Lexus has added its bigger, more powerful 5.7L truck engine to its premium SUV, and as a result, the new LX 570 has a bigger price to go along with it. The upscale 'ute's base sticker grows by a knee-wobbling $6,405, starting at a rather monumental $73,800. For those scoring at home, that's about $18,000 more than the Cadillac Escalade, and within $3,000 of the top-end Mercedes GL550. While the LX 570 surpasses the outgoing LX 470 in both power and luxury, a $73,800 price tag is a substantial pill to swallow, even in this admittedly pricey segment.
[Source: Detroit News]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
iSpec66 @ Dec 21st 2007 9:17AM
For that nearly 10% increase they better have rid the new model of the squeaks and rattles that plagued this model.
Jason Bird @ Dec 21st 2007 9:18AM
Because the people who pay extra for a Lexus LandCruiser won't notice anyway.
I never did understand how Toyota gets away with this one. They really aren't all that different.
simianspeedster @ Dec 21st 2007 4:03PM
The same way Cadillac gets away with charging $30K more for an XLR than a Corvette.
-SimianSpeedster
Jason Bird @ Dec 22nd 2007 4:43PM
Exactly...btw have you seen the panel gaps on the XLR...It's a beautiful car, but I would expect far better assembly for 100K!
EnviroBob @ Dec 21st 2007 9:21AM
I thought only domestic did 'badge engineering'. Oh wait, I forgot, not only is it okay when foreign manufacturers do so, it's a brilliant extension of the productline utilizing existing platforms and drivetrains.
tbss_in_the_D @ Dec 21st 2007 9:23AM
I second that.
Jason Bird @ Dec 21st 2007 9:29AM
Lexus/Toyota has done this forever.
I think that when it's done correctly, so that there is real differentiation in the product, it is an excellent way to stretch engineering dollars.
I don't think this is a good reason to bash any manufacturer...foreign or domestic. Bash the bad product but don't blame them for trying to make a buck.
Flame War in 5...4...3...2...1...
iSpec66 @ Dec 21st 2007 9:22AM
Do we get all the squeaks and rattles of the outgoing model or are they eliminated for the 10% increase?
gitagrip @ Dec 21st 2007 9:24AM
I'm going for the positive note and saying Toyota is pricing itself out of the business of selling these rolling living rooms, and it's about time. Let the rich pay for this absurdness if they want, hopefully Toyota will take the profits (if there are any after the worthless stuff they call the US dollar gets converted back to yen) and make upscale smaller vehicles.
Toyota USED TO BE the company to look up as against conspicuous consumption. But no more.
Guenther @ Dec 21st 2007 9:46AM
They have for a long time with this model- the last version (LC100) never sold over 6000 units combined in the US. Slightly more basic versions can be had elsewhere. Toyota knows that they have a small group of loyal cruiser customers in the US, who will continue to pay whatever it may cost.
Mr.Ed- Executive wives not driving these very far is a good thing- fewer miles, less gas.
Me Too @ Dec 21st 2007 9:27AM
Lexus design team - where are thee?
RamSport47 @ Dec 21st 2007 10:11AM
They're at Toyota, designing Xds and Prius' and beautiful Camrys for us to drive
Avinash machado @ Dec 21st 2007 9:37AM
So will there be a Lexus version of the Tundra as well? After all the Tundra is not a real work truck so they may as well launch a luxury Lexus version for poseurs.
h8rain @ Dec 21st 2007 10:19AM
SNAP! :)
Will the Lexus version include all the recalls as well.....
Guenther @ Dec 21st 2007 10:27AM
No, Lexus won't do a pick-up. The Tundra would need too much reworking for such a low volume model. The Sequoia is getting a trim level above the Limited, IIRC called Platinum. This could be applied to the Tundra, I suppose, If they feel they need a direct counterpart to the Denali trim level.
mr.ed @ Dec 21st 2007 9:37AM
I haven't seen the sales figures, but I'll bet the majority of these are leased, to be driven by spouses of execs as compensation in lieu of (or in addition to) salary. Most of the ones I see are driven by tiny females, who seem lost in the expanses of sheet metal. Consequently, they don't drive very far, and their average gas mileage has to be incredibly low.
icu812ru469 @ Dec 21st 2007 9:59AM
The ubber-rich will continue to buy bloated machines that gobble up fuel like it'll be around forever. For the "regular Joe" the $74K is just too rich and too ecologically unconscious for me...
Fred @ Dec 21st 2007 10:02AM
The LX470 costs $101,400.00 in Canada and I have seen a few on the road.
So whatever Toyota wants for the vehicle, somebody, somewhere will pay it.
Perry @ Dec 21st 2007 3:53PM
Wow...are they ripping us off over here or what? This is plain robbery. You can get a GTI with the difference....not that I can afford a Lexus...lol
rar @ Dec 21st 2007 10:04AM
The video looked very staged, like the Tundra tv adds. As far as the bashing goes, it is not just Toyota that gets bashed around here. Have you ever read a Mustang post? All car companies are bashed about the same. I would bet a Z71 Tahoe would do everything the Toyota did in that video.