The Flagship SUV You Should've Seen Coming

A Victory & Reseda review of the 2025 Lexus LX 700h Overtrail

Does anyone need an off-road ready flagship SUV from a luxury brand?

Not exactly. But there is a justification for one.

If you recall, we talked about how older Lexus GX SUVs were being converted into overlanding rigs. They were ripe for doing so, thanks to its lineage as part of Toyota’s Land Cruiser family. They were built with a sturdy body-on-frame construction that has been capable of tackling every terrain from Sub-Saharan Africa to the Arctic, the Australian Outback to Moab. 

To give consumers what they want, Lexus rolled out their newest GX with the Overtrail trim package. Replete with smaller wheels and all-terrain tires, it was an invitation to meet the wants of adventurous customers. 

It seemed logical that Lexus would expand the Overtrail footprint to its flagship SUV – the LX. For those of us in the know, the LX is based on the larger Land Cruiser 300 series that is not offered in North America. The latest generation model arrived focused on delivering extraordinary luxury – in particular, the Ultra Luxury trim and its limousine-like second row seating. 

It also seemed like a perfect opportunity for Lexus to add another dimension to the LX lineup. They took the existing twin-turbocharged hybrid engine found on a couple of vehicles built on the same architecture – under the Toyota brand – and dropped into the large SUV’s engine bay. 

Therefore, the new 2025 LX 700h Overtrail is a combination that we should’ve seen coming.

How? Think of it this way: If you have a vehicle capable of off-road adventures, why not extoll its virtues? 

One of its virtues is it presence. As the flagship SUV, it stands 74.6 inches tall and 200.5 inches long. Only the LS sedan is longer, yet the LX is three inches shorter than the current GX. 

Size is not the factor here. Although, it weighs close to three tons. It just feels substantial. 

That size lends to a few attributes on the exterior. The taller ground clearance is made less intimidating thanks to side steps to enter the cabin. The doors are large and open wide. The rear liftgate is also large for loading of luggage or camping gear…or, a full day of shopping. 

The Overtrail trim adds a blacked-out grille, black trim all around, a set of all-terrain tires on 18-inch dark-finished alloy wheels. It seems sort of odd to visualize the normally luxurious LX as an off-road ready vehicle. After all, we’re used to 20-to-22-inch alloy wheels on other LX trim levels. 

Stepping inside yields a familiar space for the flagship SUV. You are greeted with a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster that has some customization for the information you need. This is augmented by a head-up display to keep your eyes on the road. 

A wireless device charger is located on the center console, along with a Cool Box. The center stack features a seven-inch screen housing climate control readouts and some vehicle information. There are tactile buttons and switches throughout the cabin controlling various vehicle functions. 

High on the center stack is a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen utilizing the Lexus Interface system. The system also enables wireless smartphone connectivity. Our tester receives the upgraded 25-speaker Mark Levinson Reference Surround Sound audio system. 

The Panoramic View Monitor on the infotainment screen displayed exceptional camera angles around – and underneath the vehicle. That includes the invisible view which helps when navigating trails and dirt paths ff the highway. 

The 2025 LX 700h Overtrail comes standard with three-row seating for up to seven people. Our tester came with only two rows, which is an option. The five-seat configuration is comfortable with large seats up front, upholstered in semi-aniline leather. Rear seat room is quite good. 

There is 30.9 cubic feet of cargo space behind the second row of seats. You can fold then down to expand that to 62.4 cubic feet. 

Power comes from a hybrid driveline consisting of a 3.4-liter twin-turbocharged V6 with an additional electric motor. This system puts out 457 horsepower and 583 pound-feet of torque. A 10-speed automatic transmission channels its power to all four wheels through a full-time four-wheel drive system with an electronic center differential, along with locking front and rear differentials.

In addition, the 2025 LX 700h Overtrail is also equipped with both Drive Modes and Multi-Terrain Select, along with Downhill Assist Control and CRAWL Control. 

The inclusion of the hybrid driveline to the LX lineup was a smart choice by Lexus. It is much more powerful, delivering smooth and fluid power. Acceleration and cruising were simply…well, let’s call it “quick” without all of the drama. On full throttle, you can hear the driveline work hard to deliver effortless power. 

One thing to note is how much fuel consumption has improved compared to the non-hybrid LX 600. Our LX 700h returned a fuel consumption average of 19.6 MPG. 

When you get into the LX, you have expectations of an elevated driving experience. The hybrid Overtrail offers smoothness and a tinge of softness. You will certainly hear the noise from the all-terrain tires, especially on older pieces of roadway with cracks and expansion joints. When you take it off the highway, it continues to deliver a smooth ride over bumps and ruts. On curves, there is a controlled roll and lean when pushed a bit. It does well when you take it easy on the turns.

Steering-wise, it turns quite tightly. It also has plenty of boost at the rack for easier maneuverability. On-center feel was a bit soft, though. The brakes were fantastic. You had a solid pedal feel and response to the wheels without any regenerative delays. We experienced solid stops in normal and panic situations on the tarmac and off of it. 

The 2025 Lexus LX is offered in eight trim levels, four of which are hybrid. Pricing starts from $107,450. Our LX 700h Overtrail tester came with a sticker price of $116,260. The Overtrail is offered only with the hybrid driveline. 

This version of the Lexus LX was unexpectedly welcomed. It shows the essence of what this large and capable SUV can do. That is why the Overtrail comes with the hybrid driveline exclusively – to demonstrate the type of power it needs to tackle anything in its wake. 

It brings up this thought: The LX is better served with this hybrid driveline. The relative quiet operation befits its original intention as a flagship SUV. That, along with improved fuel consumption and performance over the LX 600. Maybe, Lexus should make the hybrid the only driveline available on future LX models. 

The Overtrail trim may not be completely befitting of the LX 700h’s flagship status. However, it gives well-heeled SUV customers a unique choice in this segment. It certainly elevates this luxury SUV making it perfect for the overlanding set looking to glamp more than just roughing it. 

DISCLAIMER: Vehicle provided by Toyota Motor North America – our opinions are of our own.

All photos by Randy Stern