2009 Lexus LX 570 Review

As one of my journalist friends put it "you can't have a flagship SUV if it doesn't do everything a SUV is supposed to". The LX 570 does everything on a world-class level. Competition is not just the other large SUVs like Land Rover, Mercedes G-Class or Cadillac Escalade among others. These are some of the most capable and luxurious "off-road" vehicles in the world and provide the technology to go everywhere from the Arctic to the Sahara.

Getting about in town is quite easy with the driving aids that are included with the LX 570.

Electronic components
LX 570, which derives its name from both the engine size, a 5.7-litre V-8 and the two letter abbreviation for luxury, LX started out life in a much more humble format. The much-vaunted Toyota Land Cruiser provides the basics (the Land Cruiser is not sold in Canada, but is in other parts of the world). Lexus engineers have extended the simple four-wheel drive system of the Land Cruisers into an easy-to-use electronically-controlled marvel. Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Active Traction Control (A-TRAC), Hill Start Assist Control (HAC) and Down Hill Assist Control (DAC) are all part of the electronic package that keeps the wheels planted on the ground and digging for that last modicum of traction.

Mechanical List
The mechanical component list is a bit short. LX 570 makes use of a centre limited-slip differential to keep the power flowing to each end as required. Once there the electronics take over and make sure each wheel stays under control. A low range, designated as "Lexus Crawl Control" is available for those camping trips to remote spots or you may find it handy pulling your less fortunate friends who have backed too far down a wet and slippery boat launch.

Suspension
Suspension components also keep the LX 570 on the trail. The front is basically a double-wishbone set up with torsion bars and the rear is a live axle with a four-link suspension. What makes it useful is the fact that it is height-adjustable. Two Lexus systems, Active Height control (AHC) and Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) work together through controls in the cabin to provide the right height for so that you can do what you want to.

This "camel"-like (the back end comes up first and the nose goes down first) suspension is designed to provide maximum ground clearance with minimum disturbance to occupants or surrounding vehicles. The main benefit of this type of suspension is that you get the ground clearance when you need it to go over rough terrain. You can then lower the vehicle down to improve on-road stability and to get a bit better fuel economy. You get the best of both the off-road and on-road worlds.

Active Height control and Adaptive Variable Suspension work together through controls in the cabin.