What to Look for When Buying a Used Lexus LX

Lexus is a reputable and popular brand admired by car enthusiasts across the globe for its classiness, beauty, and luxurious taste. Famed for its off-roading prowess thanks to its superb suspension, supreme construction, and crawl system, Lexus LX is a versatile machine that guarantees super-smooth ride quality on regular roads. The problem? None of this comes cheap! Lexus LX is a high-end car with a price tag to match. LX is one of the most expensive cars in the Lexus range! And this makes buying a used Lexus LX your best bet of achieving your dream of slipping behind a Lexus wheel!

2021 Lexus LX Ultra Luxury
2021 Lexus LX

Lexus, which is the luxury sister company of Toyota, boasts as great of a reputation as Toyota does. Lexus produces some of the most reliable and durable cars on the market, but with a more luxurious feel.

The used Lexus LX car segment is pretty huge and continues to expand almost every year. Not every used Lexus LX is worth your hard-earned cash, but there is plenty that is.

Choose carefully, and you could get a fantastic vehicle that’s just as reliable, luxurious, powerful, and as enviable as a brand-new Lexus LX, but at a relatively cheap price. Continue your reading and learn everything you need to know regarding what to look for when buying a used Lexus LX.

A brief history of Lexus LX

Lexus is a luxury brand that is popular for its unrivaled value and longevity. The Lexus LX is an innovative car that packs lots of impressive tech-oriented features into its compact design to deliver a vehicle that provides incredible performance, speed, and handling while cruising the road.

Lexus LX is a full-size SUV sold by Lexus since 1996. The LX has been primarily based on the Land Cruiser, with the 1st generation LX450 being entirely based on the Land Cruiser J80. It’s worth noting that Lexus got its start from a group of proven Japanese Engineers who wanted to take the automotive industry to a whole new level by designing a car that would stand head and shoulders above the competition.


First generation: Lexus LX450 (1996-1997)

1997 Lexus LX 450
1997 Lexus LX 450

As already mentioned, Lexus introduced the relatively large LX model in 1996 based on the already popular Toyota Land Cruiser J80. Toyota was determined to show a new premium SUV on international markets, and the reliable, bullet-proof J80 Land Cruiser was its best bet. The Japanese specialists only needed to add Lexus-specific design elements and replace some of the interior components.

Under the hood, Toyota only installed one engine choice; a 4.5-liter paired with either a five-speed manual or a four-automatic. Power was transmitted to all corners through a low and high gear transfer case and a locking center differential. A rear differential lock was also available as a second option.

Inside, Lexus LX replaced the fabric-covered interior with a leather-based one. While the dashboard design was the same as the one featured on the Land Cruiser J80, it was equipped with higher quality materials. Like its J80 counterpart, the LX450 offered seven seats, with two jump seats in the trunk offered as an option.

Second generation: Lexus LX470 (1998-2007)

2004 Lexus LX 470
2004 Lexus LX 470

As generally expected, the second generation of Lexus LX was introduced for the 2008 model year. It was larger and more polished than its predecessor. And it was once again based on the Toyota Land Cruiser, this time round on the 100 series and branded the LX470. It had a larger and equally powerful engine under its hood.

It was designed to achieve the same things as its J100 counterpart, but with more luxurious features inside. With its premium features and quality, the LX470 showed commanding respect on the road and proved superior off-road.

The LX470’s leather-wrapped interior and wooden trims around the cabin created a mix of hi-tech and exclusivity. Lexus LX470 included a premium sound system that literally transformed the luxurious SUV into a concert hall on wheels!

It featured a 4.7L V8 engine that offered 235 HP at 4.800 rpm. The engine was paired with a rugged four-speed automatic transmission that delivered the power in all corners. A transfer box featuring a low-range gear was fitted as standard.

Third generation: Lexus LX570 (2007-2021)

In 2007, the 3rd generation LX was launched, and was based on the 200-series Land Cruiser and was now known as LX570. Even though it was relatively small, the LX570 benefited from a much bigger and more powerful engine. It was powered by Toyota’s 5.7L 3UR-FE V8!

Previously, the LX570 continued the tradition of being a more upmarket but strikingly similar car to the 200 series Land cruiser, which is powered by the 5.7L V8 in the American market. And while the underpinnings have stayed more or less the same, the car has undergone a series of crucial updates with each one adding more and more personality to it.

The Lexus LX570 comes standard with 20-inch wheels, a four-wheel electro-hydraulic suspension with an updated six-setting AHC system. Other notable performance-based features include a Crawl Control system that helps negotiate off-road obstacles in both reverse and forward motion at low speeds, a multi-terrain anti-lock braking system, and a Hill-start Assist Control that prevents backward rolling on either slippery or hilly surfaces.

Between 2010 and 2011, Lexus introduced a mild facelift with a new front bumper, and for sports models a stick-on body kit on both the rear and front bumpers. In 2015, the LX570 got a dramatic makeover, with an entirely unique front end, rear end as well as a new glass profile in the rear.

