2011 Lexus LF Reviews

Lexus has filed a patent overseas for a new variant of its boxy LandCruiser Prado-based GX off-roader, dubbed the GX550h.Currently, the GX sold in Australia is distinct from the LandCruiser Prado, offering a 3.4-litre turbocharged petrol V6 instead of the Prado’s HiLux-soruced 2.4-litre diesel engine.As a result, the Lexus has a clear power advantage, putting out 250kW/650Nm as opposed to the Prado’s 150kW/500Nm. Despite its distinct gearbox (the GX scores a 10-speed automatic compared to the Prado’s eight-speed unit), the GX is a thirsty vehicle, consuming a combined 12.3L/100km of minimum 95RON unleaded.This new patent filing over in the USA reveals the brand is considering a new hybrid variant of the GX, the GX550h. It is hard to say what this powertrain could be, as a ‘550h’ doesn’t currently exist in the Lexus line-up.The closest engine is the hybrid LC 500h GT car, which is equipped with a 3.5-litre V6 petrol (8GR-FXS - 220kW/350Nm) paired to a hybrid system, producing a combined 264kW, or the RX500h that uses the same naming convention, but has a different set-up, pairing a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine paired to a six-speed hybrid automatic transmission, producing a combined 273kW.However, it’s possible the 550h could be a hybrid version of its turbocharged V6 petrol engine which has yet to be seen. US media points out a version of this set-up already exists in the left-hand drive LandCruiser 300 Series based LX700h, while locally a 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 petrol hybrid (V35A-FTS 290kW/649Nm) exists in the US-built Tundra with a combined 326kW mated to a 10-speed automatic.A similar powertrain will soon join the LandCruiser 300-Series line-up for the flagship hybrid GR Sport and Sahara ZX variants. It is due in the first half of 2026 - but will only be offered in a five-seat layout. Figures like towing capacity, payload, and even fuel consumption are yet to be revealed for the larger LandCruiser.It’s worth noting that our trademark search did not bring up a current trademark for GX500h in Australia, suggesting it may be a left-hand drive only proposition focused on the US market - at least for the time being.The Lexus GX has moved 241 units in the first few months of 2026 - down 15.4 per cent year-on-year, and paling in comparison to the more pragmatic Prado’s 4515 units. Even the Prado is down 46 per cent for the year, however.Lexus as a brand is down 14.6 per cent year-on-year and is facing fresh competition from new more premium players from China, like the increasingly popular Zeekr, which is up 768.2 per cent from a low base, and Denza, which has already moved 627 units in 2026 despite not existing in Australia last year.In the case of the GX, many Chinese players will also be muscling in on what was once the turf of Japanese brands, Jeep and Land Rover, with hybrid offerings like the Denza B5 which will be followed-up by hybrid off-roaders from Geely, Chery, and GAC.

