Big, shiny, high-quality, and costs more than a million shekels (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
Price:
NIS 1,050,000
Competitors:
Cadillac Escalade
, Mercedes GLS, BMW X7
We liked:
splendor and uniqueness, accessories, comfortable armchairs, huge space potential for those interested We
didn't like:
price, road behavior in relation to the price, road tires
Score:
8.5/10
Until today, with the exception of exceptions such as the LC and the RC, Lexus in Israel was presented with family cars and luxurious crossovers, usually polished hybrids.
The LX600 is Lexus' luxury version of the Land Cruiser, but not just any cruiser like the ones we sell in bulk - under the shiny shell hides the full-sized Land Cruiser 300, the latest replacement for the 200 V8 that was sold here about 15 years ago.
The problem is that in the absence of Western standardization you will have to fly to the Gulf States to drive a Land Cruiser 300;
But starting today you can buy it in Israel in a hyper-luxury version, under the Lexus luxury brand.
There are very few 200 elderly models left in Israel, a hot commodity on the used market.
The 600LX will be no less rare (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
There is another small barrier that stands in your way of driving a 600 LX, and that is the price - the Takumi VIP super version costs 1,050,000 shekels, which is very expensive, even compared to the Land Cruiser 'Sahara' which costs 460,000 thousand shekels.
The truth is that I've been wanting to talk to you about prices for a long time, because the latest road tests are starting to give me a slight heart attack... The reason is that the middle class of real SUVs has completely disappeared, and the average person can no longer even dream of buying a new SUV.
The Jimny is charming, but it's really not a family vehicle (don't get your hopes up for the Indian 5-door version, it's doubtful that it will ever arrive in Israel).
You can buy a Rexton for a little more than NIS 250,000, which is already a very affordable price;
But the Korean manufacturer's recent financial woes are undermining its attractiveness.
Another 100,000 shekels you meet a basic Land Cruiser and from then on it is a territory unavailable to ordinary humans;
Land Rovers for NIS 600,000, Cadillacs and Lexuses for a million or so, Mercedes and Range
A sea for the price of an apartment... A possible interim solution are 4x4 vans, but they too already cost NIS 300,000.
please we come
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The intriguing process of recycling metal packaging
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The luxury and accessories did not harm the off-road capabilities of the 600LX, which remained extremely high.
The only problem is the huge 22-inch rims, on which sensitive tires are mounted (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
Design:
Today we come to the gates of the shiny ship of the desert, a Lexus 600LX with a prow reminiscent of the entrance gates of a Greek temple, or a Chabad menorah on steroids. Coming from the truck department. The 600LX is about 30 inches longer than the local cruiser, it's wide and towers over most of what's on our roads; the Cadillac Escalade and Defender 130 are longer, but the 600LX will leave no one indifferent to its extrovert and striking looks.
The passenger cabin is rich and luxurious, high quality and built to a very high quality.
There is a strange mix of old and new, and less interior space than we would expect in such a large vehicle (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
Cabin: The test vehicle came to us in the most luxurious Takumi VIP version;
It includes four luxurious and sophisticated 'business class' armchairs, heating and cooling, and along the way they also give you a massage.
The armchairs are great, but they do not allow the transportation of a large family, and take up living space around them.
It's comfortable to sit in them, but they don't leave much space for placing personal items, a camera, etc. The VIP Takumi version costs 1,050,000 shekels and for a 7-seat Takumi you'll pay 950,000 shekels (dare I say 'only'? No!) For 890,000 shekels you'll get The entry-level Hadori, and you know what? I prefer it over the Takumi because the Hadori wears 265/55R20 tires, which are more comfortable and durable than the 265/50R22 on the Takumi versions.
The two rear seats are amazing in their size and comfort;
If the boss sits there, it's a pampering and unusual arrangement (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
Armament: And what will you get for your million shekels?
All 600LX models are packed with comfortable and luxurious seats, a fine 'Mark Levinson' sound system (but the radio receiver is calibrated to American frequencies, which do not cover the spectrum of frequencies accepted by us), high-quality leather upholstery, 11.4-inch screens for those sitting in the back, personal lighting, many charging points and air conditioning .
The feeling is of wealth and indulgence but I have to admit, that the design and human engineering are not at the expected level for such a price.
The interior design is quite dated, the sunroof is small, there is a mix of control switches that are too small (on the small steering wheel), too large (the 'power' gear combination and driving mode selector), simplistic and small typography on the dashboard, and a strange implantation of a modern 12.3-inch multimedia screen ', above a dense and rather small 7-inch screen.
In the context of the VIP version with the four 'captain's chairs' the question also arises, who will really sit in the back seats?
The CEO of the concern and the director of his office, or the little bamba gluttons?
Driving the road to the terrain will pass you by quickly and freely;
As soon as you get off the asphalt, start being careful with the big tires (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
Engine/Fuel Performance:
In the nose of the Lexus pulsates a twin-turbo 6V with a volume of 3.445 liters per liter, which replaced the wasteful and outdated 8V.
With a maximum output of 409 horsepower and 66 kg, it has no problem lifting the 2,660 kilograms from a standstill to 100 km/h in 6.9 seconds, and remains strong and energetic even above 120-140 km/h. The new LX It's topped by about two hundred pounds by making the doors, hood, and roof out of aluminum. The 10-speed gearbox keeps the engine in its powerband, but it's not very quick; downshifts aren't instant, and the takeoff isn't as sharp as we'd expect from a twin-turbocharged engine. But This is just a minor criticism on board of a mechanical monster that sails effortlessly and easily, at speeds that might put fine road cars to shame.
Grand Canyon in Israel (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
I also assume that whoever spends a million shekels on a luxury car does not mess with the fuel consumption figures.