Again, between 2015 and 2021, another facelift was unveiled and brought significant changes with an all-new interior. And the only exterior features preserved were the doors and the roof!

Fourth generation: LX600 (2021 to date)

LX Ultra Luxury 14
2022 Lexus LX

The 4th generation LX was unveiled on 13th, 10, 2021 and is based on the J300 Series Land Cruiser. The LX600 is powered by a dual-turbocharged 3.4L V6 engine that transmits 409HP and 479 pound-feet of torque. It features a standard 10-speed automatic transmission and four-wheel drive. This all-new powertrain achieves fantastic performance, economy, and refinement worthy of this incredible Lexus flagship.

Inside, the latest LX600 receives a modern, luxurious makeover, with a wide center console between its front seats that creates a comfortable cockpit environment. Top-notch leather upholstery, a leather-wrapped dashboard, wood trim, and smoked-chrome accents all give it a high-end look and luxe ambiance.

The entry-level standard trim has room for five across in two rows of seats whereas the F Sport trims come with a third row of seats that boosts passenger capacity to seven. The top-spec premium luxury model is only available as a four-seat layout with specially designed seats for optimal comfort.

The LX600’s dashboard has thee standard displays, a 12.3-inch screen for the infotainment, an 8.0-inch screen for the gauge cluster, and a separate 7.0-inch screen for vehicle and climate controls. Lexus hopes to include wireless charging and a couple of other exciting safety features.

What are the best years for the Lexus LX?

Although most Lexus LX models are very solid vehicles with admirable reliability and performance ratings, not every LX model is flawless! In this regard, the best years for the Lexus LX were the ones made between 1996 and 1997, 2003 and 2004, 2008 and 2010.

Generally, though, the Lexus LX is an amazing luxury SUV with no know bad years, it’s highly unlikely that you would go wrong!

  • 1996-1997 (Lexus LX450): If you are looking for an affordable vehicle for extreme off-roading with a touch of luxury and comfort, look no further than the LX450. As earlier explained, the LX450 is simply a pimped Land Cruiser J80. And while it may not offer some breathtaking tech features, you’ll enjoy having a sunroof and a functional AC. The engine is a straight-six 4.5L transmitting 215bhp, and a four-wheel antilock disk braking system is provided as standard in all models. It has a towing capacity of over 5,000 pounds and runs a permanent 4-wheel-drive system with an option of differential lock for enhanced traction.
  • 2003-2004 (Lexus LX470): During this period, the LX470 oversaw a complete interior overhaul and a few exterior upgrades to give it a more modern appearance. It comes with a 4.7L V8 engine that produces a staggering 230HP. It comes equipped with a host of standard luxury features such as a smooth music system, heated mirrors, and seats as well as comfy leather seats. It represents a great buy if you want some old-school comfort and thrill.
  • 2008-2010 (Lexus LX570): The LX underwent a complete redesign, giving birth to a modern, comfy, stylish, and highly reliable SUV. It received a new 5.7L engine producing 383bhp and 403 pound-feet of torque. It had a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds. This amazing car beats the competition hands down, thanks to its innovative height suspension and durable and reliable construction.

How reliable is the Lexus LX?

The Lexus LX is a highly reliable vehicle. It can last longer than most of its competitors on the marketplace, hitting up to 500,000 miles if well-maintained. It has a predicted reliability score of 83 out of 100, which is considered great by J.D Power!

Of course, this is not guaranteed and you’ll need to take great care of your LX to get it to this point. However, with good routine maintenance, it is one of the longest-lasting cars currently available.

How efficient is the Lexus LX in fuel economy?

Unfortunately, the Lexus LX model doesn’t perform quite well in terms of fuel economy. It gets abysmal gas mileage; 15mpg combined with 13mpg city/18mpg highway. You can expect to shell quite a bit of cash for gas, especially if you embark on those long trips!

LX Ultra Luxury 12
2021 Lexus LX

What is the cost of a used Lexus LX?

There is no fixed price for a used Lexus LX. This is because numerous different factors come into play, ranging from mileage, overall condition, the model year as well as location. However, on average, you can expect to spend between $17,995 and $99,500 for a used Lexus LX.

Do Lexus LX cars hold their resale value?

The secret behind Lexus LX’s success is multi-faceted, but one of its major plus points is how well it holds its value. Lexus is one of the luxury automobile brands that loses the least value in its lifetime.

It’s worth noting that Lexus vehicles hold their value so well because of the quality of their craftsmanship. The company boasts an enviable reputation for excellence, both technologically and aesthetically. These are top-quality cars with years of research as well as development behind them!

Should you buy a used Lexus LX?

Yes, Lexus LX is definitely a worthwhile investment for anyone looking for a highly reliable and performance-oriented SUV. As Toyota’s luxury brand, the LX has been used and tested by users worldwide, winning their trust.

Lexus LX is also famed for its stylish and attractive design, stunning off-road prowess, and peppy performance. What’s more, buying a used Lexus LX is a clever way of owning a budget luxury SUV that’s equally super-easy to maintain!