2016 Lexus LX 570

For 2016, Lexus' flagship SUV, the LX 570, gets an update for 2016 that brings new styling based around the brand's spindle grille, a new eight-speed automatic transmission and more standard safety kit.

Other new items include LED headlights, turn signals and fog lights, new taillights, redesigned wheels, 12.3-inch multimedia screen with remote touch interface, panoramic view camera system, head-up display, wood-trimmed steering wheel, heated/ventilated rear seats, LED ambient interior lighting, second-row sunshades, wireless smartphone charging and blind spot monitoring with rear cross traffic alert. LX's new standard safety items include tire pressure monitoring and lane departure alert.

That grille is controversial, but vehicles playing in the premium sandbox need to stand out, because that's what at least some of the people spending more than $100,000 on a vehicle expect. In the LX's case, those people are spending $104,300; there are no options to add.

The LX doesn't have the brand cachet of the Cadillac Escalade or Lincoln Navigator, but then again, those were the trucks that invented this class, and their more memorable names give them an edge.

As before, the LX 570 is powered by a 5.7L V8 making 383 hp and 403 lb-ft of torque, but expect that output to be better managed by the new transmission's two additional ratios. The LX may put luxury first, but that doesn't mean it's not up to doing some work: there's low-range gearing, a limited slip centre differential and five drive modes to tailor the LX's powertrain performance to any terrain.

Fuel consumption estimates, according to Natural Resources Canada's test method, are 18.3/12.9 L/100 km (city/highway).

Other standard features include intelligent keyless entry with push-button start, four-zone automatic climate control, power-adjustable steering column, garage door opener, sunroof, adaptive variable air suspension power tailgate, parking assist, paddle shifters, rain-sensing wipers with de-icer, 12-way driver and 10-way front passengers seats, premium leather upholstery, power-sliding middle-row seat, power-folding third row, 19-speaker stereo, electric parking brake, pre-collision system, radar cruise control, auto-dimming and power-folding side mirrors and offroad crawl control and turn assist.