I really like Toyota vans, however I used to be skeptical right here. With a $115,350 beginning value, how may the 2025 Lexus LX700h Overtrail justify a $42,000 premium over the excellent GX550 Overtrail? Certainly, there’s no manner it’s price it? However after a day on the path, I noticed I used to be asking the unsuitable query. 

That is the closest factor we get to the normal flagship Land Cruiser within the US, and although it’s formally a Lexus LX, it’s very a lot of the Land Cruiser bloodline. Toyota sells a brand new Land Cruiser within the US, nevertheless it’s actually the 250-series Prado, the most recent in a line of “light-duty” companions to the actual Land Cruiser. The GX is a 250-series, too, however the LX relies on the 300-series, the actual deal.

Out at Northeast Off-Street Adventures in Ellenville, New York, it took some time for the LX700h to disclose simply how particular it’s. There’s no rational argument for the LX over the GX, and I believe that’s the purpose. 

For the LX700h, Lexus cherry-picked all the perfect elements from the brand new Toyota truck bin. You get a hybrid powertrain with a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V-6 and an electrical motor making 457 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque; full-time four-wheel drive with a low-range switch case; Lively Peak Management (AHC), which makes use of hydraulics to boost and decrease the suspension; adaptive dampers; and all of Toyota’s intelligent off-road traction and cruise management programs.

Photograph by: DW Burnett / Motor1

Photograph by: DW Burnett / Motor1

Photograph by: DW Burnett / Motor1

Choosing the Overtrail ideas the LX extra towards its Land Cruiser heritage with 33-inch tires, entrance, middle, and rear locking differentials, plus a beefy metallic skidplate beneath. However in contrast with the GX, the LX has decrease method, departure, and breakover angles. Plus, it has working boards, which make it simpler to climb aboard, however make going over rocks a extra delicate operation. The LX additionally does with out the GX’s wonderful digital Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (e-KDSS) system that makes use of hydraulics to regulate sway-bar stiffness. 

Frankly, I assumed the bigger LX would get proven up by the GX, however the huge brother does issues its personal, unimaginable manner. A reminder to not pay an excessive amount of consideration to spreadsheets. (Helpful recommendation past reviewing vehicles.)

Photograph by: DW Burnett / Motor1

Execs: Enormous Off-Street Functionality, Nice Hybrid Powertrain, Is Principally A Land Cruiser

The powertrain is instantly spectacular. Out in tight, rocky trails like those right here at NORA, you want absolute precision, which is tough to handle with a hybrid. Give it some thought, you’ve got acquired the torque of the internal-combustion engine plus the electrical motor—each of which are available very alternative ways at completely different instances—all multiplied by 10 ahead ratios and a low-range switch field. 

That’s a recipe for a automobile that can really feel completely completely different each time you hit the throttle or brake, nevertheless it doesn’t. There are even instances the place you is likely to be holding fixed throttle or brake stress, and the automobile will change from electrical to hybrid driving, but there’s seemingly no change in torque output on the wheels. It’s a exceptional achievement, arguably much more so than with a full-electric off-roader, since that’s only a singular energy supply.

Photograph by: DW Burnett / Motor1

As a rule, you’re simply idling the factor over obstacles due to that monster torque. That, plus Toyota’s suite of off-road drive modes, means any terrain you throw at it’s simple to handle. The one instances we wanted to interrupt out traction boards was when the tires acquired caked in moist mud—stuff you’ll get caught in irrespective of how a lot fancy off-road {hardware} and software program you’re packing.

However much more spectacular was the articulation. The AHC suspension system has a number of top settings, nevertheless it continually makes changes relying on the terrain. It’s an fascinating system, particularly in comparison with the extra widespread air suspension utilized in luxurious off-roaders. AHC doesn’t give the LX the identical floaty journey high quality, however Toyota says it’s extra dependable—it’s not laborious to wreck an air spring in tough terrain—and the hydraulics truly deal with a few of the springing and damping forces.

Photograph by: DW Burnett / Motor1

Cons: Method Pricier Than GX, Large, Flinty Trip On Street

Which means you don’t want any type of sway-bar adjustment or disconnect mechanism to range the roll stiffness. In reality, the LX700h Overtrail doesn’t also have a rear bar. The upshot of all of that is that not solely do you have got good floor clearance, however the articulation is unimaginable.

Over NORA’s Pucker Ridge, so named as a result of it’s a rock impediment over a ridge the place your axles will get crossed up, the LX simply scooted over prefer it was nothing. Even our path information, Alex, was astounded, and having examined a handful of off-roaders on this similar impediment myself—together with the GX—I used to be too.

There’s one other neat element that reveals the Land Cruiser heritage. Sometimes, Toyota hybrids eschew a separate starter motor and alternator as a result of the hybrid system does the identical job. However right here, Lexus has a backup starter and alternator as a result of within the unlikely occasion the hybrid system fails, you possibly can nonetheless drive the truck.

It’s that form of get-you-out-of-anywhere mindset that makes the LX700h particular. Folks entrust their lives to Land Cruisers, and there’s a deep satisfaction in understanding you’re driving one thing designed to be more durable than something on earth.

Photograph by: DW Burnett / Motor1

Photograph by: DW Burnett / Motor1

Photograph by: DW Burnett / Motor1

On the street, the LX isn’t as plush as a Vary Rover or much less off-road-focused rivals just like the BMW X7, Cadillac Escalade, or Mercedes-Benz GLS. The journey high quality will be fidgety at freeway speeds, and it feels particularly stiff on the rear, the burden of the battery making itself recognized. The hybrid system’s advantages aren’t as nice as you may anticipate. Throttle response is great, and the LX is genuinely fast, however the gas financial system solely improves barely. 

But, the LX700h Overtrail defies logic. I can’t think about Lexus will promote numerous them on this specific trim, however the individuals who purchase them will get an unimaginable, cost-no-object device. The GX is a extra rational alternative, surely, so good that it mainly renders the LX pointless. However, there’s something about this one. 

It’s like Lexus’s equal to the Mercedes G-Wagen. Foolish, however you’d should you may. Is it price $42,000 greater than the GX Overtrail? Provided that that issues to you.

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Supply: DW Burnett / Motor1