2025 Lexus LX 700h First Drive Review + Video

If the badge on the back is anything to go by, the 2025 Lexus LX 700h has the potential to do something unprecedented.

That would be to deliver unusual efficiency for an SUV this size, with its hybrid designation indicating a theoretical reduction in fuel consumption compared to its gas-only counterparts. And while that’s technically the case, a look at the numbers tells a different — and disappointing — story. It’s one where the addition of electrification doesn’t have much impact on efficiency, but it does make this massive sport utility a smoother operator overall. However, that polished performance comes at a considerable cost. 

Truck-Like Power

Toyota — and, by virtue, its Lexus subbrand — is the auto industry’s undisputed hybrid leader, with an ever-growing number of gas-electric models on the market. And while most of them place a clear emphasis on fuel savings, there are a few with a slightly different focus. Included among them is Toyota’s half-ton truck, the Tundra, which uses the same twin-turbocharged V6 engine and accompanying electrical components as this Lexus. But where the system’s marginal efficiency gains are forgivable for the extra pulling power they provide a pickup like the Tundra, they’re harder to reconcile here.

But first, the details about what makes this Lexus go. It starts with the same 3.4L engine as the LX 600, which generates 409 hp in gas-only guise. In the LX 700h, the six-cylinder is augmented by an electric motor nestled inside the 10-speed automatic transmission’s bell-housing. The 48-volt unit, which is fed by a battery beneath the cargo area, helps the powertrain deliver an impressive 457 hp and 583 lb-ft of torque. The latter in particular is a big increase compared to the 479 lb-ft generated by the gas engine on its own.

It’s the same setup that motivates the Toyota Sequoia, too, but here’s the rub: in the case of that slightly larger SUV, it’s the only powertrain offered. However, the continued availability of the non-hybrid version of this Lexus is a head-scratcher considering their similar fuel consumption figures. According to Natural Resources Canada (NRCan), the LX 700h should burn a combined 11.7 L/100 km — barely less than the 12.7 the LX 600 is rated for. In fact, it’s only in the city where the hybrid comes out ahead (12.5 versus 14.2), with their highway numbers nearly identical (10.7 compared to 10.8).

Top of the Pack

The issue isn’t just the limited improvement in efficiency but also the price premium that comes with this new powertrain. The 2025 Lexus LX 700h starts at nearly $140,000 before tax — $14,000 more than the cheapest gas-only version. And while the Canadian lineup has been cleverly crafted to differentiate between the hybrid and non-hybrid models, which isn’t the case in the United States, there’s no hiding from the significant cost increase that comes with this gas-electric powertrain. (Even the non-hybrid LX 600 is quite a bit more expensive than before, with its pre-tax starting price of $124,200 a whopping $6,295 more than it was last year.)

In the case of the hybrid version, the entry-level LX 700h Overtrail+ rings in at $138,264 before options and extras, while a third set of seats in the back adds another $2,095 to the asking price. Then there’s the range-topping Executive VIP package that’s an eye-watering $173,330 before the government’s share. That’s significantly more than the most expensive version of the recently redesigned Infiniti QX80, which tops out at $127,490 before taxes and extras. Meanwhile, the 2025 Cadillac Escalade is priced between $120,699 and $158,299, and the new-look Lincoln Navigator starts at $125,895 before options. (All prices include their respective freight charges.)

Top of the Trail

In spite of the extra 180 kg (397 lb) the hybrid version is carrying around, it’s the one Lexus has outfitted with the necessary equipment for off-pavement excursions. It builds on the baked-in capability that’s been part of the LX’s DNA since its launch in 1996, with the new Overtrail+ trim maximizing the potential of this latest version — and all with the backing of a factory warranty. As with the slightly smaller Lexus GX, it comes with a whole host of off-road goodies including all-terrain tires and front and rear locking differentials, as well as extra underbody protection.

An especially slick and slippery off-road course provided a proverbial showcase for the inherent abilities of this big, body-on-frame SUV to be pushed — and it barely pushed back, but in the best ways possible. With the four-wheel drive system in its low-range setting and the height-adjustable hydraulic suspension in its tallest position, the LX 700h Overtrail+ worked its way up and over obstacles without breaking a sweat, with the locking rear differential keeping both back wheels spinning at the same rate to maintain momentum through sticky mud.

Out on the Road

The characteristics that make the LX so capable on trail — the biggest one being its truck-like construction — have implications out on the open road, some of which are at least a little unflattering. In particular, the 22-inch wheels the range-topping Executive VIP trim rides on pull at the suspension noticeably across uneven surfaces, providing a somewhat unfriendly reminder that this is a large SUV and not a luxury sedan. None of it’s enough to classify this Lexus as uncomfortable, although it isn’t quite as smooth as some of its contemporaries.

No matter the wheels and tires it rides on — in the case of the Overtrail+ trim, 18-inch alloys are wrapped in 33-inch all-terrain rubber — the LX drives with a surprising dignity for what could easily be an otherwise unwieldy SUV. Yes, it’s prone to jostling across uneven surfaces, but it remains mild-mannered and manageable. And then there’s the hybrid powertrain that hits with a powerful yet polite punch, like a heavyweight boxer who happens to be sporting a dinner jacket and a smile. It’s the sort of stuff that makes it easy to forget about the size and weight of the LX 700h, but not necessarily the asking price that comes with it.

All the Opulence

In spite of its off-road focus, even the Overtrail+ trim comes with features befitting the money Lexus is charging for its flagship sport utility. The semi-aniline leather upholstery is soft and supple, with impressive quality even on the dash and doors, which isn’t always the case. The front seats are heated and ventilated, plus they feature five different massage settings, while the second-row seats are also heated and ventilated. There’s also a 25-speaker stereo, a refrigerated centre console bin, and a 2,400-watt inverter for powering whatever equipment might be packed for an off-pavement adventure.

The Executive VIP package has been moved to the 2025 LX 700h, meaning it’s no longer offered with the gas-only powertrain. That means a cost increase of more than $10,000 compared to last year, with the equipment all but unchanged from 2024 save the switch to hybrid power. That includes rear captain’s chairs that can recline 48 degrees, plus the front passenger seat can be moved out of the way for extra legroom; there’s even a fold-out footrest on the front seatback.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to the 2025 Lexus LX 700h, the biggest question is a simple one: why? OK, the easy answer is that Lexus can charge more for this hybrid version, but that doesn’t excuse the barely-there efficiency gains that were made by adding some electrical components to the existing powertrain. While the extra output is a nice touch that manages to make this hulking SUV feel smoother and slightly more swift, it’s hardly enough to justify the hefty price premium that comes with it.

The more optimistic approach is that this hybrid setup takes the place a V8 might have if not for more stringent environmental regulations, and all without a penalty at the pumps. The approach isn’t entirely without precedent, either, with the Lexus RX 500h existing as the sort of performance variant of the brand’s best-selling SUV. There is, however, a fuel-saving hybrid version — and a plug-in, too. It’s enough to put the LX 700h at odds with the expectations established by Lexus itself, leaving this flagship feeling like it comes up short. There’s no question it’s luxurious, but disappointingly, this hybrid is hardly a miserly one.