2025 Lexus LX 700h Overtrail 4WD - Bottom Line Review

OIL OLIGARCH'S DESERT OVERLANDING SUV GOES HYBRID:  Petroleum potentates may have oil well derricks in their sandy desert backyards. That hasn't stopped them from diversifying into big pharma and European football clubs. Hedging bets that black gold won't flow the good times forever, the sheiks are even funding renewable energy and battery electric car makers.

Similarly, the world's largest automaker, Toyota, has been betting large on battery hybrid power, from bottom to top. Finally, the brand's flagship vehicle, popular for Arabian oil field expeditions, receives electrification. In overlanding cloak, it is called the 2025 Lexus LX 700h Overtrail 4WD.

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WHAT: 2025 Lexus LX 700h Hybrid Overtrail 4x4 3 or 2 Row off-road capable, flagship large sport utility vehicle. The Mk.4 Lexus LX , code name J310, fraternal twin to the Toyota Land Cruiser J300, is founded upon the TNGA GA-F modular platform, shared with the XK70 Toyota Tundra half-ton pickup truck and XK80 Toyota Sequoia large SUV. Three years since the petrol Mk.4 LX600 introduction, the Lexus flagsip SUV is fitted with an up-tuned version of the battery hybrid electric powerplant on offer in the Toyota trucks.

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PLEBEIAN ANALOG FOR [NEARLY] EVERY TALL LAND YACHT: Cadillac Escalade has its Chevrolet Suburban, Lincoln Navigator has its Ford Expedition, Jeep Grand Wagoneer has its Wagoneer, Infiniti QX80 has its Nissan Armada and Lexus LX [now] has...NOTHING? Through three generations on American roads, Lexus’ flagship SUV, was accompanied by

RoadBlazingSusan Frissell

WHAT POWERS: air-to-water intercooled twin-turbocharged 3.4L DOHC 24V DI gas V-6 (V35A-FTS) w/ idle Start/ Stop + PSM electric motor + 10-spd. torque converter planetary automatic transmission (AWR10L65) + 2-speed e-transfer case four-wheel drive, locking center differential, locking front & rear differential. This is one of those instances of hybrid electrification, which fractionally improves efficiency but cranks out the power.

• Net Horsepower / Torque (pound-feet): 457 hp / 583 lb.-ft @ 2000 r.p.m.
• +48 hp, +104 lb-ft vs. LX 600

WHAT (A) STYLING DIFFERENCE: The 2025 Lexus 700h appears three years after the sibling LX 600 launch with no change to the naked eye. When it dawned in 2022, the Lexus version of J300, maintained a heritage Land Cruiser expeditionary truck profile, with more sinewy character creases and an infusion of some Kabuki mystery. The design continued to impart Japanese imperial majesty.

Lexus' signature full nose height spindle grille is filled with raceway open matte metallic lateral slats, slanted at the top. The grille is flanked mid chin with inboard body colored "C" fangs filled by dark slatted corner air ducts, while the lower valance is underscored by a satin bash plate.

The dual valley clamshell hood proposes muscularity. Slender segmented LED headlamps are underscored by signature lower wide wraparound "L" motif DRLS. Fixed running boards flare at the squared clad wheel arches.

A tall greenhouse low beltline hearkens to heritage J70 Land Cruisers, terminating upward kink and front sail panel and D-pillar Hofmeister. Traditional coke bottle sides have been flared more gently into the front and rear wheel arches, the latter bearing a slight rise, terminating at the rear mid liftgate.

The tailgate is only slightly Kammback, containing a raceway light bar below the backlight, and mid "LEXUS" lettering. Wrap-around lateral boomerangs taillamps, filled with inward "L" shaped directionals and lower license plate center bowl, conspire to form a rear "Spindle" cinching. The rear bumper cover has a metallic filling and charcoal darkened wrap around cladding with lateral back-up lamp and corner reflectors above pseudo duct straking.

Overtrail unique exterior elements:

• Bronze darkened grille, door window frame trim
• 2.0" inch smaller diameter wheels, taller sidewall all-terrain tires
• Gloss black wheel arch cladding

WHY: Supplemental hybrid battery electric power comes to Oil Potentate's Off-Road Luxury SUV

Lexus' flagship SUV, now supplemented by hybrid power, offered in overlanding flavor.

