Spy Shots: Toyota Land Cruiser & Lexus LX 570 get little change

When is Toyota going to start redesigning their SUV lineup? The Toyota Land Cruiser was last redesigned in 1998 and Toyota still has no plans on making any changes to the big SUV and same goes for its premium Lexus version the Lexus LX 570. While these two boxy vehicles may be in desperate need for some change in the 2008 model in order to compete against the new wave of crossovers, Toyota still has no desire to modernize either SUV. The only change we might see is under the hood, where Toyota is expected to add a new 5.7 liter V8 engine that pushes 381 horsepower which is found in the Tundra.

Either way, let’s hope that when Toyota unveils the new 2008 Highlander (that hasn’t seen any design changes since its launch in 2001) at the Chicago Auto Show, we see some sleek and modern looking SUV.
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EL34i - 1/23/2007 12:51:42 AM

+1 Boost

....said your design instructor.

mitchatlexusofmarin - 1/22/2007 12:05:13 PM

+3 Boost

Sorry Omarrana, but take it from someone who knows- this article is completely wrong and GMtech or whoever wrote this has their head up their a**. We have an all new and completley different LX570 coming to market soon and believe me, Lexus is a very smart company who knows exactly what they are doing, has unparalled resources, and will use them to make this all new vehicle the best and most advanced Luxury utility vehicle in its class. Then follows an all new RX series offering a 5 and 7 passenger version with a wider choice of engines, then a smaller (think X3/RDX) vehicle based on the Rav4 and finally, right after that, a new GX.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/22/2007 9:48:14 PM

+1 Boost

Who needs the GX if there's going to be a seven-seat RX AND AN LX?

mitchatlexusofmarin - 1/23/2007 2:33:07 AM

+2 Boost

S4
GX is a truck- RX is a tall car- LX is a better truck.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/23/2007 8:58:42 AM

0 Boost

Exactly! THE LX IS BETTER!!!

There's simply no need for the GX. Give me one reason to buy it over a seven-seat RX. Honestly- nobody cares about towing or off-roading when they buy a Lexus.

mitchatlexusofmarin - 1/23/2007 1:43:35 PM

+1 Boost

The GX outsells the LX about 5-1. Its price that causes this. The RX does not compete with the GX. The GX is an off road capable vehicle.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/23/2007 6:57:17 PM

+1 Boost

I'd like to know the idiot who off-roads in a LEXUS.

Don't they know that nobody buys it for that? Don't YOU know that?

And are you sure about that statistic, are is it only coming from your dealer? Because, in my area, it's pretty much the other way around... the town is infested with Sanddollar Pearl LX470s. How do I know the color? A friend of mine has it in that color, and it's my favorite...

mitchatlexusofmarin - 1/23/2007 10:38:24 PM

+1 Boost

I am sure of the statistic. Sand dollar is my least fav- looks like flesh color.

answer - 1/22/2007 12:11:31 PM

+6 Boost

The LX and Landcruiser are both now showing their age so it's definately a good time for replacement.

However, they both are more capable off-road than 95% of today's SUVs.

Side note - The nightview system in the LX really works well!

mstangpny07 - 1/22/2007 6:44:16 PM

0 Boost

they were showing their age 4 years ago!

topneuro - 1/22/2007 12:45:32 PM

+1 Boost

If the third row seat does not fold nicely to supply a flat cargo surface and if the spare tire is not inside and protected like the new MB GL 450 the Lexus LX570/Land Cruiser will be unable to compete effectively not only on those features but also in price.

GS450h - 1/23/2007 3:27:56 PM

+1 Boost

I sure hope the new Land Cruiser does not become a minivan-like pseudo-SUV for soccer moms like the GL450 or a bling-mobile for rap stars like the Escalade. That's what the Sequioia is for. The Land Cruiser is meant to complete with the G-wagen. They need to keep it rugged.

EL34 - 1/22/2007 1:39:49 PM

-1 Boost

Trucks are for those that hate to drive.

EL34i - 1/23/2007 12:53:06 AM

+3 Boost

I see who heads the Orange County branch of MENSA.

