2010 Lexus LX570

If the LX570 looks familiar, that’s because it’s essentially a Toyota Land Cruiser with a Lexus grille on the front and the usual high-class interior on the inside.

It was introduced to the market in 2008 and uses the latest Land Cruiser as its base. Power is provided by a large 5.7-litre V8 with 383bhp, which is sent to all of the big alloy wheels through a strong four-wheel drive chassis.

Off-road capability is impressive for such a large car, however any dune bashing will have to be undertaken with a little more concern for the state of the bumpers than the Land Cruiser as they sit a little lower than those on the Toyota. A swift attack on a monster dune could see them hanging off the front of the car at the end of the run.

The cabin is hugely spacious and eight people can squeeze into individual seats. Those in the rear most row don’t have a huge amount of head or leg room, but it’s perfectly acceptable for children or anyone willing to experience a short blast in the desert. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that with all the seats occupied, luggage space behind the seats is somewhat limited. Unlike something like a Land Rover LR4 or the latest Nissan Patrol, the LX 570′s rearmost seats don’t fold away flat into the boot floor, instead they are hinged at the side and can be folded – electronically – to the sides of the boot when not in use.

Cabin equipment is generous to the extreme with enough toys to keep everyone happy including a massive cool box positioned between the front seats. There are a whole host of off-road technological refinements to ensure the Lexus LX570 can tackle whatever terrain you point it at.

Tags: Lexus, Lexus LX, LS570, new car review, SUV