2018 Lexus LX

Toyota has turned itself into a maker of cars that stand out, all the way from the weird-looking, fuel-efficient Prius to the massive LX 570, the full-size luxury SUV the Japanese manufacturer sells under the upscale Lexus banner.

It’s hard to believe this symbol of vehicular excess comes from the company that created the hybrid-powered Prius. The LX goes up against the likes of the Cadillac Escalade, Land Rover Range Rover, Lincoln Navigator and Infiniti QX80 in search of buyers looking for luxury in a vehicle that also promises rugged, off-road capability and a big towing capacity.

Unchanged for 2018, the LX 570 returns with a 5.7L V8 engine that makes 383 hp and 403 lb-ft of torque and comes matched to an eight-speed automatic transmission and full-time four-wheel drive.

There are seats for eight in a beautifully-appointed interior whose occupants benefit from an adaptive suspension that Lexus says tailors its responses to road conditions. It’s also height-adjustable to create more ground clearance for off-roading and can then hunker down at highway speeds for better aerodynamics. A crawl control function acts like a low-speed cruise control that takes care of forward progress in rough going, allowing the driver to concentrate on steering.

Lexus isn’t talking bunk when it comes to the LX’s off-road abilities: It’s based on the Toyota Land Cruiser, a vehicle not sold in North America but boasts a formidable pedigree in various other global markets where it is available.

We know we called out the LX’s towing capacity, but its 3,175 kg limit is actually low for the class and considering this truck’s body-on-frame construction.

The LX comes in a single, fully loaded trim priced at an eye-watering $109,100 but equipped with niceties like a heated wood steering wheel with electric adjustments, four-zone climate control, a 19-speaker stereo with rear-seat entertainment system, 10-way driver and eight-way front passenger seat adjustments, heat and ventilation for front and second-row occupants, a power-folding third row, navigation, passive keyless entry and adaptive LED headlights.

Active safety equipment is part of the deal too and includes a pre-collision system, lane departure alert, radar cruise and automatic high beams. Surprisingly, the list doesn’t include lane keeping assist or a lane-change intervention function to work with the blind spot monitor.

The LX 570’s styling is certainly distinctive, but the QX80, Navigator and Range Rover are prettier interpretations of what a luxed-up SUV can look like.

Lexus is up-front about the LX’s prodigious fuel consumption, estimated at 18.3/12.9 L/100 km (city/highway).