Lexus LX 570 upgraded

The Lexus version of the 200 Series has follow the new GS sedan's styling lead but it brings with it a $9000 slice to the price and a boost for the features list.

On sale now and starting from $140,900, the updated LX 570 has been reduced to a single model and has styling tweaks front and rear, new 20in alloy wheels, daytime LED running lights, but Lexus says the main changes are under the skin.

The price cut narrows the gap to the top-spec Land Cruiser Sahara petrol V8 (albeit a 227kW/439Nm 4.7-litre) to $26,000.

The new 570 sits below the Range Rover petrol-engined line-up by $18,000, boasting extra seating capacity above the off-roading Brit.

The 570 undercuts the G and GL-Class Mercedes-Benz off-road brigade by between $21,000 and $33,000.

The outputs of the 5.7-litre petrol V8 remain at 270kW and 530Nm, with a 14.8l/100km combined-cycle fuel economy claim.

Changes to LX 570 are more than just skin deep, says Lexus, with the new off-road Turn Assist feature that reduces the turning circle by adding more brake force to the inside rear wheel - anyone who has driven a tractor will be familiar with this type of function.

The big eight-seater Lexus also has "Multi-Terrain Select" function, which allows the driver to select one of five terrain types (no doubt inspired by Land Rover's Terrain Response system) - rock, rock and dirt, mogul, loose rock, and mud and sand - to tailor the electronic control systems to the prevailing conditions.

The system also has four wide-angle cameras to show the driver what's going on in areas out of sight, displaying the images to the driver on the eight-inch LCD screen.

There's also a new display between the speedo and tacho that show front wheel angles, 4WD, speed and satnav info and the Crawl Control feature now has five preset speeds, up from three.

Standard fare also includes adjustable suspension, a chilled centre console, a dual-screen rear seat entertainment system, a reversing camera, keyless entry and ignition, four-zone climate control, daytime running lamps, 10 airbags, a  220-volt 100-watt power outlet in the rear cargo bay, a 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, front and rear clearance sensors and Bluetooth.

There's a $16,000 option pack that adds wheel-mounted paddle shifters for the six-speed automatic transmission, as well as the Lexus Pre-Collision safety prep system, active cruise control, rear seat heaters, ventilated front seats and mahogany wood grain-look interior trim, including on the steering wheel.