2005 Lexus LX 470

The largest SUV in Lexus’ line-up, the LX 470 is unchanged for 2005.

The heavy-duty but very luxurious LX 470 is Lexus’ version of the rugged Toyota Land Cruiser, a model sold in the U.S. but not available in Canada. That means that the LX can pretty much go anywhere you want to go, regardless of terrain. It also shares the Land Cruiser’s 4.7-litre V8, five-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel-drive.

Offered in a single, luxury-packaged model, the LX 470 includes 18-inch alloy wheels, four ventilated brake discs, power tilt and telescopic wheel, front and rear automatic climate control, a Mark Levinson CD system with eleven speakers, wheel-mounted controls, rear audio controls and two sets of headphones, leather interior, ten-way driver and four-way passenger power heated seats, 60/40 fold-and-tumble middle seats, 50/50 split rear bench seat, auto up/down on all windows, auto-dimming mirror, birds-eye maple trim, wood and leather-wrapped steering wheel, cargo mat, power flip-out rear side windows, privacy glass, power moonroof, towing hitch, roof-mounted spoiler, power folding heated mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, variable intermittent front wipers, automatic headlamps with washers, fog lamps, and DVD-based navigation system with back-up camera.

Ride height is controlled by Active Height Control, combined with Adaptive Variable Suspension, a driver-controlled system with automatic overrides. The tall LX can be lowered at a standstill for easier entry, and on rough terrain, a flip of the console-mounted switches can raise the front by 40 mm and the rear by 50 mm. The vehicle will automatically raise itself to its “Normal” setting at 5 km/h if started off at low height; if it’s at its highest setting, it will lower itself to “Normal” over 30 km/h. The driver can also select one of four levels of semi-active shock absorber control.

Despite its size, the LX 470 accelerates quickly and smoothly, its independent suspension gives it a supple ride, and the front and second-row seats provide plenty of stretch-out comfort. The third row of seats is fine for short trips or children. This luxury truck’s tough-as-nails, body-on-frame engineering is dated when compared to such offerings as the Volkswagen Touareg or Porsche Cayenne, but it’s still a comfortable hauler that can pull up to 2268 kg (5000 lbs) through the woods and right up to the cottage door. Buyers who don’t want to spend this heavily for a luxury truck can also consider the Cadillac Escalade and Lincoln Navigator.

The LX 470 is built in Tahara, Japan.