Lexus has released the pricing and specifications for its RZ electric SUV in Australia, ahead of its official launch next month.The lineup starts from $84,500 (before on-road costs) for the 500e, which is substantially cheaper than the outgoing 450e variant that had a retail price of more than $120,000 before on-roads.This is a serious price drop that brings it closer to the price of many of its key rivals in the electric SUV segment.It is now cheaper than the Genesis GV60, which starts from more than $100,000 in Australia, while remaining a little more expensive than the Polestar 4.This updated RZ will also take on the incoming Volvo EX60, scheduled to launch in late 2026.The RZ has been given a boost in power of 50kW up to 280kW as standard from its dual motor set-up, with the higher spec model offering 300kW.The RZ lineup gets an upgraded 75kWh and 77kWh battery depending on the variant, which Lexus has said boosts charging times.Lexus Australia has been contacted for comment regarding official DC charging times, but AC charging from 0-100 per cent takes 3.5 hours at 22kW.Lexus also revealed more details about its incoming performance variant of the RZ called the 600e F Sport Performance. Pricing will be revealed closer to its launch in late 2026, but expect it to sit some way above the $100K price point.We know it has dual electric motors, with the front motor offering 167kW and the rear motor adding 268kW to provide a total system output of 313kW.Adding to the performance feel is the car sitting 20mm lower to give it a more poised centre of gravity.On the exterior there are 21-inch matte black alloy wheels along with enhancements such as a vented hood and a two-tiered rear wing spoiler.Other changes include a sharper front lip spoiler, rear lower bumper and lower rocker panels.It has also been given beefed up ventilated brake disks at 400mm x 28mm, which have larger six-piston blue calipers.2026 Lexus RZ pricing Australia 2026 Lexus RZ engine and efficiency  2026 Lexus RZ standard features Other standard features include: Heated front seatsElectrically adjustable steering wheelDual-zone climate controlPowered tailgate Sports Luxury grade adds20-inch two-tone machined alloy wheelsPremium fabric seatsWoodgrain interior elementsHeated and ventilated front seatsMemory drivers seatHeated rear outward seatsHeated steering wheelPanoramic roof13 speaker audio systemDigital rearview mirrorHead-up displayPremium digital driver displayAuto-levelling headlights F Sport grade addsYoke-style steering wheelGloss black alloy wheelsSimulated gear changesFront lip spoilerRear spoilerRear diffuserPainted brake callipersSuede sport-style front seatsAluminium pedals 2026 Lexus RZ safetyThe Lexus RZ received a five-star ANCAP safety rating in 2023.  Lexus said the RZ has a full suite of its ‘Safety Sense+’ features as standard, but a detailed list has not been released yet.

The new-generation Lexus ES sedan has been approved for sale in Australia ahead of its launch later this year.According to the Australian Government filing, only electric versions of the new 2026 Lexus ES have been approved for local sale thus far.Lexus has previously noted that the ES will initially launch in Australia with the ES500e flagship electric variant. It's powered by a dual-motor, all-wheel drive set-up with a total system output of 252kW.However, the Japanese carmaker has confirmed both electric and hybrid powertrains will eventually be offered in Australia.The only other ES variant that has been approved for local sale thus far is the ES350e which is powered by a single front-mounted electric motor with 170kW of power.Hybrid versions of the ES will likely be approved for local sale at a later point, indicating that they may launch after the electric versions.Globally there are two hybrid versions of the ES, the ES300h and ES350h. They are powered by either a 2.0-litre hybrid or 2.5-litre hybrid powertrain, respectively. Both are offered with either front- or all-wheel drive.Little other information about the ES is confirmed in the local approval filing.It measures in at 5145mm long, 1920mm wide and 1560mm tall, with a 2950mm wheelbase. This makes it around 170mm longer than the outgoing model and slightly larger than a BMW 5 Series.The tare mass is 2180kg in the single-motor version and 2280kg for the dual-motor version. Gross vehicle mass (GVM) is 2635kg or 2735kg, respectively.Either 19- or 21-inch alloy wheels will be offered. At this stage no other specification details have been confirmed, but there is a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 14.0-inch multimedia touchscreen.This eighth generation of the Lexus ES was previewed by the 2023 LF-ZC concept and features an angular design with a fastback silhouette.

Fuel prices are soaring across the board whether it is petrol or diesel. Some drivers are being more affected than others as lower fuel efficiency contributes to higher refuelling costs. Here are the most expensive cars to run currently in Australia based on fuel efficiency. Other contributing factors to the high fuel costs on this list include the fact many of the cars have big fuel tanks and require premium fuel.Fuel prices have been calculated using the average prices for fuel in New South Wales and at an average of 15,000km driven per year. Among the heaviest guzzlers is the Nissan Patrol four-wheel drive, with its 5.6-litre V8 drinking fuel at a rate of 14.4L/100km. Its 140-litre fuel tank and requirement for premium unleaded petrol means it costs $364 per fill-up and a total yearly cost of $5617.28. The Patrol will move to a more efficient 3.5-litre six-cylinder twin-turbo petrol, which is expected to reduce fuel costs. The Ford Mustang sports car is another V8 on this list, with its 5.0-litre unit registering average fuel efficiency at 13.6L/100km and a yearly cost of $5310.27.Ford’s other representative is the Ranger Raptor high-end ute, powered by a twin-turbo six-cylinder petrol engine costing $4482.76 per year. The Ineos Grenadier off-roader is the most expensive model to run and costs $5618.50 a year to run, in part due to it being diesel, which has been the fuel type that has increased the most. The Lexus GX550 has refuelling costs of $208 per fill-up currently, costing $4800 for the year, along with nearly $3000 for the Jeep Gladiator, which unlike many on this list can run off E10 fuel.The 6.2-litre petrol V8 found in the Chevrolet Silverado full-size pick-up has an economy of more than 12 litres per 100km, costing $4,356.30 over the year.  Genesis’ GV70 luxury SUV costs more $4400 per year in fuel, a similar figure to the supercharged 5.0-litre V8 variants of the Land Rover Defender. Highest fuel efficiency new vehicles on sale under $150,000 

