New Lexus LX coming soon

It’s no secret that the incoming new-generation 2022 Lexus LX will be based on the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, ramping up luxury to new heights.

But Lexus has now indicated that its new LC300-based flagship full-size SUV – the Japanese premium brand’s answer to the BMW X7 and Mercedes-Benz GLS – should be on sale in Australia early in 2022.

As carsales reported last week, Lexus Australia is preparing to launch four new models between November 2021 and February 2022.

We know the new Lexus NX mid-size SUV and Lexus UX 300e small electric SUV are two of those models headed to Aussie showrooms during that period.

And the most obvious next contender in line is the jewel in the brand’s SUV crown, the 2022 Lexus LX.

It’s not yet clear how much the new three-row, go-anywhere Lexus LX will cost when it lands here. But given LandCruiser prices are set to rise, it stands to reason that LX prices – currently starting at $137,636 and topping out at $168,767, plus on-road costs – could also spike.

The new LX is expected to be revealed internationally in the coming months after being previewed during the Lexus NX global premiere.

Pressed on details of the new LX, Lexus Australia chief Scott Thompson declined to confirm local launch details, such as whether we’ll see a 3.5-litre twin-turbo petrol engine (305kW/650Nm) or a hybrid powertrain option.

But he did say the new model will certainly meet customer expectations.

We’ve already seen leaked data from Europe purporting LX 600 and LX 570 models are set for production, along with a mysterious new engine code, VJA310R.

It’s not clear what engine will be under the bonnet of the mooted Lexus LX 600 model, but if it is the turbo-petrol V6 engine it’ll be good news for those looking for alternatives to big three-row German SUVs. Or maybe even the LandCruiser 300 Series.

Indeed, the 3.5-litre petrol V6 engine is off limits for the new Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series, but it could get a guernsey in a Lexus LX 600.

A diesel version of the premium SUV, potentially wearing LX 500d badges, is also on the cards.

The diesel model would employ the same all-new 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel engine (227kW/700Nm) as the LandCruiser 300 Series, which is due to arrive in Australia late this year.

There’s also been talk of the brand’s giant-killing 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 petrol engine, a circa-450kW powerplant, being offered with the Lexus LX, but this offering is more likely later in the vehicle’s lifecycle, potentially wearing the LX F badge and taking aim the Mercedes-AMG GLS 63.

While Thompson wouldn’t talk about upcoming hybrid powertrains, Japanese media outlets certainly are. Creative Trend reports that LX 750h models will be offered in due course, the first-ever hybrid version of the premium SUV that will offer 358kW of power and 870Nm of torque.

Stay tuned for more details on the new Lexus LX as its global reveal draws near.