Off-road builds are stealing the spotlight at this year’s SEMA show, and Hyundai isn’t about to be left out of the mud-slinging fun. While Toyota went wild with a V-6–swapped vintage Land Cruiser and Nissan brought a 1000-hp Patrol to the desert party, Hyundai’s contribution takes a more unexpected route: an all-terrain version of its luxury electric SUV, the Ioniq 9.
To make it happen, the Korean automaker teamed up with YouTube channel BigTime, run by Jeremiah Burton and Zach Jobe, best known for their creative car builds and offbeat engineering projects. Together, they took the road-going Ioniq 9 and reimagined it as something you might actually dare to drive past the pavement’s end.
That’s a bold move, considering the stock Ioniq 9 is about as off-road-ready as a glass coffee table. The SUV rides just 6.9 inches off the ground, prioritizing long-range cruising and upscale comfort over any boulder-bashing ambitions. But the BigTime duo saw potential—and decided to give Hyundai’s biggest EV a dirt-friendly attitude adjustment.
They started with the top-dog Calligraphy trim, which packs a dual-motor, all-wheel-drive setup good for 422 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque. From there, the suspension was lifted—Hyundai won’t say by how much, but the added altitude looks substantial enough to clear some honest trail ruts. The new BFGoodrich all-terrain tires wrapped around retro-cool white OZ Racing wheels complete the transformation, giving the Ioniq 9 a stance straight out of a rally stage.
The modifications are simple but purposeful. A roof-mounted light bar promises illumination when the asphalt fades and the wilderness begins. And then there’s the look—oh, the look. The ’70s-inspired brown-and-tan wrap channels vintage adventure rigs, complete with an oversized Hyundai logo on the hood and a bubbly BigTime script across the doors and fenders. According to Burton and Jobe, the color scheme was pulled from a 1977 Kenworth cabover semi they rescued for their channel last year—a neat nod to old-school trucking nostalgia in a futuristic EV.
Of course, this Ioniq 9 BigTime concept is strictly for show. Don’t expect Hyundai to roll out an off-road package for its flagship EV anytime soon. But as a SEMA showcase of creativity, it works beautifully: proof that even a plush, tech-heavy electric SUV can get a little scruffy—and look all the better for it.
So while Toyota and Nissan went big on displacement and brute force, Hyundai’s contribution to the off-road conversation is a little more tongue-in-cheek: a lifted luxury EV that’s ready to trade valet parking for dirt trails—at least for a weekend.
The Hyundai TUCSON continues to cement its reputation as one of the UK’s most desirable family SUVs, recently earning the title of Best Used Family SUV at the 2025 What Car? Used Car Awards. This recognition highlights the TUCSON’s appeal not only as a new model but also as a standout choice in the pre-owned market.
The judging panel at What Car?, a respected UK automotive publication with a global readership, praised the TUCSON for its well-rounded package. The SUV impressed reviewers with its practicality, high-quality interior, engaging yet efficient driving dynamics, and excellent ownership value.
Mark Pearson, Used Cars Editor at What Car?, emphasized the TUCSON’s family-friendly credentials: “If interior space is high on your list of priorities, the TUCSON is well worth a look. Four tall adults have plenty of room, and the boot is cavernous. Its interior quality is also impressive. On top of that, it’s good to drive, there are frugal hybrid options, and it has a confidence-inspiring reliability record. The fact that this appealing SUV is also such great value on the used market just seals the deal for us.”
Launched in 2021, the TUCSON has been a consistent bestseller in the UK, earning praise from international automotive authorities including Top Gear, Auto Express, and Carbuyer. Its blend of style, practicality, and refinement has made it a go-to choice for families seeking a versatile SUV.
Ashley Andrew, President of Hyundai Motor and Genesis UK, commented on the accolade: “The TUCSON has proven to be a thoroughly desirable SUV for tens of thousands of new car buyers, so it is no surprise that its many attributes are equally appealing to those in the market for a pre-owned vehicle. It’s stylish, enjoyable to drive, and superb value.”
For families seeking a used SUV that delivers space, comfort, and reliability without compromise, the Hyundai TUCSON has now officially earned its place at the top of the class.
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.
