[ĐÁNH GIÁ XE] Lexus LX 2026: Outstanding smooth experience but at the expense of driving feel and space

Lexus’ flagship SUV model remains steadfast in its goal of bringing absolute quietness to passengers, even though the separate chassis structure makes the car compromise on flexibility on the street.

When driving a large luxury SUV with a price tag of hundreds of thousands of dollars, users’ expectations often shift from pure power to sophistication in the spatial experience. The 2026 Lexus LX is a car model that clearly demonstrates this philosophy. Entering the new generation, the car does not try to follow the sporty trend of European competitors but focuses on optimizing the core values of quietness, durable mechanical quality and strong terrain adaptability. However, staying true to the traditional separate chassis structure clearly reveals the typical limitations of space and flexibility in daily operation.

The feeling of smooth operation on a straight line but reveals weaknesses when cornering

Sitting behind the wheel of the standard version, the first big plus comes from the twin-turbo V6 engine combined smoothly with the 10-speed automatic transmission. Actual experience shows that the car accelerates very linearly, the gearbox shifts so smoothly that the driver can hardly recognize the gear shifting process without observing the display clock.

When traveling on the highway, this vehicle weighing nearly three tons glides very smoothly. However, when moving to urban roads or roads with many curves, the steering system begins to show its weaknesses. The steering wheel feels quite heavy but lacks real feedback from the road surface. The braking system also needs time to adapt as the braking force at the beginning of the journey is relatively slow, but tends to grip quite harshly if the driver tries to sink the brake pedal deep.

The biggest limitation on asphalt roads of this vehicle is the phenomenon of vehicle body tilt. Due to the large center of gravity and the air suspension system being set up to be soft to eliminate vibrations, the car appears to float clearly when cornering or when changing lanes suddenly. If the car hits a pothole or speed bump while changing direction, the passengers in the back seat will clearly feel the continuous fluctuations, easily leading to a feeling of motion sickness.

Regarding consumption efficiency, through actual testing on a mixed journey of nearly 200 km with mostly long-distance roads, fuel consumption reached 12.9 liters/100km, slightly more than the announced level of about 12.4 liters/100km by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

The interior space is luxurious but the layout is not really optimal

Entering the cockpit, the first feeling is overwhelmed by the perfect quality of materials. Each piece of leather, wood paneling, and aluminum trim are all delicately processed, with no creaking sounds even when pressed hard. The car’s front seat is designed to be as large as a high-class armchair, providing perfect support for the back and thighs during long trips.

Soundproofing ability is also commendable. When driving on the highway, the cabin is almost separate from the sound of the wind and road surface. This makes the LX suitable for customers who often travel long distances or have their own driver.

One of the valuable changes on the new generation Lexus LX is the removal of the old joystick control cluster. Instead, the car has a 12.3-inch touch screen with a much more intuitive interface. The vehicle supports multiple USB-C ports, wireless charging, and a digital key that allows users to unlock and operate the vehicle with a smartphone. The 25-speaker Mark Levinson sound system continues to be one of the most notable equipment on high-end versions.

However, the layout of the space inside is not really optimal. Due to the large center armrest, the driver feels like the seating space is narrowed towards the door. Getting in and out of the car is also a bit difficult for people with small bodies due to the high ground clearance and footstep.

The third row seat space is not really spacious compared to many competitors in the same large luxury SUV segment. Access to the last row of seats is also not as convenient as European models such as the Mercedes-Benz GLS or BMW X7.

In terms of storage capacity, the luggage compartment capacity reaches about 1,302 liters when the third row of seats is folded and the maximum towing capacity reaches 8,000 pounds (about 3,628 kg). These are average numbers in the segment.

Experience characteristics on each configuration version

The 2026 Lexus LX offers a very clear separation of experiences through the division of equipment packages, helping customers easily find the version that suits their personal style:

Lexus LX Premium – Standard version brings the core experience of the car line with full safety features, suitable for those who need a high-end, no-frills family SUV. This is the most accessible configuration but still ensures the necessary luxury.

For those who like a sporty driving feel, the Lexus LX F Sport Handling version offers a slightly more rigid suspension system, helping to reduce the characteristic floating phenomenon at high speeds. The car’s exterior also becomes sharper thanks to dark details in the aerodynamic package.

Lexus LX Luxury: Variant focusing on enjoyment with valuable upgrades including integrated massage front seats, ventilated second row seats, automatic parking system and 25-speaker Mark Levinson premium sound system.

Lexus LX Overtrail: Optimal version for intensive off-road capabilities with two-row configuration (5 seats). The vehicle is equipped with a differential lock system for both front and rear axles, and comes with 33-inch all-terrain tires for outstanding traction on muddy surfaces.

Lexus LX Ultra Luxury: The most advanced version, completely removing the third row of seats to create a four-seat independent space. The rear seats use business chairs (captain’s chairs) with spacious leg space and separate relaxation amenities.

The selling price is high but still has its own customer group

Lexus LX 2026 possesses good finishing quality, high reliability and interior materials that are among the top in the segment. However, the starting price of this car line (ranging from 107,950 – 142,000 USD (about 2.85 – 3.7 billion VND) is considered quite high compared to the general level.

Although there are still some limitations in road performance and interior space, the Lexus LX still maintains its own appeal thanks to its combination of durability, off-road ability and Japanese-style luxury experience. This is also the reason this SUV continues to have its own position among the high-end customer group who prefer comfort and practicality over sporty driving feel.

TH (Otoxemay)