Lexus LX vs Alfa Romeo Stelvio

What's the difference?

The march away from diesel power and towards a petrol-hybrid future in off-roaders continues. Okay, so it’s a full-sized Lexus we’re talking about, but the off-road credentials of the Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series-based Lexus LX have never been in question, have they?

The full-sized, super-lux Lexus LX might never see the Simpson Desert or the Old Telegraph Track, but that doesn’t mean it couldn’t tackle either with a fair degree of ease. So there’s no way Lexus would allow a new hybrid driveline to compromise any of that. Besides, this is the same driveline that will take the LandCruiser on its next step, so you better believe it’s the real deal.

Of course, the Lexus badge and somewhat frightening price tag also infer a high degree of plush and tech, and, let’s be honest, those elements are more likely to get a leading role in the LX’s day-to-day strut, as opposed to the walk-on part played by the off-road stuff.

So does all this make the LX one huge, high-tech mash up of conflicting priorities, then? That probably depends on how pragmatically you view motor vehicles generally, but one thing’s for sure, if the hybrid LX is paving the way for the next generation of LandCruiser powerplants and drivelines, then we’re all ears.

This week I’ve taken the recently updated Alfa Romeo Stelvio Veloce on a massive road trip and after the first few hours of driving it, I thought this is the sort of car you get when you need some extra boot space but still want that sports car vibe.

It helps that our test model is finished in the classic 'Alfa Red' but while its on-road performance can't be ignored, it has some tough medium SUV competition from the likes of the BMW X3, Genesis GV70 and Lexus NX.

So, is it just a fun car to drive or will it suit the family, too? I've been cruising around in it for the last week with my family of three to find out for you!