Calling all Sabah tycoons, this is the all-new 2022 Lexus LX

The Toyota Land Cruiser is king in the Middle East which is why it is the location for the world premiere of its luxurious twin, the all-new 2022 Lexus LX.

Ever since it was launched in 1996, Lexus’ flagship SUV has been immortalised in the hip-hop world and embraced by oligarchs, sheikhs, and anything related to oil-rich businessmen. Approximately 500,000 units of the LX have been sold in more than 50 countries and regions.

The all-new fourth-generation LX is essentially similar to the Land Cruiser 300 Series that was introduced in mid-2021. It is built on the TNGA-F platform and just like its Toyota twin, the V8 engine has been dropped.

Also read: Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series debuts – Super King drops V8 for V6, now with Dakar rally input

For now, only the 3.5-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol engine (415 PS/650 Nm) was announced but a diesel-powered version could be introduced later which might be powered by a 3.3-litre twin-turbo diesel V6 (309 PS/700 Nm).

Both powertrains are similar to the ones offered on the Land Cruiser 300. Ditto the transmission, a 10-speed automatic that sends power to all four wheels.

Despite utilising the same dune-bashing powerplant and platform as the 300 Series, the LX has some features that make it sit above its plebian twin. There is the Executive trim which comes with four individual seats and rear occupants have a dedicated rear-seat console and seats that can be reclined up to 48 degrees.

Also read: Pros and Cons: Lexus LM 350 - A dressed up Alphard? Hardly

Other creature comforts on the Executive variant include ceiling-mounted air-conditioner vents that showers the rear passengers with a cool breeze and a large console box that provides storage space as well as room for a DC power outlet.

However, if you want a more basic look for your LX, there is the Offroad variant which comes with 18-inch matte grey wheels, black-painted trims, and a black-painted front grille.

Inside the LX, there is not one large slab of infotainment display like what you get on many luxury cars. Instead, there is a pair of individual screens, a 12.3-inch touch display for navigation and other connectivity features, and a 7-inch display that controls the SUV’s driving systems.

Also read: The W223 Mercedes-Benz S-Class’ giant touchscreen is a bad sign of things to come

Safety features in the all-new LX are similar to its Toyota twin which includes a fingerprint-authentication push-start switch and the Lexus Safety System+ ADAS suite.

Also read: The 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 has fingerprint identification engine start button

The all-new LX is scheduled to go on sale in Japan in early 2022. The outgoing LX is currently on sale in Malaysia but it is not attainable for many with prices starting from RM 1.2 million. Unless you’re some politician timber tycoon.