificationsSpecifications
2025 Lexus LX700h
Vehicle Type: front-engine, front-motor, 4-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 4-door wagon
PRICE
Base/As Tested: $115,350/$141,350
Options: Ultra Luxury package (four-seat configuration with massaging, power-adjustable rear seats and rear-seat entertainment system), $26,000
POWERTRAIN
twin-turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve 3.4-liter V-6, 409 hp, 479 lb-ft + AC motor, 48 hp, 184 lb-ft (combined output: 457 hp, 583 lb-ft; 1.0-kWh [C/D est] nickel-metal hydride battery pack
Transmission: 10-speed automatic
CHASSIS
Suspension, F/R: control arms/live axle
Brakes, F/R: 13.9-in vented disc/13.2-in vented disc
Tires: Dunlop Grandtrek H/T31
265/50R-22 112V M+S
DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase: 112.2 in
Length: 200.6 in
Width: 78.4 in
Height: 74.6 in
Passenger Volume, F/R: 55/45 ft3
Cargo Volume: 31 ft3
Curb Weight: 6283 lb
C/D TEST RESULTS
60 mph: 5.5 sec
1/4-Mile: 14.0 sec @ 99 mph
100 mph: 14.5 sec
130 mph: 29.5 sec
Results above omit 1-ft rollout of 0.3 sec.
Rolling Start, 5–60 mph: 6.5 sec
Top Gear, 30–50 mph: 3.4 sec
Top Gear, 50–70 mph: 4.0 sec
Top Speed (gov ltd): 137 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 182 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft Skidpad: 0.74 g
C/D FUEL ECONOMY
Observed: 17 mpg
75-mph Highway Driving: 20 mpg
75-mph Highway Range: 350 mi
EPA FUEL ECONOMY
Combined/City/Highway: 20/19/22 mpg
C/D TESTING EXPLAINEDMore Features and Specs
Source: caranddriver.com
