Editors' Most Wanted Vehicles for 2000

Luxury SUV

Winner: Lexus LX 470

In the luxury SUV class, excessive is clearly the name of the game. Excessive size, excessive chrome, excessive engine displacement. Interesting then that our pick for the ultimate luxury SUV is a model that is relatively moderate in most respects (except for the excessive price). The Lexus LX 470 is not the biggest, gaudiest or most powerful SUV in the luxury class, but it is easily the most talented. You want a cushy and comfortable on-road ride, plus a palatial interior with high-tech options and you still want it to cross the Rubicon Trail? No problem. Heck, it will even drop down to allow easier entry and egress for passengers, and raise up to offer increased ground clearance during extreme off-road maneuvers. Its adaptive variable suspension can stiffen or loosen up the shock valving in 2.5 milliseconds, depending on road conditions, and its third-row seat is a snap to fold up for additional cargo capacity. We still love Toyota's Land Cruiser and feel it is a better value, but for pure luxury combined with pure utility, see your Lexus dealer today.