2025 Lexus LX 700h Hybrid Makes Is Full Of Power & Features

I press another button, and the seat cooler kicks into action. If this SUV isn’t going to work up a sweat, I won’t either.

For the 2025 model year, the Lexus LX has transitioned to a hybrid powertrain. Company executives now refer to it as the flagship vehicle, with the LX 700h Ultra Luxury edition commanding a price of $141,350, a figure that justifies such a distinction.

But what you really want is the $115,350 Overtrail edition. It highlights the LX’s lineage as a relative of the more robust Land Cruiser available globally—but not in the U.S., as our model features a turbocharged 4-cylinder hybrid, distinct from its cousin. In the Overtrail configuration, it stands out as a highly capable vehicle—stronger and quieter, thanks to its hybrid system.

Lexus LX 700h Overtrail: Hybrid power, fully realized

Upon its debut in 2022, the updated Lexus LX replaced its V-8 engine with a twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6. This engine generates 409 hp, mated to a 10-speed automatic transmission with full-time four-wheel drive and a dedicated low-range gear, delivering impressive performance alongside a few quirks. (Lexus also initiated a recall for thousands of these vehicles due to severe engine issues that required replacements.)

Now, for the first time, the LX is equipped with electrified power, utilizing the same hybrid system featured in Toyota’s Tundra pickups and Sequoia SUVs, both closely related to the LX and built on the same GA-F body-on-frame platform. In the LX, the twin-turbo 3.4-liter V-6 is paired with an electric motor situated between the engine and transmission. This powertrain is limited to 437 hp in other applications but is rated at 457 hp and 583 lb-ft here. Notably, the LX 700h’s system includes a conventional starter and alternator, ensuring that the SUV can still function off-road even if the hybrid system fails.

While my drive takes place in a more civilized setting—complete with excellent cell reception and luxurious hillside estates featuring underground wine cellars—it is nonetheless reassuring to know that the LX Overtrail can generally extricate itself from challenging situations.

The Overtrail variant also makes its debut in the LX lineup this year, sharing a name with a trim from the smaller Lexus GX. For the Overtrail, you get front and rear differential locks, 18-inch wheels shod with 33-inch all-terrain tires, and some stylish black trim—aesthetically enhanced by a nature-inspired brown paint known as Earth, complemented by Stone brown leather seats.

Equipped with all the necessary features, it hardly requires adjusting the 4H/4L knob to prepare for the terrain. As I navigate the rugged path strewn with obstacles designed for my amusement, I remain composed, as does the powerful SUV. The hybrid drivetrain operates seamlessly in this environment. Its electric motor smooths out shifts in low range, with Lexus implementing precise power management to cooperate with downhill and terrain-control settings, effectively regulating wheelspin.

Enhanced engineering has fortified the LX’s core components, primarily to safeguard the hybrid system and improve functionality. A watertight casing protects the battery, allowing it to traverse up to 27.5 inches of water, and a moisture sensor alerts the driver in the event of battery failure. Reinforced engine mounts and a redesigned crossmember reduce body flex.

To accommodate the battery, the spare tire has been relocated underneath the rear section. Lexus claims this does not affect ground clearance, though the departure angle decreases slightly from 22 degrees to 21 degrees, while towing capacity remains unchanged at a solid 8,000 pounds.

Each LX 700h trim is also equipped with a hydraulic adaptive suspension that can raise the vehicle by several inches from its standard 8.3 inches of ground clearance when engaged in low range. While air suspensions can automatically adjust to road conditions, the hydraulic mechanism used here provides the ability to elevate or lower the vehicle and maintain those adjustments, staying true to the premise that it should be robust under various conditions, despite rarely being required to do so among the vineyards.

