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When looking for a do-it-all off-roader that is also bulletproof, there are few better choices than the legendary Toyota Land Cruiser. Having been built since the early 1950s, Toyota has continuously developed the model to suit whatever state society finds itself in at a given period, but always with one goal: to deal with whatever terrain and driving challenges are thrown at it. For the 2024 model year, the Land Cruiser underwent a revolution in the US.

Rather than taking the shape of a huge, more luxurious SUV like the previous J300; the J250 is smaller and more rugged. As a result, it comes with a much smaller price tag of $56,700, whereas the J300s would set you back closer to $90,000. That said, nearly $60,000 is a lot of money for a car not even primarily aimed at being comfortable on the road. Luckily, there is a used hero that can take care of that, but for a lower outlay.

The Lexus LX 570 Is A Land Cruiser Dressed Up In A Pretty Frock

The LX 570 is the third-generation model of the LX, and is based on the J200 Toyota Land Cruiser. The LX was the first SUV offered by the Lexus brand, Toyota’s sub-marque that focuses purely on selling luxury-geared machinery. It made its debut in 1996 as the LX 450, and was built upon the foundations of the trusty J80 Land Cruiser. From the outside, the two models looked almost identical… aside from the badges.

The main difference can be seen on the inside, where the more rugged and utilitarian cabin was ripped out and replaced with a plusher and more luxurious cockpit. The LX 570 made its debut in 2007 and was manufactured for over a decade until 2021, though it underwent several mid-cycle refreshes. The last of these came in 2015, and this consisted of an all-new interior and exterior design, with only the doors and roof being carried over from the previous version.

The LX 570 Is Best For Drivers Who Spend Their Time On The Road

While later J300 Land Cruisers came with plenty of equipment that ensured it was capable on the road, the vehicle was still setup to show off-road trails who was boss. As is the case with Lexus’ models versus their Toyota counterparts, the LX 570 comes with a more supple suspension setup to ensure it affords its occupants a smoother ride on normal roads, as well as an upper-market interior.

Discussion

Will buying a hybrid Lexus SUV save me money on gas?

Hybrids are more fuel efficient than their ICE-only counterparts, and in the case of a Lexus hybrid SUV, you can get great value. The NX hybrid, for example, gets EPA ratings of 41/37/39 mpg compared to the 21/2824 mpg of the similarly specced non hybrid. And if you opt for the PHEV version, you score 37 miles of all-electric range too. Not all hybrids are significantly better, however, so it’s worth doing your homework before buying.

Used LX 570s Can Be Had For Less Than A Brand-New Land Cruiser

While the 2025 Land Cruiser’s interior is perfectly adequate, it can hardly be described as luxurious. Its buttons are big and bulky to ensure they can be pressed with gloves on while off-roading, and there is plenty of hardened plastic trim dotted around to deal with the extra punishment expected of the cabin. The LX 570’s luxury-focused cockpit is certainly a nicer place to spend your time, and opting for a used version means you won’t have to pay a premium to have it. Kelley Blue Book reports that earlier 2015 cars are worth around $31,000, with prices rising sharply as they get more modern.

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While the Land Cruiser will set you back $56,700 without options; solid, used, post-2015 LX 570s can be had for a decent chunk less than this at a decent mileage. A pair of examples sold through Cars and Bids and Bring a Trailer, respectively, perfectly illustrate this, with a white 2017 example that had covered 53,000 miles being sold by the former for just $52,000. A newer black 2018 LX 570 was sold through the latter vendor in late 2024 for $54,500, but it had traveled just 42,000 miles.

The LX 570 Is Damn Reliable, Too

Considering the LX 570s sexy cabin and powerful V8 engine, as well as the fact it was built upon the commanding underpinnings of the J300 Land Cruiser, this is a tempting deal. It gets even more attractive when you bear in mind just how bulletproof these vehicles are, with its 5.7-liter 3UR-FE V8 being one of the most dependable V8s ever made. The powerplant has reached a million miles in trucks like the Tacoma, so it’ll look after you as long as you take care of it.

RepairPal reports that you should expect to pay around $832 a year to maintain an LX 570, which isn’t bad for a large V8-powered SUV. As far as issues go, there are few to concern yourself over, with the most common being the climate-controlled seat function failing after several minutes of use, a problem caused by a faulty controller. Just three people have reported this issue, while a further two filed problems with the radios in their cars that caused distortion when phoning someone via Bluetooth.

The LX 570 Is Still Decent Off-Road, But A Land Cruiser Is Better Suited

Given that the LX 570 is based on the J200 Land Cruiser, it should come as no surprise that it can still handle itself off-road. The later third-gen cars come with a handy Crawl Control system, which ensures the car remains at a slow and consistent pace when dealing with tricky terrain. It also has a center-locking differential to help enhance traction on each wheel, while Adaptive Variable Suspension and Active Height Control are also present to set the LX 570 up for a messy off-road trip.

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The former can tweak the suspension stiffness to improve wheel articulation when clambering over obstacles and steep inclines, while the latter can raise the vehicle’s ride height by up to three inches to improve ground clearance, one of the most important elements an off-roader needs. That said, the LX 570’s general suspension setup is geared more towards road use, and it lacks an automatic stabilizer bar disconnecting setup that the Land Cruiser possesses to help improve suspension range even further. The LX 570 does a good job when needed, but the Land Cruiser is still the daddy when it comes to serious off-roading.

The Lexus’ Cabin Won’t Disappoint

Standard Interior Features That Come With The 2015-2021 LX 570

• Leather seats, front heated and powered (second row electronically adjustable, third row electronically folding)
• Four-zone climate control
• Power tailgate
• 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system
• Parking assist
• Electronic moonroof
• Nine-speaker premium sound system

The main reason you’ll want the LX 570, aside from its superior road comfort compared to a Land Cruiser, is for its interior. You’ll get eight sumptuous leather seats spread out across three rows, with the middle row being electrically adjustable, while the third row can be folded down electrically to allow owners to relax while boosting the LX 570’s cargo capacity. A power moonroof also comes as part of the package, while a four-zone climate control system ensures a range of passengers can be kept comfortable.

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For those who enjoy carrying all their shopping in their arms, the LX 570 also comes with a powered rear tailgate, which can open and close automatically at the push of a button. It’ll certainly impress your neighbors, and will keep you more comfortable than the modern-day Land Cruiser, especially over longer trips. Do your homework properly, and you’ll be able to get one for less money than a new Land Cruiser, too.

Sources: Lexus, Toyota.