New Delhi: The new Lexus LX500d SUV will be launched in late November 2022 and bookings for it have already started at Rs 25 lakh. Lexus is expected to start delivering the first batch of the luxury SUV between January and March 2023.
Exterior and interior design
All units of the new LX SUV will come with pre-selected features and options, but customers will be able to choose exterior and interior colors.
Like the Toyota Land Cruiser LC300 on which it is based, the LX500d has an upright and angular stance, along with prominent angular wheel arches. But to differentiate it from its Toyota cousin, it got a Lexus grille, new headlights, fog lights and air vents.
In profile, both are quite similar, but the Lexus has received a redesigned rear window design. At the back, it has a different design of LED taillights that are linked by a light bar, while the tailgate has Lexus lettering instead of the logo. The boot lid also has an improved design.
Inside, the LX has a dual-screen setup – an upper 12.3-inch unit that doubles as the infotainment system, and a lower 7.0-inch screen that displays off-road data and climate functions. While globally the LX500d is offered in 5- and 7-seater configurations, India will only get the former.
Powertrain
The previous generation Lexus LX was offered with the diesel LX450d and petrol LX570. But with the advent of BS6 emission norms, Lexus stopped using diesel. However, Lexus is only bringing a diesel this time – the LX500d – and not the petrol variant of the LX600.
The LX500d has the same 3.3-litre twin-turbo V6 diesel engine as the latest Land Cruiser LC300. The latter churns out 305 horsepower and 700 Nm of torque and is paired with a 10-speed automatic transmission. The LX500d gets all-wheel drive as standard, along with multi-terrain modes for off-road driving.
Expected prices, rivals
The Land Cruiser LC300 SUV is expected to be priced between INR 2.90 Cr(ex-showroom, India). When launched, the LX500d will compete with the new Range Rover and the Mercedes-Maybach GLS.
The Lexus LX500d is said to be already sold out and deliveries across India may not exceed double digits. Bookings for its Toyota cousin – the Land Cruiser LC300 – started in August at Rs 10 lakh.
