Updated 2024 Lexus LX Bows With New LX 700h Hybrid

For the first time, Lexus has electrified its LX flagship SUV offering, birthing the new LX 700h Hybrid variant pictured.

Toyota-owned luxury marque Lexus recently took the covers off its updated LX flagship SUV offering, and with it comes a new LX 700h Hybrid variant. This marks the first time the LX model has been electrified, and it now joins alongside the existing LX 500d and LX600 variants.

Under the hood, the LX 700h Hybrid employs a familiar series-parallel hybrid setup comprised of a 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol mill, along with a motor generator with a clutch positioned between the engine and its 10-speed automatic transmission.

The hybrid setup in the LX 700h Hybrid is pretty unique for a Lexus as it has both an alternator and starter as standard components.

There’s also a dedicated hybrid control system tasked with managing the transition between combustion (ICE) and e-motor only modes. Lexus adds that this setup enables both time full-time four-wheel-drive (4WD) and a low-range transfer case to be maintained.

 Additionally, unlike other Lexus hybrid models, the LX 700h Hybrid is the brand’s first to features both an alternator and starter as standard components. This, according to Lexus, ensures the LX 700h Hybrid can still be driven even in the event of a hybrid system failure.

The electrified powertrain is mated with a 10-speed automatic box plus a full-blown 4WD setup with a low-range transfer case.

In said event, essential features such as the low-range transfer case, Active Height Control (AHC) ride-height adjustment, as well as the Active Traction Control (A-TRAC) all remains operational as well. For added safety, Lexus also notes that the LX 700h Hybrid’s battery in encased in a waterproof structure that allows it to wade through water depths of up to 700 MM.

Despite highlighting all these advantages of its hybrid powertrain, which is mechanically identical to the Toyota Tundra iFORCE MAX, Lexus didn’t disclose specific output figures for this new electrified flagship off-roader. For reference, said Toyota offers up to 437 HP and 790 NM.

Underneath, the LX 700h Hybrid also sees a strengthened iteration of its TNGA-F chassis base.

Powertrain aside, Lexus also tweaked the LX’s TNGA-F architecture with redesigned cab mount cushions to help reduce low-frequency vibrations, whilst updates to the AVS system and Lo-transfer case enhances overall ride quality.

Additional brackets on the instrument panel and a reinforced radiator support also improves steering responsiveness. Lastly, the LX 700h Hybrid gains a new crossmember and reinforced rear engine mounts to compensate for the added weight of the hybrid system – it tips the scale at 2,780 KG, or 120 KG more than the non-hybridised LX 600 variant.

On board, the LX 700h Hybrid sees a lightly updated interior that includes a new configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument display.

On board, Lexus also added a new and configurable 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, new Electro-Shiftmatic system, new air bladder-based front seats, as well as a wireless charging pad with quicker charging speeds. Typical of Lexus, the LX also boasts the Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) ADAS package that’s been improved further with Proactive Driving Assist to grant semi-autonomous driving abilities.

New here too is a more rugged Overtrail trimline, which sports chunkier off-road tyres, exclusive khaki paint, and darker exterior accents including a blacked-out spindle grille.

Rounding off the updates here is a newly added Overtrail guise. It sports a blacked-out iteration of the marque’s signature spindle grille with matte grey aluminum wheels, black exterior accents, and an exclusive khaki-like ‘Moon Desert’ exterior paint finish matched with low-saturation monolith interior upholstery and ash burl black trims.

Naturally, as the more rugged flavour in the range, the Overtrail also gains all-terrain mud and snow tyres primed on each corner, along with front and rear diff-locks on top of the standard centre diff-lock primed in its driveline.