Lexus LX 570 arrives for $140K

It can tow up to 3.5 tonnes, seats seven passengers and towers over almost everything else on the road – and the new-look Lexus LX 570 is now available in Australia from $140,500.

Lost among the fanfare given over to the Lexus RX, which also sails into dealerships this week, largely because it only attracts a dozen customers per month, the massive Lexus LX 570 features an angular new look and several new features designed to reduce running costs.

The 5.7-litre V8-powered behemoth gets a new eight-speed automatic (up from six-speeds) and drive mode select system, which contribute to reduced fuel use by roughly half a litre per 100km – now 14.4L/100km.

That said, it's almost $6000 more expensive now... That would buy a lot of fuel.

Based on the 200 Series Toyota LandCruiser, the Lexus LX 570 is still a very thirsty vehicle but its 138 litre fuel tank affords it a decent cruising range.

The Lexus LX 570's petrol V8 engine pumps out 270kW and 530Nm of torque, the same figures as before.

It rides on 20-inch alloy wheels as standard, which can be upgraded to 21-inch rims, and the upper-large luxury SUV gets Active Height Control, that can adjust the vehicle's height for various scenarios such as easier egress.

The single variant offered is packaged with 10 airbags, a lane departure warning system, autonomous emergency braking (AEB), adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, tyre pressure monitoring, automatically-dipping high-beams and a plethora of cameras (side and reverse).

The cameras and all infotainment functions are now viewed through an ultra-wide screen measuring 12.3-inches, the same as that offered in the new RX and GS models. Front occupants interface with the system via the unconventional remote touch system and there's a head-up display for drivers too, projecting vital vehicle and navigation info onto the windscreen at eye level.

Middle row passengers get larger 11.6-inch screens to keep them entertained and adaptive suspension is designed to ensure that all occupants experience plush ride comfort. The vehicle also features an intelligent 'climate concierge' system, which automatically controls temperature and fan speed settings for four seating zones, the seats and even the steering wheel.

For an extra $12,692 prospective buyers can add an enhancement pack that brings larger 21-inch alloy wheels, heated/cooled front and middle row (outboard) seats and a heated steering wheel.

Sales of the Lexus LX 570 pale in comparison to its smaller siblings, the new NX and RX models, with which it now shares a strong visual resemblance, particularly the oversized 'spindle' grille at the front. Lexus has sold just 141 LX 570's in 10 months this year, but that figure as an increase of 11.9 per cent on the previous year.