2025 Lexus LX 700h is a powerful hybrid commanding 457 hp | Reviews

Card-carrying members of the species I like to call sportutivus giganticus are not huge sellers in the Dominion of Canada. I’m talking the big rigs, the ground-pounders, the ones some people condescendingly refer to as “gas-guzzling SUVs.” You might know the upscale models as the Cadillac Escalade, Lincoln Navigator or Jeep Grand Wagoneer if you’re more familiar with Detroit products, BMW X7, Range Rover or Mercedes GLS if you’re partial to European nameplates. From Japan the Infiniti QX80 …

… ditto Lexus, that well-regarded luxury division of Toyota, and its LX, the subject of this review. It’s the brand’s largest and most expensive sport-ute, a model adapted from Toyota’s Land Cruiser, decades long the company’s workhorse. A 1996 model, the LX 450 has gone through three more permutations and a couple of numeric upgrades in the interim, the fourth-generation LX 600 model redesigned for the 2022 model year. Last year’s Canadian sales figure for the LX tallied just 600 units.

Naturally, the numbers for the full-size luxury segment are much larger in the U.S., and they are far more visible on its highways and byways. That said, there are reasons big-buck rigs are sold both here beyond the general popularity of SUVs — buyers willing to spend well over $100K for vehicles offering more status, a higher level of amenities and leg-stretching, three-row comfort, plus the advanced technology they believe make them safer and more suitable as family transportation. Somewhat perplexing, at least when I tested a Navigator last year, was the lack of hybrid powertrain options for most of these beasts.

Hold that thought.

What is the Lexus LX 700h?

New for 2025, Lexus introduces its first-ever LX?hybrid — the LX?700h — delivering “commanding horsepower and torque plus impressive efficiency.” For the Canadian market, there are three trims built around Toyota’s highly regarded electrification technology.

What powers the LX 700h?

• Twin-turbo 3.4L V6 and electric motor making 457 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque
• 10-speed direct shift automatic transmission

Its hybrid powertrain starts with the same twin-turbo 3.4L V6 as in the LX 600 and GX 550, paired with a 10-speed direct shift automatic transmission. And situated between the engine and transmission is an electric motor, with the nickel-metal hydride battery located just behind the rear wheels. This combo generates the “commanding” 457 system horsepower plus a robust 583 pound-feet of torque. Toyota says the twin turbochargers deliver steady and constant acceleration to control power delivery in both on- and off-road scenarios, while motor-driven power in Low range — a new feature for Lexus — enables more confident motoring where more precise throttle control is needed, such as rocky trails, dirt roads or deep snow.

As for fuel economy, the LX 700h has been rated at 12.5 L/100 km city, 10.7 highway and 11.7 when combined. And while that is respectable mileage for a body-on-frame brute-ute bending the needle on the scale with 2,840 kilograms (6,261 pounds) of road-hugging weight, it is not super-impressively better than its gas-only LX 600 sibling, being only a tenth more efficient (10.7 L/100 km vs 10.8) on the highway. Take into consideration the $14,000+ price difference between the base 700h and the base 600 and this very slight fuel efficiency advantage could dull customer interest in the hybrid.

But, says Lexus, what if the hybrid powertrain is not engineered to improve fuel economy but to significantly boost performance?

The 700h, despite its avoirdupois, can knock off an impressive 6.5-second zero-to-100-km/h run, meaning no worries when merging onto highways. (The LX 600 is no slouch either, even though its 3.4L twin-turbo V6 is 48 hp and 104 lb-ft of torque shy of the 700h’s hybrid setup.)

What is the Overtrail+ trim?

First introduced on the 2024 GX and exclusively available on the LX Hybrid, the Overtrail+ trim is standard for two of the three LX?700h models, one a two-row ($136,059), the other a three-row ($138,154). The topline, considerably pricier ($171,125) LX 700h Executive VIP?seats just four, private jet style.

Lexus says the Overtrail+ package builds on the commanding (again, that word) off-road prowess of the LX, with the addition of unique features and equipment to encourage owners “to explore the great outdoors.”These “adventure-forward vehicles” are available in an Earth body colour, a sandy-brown shade. Inside, cabin colours include black or Stone Brown semi-aniline leather on the seats and door panels with Stone Brown stitching and black open-pore wood accents on the centre console and door panels.

Keeping in mind the 700h is 5,095 millimetres (200.6 in.) long, with an overall width 1,990 mm (78.3 in.) and ground clearance 205 mm (8.1. in.), it’s doubtful many owners will be bounding through the woods on rocky trails, although the sport-ute has the chops to do so, as it aptly demonstrated when Lexus set up a muddy, bumpy, very wet and sloppy off-road course to test the Overtrail+’s bona fides. The SUV bumped, thumped and slithered its way through the execise, utilizing every one of its standard systems to maintain forward momentum, which it accomplished with surprising ease. All LX 700h’s come with a Torsen limited slip locking centre differential, active height control, adaptive variable suspension, multi-terrain select (4Hi and 4Lo), multi-terrain monitor, crawl control, and downhill assist control. Now add the Overtrail+ features, including front and rear locking differentials, 33-inch all-terrain Toyo tires mounted on 18-inch wheels and a front skid plate, and Lexus’s claim the LX sets the bar for all-surface capability and all-weather performance sounds less like a boast and more like a challenge.

To maximize on- and off-road refinement, Lexus engineers built the LX on the GA-F platform, which lowers the centre of gravity and elevates overall rigidity. Engineers also isolated the cabin from the frame to minimize vibration and harshness for a quieter, more comfortable ride.

