Lexus LX unlikely to gain Hybrid variants in 2025

Update (March 4, 2024): ‘On the Lexus LX Hybrid’ and ‘2024 Lexus LX Design’ sections updated.

The 2024 Lexus LX is the fourth generation of the flagship Lexus SUV and a sister model of Toyota’s Land Cruiser 300 (J300). It’s among the few Lexuses that haven’t adopted any sort of electrification.

Presenting the Lexus LF-Z Electrified electric SUV coupe concept, Lexus briefed on its new electrification strategy in March 2021. It will roll out 20 new or improved models by 2025, and more than 10 of them will have electrification. At one end of the spectrum, there are BEVs like the Lexus RZ, and on the other, traditional models like the Lexus LX will eventually come in one or more partially electrified forms.

On the Lexus LX Hybrid

The LX is the only SUV in the range that has no electrification whatsoever, and Lexus does seem to have plans to change that. The company may give the fourth-gen LX multiple facelifts; during the first refresh, it will likely introduce one or two hybrid variants. A U.S.-bound gasoline-electric full-hybrid variant is almost a certainty, while a diesel mild-hybrid variant could be in the pipeline in markets where diesel is predominant.

In 2022, Lexus reported that 89% of its European sales (50,467 vehicles) were comprised of electrified models. In contrast, the U.S. market witnessed a lower penetration, with electrified vehicles accounting for 21.3% of Lexus’s total sales of 258,704 units in the same year. However, there was a noticeable uptick in 2023, with electrified models making up 28.6% of Lexus’s 320,249 units sold in America, amounting to 91,527 vehicles. Thus, its evident that a Lexus LX Hybrid is in line with where market demand is.

Earlier, it was thought that Lexus might unveil the facelifted LX as early as 2025. However, a report Automotive News released on July 30, 2023, indicates that may happen in 2027, saying that’s the year the company will reengineer the LX. Body-on-frame SUVs aren’t as popular as monocoque crossovers, especially niche full-size models like the LX. Thus, they tend to have a comparatively longer lifecycle, and sometimes receive more than one refresh before a full redesign for the next generation.

Lexus LX700h

One of the hybrid variants of the future LX range will likely be ‘LX700h.’ On March 6, 2023, Toyota Motor Corporation filed a trademark application for the name LX700H, stylized as LX700h, at the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The same day, the company filed the same trademark application at the Canadian Intellectual Property Office as well. Both applications state “automobiles and structural parts thereof” as the use case. The LX700h (or LX 700h) will likely be a full-hybrid variant available in both the U.S. and Canada, while any possible mild-hybrid variant could be mainly targeted at European countries.

i-Force Max

On June 6, 2021, creative311.com had reported that the fourth-gen Lexus LX line-up would gain an LX 750h hybrid variant with the 3.5L gasoline hybrid powertrain, with the maximum power and maximum torque set at 480 hp and 871 Nm (642 lb.-ft.), respectively.

A logical conclusion is that the U.S.-spec LX Hybrid is in contention for a modified version of the Tundra Hybrid‘s i-Force Max hybrid system in which a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 gasoline engine is linked to a motor-generator system integrated into the bell-housing. The inline hybrid powertrain develops 437 hp and 583 lb.-ft. of torque in the hybrid truck.

Lexus needs an LX Hybrid in other parts of the world as well, like in Australia, for instance, where it wants electrified vehicles to account for 80% of sales by 2025. The company has lined up more than 10 new/improved electrified models for launch by 2025. It aims to offer all models in at least one electrified form by 2025.

We’ll update this story when we have further information on the LX Hybrid. For now, here are images and details on the current LX, with notes about our expectations from the hybrid model at end of each section.

2024 Lexus LX Design

The 2024 Lexus LX features no exterior design changes from the previous model. The fourth-gen LX features a design that is both familiar and refreshing, while still revealing the foundational Land Cruiser design in elements such as the hood and the subtly rounded door mirrors.

At the front, the fourth-gen Lexus LX has a spindle grille with a 3D shape consisting of seven floating bars, straighter headlamps with new L-shaped DRLs, and new, large side air inlets cut into the bumper.

On the sides, Lexus has pulled the A-pillars back to form the so-called “cab-backward design” and given the wheel arches more definition. The D-pillars lean forward, so the 2024 LX doesn’t have the upright tailgate of the Land Cruiser 300. Many LX customers requested for better differentiation from the Land Cruiser, and Lexus has delivered, not just with markedly different cues, but also by retaining the familiar silhouette from the third generation.

At the rear, the 2024 LX offers a greater road presence than the LC300 with new tail lamps featuring L-shaped light clusters and a light blade spanning the vehicle width, a feature Lexus offered first on the UX and then the all-new NX. The tail lamps are larger and emphasize the width of the SUV much better, and their outer section running onto the shoulders is reminiscent of the third-gen Mitsubishi Outlander. Instead of the brand emblem, the fourth-gen LX has ‘Lexus’ in block lettering and an inverted license plate section on the tailgate.

