12-15 LX570 vs 16+ LX570

[stormhammer]

Hi all

I'm the FNG around here, looking to get into a 200 series. Currently in a '16 GSF but, with a family growing, its utilization of a daily and less weekend track toy it just doesn't make sense ( and the car is awesome )

Considering the LX over the LC since the vehicle is 70-80% a daily driver, with the odd weekend that would be spent out and about adventuring/overlanding. No serious rock crawling. LX mostly because price wise, LC's seem to hold their value more - and the I do enjoy the triple beam LED headlights.... ( note: the LC is not out of the running )

Between the the two faces of the LX though, pros/cons? Ignoring the predator grill of the 16+, does it have less ground clearance/angle of approach than the pre-facelift? I know the aftermarket is non-existent for them, so that's a bit of a con.

 

[TeCKis300]

In regards to your clearance/angle of approach this thread has some good discussion - Definitive LC and LX Approach, Breakover, and More Angles

Both vehicles can easily be modified for more clearance including upsized tires.

Synopsis copied here:

 

[grinchy]

Roof rack replacement is more involved in the 2016+. A lot of people aren't onboard with the 'mouse'. There are a couple heavily modified 2016+, so it can be done with $ and ingenuity.

 

[stormhammer]

Roof rack replacement is more involved in the 2016+. A lot of people aren't onboard with the 'mouse'. There are a couple heavily modified 2016+, so it can be done with $ and ingenuity.

Tbh, the "mouse" has been easy for me to navigate in the GSF - I just changed the sensitivity settings ( and I honestly only use it to go from bluetooth to XM and back )

 

[Slip]

One of the best resources for this question is @Chrisleduc1. He's got one of, if not the most, extensively modified 16+ LXs. His build thread is called the "Mountain Goat" for search terms.

Looks like he's placed serious capital and time away to get it to the animal it is. Whereas (I'm speaking from months of lurking here, not ownership, cause your question is one I've been mulling for considerable time now), the 2015 and older is more conducive to LC upgrades and mods, essentially sharing most everything compatibility wise.

The interiors are considerably different, and I'd even go so far as to argue that the 16+ LX > 16+ LC > 15- LX. But that's my opinion only.

Tons of good threads, highly recommend you peruse the Official LX and 200 series pics threads. It'll give you the best estimates of what will work for you from others peeps' great trucks.

 

[TeCKis300]

The interiors are considerably different, and I'd even go so far as to argue that the 16+ LX > 16+ LC > 15- LX. But that's my opinion only.

It's in the eye of the beholder to some degree. Objectively, I'd argue this pretty vigorously as any LX is going to have a much finer interior than any LC. My 2 cents, but I would not be content with any LC interior. Don't get me wrong as the function and quality is there, including an updated aesthetic. But at these price levels, quality touch points, soft touch materials, fluidity and consistency of buttons and controls, Lexus vehicles have always been at a different level. You can see in things as simple as door pulls, the LCs use largely big plastic pulls. Lexus pulls are more contoured with continuous soft touch surfaces, with strategically placed gaps and seams away from the touch points. That just carries throughout the rest of the interiors. With obviously the modern 16+ LX's at the top of the heap.

 

[Slip]

It's in the eye of the beholder to some degree. Objectively, I'd argue this pretty vigorously as any LX is going to have a much finer interior than any LC. My 2 cents, but I would not be content with any LC interior. Don't get me wrong as the function and quality is there. At these price levels, that not enough to stand alone.

Agreed! I don't mean to disparage 15- by any degree. I just feel, from my position, the 16+ LC is a bit more modern/has aged from a UI perspective a bit better than the LX.

That said, the 15- LXs are the best looking 200s.

 

[LCtoLX]

Are safety features in the mix, stormhammer? Back in January when I decided that I could get a new (used) vehicle to replace my 2003 LC that I got in 2006, I wanted to get an SUV with radar and other safety features. Ended up getting a good deal on a 2018 LX.