In the mild conditions of my test, nothing pushes the LX 700h beyond its capabilities. The roughly 6,000-pound SUV maneuvers over mud-embedded railroad ties, then dries its tires as it climbs a rocky slope. It glides through a shallow creek crossing and bounces back on a rugged track leading to gravel that eventually connects to paved roads. Throughout the experience, various systems permit me to focus solely on steering; the front-end camera helps me stay absorbed in the action ahead, much like a child watching a screen.

There’s hardly anything in this environment that tests the LX 700h, even when the front and rear differentials are unlocked. With a careful, measured application of the accelerator, I traverse this terrain with minimal traction loss. I inquire if Lexus offers additional steel protective plates or winches. The answer is no, but it turns out it can be outfitted for more rugged usage by sourcing aftermarket components available online from regions where they would not be subject to crash-testing.

Lexus LX 700h Ultra Luxury Justifies the Semi-Aniline Praise

At my base camp, I switch outfits, first donning the LX 700h Ultra Luxury, and then the F Sport for a smooth ride through afternoon traffic en route to indulge in some espresso. The Ultra Luxury envelops me in its impressive array of standard features: not merely any leather, but semi-aniline leather, accompanied by a 12.3-inch touchscreen, wireless Apple CarPlay, a spacious sunroof, a cooling compartment for beverages, a power-folding third-row seat, and a hands-free power tailgate.

It’s as lavish as one would expect from a vehicle priced at $141,350—and it needs to be, as traffic congestion in the Napa area has increased since my last visit before the pandemic.

The LX is unconcerned with its competitors, and as a hybrid, it possesses an extra sense of vitality: it achieves a 0-60 mph acceleration in 6.4 seconds, which is a half-second quicker than the non-hybrid LX 600. However, it sometimes struggles to downshift smoothly to the right gear, leading to a bit of judder. Furthermore, due to its large 22-inch wheels and narrower tires, it does not ride as comfortably over uneven pavement compared to the smaller-tire Overtrail. Despite this, it maintains admirable steering control for a vehicle in the Tahoe size class and experiences less head toss when navigating railroad crossings compared to a Mercedes GLS.

While I don’t get the opportunity to relax in the back seat, the Ultra Luxury competes with other chauffeur-oriented SUVs, featuring elegantly contoured headrests, heated outboard rear seats, and a center console equipped with its own digital control panel and wireless device charger.

I take some time to explore the seven-seat Overtrail to determine whether I would enjoy being a passenger with one of the other six occupants. In the first or second row? Absolutely. Row three? No, thanks. Besides the hybrid battery reducing the width of the third-row seat by about four inches, the cushion is also set quite low, making it challenging to access. I recommend reserving that space for individuals under five feet tall and 21 years of age.

Alternatively, you could utilize it as intended and power-fold the third row away. In the hybrid model, this action increases the limited 7.2 cubic feet of cargo space behind the last row to a maximum of 62.4 cubic feet—not a massive amount considering the vehicle’s size, but still practical. Additionally, the battery’s packaging results in a tall cargo area that elevates the floor; Lexus has created a fold-up platform to flatten the top of the battery pack, but it’s a somewhat clumsy solution, even though it can support up to 176 pounds. To counterbalance the quirkiness, a 2,400-watt power outlet is located near the hybrid battery.

In off-road scenarios, it outperforms its gasoline-only counterpart thanks to its hybrid system, while the LX 700h surpasses the EPA ratings of the LX 600, offering an estimated 1 mpg improvement in combined driving and 2 mpg in city driving; this elevates the LX 700h’s efficiency to 19/22/20 mpg, compared to the LX 600’s 17/22/19 mpg.

The differences may not be groundbreaking, but they are noticeable. Those willing to invest at least $115,350 in the LX 700h Overtrail will likely not fret over the finer details. Instead, they will appreciate the 25-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, tune into their preferred streaming service, adjust the front seats’ cooling to a refreshing level, and not mind the mud tracked onto the rubber mats—or the ruts left behind on the vineyard hill. When the Lexus LX serves as your off-road vehicle, the ruts—and the grapes—are yours to claim.

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