Lexus offers an LX F Sport Handling trim with features like a special spindle grille with a jet-black chrome frame and a mesh pattern, exclusive 22-inch forged aluminum wheels, and F Sport emblems.

The LX Hybrid is unlikely to have major tell-tale signs of electrification on the body. Earlier, Lexus used brand logos that have a blue tinge to indicate the Hybrid powertrain, but in recent models, it has moved away from this tradition.

2024 Lexus LX interior & safety

The 2024 Lexus LX’s interior design is no different from the previous model year. However, compared to the third-gen Lexus LX, the fourth-gen SUV packs noteworthy upgrades. There’s a new steering wheel with more buttons, an all-new, North American-developed Lexus Interface dual-screen touchscreen infotainment system that gives the center console a cleaner look, and a new, semi-digital instrument cluster.

Lexus offers the 2024 LX in seven-seat and five-seat versions, as well as an ultra-luxurious four-seat version. The four-seat version is available in an ‘Ultra’ grade and includes a dedicated rear-seat console and exclusive ceiling AC vents.

The Lexus Interface infotainment system comprises a 12.3-inch upper screen and a 7-inch lower screen. The upper screen shows navigation and audio controls, and it serves as the Multi-Terrain Monitor during off-road driving. The lower screen allows controlling the climate control system and serves as a driving-support screen for Multi-Terrain Select. Also worth noting on the tech features list are wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto support.

Multi-Terrain Monitor shows the vehicle’s surroundings using four cameras. The upper screen can display the composite images of the foreground taken in advance as transparent underfloor images. The driver can check the front-wheel position and underfloor conditions with these pictures. A Lexus-first and world-first feature called Back Underfloor View, using similar composite images, helps the driver check the position of the rear wheels and get an understanding of obstacles as well as details of the terrain. This feature is available when reversing the vehicle.

The Lexus Safety System+ 2.5 (LSS+ 2.5) safety suite is standard equipment. Pre-Collision System (PCS) with Frontal Collision Warning (FCW), Automatic Emergency Braking (AEB), Pedestrian Detection, Bicyclist Detection, and Emergency Steering Assist (ESA), All-Speed Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC), and Lane Departure Alert with Steering Assist (LDA w/ SA) are some of the main features of Lexus Safety System+ 2.5.

The future LX Hybrid should keep this overall design in the interior. Displays that show the energy flow and other details about the operation of the hybrid system would be added to the instrument and infotainment systems. We don’t expect any obvious visual cues indicating electrification, such as blue accents or badges.

2024 Lexus LX technical info

TNGA-F platform

The fourth-gen Lexus LX has adopted the newly developed, 20% more rigid GA-F platform. It’s still a body-on-frame SUV, only more robust and yet lighter. Belonging to the TNGA platform family, the GA-F platform brings a weight reduction of 441 pounds to the LX.

Lexus has increased the usage of high-strength steel plates and made the roof out of aluminum for the first time in any of its models. The hood and all door panels are also made of aluminum. The company has pushed back the powertrain 70 mm (2.8 inches) and kept it 28 mm (1.1 inches) lower, improving the front-rear weight distribution and the center of gravity.

Key technical changes in the new Lexus LX include the adoption of an electric power steering, an electronic brake system, an Active Height Control (AHC) system, and an Adaptive Variable System (AVS) as well. These aspects can also be expected to serve the future hybrid variant.

Powertrain & Variants

Lexus offers the 2024 LX in the U.S. exclusively in the 600 variant, which packs the V35A-FTS 3.4-liter engine, a 10-speed automatic transmission, and a full-time four-wheel drive system. The twin-turbo gas engine produces 409 hp and 479 lb.-ft. of torque. The EPA-est. fuel economy rating of the 2024 LX 600 is 17 mpg (city)/22 mpg (hwy)/19 mpg (cmb).

Price & Release Date

The pricing for the gasoline-powered 2024 Lexus LX has seen an increase across the range. The starting price is now USD 93,915, with the top-end model touching USD 133,490.

2024 Lexus LX 600 Grade	Price
Base	USD 93,915
Premium	USD 101,865
F Sport Handling	USD 108,125
Luxury	USD 109,865
Ultra Luxury	USD 134,490

TopElectricSUV says

The Lexus LX is one of the most capable go-anywhere luxury SUVs offering style, plenty of comfort and convenience features, and immense off-road capabilities all in a single package. Its only downside is its poor fuel economy, which can be addressed with hybrid technology such as the V6 i-Force Max, without compromising on performance.

2024 Lexus LX FAQs