2020 lexus LX 570 SPORT Review

The luxury large SUV market in Malaysia has always focused on combining presence, comfort, and off-road capabilities as core needs. The 2020 Lexus LX 570 SPORT is a quintessential player in this niche market—not only does it inherit the rugged genes of the LX series, but it also attempts to balance business luxury and driving pleasure through the exclusive tuning and configuration upgrades of the SPORT version. This time, through a real vehicle test drive, we aim to verify its comprehensive performance in daily commuting, high-speed cruising, and light off-road scenarios to see if this model, priced at nearly RM 1.3 million, matches its positioning.

From the exterior, the LX 570 SPORT maintains the dignified look of a rugged SUV. Its body dimensions are 5080mm/1980mm/1865mm, with a wheelbase of 2850mm, giving it an imposing appearance. The front features Lexus’s signature spindle grille, with the SPORT version incorporating a black honeycomb grille and blackened front lip, softening its business-like feel while adding a sporty vibe. The body lines are predominantly straight, with the waistline running from the fenders through to the rear, paired with 21-inch matte black alloy wheels, further enhancing its sporty attributes. At the rear, the blackened LED taillights echo the front design, and the black skid plate on the rear bumper, along with the dual exhaust layout, give the rear end a more robust feel. The lighting system comes standard with LED sources across the board, with automatic headlights, daytime running lights, and front fog lights ensuring adequate illumination in various scenarios.

Upon entering the interior, the sense of luxury is primarily conveyed through the materials and configurations. The dashboard features extensive soft leather wrapping, complemented by wood trims and metallic accents, offering a delicate touch. The center console is driver-focused, with a 12.3-inch floating touchscreen that supports touch operation; however, its system runs at an average smoothness with slightly slower response times. Key features include HUD head-up display, multifunction steering wheel, and paddle shifters, all of which come standard. The driver’s seat is equipped with an electrically adjustable seat with memory function, the rear seats support electronic sliding, manual recline, and tumble forward, while the third row can be folded electrically. Overall, the seats provide good wrapping and support, making long periods of sitting less tiring. The air conditioning system adopts dual-zone automatic temperature control, and the independent air vents for the rear row ensure passenger comfort. A 220V power outlet also caters to outdoor power needs. The sound system is equipped with Mark Levinson speakers, with a layout of 19 units providing excellent in-car sound quality, especially with the bass depth and midrange clarity, aligning with the luxury car positioning.

In terms of space performance, the 2850mm wheelbase ensures comfortable seating space in both front and rear rows. A passenger with a height of 175cm can sit in the front row with about two fists of headroom, and the rear row offers similar legroom with about two fists, and a headroom of one and a half fists. Even when fully loaded with eight people, the third row will not feel overly cramped for adults on short trips. Regarding storage capacity, the trunk has a standard volume of 258 liters, which can be significantly expanded by completely folding the third-row seats, making it easy to store luggage or outdoor equipment. The rich design of storage compartments inside the car, including door panels, central armrest boxes, and cup holders, is very practical.

In terms of power, the LX 570 SPORT is equipped with a 5.7L naturally aspirated V8 engine, delivering a maximum power output of 367PS/5600rpm and a maximum torque of 530N·m/3200rpm. It is paired with an 8-speed automatic transmission and a full-time four-wheel-drive system. During actual driving, the power response at the start feels slightly sluggish. Still, the explosive power of the V8 engine begins to manifest once the RPM exceeds 3000. When overtaking, pressing the accelerator deeply, the transmission downshifts actively, delivering linear and ample power output. In sport mode, the throttle sensitivity is enhanced, and the shifting logic becomes more aggressive. However, the vehicle's 2.74-ton weight makes it challenging to achieve a "light and nimble" feel. During normal cruising, the transmission remains in high gear, keeping the engine speed at around 1500rpm. Cabin sound insulation is quite good, with wind noise and road noise only becoming noticeably pronounced at high speeds.

As for handling and chassis performance, the combination of double-wishbone independent front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension provides good comfort on paved roads. When crossing speed bumps or rough roads, the suspension effectively absorbs vibrations, and the vehicle's body remains stable. However, in corners, the high center of gravity results in noticeable body roll, and the steering feels heavy, making it more suitable for straight-line cruising rather than aggressive driving. Regarding off-road capability, the minimum ground clearance of 225mm and the full-time four-wheel-drive system with a central differential lock make light off-road terrain (such as muddy or gravel roads) manageable. However, the SPORT version is more tuned for on-road performance, so its off-road capabilities are not as strong as those of a professional hardcore SUV. Nonetheless, they are sufficient for everyday outdoor needs. In terms of fuel consumption, the official combined fuel consumption is 16.8L/100km, with actual city driving at about 18-20L/100km and highway cruising reducing this to 14-15L/100km, which is normal for a V8 engine vehicle.

Regarding comfort details, the electrically adjustable seating with memory function facilitates easy switching for different drivers, while rear air conditioning and sunshades improve the experience for rear passengers. In terms of noise control, the engine bay offers good insulation, making the engine noise almost inaudible at idle. At highway speeds, wind noise primarily comes from the A-pillars, and tire noise is slightly pronounced due to the 21-inch tires, but overall it remains within an acceptable range for a luxury vehicle.

In summary, the 2020 Lexus LX 570 SPORT's core strengths lie in its smooth V8 engine performance, luxurious interior features (such as the Mark Levinson audio system and HUD head-up display), and balanced capabilities for both on-road and light off-road driving. Compared to its competitors like the Mercedes GLS or BMW X7, it has better off-road capabilities, but its technological features and interior modernity are somewhat lacking. However, it offers relatively better value for money. This vehicle is suitable for families who value presence, need 8-seat configurations, and occasionally go on outdoor trips, or for businesspeople who seek the smooth performance of a V8 engine. Overall, the LX 570 SPORT is a large SUV that balances luxury and practicality. Although it slightly lags in terms of technological sophistication, its classic V8 engine performance and reliable off-road capability can still meet the core needs of its target users.