2021 Lexus LX

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2021 Lexus LX

/10

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Original MSRP

$88,700–$93,700

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Features We Love

I actually like how simple and usable the car seat setup is here, especially in the second row. It’s not perfect, but for one or two seats, it works really well and doesn’t feel overly complicated.

Two LATCH anchors in the second row outboard: easy to find and makes installs really straightforward
Three top tether anchors across the second row: you can do a forward-facing seat in any position, which I love
Removable headrests for better installs: gives you more flexibility depending on the car seat you’re using
Comfortable second row for car seats: the seats are super plush, which actually helps with overall fit and positioning
Rear-facing and forward-facing combo works well: I had an infant seat and convertible side by side without issues
Simple, no-confusion setup: nothing hidden or overly complicated when you’re installing seats

Car Mom Review

The Exterior

The Front End Feels Busy and Overdone

The front is honestly my least favorite part of this car. There is just so much going on—big grille, dramatic fog lights, sharp headlights, and a ton of lines across the hood. It leans aggressive, but to me it feels a little overstyled and not as clean as older versions.

Oversized grille dominates the front: it’s bold, but a bit too much
Too many design elements at once: headlights, fog lights, and hood lines all competing

The Side Profile Is Cleaner and More Balanced

From the side, I actually like it a lot more. It feels simpler and more put together, which helps balance out how busy the front is.

Single beltline keeps it clean: much less going on visually
Running boards make it easier to get in: helpful with how tall this car is
Roof rails and chrome accents add to the premium feel: without overdoing it

The Wheels and Details Feel Thoughtful

There are a few details that I think are done really well and help elevate the look.

Two-tone wheels stand out: they look upscale without trying too hard
Chrome door handles and trim: classic Lexus styling that works here
Subtle side pinstripe: a small detail, but adds a little personality

The Rear Is Simple and Works Better

The back end brings things back down in a good way. It’s much more straightforward compared to the front.

Wraparound taillights look clean: Lexus does these well
Less visual clutter: overall more cohesive than the front
Large, boxy shape: practical for cargo and visibility

Overall, I like the way it looks and it definitely leans more premium, but the front end is a little too busy for me.

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First Row

I actually really like how this car drives and feels from the front seat. It’s comfortable, visibility is solid, and it feels big without being overwhelming. But once you start interacting with the tech and storage, that’s where things get a little frustrating.

Visibility Is Strong, but You Feel the Size

From the driver’s seat, you can tell this is a big SUV, but it’s not hard to manage.

Wide windows and large mirrors: make it easy to see around you
Good headroom: even for taller drivers
Rear window is a bit small: slightly limits visibility out back

The Tech Feels Very Outdated and Hard to Use

This is probably my biggest issue with the front row. For a car at this price point, it just does not feel modern.

No touchscreen: you have to use the trackpad, which is overly sensitive
Infotainment is frustrating: simple tasks like changing the radio take too many steps
Physical climate controls are a win: easy to use and exactly where you want them

Storage and Layout Miss the Mark for Everyday Use

From a mom perspective, this setup just does not work as well as it should.

Limited usable storage space: a lot of the center area is taken up by controls instead of storage
No easy drop zone for essentials: nowhere convenient for phone, keys, or small items
Large center console taken up by cool box: neat feature, but not the best use of space

Cupholders and Charging Setup Are Not Practical

This is one of those small things that makes a big difference day to day.

Cupholders are awkwardly placed: larger bottles do not fit well
Items can block controls: bigger drinks get in the way of climate buttons
Wireless charger is hard to access: tucked away in a spot that is not intuitive

Comfort Is a Strong Point Up Front

There are a few things that really do stand out in a good way.

Seats are plush and comfortable: you sink into them in a good way
Heated and ventilated seats: nice to have, especially at this price
Climate Concierge feature: automatically adjusts heated seats and steering wheel based on temperature

Overall, the front row feels comfortable and easy to drive from, but the tech and storage setup make it harder to live with day to day than it should be.

Second Row

This is a simple, usable setup for car seats, but it definitely has limits once you start adding more than two.

Two LATCH positions in the outboard seats: easy to find and straightforward to use
Three top tether anchors across the second row: allows forward-facing seats in all three positions
No lower anchors in the middle seat: you’ll need to use a seatbelt install there

Two Car Seats Fit Well, But Three Gets Tight Fast

You can get a couple of seats in here comfortably, but space becomes an issue quickly.

Infant and forward-facing seat fit side by side: I installed both without issues
Limited space for a third passenger: I was very squeezed sitting between two seats
Not ideal for three-across setups: width just is not there

Seat Design Helps Comfort, But Not Space

The seats themselves are very comfortable, which is a plus, but it does not solve the spacing issue.

