2025 Lexus LX 700h Overtrail Review and Test Drive

Lexus revamps its largest SUV with a hybrid drivetrain, a capable off-roading Overtrail model, and more.

Jim Resnick | 

Feb 6, 2025 | 6 min read

Jim Resnick

This year, the dreadnought of the Lexus lineup gets an available hybrid powertrain, an Overtrail trim level for off-roading enthusiasts, structural improvements, and new driver-assistance features.

Jim Resnick

Two versions of the 2025 LX are available, including the LX 600 and the new LX 700h hybrid. Depending on your choice, the SUV comes in Premium, Luxury, Overtrail, F Sport Handling, and Ultra Luxury trim levels, and base prices range from about $107,000 to around $141,000. Those figures include the destination charge for shipping the SUV from the assembly plant in Aichi, Japan, to your local dealership.

For this Lexus LX review, I test-drove the LX 700h Overtrail in California. It had an optional Mark Levinson audio system and a premium paint color called Earth, bringing the manufacturer's suggested retail price to $118,510, including the $1,350 destination charge. Lexus provided the vehicle for this LX review and paid for airfare, lodging, and meals during the evaluation period.

Jim Resnick

Is the 2025 Lexus LX a Good SUV?

The updated 2025 Lexus LX fulfills the role of a large luxury SUV well, particularly concerning fit and finish, interior refinement, and passenger space. However, it comes up short on exterior design and curb appeal. It's not as artful as the top-of-the-line Range Rover or as cohesive in appearance as the Mercedes-Benz GLS.

The LX also emits a slightly gruff-sounding song as the engine revs climb. But, as long as you're not accelerating hard, this Lexus provides a pleasing, quiet, and relaxed place to watch the world and nature go by.

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New Hybrid Powertrain for the 2025 Lexus LX

Lexus has made three noteworthy changes to the LX since the publication of this Lexus LX 600 F Sport review in 2022.

The most significant is the hybrid powertrain used in the new-for-2025 LX 700h. Lexus mates a twin-turbocharged 3.4-liter V6 engine with an electric motor and battery to create a hybrid powertrain that develops a combined 457 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. It can operate solely on electricity when off-roading in the Rock mode and when the transfer case is in low range, making the LX smoother and more predictable to drive on treacherous terrain.

Unfortunately, the hybrid drivetrain does not significantly improve fuel economy. Where the LX 600 offers a Lexus-estimated 17/22/19 mpg in city/highway/combined driving, the LX 700h hybrid provides 19/22/20 mpg.

Jim Resnick

The second significant change is the new-for-2025 Overtrail trim level, available only on the LX 700h. The Overtrail boasts black exterior trim, all-terrain tires, locking differentials, and a front skid plate. As an extra measure of assurance, Lexus also protects the battery against punctures and water intrusion by encasing it in a waterproof cover. Very thoughtful.

The third update is the arrival of the Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which adds several enhancements, such as motorcycle detection, a driver monitoring system, and front cross-traffic alert with automatic braking at intersections. The 2025 LX also has a new Traffic Jam Assist system, a low-speed hands-free driving technology.

Jim Resnick

Off-Roading Talent, Thanks to the New LX 700h Overtrail Model

Toyota and Lexus have a long history in the automotive adventure space. But does the LX 700h Overtrail measure up when the going gets tough? Unequivocally, yes.

Setting aside the notion of subjecting a vehicle with a six-figure price tag to the proverbial and literal thorns, scrapes, and dents of a world without pavement, the LX 700h Overtrail takes to the mud, rocks, sand, and untamed woods with gusto.

During my testing, with all three differentials locked to negotiate challenging trails, the Overtrail easily tackled terrain shy of climbing huge boulders. Three driving technologies bolster the LX's off-road prowess. Multi-Terrain Select (MTS) controls the four-wheel-drive system's two-speed transfer case and provides traction-maximizing drive modes, including Auto, Dirt, Sand, Mud, Rock, and Deep Snow. When MTS is active, it feeds video from any of the four cameras around the Lexus to the central dashboard display to assist visibility.

Jim Resnick

In addition, the LX 700h Overtrail offers a Crawl Control system. This system, which functions like an off-road cruise control system, optimizes the SUV's ability to traverse dodgy surfaces at a prescribed speed. A Downhill Assist Control system can also assist when descending slippery or low-traction hills.

The LX 700h's hybrid powertrain delivers smooth, even power and excellent throttle modulation and control, critical traits in off-roading situations. When the two-speed transfer case is in the low range, the LX 700h's Active Height Control Adaptive Variable Suspension raises to provide additional ground clearance.

All 2025 LX models benefit from re-engineered body mounts that secure the SUV's body to the frame. Lexus says these mounts better isolate the body from vibration while improving interior quiet, ride, and handling.

Speaking of handling, I also drove the LX 600 F Sport Handling model in the Sport and Sport+ driving modes, and so configured, this roughly 6,000-pound SUV is surprisingly fun on twisty roads.

Jim Resnick

All 2025 Lexus LX Models Offer Luxury, Utility, and Safety

Of course, the LX 700h Overtrail is about more than just roughing it. Open-pore wood trim and semi-aniline premium leather are standard in this model, paired with durable rubber floor mats.

Like the other LX models, the Overtrail offers an optional third-row seat. Getting back there can be a chore for anyone but the small, the young, or the self-deprecating. Once seated in the third row, space is slightly better than adequate. I'm just over 6 feet tall and could ride for maybe half an hour before getting fidgety.

Jim Resnick

With that third row in use, 7.2 cubic-feet of cargo space exists behind it. Anything but shallow soft luggage won't likely fit, so you may need to choose between carrying people or cargo. With the third row folded down, the LX 700h provides 30.9 cu-ft of cargo space. Maximum volume measures 62.4 cu-ft with the second row down.

As an added convenience, all LX 700h models have a 2,400-watt electrical outlet in the cargo area that can power camping gear or other accessories. For example, this outlet can power cooking equipment such as air fryers or a microwave, as well as entertainment sources such as a giant TV.

Jim Resnick

The updated 2025 Lexus LX appeals to the preferences of many luxury SUV buyers, from the super-luxe to slightly sporty, as well as the adventure-seeking. Fit, finish, and material quality are superb. However, the 2025 LX falls short in a few areas, such as exterior design, cargo space behind the third row, and a slightly gruff engine when accelerating hard.

Fortunately, none of those counts is disqualifying, meaning the changes to this large luxury Lexus SUV make it more appealing than before.

Jim Resnick

From racing exotic sports cars, to ranking new cars, to peeling back layers of cover up in an exhaust emissions scandal, Jim has chronicled the automotive sector for decades. Jim has also worked inside the corporate headquarters of three carmakers, and therefore understands how the automotive sausage is really made. But Jim’s affinity for vehicles takes a back seat to finding the truth and the cultural implications of modern transportation. He has also lectured at universities to engineering and policy students and faculty on the industry’s relationship with legislation in the wake of the diesel exhaust emissions scandal several years ago. Put simply, Jim reports on autos, mobility, tech, car culture, and the traffic jam of topics within.