Tag Archives: SUV

NEW CARS

2026 Lexus LX: Hybrid Muscle Meets Flagship Luxury

Lexus doesn’t like to tinker much with its crown jewel, and for good reason. The LX has spent decades cementing its reputation as the brand’s ultimate expression of capability wrapped in luxury. For 2026, the LX receives subtle but meaningful updates that refine its formula rather than reinvent it—though this year marks an important milestone with the expanded availability of the hybrid-powered LX 700h.

A Trim for Every Taste

The 2026 LX lineup stretches from the “entry-level” Premium model at just under $108,000 to the indulgent Ultra Luxury grade, which now crosses the $140,000 threshold. Between those extremes, Lexus offers flavors for nearly every buyer: the sporty F SPORT Handling, the refined Luxury, and the Overtrail, a grade designed for those who actually intend to get their LX muddy.

New this year is an F SPORT Appearance Package, exclusive to the 700h F SPORT Handling. It adds body-color bumper accents, black mirror caps, and subtle aero tweaks that lean more toward style than substance.

The Overtrail: Where the Real Action Is

Among the lineup, the Overtrail trim remains the standout for enthusiasts who value function over flash. Think of it as Lexus’s way of acknowledging the growing crowd of overlanders who want leather seats but also a front skid plate.

The Overtrail wears 33-inch all-terrain tires on 18-inch wheels, matte gray grille trim, and darkened exterior accents that play down the glitz. More importantly, it adds front and rear locking differentials, a 2,400-watt inverter, and a waterproof hybrid battery housing that allows for nearly 28 inches of water fording. Inside, semi-aniline leather in earthy hues pairs with Black Open-Pore wood to remind you this is still a Lexus, even if you’re climbing a rock garden.

Two Powertrains, Both Twin-Turbocharged

The LX continues to ride on Toyota’s GA-F body-on-frame platform, the same architecture underpinning the Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Series. The big news is the hybridized 700h, which pairs a 3.4-liter twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor and nickel-metal hydride battery for a combined 457 horsepower and 583 lb-ft of torque. That’s a serious step up from the non-hybrid 600, which delivers 409 hp and 479 lb-ft from the same engine. Both engines pair with a 10-speed automatic and can tow 8,000 pounds.

The hybrid also adds some unique off-road tricks. In low range, the electric motor can deliver power independently for delicate throttle modulation over rocks or snow. Lexus even engineered a waterproof tray for the hybrid battery, complete with a sensor that alerts the driver if water somehow makes it inside.

Fuel economy improves slightly, with the 700h rated at 20 mpg combined—hardly Prius numbers, but meaningful in a 6,000-pound SUV.

Ride, Handling, and the Lexus Driving Signature

Lexus spent time tuning the LX’s ride for 2026, with new cab mount cushions designed to quell low-frequency vibrations. The suspension remains a mix of double-wishbone up front and multi-link in the rear, paired with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) and Active Height Control (AHC) as standard across the lineup.

The result? The LX still leans heavily toward comfort, but Lexus claims improved steering response and body rigidity that bring it closer to its so-called Lexus Driving Signature. We’ll reserve judgment until we sample it, but history suggests that “on-road agility” is relative in a 6,000-pound luxury SUV.

Inside: Massages, Screens, and Mark Levinson

Step inside, and the LX reminds you why it wears a six-figure price tag. Every grade features a driver-focused cockpit with dual touchscreens (12.3-inch upper and 7.0-inch lower), a head-up display, and wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto.

Opt for the Ultra Luxury, and rear passengers get VIP treatment: massaging seats with curved headrests, independent climate controls, and even a wireless charging pad in back. Lexus doesn’t skimp on audio either—the available 25-speaker Mark Levinson surround system is tuned specifically for the LX’s cavernous cabin.

Practical touches remain, too, including available power-folding third-row seating, a cargo shelf system in hybrid models, and a beefy 2,400-watt inverter that can power everything from a campsite to a tailgate party.

Safety and Tech

Every LX now comes standard with Lexus Safety System+ 3.0, which includes pedestrian detection, radar cruise with curve management, lane-tracing assist, and a host of collision-avoidance features. Tech-savvy owners also get cloud-based navigation, over-the-air updates, and the option to control certain features remotely via the Lexus app.

Pricing

  • LX 600 Premium: $107,950
  • LX 600 F SPORT Handling: $114,950
  • LX 600 Luxury: $116,950
  • LX 700h Overtrail: $116,685
  • LX 700h F SPORT Handling: $118,950
  • LX 700h Luxury: $120,950
  • LX 700h Ultra Luxury: $142,450

(All prices include a $1,450 destination fee.)

The 2026 Lexus LX isn’t here to rewrite its playbook. Instead, it sharpens its edges, adds capability where it counts, and introduces a hybrid powertrain that makes the SUV both more powerful and marginally more efficient. Whether you’re a boardroom executive, an overlanding enthusiast, or someone who simply wants the biggest Lexus with the plushest seats, the LX lineup continues to deliver on its promise: uncompromising luxury wrapped around serious off-road bones.

