Vehicle Overview This luxury SUV, which is equipped for serious off-road duty on the Rubicon Trail yet fits right in at the poshest resorts, gains additional safety and convenience features for 2000. The LX470 is a Toyota Land Cruiser that went to finishing school, sharing the same engine, chassis and design but a longer list of standard features to justify the Lexus brand name and a higher base price ($60,105 vs. $51,728 for the Land Cruiser). Both were redesigned for the 1998 model year.
Interior The LX470 is a foot shorter than a Lincoln Navigator yet holds as many people eight with two front buckets and three-place middle and rear benches. Leather seats and wood interior trim are standard. The rear seat is split 50/50, and both halves fold outward and they can be secured to the sides of the interior. The middle seat folds forward. The LX470’s maximum cargo volume is 90 cubic feet vs. the Navigator’s 116 cubic feet.
Exterior A different grille, headlamps and standard side running boards are the LX470’s main appearance differences from the Land Cruiser, and this year the running boards are illuminated. A moonroof has been added to the standard equipment this year.
Under the Hood A 230-horsepower, 4.7-liter V-8, shared with the Land Cruiser, teams with an automatic transmission and a permanently engaged 4WD system. A locking center differential, limited-slip rear differential and traction control also are standard.
Safety New standard features include a skid-control system that applies brakes to wheels individually as needed, and Brake Assist, a new feature that detects when the driver is making a panic stop and applies maximum braking force. The LX470 also comes with anti-lock brakes.