Despite this, the LX pleasantly surprised us with data of 8.5-9.5 kilometers per liter, at a calm cruise of 110-120 km/h. On the other hand, and as soon as you push it a little, it pumps a liter of gasoline for every 5.5-6.0 kilometers, in the field we even saw 2.9 kilometers per liter - In fast but not really sporty driving, certainly not in swampy dunes... until the expected introduction of the LX600 hybrid in 2025, prepare the jerrycans.
This Jamus devours dunes as if they were compacted earth (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
Comfort and road behavior: When we analyze the road behavior of the LX600, it is worth remembering that it is not a pure road car or a fancy crossover - it is a real off-roader, and not a road beast like the Audi Q7, BMW X7, Range Rover Volar or Mercedes GLS .
The LX600 sits on a sturdy ladder chassis and live rear axle - these are off-road assemblies that are not conducive to ride refinement, comfort, or road manners.
The ride is very comfortable on a fine road but on less eloquent asphalt and certainly in an urban environment, the 600 does not provide perfect comfort.
The rear axle fails to absorb small and large bumps, certainly not with the overly sporty 265/50R22 tires.
At the same time as the slight bounce, it leans on its side in fast turns and sharp changes of direction.
The Lexus pampers its occupants as much as possible through an AHC hydraulic suspension system that maximizes ride comfort, and with the help of the very comfortable seats;
But the comfort of driving on the road does not compare to that of European and Japanese road competitors (including road cars from Lexus).
The driver can choose the 'comfort' mode or one of the two 'sport' modes of the suspension system, and in all cases - the tall body leans on its side in sharp or fast turns.
The grip of the tires is completely satisfactory and the steering is light but accurate;
It is noteworthy, but you have nothing to build on sporty driving with the overgrown Lexus.
And despite all these and as a true off-road vehicle,
600LX is an excellent and luxurious ferry for long-term cruises.
The dimensions, the height, the large wheelbase, the acoustic insulation and the sound system, give it an excellent ability to transport people with complete fun and relaxation.
Despite the urban profile, it has enough rubber to take you far.
The rear axle movement is excellent (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
Off-road:
the whole being of the Lexus LX600 is derived from its off-road capabilities.
It's a global off-road icon, and the Land Cruiser 300's off-road capabilities are still here: the LX600 has an efficient 'power' gear for tackling off-road challenges, great suspension travel (unusual at the rear), excellent traction control, a powerful engine, and the ability to raise the body about ten inches with The hydraulic AHC system.
Despite all these, I did not dare to enter demanding territories with him;
The main problem is the 265/50R22 tires which are very sensitive to side damage.
In the 'Generation' trim level it wears better 265/55R20 tires for off-road (and road comfort) but what it really needs to become a true off-road beast are the 265/65R18 tyres, with which it is sold in Australia and other markets.
With proper off-road tires the 600LX could fully realize its off-road potential, but we only had too-soft 265/50R22s.
With these ballet shoes we sailed the ocean of the dunes of Egor and Shunra, and it was not known that they came close to it.
The Lexus glided majestically over the steep dunes and knives, producing tons of torque and great flexibility.
On rocky technical passages I was afraid to pinch the tires (there is nothing to talk about lowering air pressure!) but the Lexus crossed the rear axle like a work mule, the traction control sent the power to the proper tires - there is no doubt that, with the exception of the tires, this Lexus fulfills every reasonable off-road expectation.
Don't expect to see them flooding the dune and gravel paths! (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
The bottom line
I can talk until tomorrow about off-road capabilities but I know most Lexuses won't take a wheel off the asphalt.
The handful of customers who will lay down NIS 1,050,000 on it will buy it because they are looking for a 'Range Rover with Japanese reliability', others will be looking for a family vehicle to which they can upgrade from their current vehicle, or just those who like the grandiose look.
In my humble opinion and for those who don't intend to go to the field, there are better deals in Israel, certainly more pampering and convenient.
I didn't want to go out with him from the dunes, where he was majestic and complacent (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
And on the other hand, those few who will buy a Lexus 600LX to travel with it in the field, will have a hyper-versatile vehicle.
As soon as it goes out into the field, it doesn't matter if the interior design is up-to-date or not, what the fuel consumption is, and how it smooths the roads.
For determined off-roaders, I would recommend getting spare 18-inch wheels, with good off-road tires.
With these work shoes they will be able to really enjoy all the worlds, and receive a proper return for their large investment.
In the lower trim level, you will get something closer to a tough SUV (Photo: Rami Gilboa)
On the technical side: Lexus 600LX Takumi VIP
Engine:
gasoline dual superchargers 3.4 liters, in 6V configuration
power/rpm (hp):
409/5,200
torque/rpm (kgm):
66/2,000
configuration:
ladder chassis with live rear axle, independent front suspensions
Drive:
permanent 4X4, 'power' gear, traction control and central differential lock
Gearbox:
automatic planetary, 10 gears
Performance:
maximum speed (km/h):
210
acceleration 0-100 (seconds):
6.9
fuel consumption (test):
5.9 Kilometer per liter
Dimensions
Length (m):
5.1
Width (m):
2
Height (m):
1.9
Wheelbase (cm):
285
Ground clearance (cm): 20.5-29.0
Tires:
265/50R22
Approach / departure angles (degrees):
21.7 / 28.5
Net weight (kg):
2,660
Safety:
8 airbags, European crash test not yet performed
Active safety:
autonomous braking, lane keeping, adaptive cruise control and vehicle warning in "Dead area"
Air pollution:
group 15 of 15
Warranty:
three years or 100 thousand km
vehicle
Vehicle tests
Tags
Land Cruiser
Lexus
SUV
Area
4x4