2008 Lexus LX570

The LX570's $74,565 base price may start to look like a bargain when you consider all the vehicles it renders superfluous. You can sell your muscle car, for starters, because the big SUV has plenty of brute force. Its 5.7-liter V-8 produces 383 hp and 403 lb-ft of torque - a shocking 115 more ponies and 75 more lb-ft than last year's LX470. With huge grunt everywhere in the rev range and six gears to choose from, 60 mph arrives in an estimated 7.4 seconds, and the big SUV has to be electronically restrained to 137 mph. Yikes, that's fast.

Your pickup truck can go, too. At the press of a button, the LX570's rear seats electrically tuck into the sides of the cargo area, freeing up rear cargo space. Fold up the middle row of seats, and you could fit the contents of a small house in back. And, since the LX570 can tow 8500 pounds, you might be able to bring the house with you, too.

What about the drawbacks? The LX570 might be able to imitate all those other vehicles, but it doesn't master any of those cars' specific functions. A muscle car is quicker because it weighs about half of what the LX570 does. The LX570's interior is too nice for the nasty stuff you'd want to haul in a pickup bed, and its rear seats can't be removed easily. And a luxury car is smoother, quieter, and more comfortable - the LX's truck suspension pitches and heaves constantly. Oh, and the driveline clunks when you're moving off from a stop. And fuel economy is abysmal. And . . . wait. That's not the point. No one complains when it takes a few seconds longer to tighten a screw with a Leatherman.

The Lexus LX470 was in production for a decade and ready for a redo. Its replacement, the LX570, is slightly bigger and is powered by a new, larger V-8 from the Tundra pickup. It sends a healthy 381 hp and 401 lb-ft of torque through a six-speed automatic, helping provide the Lexus with an impressive 8500-pound towing capacity. The LX570 also gets four-wheel electrohydraulic suspension and adaptive dampers, which are said to reduce body roll by 30 percent.

As we'd expect from Lexus, the big improvements made to the LX 570 are in refinement, with a huge helping of electro-gadgets. Active height control and adaptive variable suspension help reduce body roll, and the LX will lower itself slightly at highway speeds to help aerodynamics. A crawl control feature has also been added for off-roaders, but we're curious to see it if will work for stop-and-go traffic, where this Lexus will most likely spend most of its time crawling.

The all-new 2008 Lexus LX is a true luxury vehicle first and foremost, with advanced safety, comfort and quality features. It's a big, heavy vehicle that can tow big loads, haul heavy cargo, and transport people and gear across great distances in comfort. It uses the same heavy frame and stout powertrain as the Toyota Land Cruiser.

The 2008 Lexus LX comes as one model, the LX 570. The standard package includes a very long list of comfort and convenience features, combined with extensive engineering and safety systems. Highlights include 20-inch wheels; power rear door and tailgate; Class 4 towing hitch; moonroof; heated power outside mirrors; roof rack; programmable garage door opener; 115V outlet in rear cargo area; power door locks with anti-lock-out feature; wide-view front and side mirror; 10-way power driver seat; three-position memory driver seat; eight-way power front passenger seat and heated front seats.