WHEN: On-Sale (in the U.S.) since Winter 2024-2025

WHERE: Lexus new vehicle dealers

WHERE MADE: Toyoda City, Aichi Prefecture, Japan

WHERE TO: Fully automated LX 700h four-wheel drive on the fly works through an electronic two-speed transfer case, with 50:50% front:rear torque split lock. Five Terrain Management programs vary the differential clutch pack slippage and stability control. Electronic front and rear differentials are capable of clutch reducing or fully locking out power to low traction wheels. Hydraulic adaptive dampers will raise and lower the LX either for loading or terrain conditions. Variable speed Downhill Assist Cruise reduces white knuckles on steep declines.

While the 7.0" inch drive mode variable gauge cluster illuminates the various status and warning lamps, each Lexus LX has it's own middle center stack 7.0" inch Terrain Management screen, (which doubles as a climate control display), controlled by buttons switches. Traction system selection switches are set below, flanked by dual rotary knobs for drive mode program selection. The upper touch media screen doubles as the Multi-Terrain monitor with vivid underbody forward and corner camera displays.

HOW ROADWORTHY: Hardly a competitor's mild 48V set-up, the hybrid -ization of the Lexus LX twin turbo petrol V-6 does not a gargantuan Prius make. Instead, what is otherwise an iForce Max from a Toyota Sequoia, with more turbo boost, is a foundation for seamless power flow, regardless of the road or off-road obstacles. It is akin to a diesel, exhibiting a pleasant rumble rather than clatter, pushing combined fuel economy darn close to the 20 m.p.g. figure. Derived from the LC 500 sports car, the 10 speed automatic tranny should extol refined durability, though it is even capable of throttle blip engine braking.

Alloy body part mass reduction has lowered the Lexus LX center of gravity for improved stability. Available electronic dampers are capable of quick compression and slower rebound, resulting in less low frequency quaking. Electric steering assist boost errs on the side of over-boosted, requiring over-corrections in lane changes. The initial bite of the large disc brakes, fortified by twin piston front calipers, tapers off at the end of pedal travel. Cross wind buffeting is less than expected for such a Colossus. Cabin filtration from road noise is impressive given the all-terrain Toyo Open Country tires.

HOW FAR: 19 combined miles per gallon

HOW BIG/ LITTLE: In Overtrail trim, the 2025 Lexus LX 700h is limited to two rows: √ 5 Occupant seating = full-size 2+ 3 SUV; √ 60:40% 2nd Row split reclining seatbacks

HOW USEFUL: While lacking the outright largess of the pickup truck derived SUVs, such as Toyota's own Sequoia, the cargo devouring appetite of the 2025 Lexus LX 700h is hampered by a folded seatback 2nd Row which is elevated from the cargo bay floor. Luxuries included a comfort approach variable height power liftgate and vehicle lowering dampers.

• 60:40% split 2nd Row folding seatbacks,
• Jackknife forward flipping 2nd Row seats accommodate taller objects
• +1 1st Row center console "Cool Box" cold storage, 2400 watt cargo bay AC power inverter
• +1 Tow Rating: 8000 lbs.
• -1 Non-carpeted hard plastic cargo bay walls
• -1 Sparse car sized 1st & 2nd Row door pocket & space

HOW SAFE: √ 10 airbags; √ IIHS Not Rated (related tested 2025 Toyota Tundra = Top Safety Pick); √ Rear camera

• STANDARD Lexus Safety System 3.0 Plus = Pedestrian & cyclist detection braking; Forward collision avoidance braking; Left turn oncoming traffic warning, braking; Oncoming traffic warning; Lane Departure Warning, Keep Assist, Trace; Full adaptive cruise control w/ variable curve speed reduction, Safe Exit Assist, traffic side warning (no lockout); Automatic High beam LED headlamps
• Optional: Blind spot & Rear Cross-traffic warning, sonar front & rear park assist; Surround 360° camera w/ fore and aft sonar audible park assist; Digital rear view mirror; Perimeter Scan surround camera check; 10.0" Heads Up Display
• View Outwards: +1 FORE sloping hood, door mount wing mirrors; -1 SIDE looming over shoulder blindspots; +/- REAR: short backlight mitigated by digital rearview mirror.

