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Lexus LX Gains F Sport Trim in Japan with Chassis Upgrades
Lexus has added the F Sport trim to the LX range in Japan for the first time, alongside revised suspension and steering tuning across the lineup. The flagship SUV is priced from ¥15.6m to ¥22.1m.
By Charlotte Redford · 4 min read
Lexus has introduced the F Sport trim to its LX flagship SUV in Japan for the first time, ending a wait that dates back to the current generation's debut in late 2021. The sport-focused variant, already sold in the United States and the Middle East, joins the Japanese lineup alongside the standard LX, the off-road-oriented Overtrail+ and the four-seat Executive flagship.
The F Sport is available with both of the LX's carry-over powertrains: the petrol LX 600 and the hybrid LX 700h. Beyond the sportier grille, lower bumper mouldings and F Sport badging, the model rides on black 22-inch forged alloy wheels with red brake calipers. It is offered with an exclusive Neutrino Gray exterior finish and a Flare Red interior.
Inside, the F Sport receives sport seats, Hadori aluminium inserts inspired by Japanese sword craftsmanship, branded scuff plates, aluminium pedals and dimpled leather on the steering wheel and gearknob. More significantly for drivers, Lexus has applied dedicated tuning to the performance dampers, the Adaptive Variable Suspension and the Electric Power Steering, and fitted a Torsen limited-slip differential on the rear axle.
The changes are not confined to the new trim. Lexus engineers have revised steering feel and suspension characteristics across the entire LX range, promising improved handling and ride quality. The company has indicated that these chassis updates could reach other markets in the near future, though no timetable has been given.
Other trims benefit from their own adjustments. The standard LX 600 now rides on 20-inch aluminium wheels with six double spokes and a dark clear-coat finish. The Overtrail+ gains slightly beefier 265/70R18 tyres with an optimised structure and tread pattern designed to reduce noise on paved roads, along with a block pattern on the tyre sidewall. Lexus has also expanded the colour palette with a new White Nova Glass Flake shade available across the lineup.
Under the bonnet, the two powertrains are unchanged. The LX 600 uses a twin-turbo 3.5-litre petrol V6 producing 409 hp and 650 Nm of torque. The LX 700h pairs the same V6 with a self-charging hybrid system for a combined 457 hp and 790 Nm. Both send power to all four wheels through a 10-speed Direct Shift automatic gearbox.
Japanese pricing for the updated range starts at ¥15,600,000 for the standard LX 600, equivalent to about $98,900. The newly added LX 600 F Sport is priced at ¥17,000,000, or roughly $107,800, while the hybrid LX 700h F Sport starts at ¥18,000,000, about $114,100. At the top of the range, the four-seat LX 700h Executive is listed at ¥22,100,000, or around $140,100.
The addition of the F Sport to the home market reflects Lexus's effort to keep its largest SUV competitive in a segment where sporty derivatives have become an expected part of the lineup. The LX has long served as the brand's most capable off-road model, and the F Sport treatment adds a sharper on-road character without altering the underlying mechanical package.
For British buyers, the updates raise the prospect that the revised chassis settings could eventually be applied to right-hand-drive examples. Lexus has not confirmed whether the Japanese-market tuning will be extended to the UK, where the LX is sold with the same two powertrains. The F Sport trim itself remains unavailable in Britain, meaning the handling improvements are likely to be the more relevant development for domestic customers if they are carried over.
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