2002 Lexus LX 470

Employing the sensors and actuators of the ABS, TRAC traction control uses both brake and throttle intervention to control wheelspin. The four-channel, four-wheel ABS operates even in low-range four-wheel drive, evidencing only a little nosedive in panic stops. Sensors monitor road conditions according to changes in wheel speed. As road surface roughness increases, ABS intervention decreases. The ABS also responds to changes in road slope, decreasing its influence as the grade gets steeper. Such responsiveness helps the driver maintain control while traversing hilly, unpaved terrain.


The Brake Assist system can help the driver reduce stopping distances in panic stops. Brake Assist is designed to determine if the driver is attempting emergency braking and, if the driver has not stepped hard enough on the brake pedal to engage the ABS, the system applies maximum braking power until the pedal pressure is released.


So it maneuvers and stops fine—but what about go? The 4.7-liter dual-cam V-8 provides 230 hp at 4,800 rpm and a stout 320 lb.-ft. of torque at 3,400 rpm. Smooth and quiet as a bubble, the mill provides steady, continuous pull, as 80 percent of the torque is available from 1,100 rpm. Still, one could reasonably expect increased output in future models, given that you can now get 345 hp from a Cadillac Escalade, but this is quibbling. With a tow rating of 6,500 pounds, the Lexus would have no problem tugging a horse or boat around.


Everybody knows the basic off-road mechanicals are shared with the Toyota Land Cruiser, so off-roading comes second nature to the Lexus. The full-time four-wheel-drive system, using a limited-slip diff as well as a locking center differential that provides 50/50 front/rear power distribution, only needs intervention when you want to shift between low- and high-range.

The LX boasts all of the amenities befitting a Lexus: premium leather upholstery, sumptuous wood trim and an array of power controls. Audiophiles will appreciate the optional Mark Levinson sound system.

The LX 470 also boasts an adjustable height control, similar to the Range Rover's, with a "high" setting for strenuous off-roading and a "low" setting for easier entry/egress. Both default to a "normal" 9.8-inch ride clearance at road speed.