The bar for Japanese luxury doesn’t soar much higher than the Lexus LX, the brand’s flagship luxury SUV. Only the LX in its current generation is not a brand-new face. It’s been around since 2021, and it was later facelifted in 2023. Earlier this year, we were introduced to the brand’s new hybrid powertrain, the 700h, and the Overtrail for wealthy off-road enthusiasts. But to ensure their flagship model keeps spicing up the luxury SUV space, the brand has revealed a new spec level, one which is a touch less rugged and a more city-focused design. It’s called the Urban, and here’s what you need to know.
The LX 700h Urban doesn’t overhaul the LX idea; it enters the space as a family-friendly alternative to the Overtrail that sings on the school run and on the open road to the next family holiday. Unlike the three-locking diffs in the Overtrail, the Urban throws away the front and rear lockers and only retains the centre locking diff. As for the 18-inch wheels and all-terrain tyres, well, those have also been put aside for some larger 22-inch alloys and road tyres.
Its appearance has also seen some subtle refinement where chrome and stainless finishes will replace the more assertive black accents on the Overtrail. Inside, a similar treatment is employed with elegant Shimamoku wood over the Overtrails Black Ash accents. Regarding exterior colours, Lexus is offering what it describes as a ‘curated palette of premium exterior colours’. The range will include White Quartz, Sonic Titanium and Manganese Lustre, with Terrane Khaki and Graphite Black also being offered on customer request.
Lastly, the Urban LX is powered by Lexus’s proudest power unit, known as the 700h. It offers 341kW and 900Nm from its 3.5-litre twin-turbocharged V6 with hybrid assist, of which the electric motor provides 36kW and 250Nm. Lexus’ 3.5-litre V6 engine is a good engine with a slight drinking problem in its natural state, so the addition of a hybrid system to boost power and marginally cut down on fuel consumption is something we welcome on the new LX derivative.
I’ve always enjoyed the Lexus LX, though its interior could do with an update, perhaps something similar to the modern cabin architecture of the GX? The Urban is a great example of family-friendly luxury with a serious power unit under the bonnet and priced at R2,746,300, which is a touch more “affordable” than the Overtrail 700h at R2,757,700, yet it’s by no means a thrifty exercise, even with a hybrid.
Still, if reliability, confident power delivery and an understated presence are what you value, then the LX Urban is a solid choice. That said, it may be time for an aggressive update, especially considering competitors aren’t relenting.