SupraNeverBack - 1/22/2007 1:50:10 PM

+2 Boost

The current one is still one of the best looking SUVs out there. Hope they don't make it too big.

Will it get Direct Injection treatment of Tundra's 381hp/401lb.ft 5.7L v8?

400+hp/430+lb.ft + 8speed auto, that would be nice.

Rupert - 1/22/2007 6:05:27 PM

+2 Boost

gogo - american attitudes, i've tried several times to convince them that, no, the current land cruiser isn't very good, and no, it does not need to be bigger or less fuel efficient, and yes, it is massively outdated. never works.
do you think we'll get it in britain? needs a better diesel, that's for sure.
you know they have a lexus version in the states? pretty much the same but with more wood and quad headlamps, 1999 GS style.
and best looking? yeah, right.

Rupert - 1/23/2007 12:27:28 PM

0 Boost

i know!
toyota diesels are adequate at best. and on the LC, they are very noisy. you know the 3.0 is only a 4 cylinder?

GS450h - 1/23/2007 3:30:49 PM

+1 Boost

Ever notice that the more outdated a Land cruiser gets the more coveted it becomes. Look at prices of FJ40s and I bet you you can't find a decent one for less than $15,000.

Autoegr525 - 1/22/2007 4:11:48 PM

+1 Boost

There is nothing wrong with the current Bruiser/LX that 381 hp couldn't solve

SixxFive - 1/22/2007 7:55:14 PM

0 Boost

Boring and extremely outdated.

S4cabriofoxone - 1/22/2007 9:53:03 PM

-1 Boost

By whom?

S4cabriofoxone - 1/23/2007 12:04:52 AM

+1 Boost

Hey, don't get me wrong, I love the LX, but these cars aren't "extremely anticipated".

The Q7 is significantly smaller- more of a GX killer. And I mean KILLER. The GX was a horrible design from the start.

paul3230 - 1/23/2007 12:18:05 AM

-1 Boost

okay dude..

GS450h - 1/23/2007 3:21:58 PM

+2 Boost

Legendary indeed. No SUV has the durability or off-road abilities of a Land Cruiser/LX/GX. A Q7 might be better for onroad driving and a Range Rover will have more prestige but they would never hold up to the conditions that TLCs encounter everyday in Africa or Australia. Land Cruisers might not be the most stylish trucks but that doesn't matter to the people for whom these trucks are designed.

htra0497 - 1/23/2007 2:01:34 AM

+3 Boost

Next time you watch CNN, pay attention to what ppl are driving. For the last 30 years Land Cruisers and Toyotas have been the vehicle of choice in the most sh*ttest places on Earth.

PS: The new Toyota V8 diesel will appear in the updated 70 Series LCruiser very shortly in Australia.

XYZZ - 1/23/2007 4:56:29 AM

+3 Boost

yup.

go to ANY third world country or ANYWHERE where roads are mostly imaginary paths, and all the fancy schmancy so-called SUVs, luxury OR otherwise, seem to also become NON-EXISTENT.

only toyota landcruisers (and 4x4 AND 4x2 tacomas) seem to THRIVE in such rugged conditions.

M53R - 1/23/2007 6:00:49 AM

+1 Boost

Thats really something sad, because i live in a so called 3rd world country and i can bet u on anything, we have a better looking country than the most advanced 1st world countries. Its all BS made by america to make people think 3rd world countries are unlivable. Almost every family has a land cruiser, but trust me, its not bought for any of its awesome offroad ability. Toyota brainwashed people here , and they, seriously, think its the best car. Personally, I d prefer dieing than driving a 4.7l V8 producing 250 ( 270 latest model) hp. That is the worst V8 engine available in the world. Not to mention how fuel thursty this ugly truck is. Offroader, definitly, good car, you wish.

Rupert - 1/24/2007 1:40:50 PM

+1 Boost

is the new one narrower? i always thought the current one was way too wide.

austintyson - 1/26/2007 5:39:05 AM

+1 Boost

Its a new design. There have been lots of spy shoots of this.. Look at the front end and if you can see, you should be able to tell, its all new front end, new sheet metal and if you look you can tell the windshield is laid back more, the roofs don't line up. mirrors sit in different locations.. it a new design not a reskin or new front clip..