Cheers,
John

 

[stormhammer]

In regards to your clearance/angle of approach this thread has some good discussion - Definitive LC and LX Approach, Breakover, and More Angles

Both vehicles can easily be modified for more clearance including upsized tires.

Synopsis copied here:
View attachment 2287716

Oh wow - I didn't think the approach angle would be so significantly different on the 16+

... less ground clearance, slightly better wading depth? wat.

Are safety features in the mix, stormhammer? Back in January when I decided that I could get a new (used) vehicle to replace my 2003 LC that I got in 2006, I wanted to get an SUV with radar and other safety features. Ended up getting a good deal on a 2018 LX.

Cheers,
John

You know, that is something I hadn't considered, but it is a feature I love on my current 16 GSF.

 

[HGB]

Oh wow - I didn't think the approach angle would be so significantly different on the 16+

... less ground clearance, slightly better wading depth? wat.



You know, that is something I hadn't considered, but it is a feature I love on my current 16 GSF.

Some 2010 + LX’s have radar cruise. Just check the steering wheel on the right portion of controls.

 

[Madtiger]

Oh wow - I didn't think the approach angle would be so significantly different on the 16+

... less ground clearance, slightly better wading depth? wat.

I would not trust those specs. Does not make sense at all.

 

[Battleship]

Follow the adage of "buy the newest you can afford". Sounds like the grill is a cosmetic-only issue for you (and me, too - photos make it look worse than it is), I have also come to appreciate the mouse. You'll love any of these rigs, LC/LX, 8-20, whatever. Stock will do anything reasonable you ask of it.

I drove a GS-F in Big Sur last month. I hope to have something like that when I live in a more weather and pothole friendly environment. Just the sound of that thing.

 

[stonepa]

It's in the eye of the beholder to some degree. Objectively, I'd argue this pretty vigorously as any LX is going to have a much finer interior than any LC. My 2 cents, but I would not be content with any LC interior. Don't get me wrong as the function and quality is there, including an updated aesthetic. But at these price levels, quality touch points, soft touch materials, fluidity and consistency of buttons and controls, Lexus vehicles have always been at a different level. You can see in things as simple as door pulls, the LCs use largely big plastic pulls. Lexus pulls are more contoured with continuous soft touch surfaces, with strategically placed gaps and seams away from the touch points. That just carries throughout the rest of the interiors. With obviously the modern 16+ LX's at the top of the heap.

I came from an LX570. Really hated the interface with the ICE and nav. The mouse / touch pad nonsense was not for me. Much more like the interior of the LC but obviously that's 100% subjective. Been considering a new LS500 to drive to the office but I may actually end up with an older LS460 just because of that interface.

 

[stormhammer]

I drove a GS-F in Big Sur last month. I hope to have something like that when I live in a more weather and pothole friendly environment. Just the sound of that thing.

It's intoxicating. This thing is a literal jekyll and hyde metality. Cruise like a grampa, a two buttons and two twists of a dial and you're suddenly carving corners like a chubby Miata. I actually have some friends in Chicago that daily GSF's. They have snow mode

I came from an LX570. Really hated the interface with the ICE and nav. The mouse / touch pad nonsense was not for me. Much more like the interior of the LC but obviously that's 100% subjective. Been considering a new LS500 to drive to the office but I may actually end up with an older LS460 just because of that interface.

If you happen to ever be at a dealership fiddling with the mouse, ask if they can change the sensitivity of the mouse itself. I found when I changed mine, I was a LOT happier with navigating around the menu. From the onset I can 100% understand why people dislike it, but giving it a week + some slight tweaking and its awesome.

 

[TeCKis300]

I came from an LX570. Really hated the interface with the ICE and nav. The mouse / touch pad nonsense was not for me. Much more like the interior of the LC but obviously that's 100% subjective. Been considering a new LS500 to drive to the office but I may actually end up with an older LS460 just because of that interface.

Subjective yes. Enough to be a deal breaker? That's a personal call.

I find a lot of criticisms like this anecdotal at best. The reality is that the Lexus mouse-like interface is wholly functional, well developed, can be used from a neutral posture with minimal exertion, touch/haptic feedback so eyes can stay on the road, and works pretty darn well. Humans are pretty awesome things that can adapt to most every system given an open mind and enough practice. Not like it's a particularly hard to use interface.

