The 2018 Lexus LX 570 is one of the most durable luxury SUVs ever made. It’s basically a luxury version of the Toyota Land Cruiser 200 Series, which gives it an outstanding reputation for longevity, off-road capability, and reliability.
Main strengths
- Extremely reliable 5.7L V8 engine
- Strong 8-speed automatic gearbox
- Excellent off-road capability
- Very comfortable on long trips
- High resale value
- Can easily exceed 300,000 km with proper maintenance
- Strong build quality and interior durability
Many owners consider it “overbuilt” compared with most luxury SUVs.
Main weaknesses
- Very poor fuel economy
- Around 4–6 km/L in city driving
- Expensive tires and suspension parts
- Old infotainment system
- Third-row seats fold sideways and reduce cargo space
- Maintenance costs are higher than normal Toyotas
Common problems to check
The LX 570 is reliable overall, but these are the known weak points:
AHC hydraulic suspension
The biggest thing to inspect carefully.
Possible issues:
- Suspension leaning to one side
- Height adjustment problems
- Hydraulic fluid leaks
- Expensive repairs if neglected
AHC fluid should ideally be serviced around every 60k–100k km.
Radiator & water pump
Some owners report:
- Radiator cracking with age
- Water pump leaks around higher mileage
Not extremely common, but worth checking.
Valley plate / coolant leaks
On higher-mileage units:
- Coolant leaks beneath intake manifold
- Expensive labor because engine top must be removed
Fuel pump recall
Some 2018 models had a fuel pump recall that could cause engine stalling. Verify recall completion using VIN.
What to inspect before buying
If buying one in Kenya or as a used import:
- Full Lexus/Toyota service history
- Suspension height changes smoothly
- No dashboard suspension warnings
- No coolant smell
- No underbody rust
- Transmission shifts smoothly
- Check KDSS/AHC system carefully
- Confirm recall work done
- Scan with Toyota/Lexus diagnostic tool
Compared with the Harrier Hybrid
| Feature |
Lexus LX 570 |
Toyota Harrier Hybrid |
| Reliability |
Excellent |
Excellent |
| Fuel economy |
Poor |
Very good |
| Maintenance cost |
High |
Moderate |
| Off-road ability |
Outstanding |
Limited |
| Luxury feel |
Much higher |
Good |
| Resale value |
Very strong |
Strong |
| Running costs |
Expensive |
Affordable |
Overall verdict
If you can comfortably afford:
- fuel,
- tires,
- suspension maintenance,
- and premium servicing,
then the 2018 LX 570 is one of the safest long-term luxury SUV buys.
Compared with many German luxury SUVs of the same age:
- fewer catastrophic failures,
- better long-term durability,
- and much stronger reliability reputation.
The main risk is buying a neglected one with suspension issues or poor maintenance history.