Very plush seats: some of the most comfortable I’ve sat in
Raised floor affects positioning: not the most natural seating angle for longer rides

Access to the Third Row Is Blocked With Car Seats Installed

Getting to the third row depends on moving the second row, which becomes a problem quickly.

Seats need to slide forward for access: standard entry to the third row
Difficult once car seats are installed: especially with multiple seats across

Second Row Features Are Nice, But Not Always Practical

There are some great features back here, but the layout could be better for families.

Heated and ventilated second-row seats: great feature at this price point
Controls are inside the center console: hard to access if someone is sitting in the middle
Ceiling vents and rear vents included: good airflow for kids

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Third Row

There Is No Car Seat Setup Back Here

This is the biggest limitation of the third row. If you’re planning to use this space for car seats, it’s just not going to work.

No LATCH anchors: limits install options completely
No top tether anchors: you cannot safely install forward-facing seats here

Space Is Tight and Not Designed for Three Passengers

This is technically a three-seat row, but it really does not function that way.

Extremely narrow seating area: the middle seat is very tight
Raised floor and high seat position: creates that knees-up seating feeling
Best for two passengers at most: three does not feel realistic

Getting Back There Is Difficult With Car Seats Installed

Access depends entirely on the second row moving forward, which becomes a problem quickly.

Second row must slide forward for access: standard entry point
Not practical with car seats in the second row: blocks the pathway

It Works in a Pinch, Not for Daily Use

Once you’re back there, it’s usable for short trips, but it’s not a space I’d rely on regularly.

Decent knee room for two passengers: better than expected in that sense
No USB ports: limited functionality for kids or longer drives
Vents and cupholders included: basic comfort features are there

Overall, the third row exists, but it’s not built with families or car seats in mind.

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Trunk

Trunk Space Is Tight With the Third Row Up

This is not a very usable setup if you’re trying to use all three rows.

Fits a compact stroller, but just barely: I was able to get one in, but it was tighter than expected
Limited leftover space: not much room for anything else once the stroller is in

It Works Better Once You Fold the Third Row

More usable space with seats down: gives you flexibility for bigger items
Seats do not fold fully flat into the floor: they take up some space when stored

Split Tailgate Adds Function, but Also an Extra Step

Two-piece tailgate design: helps keep items from falling out
You have to close both sections separately: not ideal when your hands are full

Overall, this trunk works, but it’s not the most practical setup if you’re regularly using the third row.

Safety

The 2021 Lexus LX 570 has not been crash-tested by the IIHS, so there are no official ratings available and it does not qualify for a Top Safety Pick.

Standard Safety Tech Is Included Across the Lineup

You are getting Lexus’ full safety suite as standard equipment, which covers the basics well.

Lexus Safety System+ 2.0 standard: includes pre-collision system with pedestrian and bicyclist detection, lane tracing assist, adaptive cruise control, and road sign assist
Blind Spot Monitor + Rear Cross Traffic Alert standard: added across all trims

Seatbelt Pretensioners Are Included in the Front and Second-Row Outboard Seats

The 2021 Lexus LX 570 includes seatbelt pretensioners for the front seats and second-row outboard seats. These help quickly restrain passengers in certain severe frontal collisions or rollover situations.

Car Seat Setup

Car Seat Setup Works Best in the Second Row

If you’re planning to use this car for car seats, here’s the reality. This is really a second-row-focused setup, and that’s where I’d keep all of my installs.

Two LATCH positions in the second row outboard seats: I have lower anchors behind the driver and passenger seats, and they’re easy to access. I installed a forward-facing Graco Extend2Fit on one side and an UPPAbaby Mesa on the other, and both fit well without any issues.

Three top tether anchors across the second row: this is a big win. You can run a forward-facing seat in any second-row position, including the middle, as long as you’re using the seat belt install with the tether.

Two car seats fit comfortably, but three-across is tight: I sat between the two seats I installed, and it was pretty snug. It works, but this is not the widest bench I’ve tested, so I wouldn’t plan on an easy three-across.

No LATCH or tether anchors in the third row: this is the biggest limitation for me. There are no lower anchors and no top tether anchors back there, so I would not plan on using the third row for forward-facing car seats.

Third-row access doesn’t work well with car seats installed: the second row needs to move forward to get back there, and once you have car seats installed, that’s just not realistic.

Rear entertainment can interfere with car seats: I skipped it when building this car because screens on the back of the seats can get in the way of rear-facing installs.

Overall, I’d confidently run two car seats in the second row, and you do have the flexibility of that middle tether if you need it. But if you’re someone who needs easy third-row access or multiple rows of car seats, this one is going to feel limiting.

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