2002 Lexus LX 470 Review (continued)
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Walkaround

Lexus designed the LX 470 to be able to fit into a typical two-car garage and it is actually shorter than the Lexus LS 430 sedan.

Last redesigned for the 1999 model year, the styling of the LX 470 is bland and uninspired. With the exception of its sporty GS and IS 300 models, Lexus rarely takes chances with styling and it's a strategy that seems to be working quite well. We're not saying the LX 470 is unattractive; we find it far better looking than the Lincoln Navigator. But it does not offer the fine European styling of the new Range Rover.

The Lexus LX 470 presents a more upscale appearance than the Toyota Land Cruiser, its distant cousin. Split-lens halogen headlamps, a chrome Lexus grille, body cladding, integrated running boards, and elegant use of paint contribute to this impression.

Interior Features

Lexus makes beautiful interiors. The LX 470 offers three rows of seating, providing luxurious accommodations for six people, capacity for eight. Large door openings make getting in and out easy.

The front seats are supremely comfortable. There's a good view of the road ahead and large side mirrors provide good rearward visibility. Attractive walnut trim adds an upscale look to the leather interior. Electroluminescent instruments offer exceptionally good legibility and look great. We wish there were audio controls on the steering wheel.

Every imaginable luxury feature is provided. Big rear quarter windows swing out at the touch of a pair of dash-mounted buttons. Side mirrors retract electrically for parking in tight quarters. Auxiliary power outlets in the dash, center console and rear cargo area offer convenience. A hydrocarbon sensor automatically switches the air to recirculate when high levels of air pollution are detected, while an activated charcoal micron filter removes dust, pollen, and odors from the interior air stream - a benefit for hay fever sufferers.

The navigation system screen can be used to watch DVD movies, but only when the transmission is in Park lest you are tempted to watch and drive at the same time. The audio portion of the movie can be played over the system while you're moving, though.

The rearmost jump seats are among the best designs we've seen of their type. They are comfortable and relatively easy to access. They can be folded aside when not in use, but they are a bit larger than others of their type and take up some cargo space. Removing them provides an additional 15 cubic feet of cargo capacity for 90.4 cubic feet total. In normal running mode, with the rear jump folded to the sides and the center seat set up to carry passengers, there is 39.2 cubic feet of cargo space.

All outboard seating positions and the center second-row seating position include a three-point seat belt. Driver's and front passenger's seat belts incorporate pretensioners and force limiters. Dual front airbags are standard.

Other interior features include a sophisticated security feature for the remote keyless entry system, child safety seat anchors for the second row seat, a standard combination wood/leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, a digital compass integrated into the auto-dimming rearview mirror, and improved rear cupholders.