The LX700h hybrid will soon sit atop the Australian Lexus LX range, and has caused a slight reshuffle in the large off-roader’s lineup.
Available in three variants, pricing for the LX700h starts at $196,000 for the five-seat Sports Luxury.
Next up is the $199,800 three-row version of the Sports Luxury with seven seats, and the range is topped by the $202,000 F Sport, which is only available with five seats. All prices are before on-road costs.
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The LX700h Sports Luxury models are said to have the same features as the equivalent LX600 versions, but gain a 1500W inverter, intelligent park assist, and artificial motor sounds when the car is operating on electric power alone.
Like the LandCruiser Hybrid, the LX700h has a 305kW/650Nm 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 with a 36kW/250Nm electric motor sandwiched between it and the 10-speed automatic transmission. Total system output is 341kW and 790Nm, and the combined fuel consumption figure is 10.0L/100km.
This LX700h’s hybrid setup differs drastically from the e-CVT system used in Lexus’ passenger cars and on-road SUVs, such as the ES and NX.
Lexus says it chose a “performance” parallel hybrid system in order to “retain the driveline strength” of its turbo-diesel and petrol LX siblings, as well as maintain the LX’s 3500kg braked towing capacity, full-time four-wheel drive system and low-range gearing.
Due primarily to the hybrid battery at the back, cargo space is reduced. In five-seat models, the boot’s capacity has shrunk to 889L (down from 1109L). For seven-seat cars boot space is down to 833L when the third row is folded down.
The addition of the LX700h to the top of the LX range has also caused changes elsewhere.
The price of the base Luxury trim on the LX500d and LX600 has increased $5500 as it now includes features from the formerly optional Enhancement Pack, including 22-inch alloy wheels with 265/50 tyres, hands-free tailgate with kick-to-open functionality, and a moonroof. Prices for other trim levels are unchanged.
At the other end of the model walk, the range-topping four-seat LX600 Ultra Luxury has been deleted from the range.
| LX500d | LX600 | LX700h | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Luxury (7-seat) | $164,200 | $167,700 | – |
| Sports Luxury (5-seat) | $176,300 | $179,800 | $196,000 |
| Sports Luxury (7-seat) | $178,900 | $183,600 | $199,800 |
| Overtrail (5-seat) | $182,300 | $185,800 | – |
| F Sport (5-seat) | $182,300 | $185,800 | $202,000 |
All prices above are before on-road costs. Timing for the LX700h’s arrival in Australian showrooms has yet to be confirmed.