Realistically, however, exploring Canada’s natural splendour in luxury and style is more likely to include trips to the cottage or ski hills, or hauling an Airstream or horse trailer — maximum towing capacity is 3,665 kg (7,992 lb.) — along with time spent in mall parking lots.

How does the Lexus LX 700h drive?

A day’s drive along the twisting backroads of California’s Napa Valley, first in the Executive VIP and then in the Overtrail+, showcased some interesting aspects to the LX 700h. For several days the area had been experiencing what weather forecasters were calling an “atmospheric river,” steady rain turning the hillsides soggy and dislodging rocks and other debris to tumble down onto the road. So not only were we coping with the serpentine and often patched tarmac but rounding any turn could reveal a surprise requiring corrective action. The Lexus steered beautifully around all the debris, with a light, positive touch that was anything but numb, my driving partner and I agreeing that it went a long way to helping the LX drive “smaller.” The hydraulic suspension offers a less pillowy ride than what many of the LX’s competition achieve, at least the ones with air suspensions, although the LX’s more noticeable communication with road surfaces never reached the point of harshness. In the long run, it should come as no shock that the Executive VIP offered a smoother ride, its tires making a notable difference.

Lexus’s claim the LX has “stunning good looks” is a bit of a stretch. None of the models playing in the full-size luxury SUV sandbox is inherently attractive; they are essentially bricks on wheels, Detroit doing the best job of tarting up its high-end products with shiny chrome to offset the sheet metal real estate. Give it its due, however, the spindle grille — a Lexus trademark — flanked by triple beam LED headlamps is, uh, “prominent.” The Overtrail+ takes things in a different, more macho direction, its appearance highlighted by a matte grey grille, black door handles, dark grey roof rails, dark chrome finished window trim and bumper trim, and black over-fenders.

Interior features in the Lexus LX 700h

• 12.3-inch infotainment screen, 25-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, front massage seats and more

No matter what you think of the LX 700h’s exterior looks, its cabin expresses what Lexus says is the Tazuna Concept, “elevating the joy of driving with a more intuitive connection between driver and vehicle.” In other words, it’s a very nice place in which to while away the miles, especially if you pony up for the top trim Executive VIP. All LX dashboards comes with three standard displays — an 8.0-inch screen for the gauge cluster, a 12.3-inch infotainment screen, and a separate 7.0-inch screen for climate and vehicle controls.

The Overtrail+ models’ blend of luxury (albeit with a wash and wear vibe) and technology starts with a 25-speaker Mark Levinson audio system with 12.3-inch touchscreen display, the Lexus Interface multimedia system, and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto compatibility, plus six USB charging ports, a shift by wire system, front massage seats, heated and ventilated front- and second-row seats, illuminated scuff plates, digital display rear view mirror, and the Advance Park system. Traffic jam assist, front cross-traffic alert and lane change assist are also part of the deal.

Forking over the big bucks for the four-seat Executive VIP trim substitutes 22-inch alloy wheels and quieter rubber for the Overtrail+’s 18s, and adds a heated and leather-wrapped wood steering wheel, digital display rear-view mirror, easy-close doors and liftgate, illuminated entry system, Lexus courtesy logo illumination, a cool box, rear seat entertainment system with seven-inch screen, wireless Bluetooth headphones with transmitter, two additional USB charging ports, heated and ventilated front row and second-row seats, front and rear massage seats, rear climate control and climate screen, rear-seat wireless charging docks for personal electronics, wood door trim, head-up display, digital key, advance park and a lot more. The tester’s orangey Caramel Sunset leather was rich, bright and oh-so buttery soft, complementing the eye-pleasing Nori Green Pearl exterior shade.

Final thoughts about the Lexus LX 700h

Being such a niche product makes it harder to pin down the LX 700h. On one hand, Lexus sold 15,901 electrified vehicles — hybrids, PHEVs and EVs — in Canada last year, representing 53.5% of its total sales. Adding a hybrid powertrain to its flagship sport-ute would normally be an easy decision for Lexus, a leader in this powertrain technology. On the other is the fact that Lexus execs believe the 700h will only grow total LX sales this year by 10%, likely meaning just 60 to 70 units. It seems a significant effort for what appears to be a small return.

Another question is why two Overtrail+ versions? Make it one trim with a third row delete option. The U.S. market offers an F Sport Handling trim, a sportier looking rig with 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, F mesh spindle grille with black chrome grille frame, tuned front and rear performance dampers, Torsen limited-slip diff and a rear stabilizer, plus special tuning of the electric power steering and adaptive variable suspension. That strikes me as an easier sell than the outdoorsy Overtrail+, which is a popular trim option on the slightly smaller but more off-road competent GX.

Lastly, is the $170K Executive VIP trim moving the 700h to a price point that takes it out of the LX’s comfort zone? Yes, lounging in the quilted captain’s chair with your feet on the front seat-back ottoman, getting massaged and playing with the entertainment system is a level of hedonism previously unexplored by the SUV. Still, for those who want to be seen driving the latest and greatest, the LX lacks the cachet of many of its rivals.

If larger numbers were in play, these questions might prove troublesome. But fans of the LX will eagerly snap up the 60 or so LX 700h’s available. It is solidly built, with a strong powertrain, better off-road capability than it should have, a bunch of luxury touches worthy of the Lexus name, the requisite safety back-ups and the brand’s deserved rep for reliability. That’s more than enough for the faithful.

Sign up for our newsletter Blind-Spot Monitor and follow our social channels on X, Tiktok and LinkedIn to stay up to date on the latest automotive news, reviews, car culture, and vehicle shopping advice.