Touch screens have their compromises too but we've had enough practice. Things like fingerprints, trying to stabilize a finger over rough roads enough to poke a virtual button, need to visually focus as there is no haptic feedback, etc.

 

[Madtiger]

Subjective yes. Enough to be a deal breaker? That's a personal call.

I find a lot of criticisms like this anecdotal at best. The reality is that the Lexus mouse-like interface is wholly functional, well developed, can be used from a neutral posture with minimal exertion, touch/haptic feedback so eyes can stay on the road, and works pretty darn well. Humans are pretty awesome things that can adapt to most every system given an open mind and enough practice. Not like it's a particularly hard to use interface.

Touch screens have their compromises too but we've had enough practice. Things like fingerprints, trying to stabilize a finger over rough roads enough to poke a virtual button, need to focus as there is not haptic feedback, etc.

So, lets say that your LX can be had with mouse interface OR touchscreen like in LC, you would choose mouse interface???

I prefer touchscreen...and more and more car manufacturers are going back to that route. Mercedes and Audi are now touchscreen i believe in addition to joystick (or whatever they are called).

 

[TeCKis300]

So, lets say that your LX can be had with mouse interface OR touchscreen like in LC, You would choose mouse interface?

I prefer touchscreen...and more and more car manufacturers are going back to that route. Mercedes and Audi are now touchscreen i believe in addition to joystick (or whatever they are called).

Don't care. Because the priority for me is to have the indulgent interior of the Lexus. If that comes with the mouse, so be it.

I can adapt to many things. From raw manual everything analogue cars. To automated everything Tesla's.

I get that there's expectation of experience which is a very personal call. If the LC speaks to you and is the experience you want to have, that's the right car for you. I'm not minimizing that. More interested in the objective differences and discussions.

 

[stormhammer]

So, lets say that your LX can be had with mouse interface OR touchscreen like in LC, you would choose mouse interface???

I prefer touchscreen...and more and more car manufacturers are going back to that route. Mercedes and Audi are now touchscreen i believe in addition to joystick (or whatever they are called).

I know not directed to me, but having had both touchscreen cars and mouse one, I like the mouse since I don't have to look at the interface to navigate it ( muscle memory + the haptic feedback - e.g. to go from bluetooth to XM radio, I know I move the mouse top right. Enter. Use middle finger on down arrow button. Move mouse down two clicks. Enter. - and all done in less than 5 seconds without taking my eyes off the road ). This isn't a deal breaker, and tbh for me its really a non-issue. I mean honestly, I rarely fiddle with screens to begin with - well aside from the GT350 I owned previously, to do some AC features involved the touchscreen.

That being said - I find it hilarious how LX's are cheaper than LC's

 

[eatSleepWoof]

It comes down to usability and user experience. I've seen great mouse/joystick setups, and I've seen horrible ones. I've seen great touchscreen setups, and I've seen horrible ones. Learning a new input method is not difficult, and will take just a week or two to master, but if the system is designed poorly, the input method won't matter.

 

[Dre01SS]

Bumping this thread as I'm on the fence of trading my truck (13 Raptor) for a LX and mulling over a '14-15 v a '16-17.

Mechanically they're almost the same, transmission aside for the 16+.

Interior of the 16+ looks to be substantially more refined (at least aesthetically).

Aftermarket support for 15- is larger, and they seem to be able to share more of it with the LC.

Haven't gotten around to driving either yet given the social-distancing situation, but keeping a close eye on the market. Will be using truck mostly to haul the family (wife + kid) and dogs (2x100lb pups) around, hiking trips, occasional off-road trips, and the typical Costco/Home Depot runs. Def want the DVD player for the kiddo and road trips.

I like the looks of 16+ and interior finish, but at same time the 15- looks more proper as an off-road vehicle on 17" wheels and 33/34 tires. Seems I get the same capacity, while saving $15k+

Am I missing something?