1996 Lexus LX 450 Review
1996 Lexus LX 450 Review
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Edmunds' Expert Review
by the Edmunds Experts
What’s new
Lexus clones a Toyota Land Cruiser, puts some fancy wheels on it and slathers leather and wood all over the interior to capitalize on the booming sport-ute market.
Cost to DriveCost to drive estimates for the 1996 Lexus LX 450 4dr SUV 4WD and comparison vehicles are based on 15,000 miles per year (with a mix of 55% city and 45% highway driving) and energy estimates of $3.36 per gallon for regular unleaded in Ohio.
Monthly estimates based on costs in Ohio
$326/mo for LX 450 Base
LX 450 Base
vs
$196/mo
Avg. Midsize SUV
Vehicle overview
Japanese automakers are being very cautious these days. High production costs are softening sales across the board, and executives across the Pacific are frantically searching for ways to cut costs. Decontenting is one way to do this. Badge engineering is the other. Lexus chose the latter method when making the decision to offer a sport-utility vehicle.
The Toyota Land Cruiser, legendary desert runner and jungle jumper, was donated to the Lexus team of plastic surgeons. They grafted a new grille, new headlamps, new alloy wheels, and body-side cladding onto Toyota's big SUV. Inside, they added leather and wood. Underneath the sheetmetal, suspension tuning was reworked to provide a better ride on the pavement. Standard equipment levels were raised to include automatic climate controls, rear seat heater, and an amazing 195-watt audio system powering seven loudspeakers. Topping things off, a LX450 badge was added to the tailgate.
The rest of Land Cruiser remains intact on the LX450. The familiar 4.5-liter inline six produces 212 horsepower and 275 foot-pounds of torque. Four-wheel antilock disc brakes are standard, and the LX450 can tow 5,000 pounds when properly equipped. All-wheel drive is permanently engaged, and an optional manual differential lock system provides outstanding traction, for the two LX450 owners who will actually go way off-road in truly lousy weather. Dual airbags and adjustable front seat belts come standard, as well as a handy first-aid kit.
You'll pay a $7,000 premium over the Land Cruiser to get into a LX450, which is less than you'd spend optioning the Toyota up to Lexus standards. Factory options on the LX450 include a CD changer, moonroof, and differential locks. Incredibly, floor mats and wheel locks are optional. Talk about nickel-and-diming; these items should be included as standard equipment.
Land Rover sales have been skyrocketing, and luxury marques from the United States and Japan have definitely noticed. However, at $47,000, the only reason to purchase a LX450 is for status value, or to save a few thousand over the cost of a Range Rover 4.0 SE. Most luxury-SUV intenders will find the value inherent in the GMC Yukon SLE, Chevy Suburban LT, and upcoming Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator twins more attractive than nice leather and wood inserted into a tough Toyota.
Consumer reviews
Read what other owners think about the Used 1996 Lexus LX 450.
5 star(77%)
4 star(23%)
3 star(0%)
2 star(0%)
1 star(0%)
13 reviews
Trending topics in reviews
Most helpful consumer reviews
5 out of 5 stars
I will buy it again and again!
I LOVE IT, 03/06/2010
1996 Lexus LX 450 4dr SUV 4WD
Bought a land cruiser w/out test drive! Was a Toyota after all. Two years later bought my 1996 lx 450. I'm still driving it after 299,000. Everything on this vehicle seems to last. Just replaced an alternator. A bit of p/s fluid leak. I check the engine oil regularly (leak? ). Have never saw its limits, in any kind of weather or load. Dependable. Comfortable. Excellent performance on … back roads and highway. Useless cup holders though. Difficult for reaching the spare tire and the jack not enough for this truck. Over all is an excellent truck. My son wants to drive it now and this is the reason I am here looking for another one to adopt. Hopefully after reading this the seller won't raise the asking price.
UPDATE: 450,000 miles. No problems ever!
4.38 out of 5 stars
Solid SUV
GL, 10/04/2006
1996 Lexus LX 450 4dr SUV 4WD
Bought this vehicle preowned; it's been very reliable and I still get compliments on it even though it is a decade old now. The problems it has had have not been very significant. The interior build quality is as good as I have ever seen; except for wear on the driver's seat, it looks almost brand new on the inside.
4.75 out of 5 stars
The epidimy of all SUV's
TedS, 10/05/2002
1996 Lexus LX 450 4dr SUV 4WD
This SUV should be put into its own
class. By far the most
reliable,solid,and safe SUV out there.
Plenty of power to trailer a 20 foot
boat,go anywhere off-road,carry seven
people(5 adults,2 kids). Repairs are
virtually non existant. Build quality
is far superior than all others. Other
manufacturers should use the LX450 as a
benchmark. Stereo is amazing for a '96. …
Paint looks like brand new after 6 yrs.
Love the split rear tail gate.,great
for family outings,Home Depot runs.
Love the New England winters with this
SUV.
4.88 out of 5 stars
Without a doubt a future classic
Rod Diaz, 07/16/2002
1996 Lexus LX 450 4dr SUV 4WD
I love this vehicle and I think you
will too. Someday we will all look
back and agree that this model
epitomized the luxury SUV concept
(before it went overboard). My only
complaint is that a few features are
missing in a vehicle of this price
range. Heated seats and mirrors, simple
navigation computer with: outside
temp., "distance till empty", etc.
1996 LX 450 Highlights
Engine Type | Gas |
---|---|
Combined MPG | 13 MPG |
Cost to Drive | $326/month |
Drivetrain | four wheel drive |
Safety
IIHS Rating
The Insurance Institute of Highway Safety uses extensive crash tests to determine car safety.
- Small Overlap Front Driver-Side TestNot Tested
- Small Overlap Front Passenger-Side TestNot Tested
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – Original0
- Moderate Overlap Front Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – OriginalNot Tested
- Side Impact Test – UpdatedNot Tested
- Roof Strength TestNot Tested
- Rear Crash Protection / Head RestraintNot Tested
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