HOW PEOPLE FRIENDLY: Not many SUV's can do flagship total decadence like sedan counterparts as the 2022 Lexus LX 700h explicates. The finish luster, car-like tight seams and  blissfully serene operation with classy control action are no less than in an LS 500.

√ Leather Rows 1, 2 heated & cooled seating; √ 2nd Row dual Executive power reclining, right side near flat airliner seating w/ power front passenger power forward slide + seat back fold ottoman; √ Power 12-way front seats, w/ 3 position memory + driver's remote pax adjust ; √ Heated leather + wood power tilt, telescoping steering wheel with spoke integrated redundant controls; √ 4-Zone automatic climate control √ Keyless entry, push button ignition; √ Full express power windows x 4; √ Power door close assist; √ 2nd & 3rd Row privacy window tint; √ 2nd & 3rd Row manual window sunshades; √ Power moonroof (non- panoramic); √ Body length fixed running boards.

• + 1 Generous steering wheel reach adjustment; Wide center armrest; Generous steering wheel reach adjustment; Adequate seat torso, lumbar support + cushioning

Cool Gizmo(s): √ Multi-Terrain Monitor surround and underbody cameras + obstacle avoidance preview; √ Lexus Interface dual touch LCD displays: upper 12.3" inch infotainment, cameras + bottom 7.0" status, off-road, climate; √ 7.0" inch 3-D gauge cluster MFD; √ 10.0" inch Heads Up Display includes dual function left media / right cruise controls, w/ forward vehicle into lane movement, navigation and road sign recognition display; √ Digital rear view mirror; √ Center console bin driver & passenger mirror lateral open action; √ Front center armrest bin cold storage box;

Details Done Right: √ Diamond contrast stitched aniline leather; √ Genuine open pore wood veneers + aluminum accents; √ Contrasting stitched seat & soft panel surfaces; √ Open pore wood door accents; √ Center stack to console contrast saddle padding; √ Tight grained plastic panels; √ Precision rotating control dials; √ Soft close variable speed power windows; √ Cabin pillar & ceiling velour fabric; √ Dense pile carpeting; √ Foot well & door panel 64 color ambient lighting;

Nearly Non-Descript: -1 Simulated matte metallic accents; Cargo bay hard plastic walls

HOW "APP" -LICABLE: √ Lexus Interface center dashtop tablet 12.3" -inch portrait HD LCD capacitive touch infotainment screen; √ Adaptive voice command interaction & Bluetooth hands-free communications; √ GPS Cloud based Navigation w/ real time re-routing, Google POI, OTA updates; √ Lexus Interface wireless device apps = Apple Music, Amazon Music, Amazon Alexa, Doppler weather, Traffic Updates; √ Siri Eyes; √ HDMI x 1; USB-C x 6, 12V x 2; 110 VAC, 2400W outlet  (cargo bay)

• Lexus Human Machine Interface infotainment designed to be very voice interactive via "Hey Lexus" wake-up phrase
• Driver profiles x 5, personalized operation, transferable comfort convenience & infotainment settings
• Driver digital key (via wireless device app)
• +/- No more CD player or Lexus Media Display remote mouse or touchpad control
• -1 Infotainment screen exclusive audio switches; Touch screen could benefit from some touch feedback

HOW AUDIBLY: Brassy wide sound stage, 24 Speaker, 2500 watt, 16-channel DSP Mark Levinson high fidelity streaming audio, HD-Radio

By Subscription: √ Sirius XM satellite radio (1 year trial); √ Safety & remote connect (1 year trial); √ AT&T 4G LTE Wi-Fi (2GB trial); √ Lexus Assistant concierge (1 yr. trial); √ Drive Connect Navigation (3 yrs. trial)

HOW MUCH: $116,260 = 2025 Lexus LX 700h Overtrail 4x4, as tested.

WHAT'S MISSING: Less accelerator pedal dead spot; Steering wheel shift paddles

ANY COMPETITION: GMC Yukon AT4 Ultimate