Lexus' most expensive SUV yet: The 2025 LX 700h hybrid arrives

Lexus is expanding its full-size portfolio by adding a hybrid variant to its flagship SUV. The fourth-generation Lexus LX has been on sale for a few years now, and buyers looking for more power now have an electrified option. As you might expect, it comes at a healthy premium.

The 2025 Lexus LX 700h starts at $115,350, including destination, which is considerably more than the Premium trim non-hybrid LX 600, which starts at $106,850. Lexus even added a hybrid-exclusive trim level to give it its own unique place in the lineup.

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The Lexus LX hybrid isn’t so radical

Let’s start with the basics. The LX 700h borrows the 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 from the LX 600, combined with a nickel-metal hydride battery. Even better, the hybrid uses the same 10-speed automatic transmission instead of a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) like many other hybrids.

The battery gives the LX 700h a considerable power boost, resulting in a combined output of 457 horsepower and 483 pound-feet of torque. By comparison, the non-hybrid LX makes 409 hp and 479 lb-ft of torque.

As a bonus perk, the hybrid's fuel economy is supposed to improve slightly to 20 mpg combined versus 19 in the LX 600. This is far from a Prius, but it’s designed first and foremost for the trails.

Speaking of trails, let’s talk about the Overtrail

For 2025, Lexus added the Overtrail trim exclusively to the LX 700h. This is the cheapest way to get into an LX 700h and adds electronically controlled front and rear locking differentials, ensuring greater traction over rough terrain, 18-inch wheels with 33-inch all-terrain rubber, an underbody skid plate. and a 2,400-watt inverter in case you get stranded while out in the sticks.

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Lexus claims this is the first hybrid system to use both an alternator and starter to guarantee an effortless start every time.

This trim level doesn't add as much as it might seem, though, as every 2025 LX comes standard with off-road chops like active ride height with adaptive variable suspension, multi-terrain drive modes, underfloor cameras, electric power steering, crawl control in low range, and downhill assist.

The Lexus luxury is still very much present

Besides the Overtrail, the LX 700h is offered in other trims, including F Sport Handling, Luxury, and Ultra Luxury. For 2025, the Ultra Luxury trim is hybrid-only and starts at $141,450.

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The latter is the LX at its most opulent, with four seats trimmed in Diamond-stitch semi-aniline leather with massage and reclining functions.

Packing in the value quotient is Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which is now standard on all LX models. This includes pre-collision alert with pedestrian detection that can steer in an emergency, radar cruise control that engages at any speed, lane-keep assist, traffic sign recognition, automatic high beams, and proactive driving assist that monitors pedestrians and bicyclists who may share the road with you.

Final thoughts

The LX hybrid configurator is now live, so I experimented with the various colors to determine what would look best on Lexus's newest SUV.

There are only four paint options to choose from, so I went with the no-charge Nori Green Pearl and ticked the Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound stereo for $2,660. This includes 25 speakers utilizing 2,400 watts of power. The grand total for my build came to $118,010.

Now it’s your turn. Is the hybrid worth it to you? How would you build your Lexus LX? Let us know!

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