Source: Lexus

NEW CARS

2025 Lexus LBX Vibrant Edition: Small SUV, Big Attitude

Lexus didn’t need long to figure out that its pint-sized LBX crossover struck a chord. Since its 2023 debut, the “premium casual” runabout has brought more than 23,000 new buyers into the fold, making it the brand’s second-best seller in Europe. Now comes the LBX Vibrant Edition, a limited-run model that doubles down on style and swagger.

The name doesn’t lie: this is Lexus leaning into the LBX’s “street-smart” vibe with extra garnish. Matte-black 18-inch wheels, gloss-black spoilers, and darker trim pieces give the Vibrant Edition more bite than the standard Emotion model. The grille treatment borrows from the rowdy LBX RR Morizo concept—jet-black plating with a hint of menace. Color choices are narrow but bold: bi-tone Ruby Red or Sonic Quartz with a black roof, or a full Astral Black suit for those who prefer stealth.

Inside, Lexus turns up the drama with semi-aniline leather in black, set off by Dark Rose bolsters, knee pads, and seat belts. The brand’s eye for detail shows up in red Tatami stitching across the seatbacks—a flourish you won’t find in most small SUVs. It’s sporty cosplay with genuine Lexus craftsmanship.

The Vibrant Edition doesn’t just play dress-up. Standard kit includes an eight-way power driver’s seat, ambient lighting with 64 selectable shades, wireless phone charging, and Lexus’s nanoe-X air purification system (because your latte isn’t the only thing that deserves foam). Paddle shifters make an appearance too, though don’t expect Nürburgring lap times. Power comes from the familiar 1.5-liter three-cylinder hybrid system, good for 136 horsepower. With its tidy 10.4-meter turning circle, the LBX is still aimed squarely at Europe’s crowded city centers.

Lexus will build the LBX Vibrant Edition for just eight months, from September 2025 through May 2026. Consider it the brand’s way of reminding you that luxury doesn’t always have to be big—or quiet.

Source: Lexus

NEW CARS

Volkswagen Previews Sub-€30K Electric SUV Ahead of Munich Debut

Crossovers are eating the world, and Volkswagen isn’t about to be left behind. With compact SUVs and high-riders dominating sales charts, VW is preparing a new entry-level electric crossover that promises to be stylish, affordable, and, most importantly, attainable. Ahead of its official unveiling on September 7 and first public showing at the IAA Mobility Show in Munich, the automaker has released design sketches that hint at what’s next in Wolfsburg’s expanding ID. lineup.

A Baby ID.4 With Big Ambitions

Think of this newcomer as a crossover spin on the ID.2all hatchback concept revealed last year. That tidy B-segment EV, shown in both standard and sporty GTI form, set the stage for Volkswagen’s push to deliver a true people’s electric car at around €25,000 ($27,000). This upcoming SUV—unnamed for now but rumored to wear an “ID.2 Cross” badge—adds the elevated driving position and chunkier styling customers crave, while still aiming to keep prices below €30,000 ($32,000). That puts it well under the larger ID.4, which starts north of €40,000 in Germany.

Near-Production, With a Concept Edge

The sketches, shared on social media by VW’s head of design Andreas Mindt, suggest a subcompact SUV with an outsized presence. Oversized wheels, stretched proportions, and futuristic LED light bars front and rear check all the concept-car boxes. A rugged skid plate underscores its crossover character, while a contrasting rear pillar with three slots nods to Volkswagen’s design experiments. Expect toned-down details by the time production begins, but the essentials—boxy stance, wide track, and clean surfacing—should carry through.

Size and Platform

Dimensionally, the SUV will likely shadow the ICE-powered T-Cross but benefit from a roomier interior thanks to its EV-specific platform. The ID.2all hatch measured 159.4 inches long with a 102.3-inch wheelbase, and this crossover shouldn’t stray far from that footprint. Underneath sits the MEB Entry architecture, a downsized, front-wheel-drive–friendly take on the VW Group’s modular EV toolkit. Unlike larger MEB-based models, which default to rear-drive, the ID.2 SUV starts with a front-mounted motor and is expected to offer both single- and dual-motor versions down the line.

Powertrain and Performance

The ID.2all concept carried a 222-hp front motor, enough for a 0–62 mph sprint in under seven seconds and a top speed of 99 mph. While the SUV may not match those figures exactly, performance should remain competitive for the segment. More powerful dual-motor AWD versions are plausible, though VW might reserve that tech for pricier trims, given limited demand in the entry-level EV market.

Built for the Masses

The production version will be assembled in Pamplona, Spain, alongside the T-Cross and Taigo. It will also share bones with the Skoda Epiq, another subcompact EV due to launch soon. Price will be critical, and VW knows it: with a target range of €25,000–30,000, the crossover will take on an army of competitors including the Peugeot e-2008, Jeep Avenger, Kia EV2 and EV3, Volvo EX30, and even Toyota’s upcoming Urban Cruiser EV.

EV Momentum

Volkswagen’s timing is strategic. The company’s EV sales grew 47 percent in the first half of the year, hitting nearly half a million units. And with the €20,000 ID.1 hatchback waiting in the wings for 2026, VW is building a stair-step ladder into full electrification. This crossover may not be the flashiest ID. model in the lineup, but it could be the most important.

If Volkswagen nails the balance of price, practicality, and personality, the ID.2 SUV could well become the Beetle of the EV age—an electric car for everyone, but wearing crossover clothes.

Source: Volkswagen