Is the ‘uncool’ people mover on the verge of a renaissance?New arrivals and rising sales suggest the once daggy family transport could become the new battleground in the Australian market.While large, seven-seat SUVs remain the preferred option for Australian families, people mover sales were up 9.2 per cent in 2025 and have started 2026 with a surge, a whopping 41.1 per cent jump on last year.While the Kia Carnival remains the undisputed champion of people movers, accounting for approximately 80 per cent of its market, there is a new wave of more premium rivals that are catering to a specific audience looking for spacious and luxurious travel.The Chinese brands are, unsurprisingly, leading this charge, as people movers are a much more popular choice in its native market. The likes of the Zeekr 009, LDV Mifa, GAC M8 PHEV and upcoming Denza D9 are all offering space and premium features for both family and business buyers.These add to the likes of the Lexus LM, which is available with an opulent four-seat layout, as well as the Mercedes-Benz Vito and V-Class, giving buyers more choice.Meanwhile in the more family/fleet-orientated segment of the market, the Carnival competes against the Hyundai Staria, new Ford Tourneo and Volkswagen’s new-generation Multivan and Caddy.And, if that’s not enough, there are the all-electric Volkswagen ID.Buzz and Mercedes-Benz EQV to expand the appeal of the people mover even further.So what makes people movers so popular, especially the Carnival?According to Roland Rivero, Kia Australia’s head of product planning, it’s the simple fact they are bigger and more practical than a seven-seat SUV for families that need the space.“I think our dealers do a pretty good job of conveying that while there might be a high desirability of an SUV, because everyone has got one… but for most families a Carnival is a better proposition,” explains Rivero.“For a family, fundamentally a Carnival does a better job.”The combination of more interior space, especially in the third row and a practical boot, as well as the sliding rear doors, are the standout areas where a people mover has the edge over an SUV, says Rivero.“For the most part dealers are able to convey the benefits of the Carnival over an SUV, unless the buyer has a need for four-wheel drive,” he said. “It’s probably the marketing that has driven that SUV popularity.”Rivero added: “Those that discovered the benefits of a people mover, those who have a family, realise quickly how good it can be.”Speaking to CarsGuide in August 2025, Zeekr Australia boss Frank Li admitted he was surprised by the initial slow uptake for the 009 given its popularity in overseas markets but expressed confidence in its long-term prospects.“Before actually, we valued the Australian market very much as well, but you know previously we only had two models and that is quite a niche segment in Australia,” Li explained.“Even though 009 performance is very good – it’s brilliant in south east Asia, like Hong Kong, Malay Thailand, we’re dominating this segment in this market – but the Australian market is obviously not a traditional people mover market. We believe that slowly, slowly our customers will love 009, but that takes time.”The more premium end of the market is a growing space for these more luxurious people movers, and it’s a key reason why Denza (BYD’s luxury sub-brand) is going to launch the D9 in Australia.Paul Ellis, spokesperson for Denza, said the brand’s move into the market is less about attracting fleet buyers and instead a more corporate audience, smaller operators that do luxury transfers and upmarket hotels, as well as families looking for space and comfort.“They’re a niche product, but within that niche there is quite a lot of demand for them,” Ellis told CarsGuide.

