2003 Lexus LX 470

Lexus is attempting to stay among leaders in the hot market for big, luxurious sport-utility vehicles by adding many significant features to its 2003 LX 470 sport-ute.

Lexus has an upscale reputation comparable to that of Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac. That's remarkable, considering it arrived in 1990 as an upscale Toyota division and that those other automakers were prestigious long before World War II.

One thing Lexus never wasted was time. It entered the market with a top luxury car and was right there with an upscale sport-utility vehicle in 1996 when luxurious sport-utes were becoming very desirable. Both immediately became popular.

The first posh Lexus sport-ute was the LX 450, which had a 4.5-liter V-8 (hence the "450'' designation). It was a dressed-up version of the rugged Toyota Land Cruiser and had such things as a softer ride and different grille and wheels--along with leather upholstery, wood interior trim and a premium audio system. Many thought it was worth about $7,000 more than the $41,068 Land Cruiser.

The Land Cruiser was redesigned for 1998. Again, the "LX'' shared the roomier new Land Cruiser's design and got a new LX 470 designation--along with a larger (you guessed it) 4.7-liter V-8. The Lexus also received more standard items and unique features such as a height-adjustable suspension.

As the years passed, the Lexus division continually has distanced the LX 470 further from the Land Cruiser. But the same basic formula remains the same in that the LX continues to be based on the Land Cruiser, which has become more upscale as the years have passed.

The price gap between the two vehicles hasn't changed much; the 2003 LX 470 lists for $63,125 and the new Land Cruiser costs about $10,000 less.

Changes to the smooth, quiet LX 470 include facelifted front styling, redone interior, new transmission, revised steering system, improved brakes, new air bag protection and available Night View night vision system.

The LX 470 is so loaded with comfort and convenience features that the night vision system is among few options. They include a $1,280 upgraded sound system, $280 rear spoiler and $220 redesigned roof rack.

The 4.7-liter dual-overhead-camshaft V-8 now generates 235-horsepower, thanks to a five horsepower increase. It generates 320 pound-feet of torque at a remarkably low 1,100 rpm. That gives the LX 470 strong acceleration off the line and a decent 65-75 mph passing time despite a hefty weight of 5,590 pounds.

That weight holds fuel economy down to an estimated 13 mpg in the city and 17 on the highway, although the engine loafs at 2,300 rpm at 70 mph. A 25.4-gallon fuel tank allows a decent cruising range and 87-octane gasoline can be used for average driving--although 91-octane is recommended for the best performance and heavy duty work such as towing. (There's a 5,000-pound towing capacity.)

The more versatile new five-speed automatic transmission replaces a four-speed unit and makes better use of engine torque. The new variable gear ratio steering system can vary both the rack-and-pinion steering ratio and improve maneuverability at low speeds and road feel at highway speeds.

Steering is precise and the turning circle is pretty tight. The LX 470 has nimble handling for a big, high, heavy truck, thanks partly to larger 18-inch wheels that replace 16-inch ones. There's also standard, sophisticated traction control and skid control systems.

The ride is comfortable, thanks partly to computer-controlled shock absorbers. Stopping power of the standard anti-lock brakes is good because the new electronic brake force distribution system helps allocate brake force between the front and rear wheels for better control under hard braking.

There is a full-time four-wheel-drive system that calls for no driver involvement, except to shift into low range for, say, driving on steep off-road inclines.

The LX 470 has rugged body-on-frame construction found with heavy duty trucks, not the unit construction used for car-based sport-utes. The hydraulic adjustable height control lets a driver raise the LX 470 via a switch to negotiate rough off-road terrain, although it's doubtful many LX 470 owners will take the chance of paint being scraped during off-road motoring.

The height adjustable feature also lets the LX 470 be lowered for easier entry and exit, which is a good thing because it takes extra effort to get in and out of this high vehicle with its normal height setting. But how many people would want to fool with that switch each time they climb in and out? Too bad the running boards are too narrow for large shoes.

The LX 470 is plenty roomy and its occupants sit high. It can seat up to eight with its third-row seat, which is fairly easy to reach but best suited to children because of a lack of leg room. But there's comfortable seating for four tall adults and two kids.

The cargo area is marginal with the third-row seat in its normal position, but that seat is foldable and removable for good cargo space. The split second-row seat also is foldable. Maximum cargo capacity is 90.4 cubic feet.

Front seats are especially comfortable in the quiet wood-and-leather interior. And there's a nicely redesigned center dashboard cluster and revised gauges with a new scheduled maintenance indicator light.

New features also include steering wheel audio controls, rain-sensing wipers and rear seat audio. There's also a new optional rear seat DVD entertainment system that plays movies over a 6.5-inch overhead screen.

Safety items include new front seat side impact air bags and front seat/second-row side curtain air bags.

The $2,200 Night View system uses near-infrared light that reflects back from objects ahead. It gives a driver relatively clear, illuminated images of what's ahead to a distance of nearly 500 feet, or about four times the range of low headlight beams. There's also an optional $1,215 Lexus Link system, which essentially is General Motors' OnStar emergency service with a Lexus-only staff of online operators available all the time.

With all the changes, the LX 470 is a more serious contender than ever and keeps its status as one of the best large luxury sport-utes.


2003 LEXUS LX 470

Price:

$63,125

Likes:

Lots of new features. More power. Posh. Roomy.

Dislikes:

High step-in. Tight third-row seat area. Low fuel economy.