Lexus LX 700h breaks cover
Lexus has unveiled the 2025 Lexus LX, bringing a new hybrid powertrain and a new off-road trim to the brand's flagship luxury SUV. The LX 700h features a parallel series hybrid system that Lexus says preserves the "reliability, durability and off-road performance" that the LX is known for.
The 3.4-liter V-6 twin-turbo engine from the LX600 is used in the new LX700h together with a nickel-metal hydride battery and an electric motor situated between the engine and transmission. With the revised setup, output is increased to 457PS and 790Nm of torque. The same automatic transmission with 10 speeds is still connected to the hybrid system. Between the engine and gearbox is a motor generator (MG) with a clutch; the motor-only and engine-only mode transitions are controlled by a separate hybrid control system.
According to Lexus, this hybrid system is the first to have a starter and an alternator. In the event that the hybrid system fails, the car may still operate thanks to the starter, which enables the engine to start on its own while the alternator maintains the 12-volt auxiliary battery charged. Notably, this hybrid powertrain has a starter and alternator, which Lexus claims is unique to its hybrid vehicles.
This is because Lexus wants to make sure that in the event of a hybrid system failure, the car can still start and operate. The alternator provides electricity to the 12-volt battery to maintain things operating in a conventional manner, while the starter enables independent engine activation.
The LX now uses the most recent Lexus Safety System + suite of active safety and driver assist technology, which includes features like Safe Exit Assist, a driver monitoring camera, and the Emergency Driving Stop System (EDSS). The 8-inch digital instrument cluster has been replaced with a 12.3-inch unit on all variants.
To complete the updates to the LX, Lexus is also introducing an Overtrail variant, which includes matte grey aluminium wheels, an exclusive Moon Desert paint finish, a gloss black spindle grille, black exterior accents, and low-saturation monolith ornamentation on the door and seat upholstery. In addition to the conventional centre differential lock, the Overtrail is equipped with 265/70R18 all-terrain or 265/65R18 mud and snow tyres.
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