The Lexus RX has always been a favourite for families looking for something a little fancier than a Toyota Kluger. But what is the Lexus RX from 2015 to 2022 like as a used car? Read on to find out...

Here's what ANCAP has to say on a range of trendy but potentially dangerous new car features which were just banned in China.

Lexus’ latest high-performance offering flew off the shelves when it first launched, but now a new influx of stock means wait times have been slashed.According to Lexus Australia, there is now only a wait of up to three months for a LBX Morizo RR, which is down from the circa 12-month wait as reported in November 2025.“The LBX Morizo RR proves that high‑performance and sophisticated luxury can coexist in a compact SUV. The current wait time is up to three months, depending on the choice of colour and trim,” said a Lexus Australia spokesperson.It’s unclear how much LBX Morizo RR stock is coming in this latest allocation, or if stock is more free-flowing now.It’s understood only 100 examples of this hot SUV were allocated to Australia for the first year of production and all of these sold out quickly, creating a backlog of orders.The LBX Morizo RR is based on the regular LBX SUV but is also essentially a more sophisticated and high-riding version of the Toyota GR Yaris and GR Corolla.It’s a personal favourite for former Toyota Motor Corporation President and CEO Akio Toyoda, whose nickname and pseudonym as a racer is Morizo.At the heart of this hot, pint-sized SUV is a 1.6-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine that produces 206kW and 390Nm.This engine also features in the GR Yaris and GR Corolla but it’s slightly detuned. In those aforementioned cars the engine produces 221kW and 400Nm.The only transmission option offered in Australia is an eight-speed torque-converter automatic. However, a six-speed manual is offered in Japan.Pricing for the LBX Morizo RR is currently $76,490 before on-road costs. This is almost $20,000 more than the top-spec version of the regular LBX Hybrid. It’s also $6000 more than the top-spec GR Corolla GTS automatic.

The recently launched Lexus NX 450h+ Luxury PHEV is a stylish mid-size prestige SUV, but does it have the right mix of features and performance to keep the popular NX range at the head of the pack?

Formula 1 yoke-style steering wheels in cars will be been banned in China after government testing found them not only more difficult to use but potentially more dangerous in accidents, according to a report.Lexus, Mercedes-Benz, Tesla and several other carmakers will have to revert to traditional style round steering steering wheels from 2027 in China, after it was found yoke steering wheels could present unnecessary hazards.Chinese publication Autohome reports that China’s Ministry of Industry and Information Technology has drawn up draft legislation banning the yoke steering wheels.According to the government findings, yoke steering wheels risk concentrating too much force on the driver in a collision compared to round steering wheels which diffuse the force over a larger area.Airbag deployment was also found to be potentially more hazardous on yoke-style steering wheels compared to rounder ones.Finally it was also seen that yoke-style steering wheels were more difficult to use in environments that required larger steering inputs such as urban areas with tight turns or manoeuvring in spaces requiring constant changes of direction such as parking.While yoke steering wheels in cars aren’t new, there has been a resurgence led by some brands such as Lexus in its RZ small SUV and Tesla in its Model S and X over the years to add a futuristic look and feel to their vehicle cabins. The upcoming Mercedes-Benz EQS will also be offered with a yoke -style wheel, too.Yoke steering wheels are used in Formula 1 due to their compact dimensions in cramped cockpits along with putting vehicle controls under the driver’s fingertips for instant reactions.The yoke steering wheel works perfectly in Formula 1 where steering is calibrated specifically for a track. On a public road, however, which presents a wide variety of steering inputs, the yoke steering wheels can be more challenging for a driver and may represent a safety risk.The Chinese ruling, which when passed will mandate all cars from next year to have circular steering wheels, could force the hand of other car makers to follow suit. And with Australia now seeing more and more Chinese brands or China-sourced vehicles coming to Australia it’s unlikely they’ll arrive with anything other than traditional circular steering wheels either.