Hello all, I recently bought a 2017 LX 570 to replace a 2001 LX 470 I gave to my daughter. Great to own a vehicle with longevity and an amazing and informative user group. In the month I’ve owned it we have driven several hundred highway miles and 50 - 80 dirt road miles (on 21s, but I will post separately about my tire paralysis). Mostly, I want to thank all the mudders, as I spent hours lurking pre-purchase. (And strongly considered a LC or GX.) Here are some thoughts, observations, and hopefully simple questions, which I am still researching. Thanks for all the insight.
Impressions:
Overall, it’s a huge upgrade from ‘01 to ‘17. It feels like more power and acceleration than the ‘01. Even more comfortable on the highway and dirt roads. ML stereo still rocks. I love the ventilated seats. Quality seems outstanding. Friends can’t believe it’s a ‘17.
The 4 zone climate is very useful but oddly the Climate Concierge turns off when you adjust the rear temp. Still, my wife, my dog in the back, and I, can all have individual temps, which is great.
Rear passenger temp controls in the rear armrest is dumb, IMHO. Not a deal-breaker because it can be controlled from the front with the joystick, but inaccessible if you have 3 rear passengers or a small dog crate on the seat. However, when two people are in the back, they think it’s awesome to have heated and ventilated seats.
I miss the rear venting windows, those were great for quick air exchange in the ‘01.
I’m getting used to the joystick. This caused me some pre-purchase hesitation. I would say it’s not great, but ok, and your screen isn’t covered with fingerprints. You don’t have to use it that often.
In test-driving, the LX feels even more luxurious than the LC. For my butt, the adjustable suspension improves both high-speed cornering and comfort on dirt roads. My wife definitely preferred the LX luxury.
Paddle shifters are surprisingly useful for controlling speed on downhill mountain roads. I use them frequently, hopefully saving some brake wear.
The cameras are awesome, put it in 4Lo and see everything including your side slope angle. Safety tech is nice, especially the radar cruise control and rear cross traffic warning. It’s great that they included a way to turn off the parking beepers and some of the other safety features, because while generally useful, occasionally annoying.
Trivial Questions:
What is the best, easy interior light upgrade? The black interior looks great but is really dark and makes it hard to find stuff, more so than our Audi SQ5 with black.
I wish the screen displayed more satellite radio info. Is there any way to see a list of channels with what song is playing on each channel? I haven’t used the navigation, seems cumbersome compared to a phone. Considering something like Beatsonic for Apple Car Play and have read the threads on this - significant improvement for satellite radio and nav?
If I want to haul something with the rear upper hatch open, can you stop or trick the open door chime? I realize the exhaust dangers and will keep all windows open. I feel like I could do this with the ‘01 but maybe I just turned up the stereo. I researched this but could only find a fix for the GX.
Regarding the LX vs GX and other options, I drove several GXs, they are great, almost bought one. The LX seemed just a little better in most categories. A little more cargo space, more comfortable, more usefully-adjustable suspension. I find the split tailgate super-useful compared to the GX swing door. I also drove 4Runners and Sequoias, which are also great, but feel less substantial and more rough-riding in comparison, and the 4Runner was slooow. Don’t drive a Ford Expedition unless you want to be tempted away from Japanese. I wasn’t that tempted, but heck is it comfortable and full of cool features and storage. Of course, I also looked for LCs but the LX was more affordable and available and I like the hydraulic / AHC and stereo. (Everything I drove was used.)
For the cyclists out there, my 1UP rack with two trays, when lowered, allows sufficient clearance to open the tailgate without hitting the rack. It seems like some kind of swing-away might be convenient, especially if hauling 4 bikes. When the rack is vertical, it is an excellent support for a SUP or other long, but lightweight, cargo.
Hopefully, some of this is useful. The 100 served my family exceptionally well, but it’s good to be driving a 200!
Impressions:
Overall, it’s a huge upgrade from ‘01 to ‘17. It feels like more power and acceleration than the ‘01. Even more comfortable on the highway and dirt roads. ML stereo still rocks. I love the ventilated seats. Quality seems outstanding. Friends can’t believe it’s a ‘17.
The 4 zone climate is very useful but oddly the Climate Concierge turns off when you adjust the rear temp. Still, my wife, my dog in the back, and I, can all have individual temps, which is great.
Rear passenger temp controls in the rear armrest is dumb, IMHO. Not a deal-breaker because it can be controlled from the front with the joystick, but inaccessible if you have 3 rear passengers or a small dog crate on the seat. However, when two people are in the back, they think it’s awesome to have heated and ventilated seats.
I miss the rear venting windows, those were great for quick air exchange in the ‘01.
I’m getting used to the joystick. This caused me some pre-purchase hesitation. I would say it’s not great, but ok, and your screen isn’t covered with fingerprints. You don’t have to use it that often.
In test-driving, the LX feels even more luxurious than the LC. For my butt, the adjustable suspension improves both high-speed cornering and comfort on dirt roads. My wife definitely preferred the LX luxury.
Paddle shifters are surprisingly useful for controlling speed on downhill mountain roads. I use them frequently, hopefully saving some brake wear.
The cameras are awesome, put it in 4Lo and see everything including your side slope angle. Safety tech is nice, especially the radar cruise control and rear cross traffic warning. It’s great that they included a way to turn off the parking beepers and some of the other safety features, because while generally useful, occasionally annoying.
Trivial Questions:
What is the best, easy interior light upgrade? The black interior looks great but is really dark and makes it hard to find stuff, more so than our Audi SQ5 with black.
I wish the screen displayed more satellite radio info. Is there any way to see a list of channels with what song is playing on each channel? I haven’t used the navigation, seems cumbersome compared to a phone. Considering something like Beatsonic for Apple Car Play and have read the threads on this - significant improvement for satellite radio and nav?
If I want to haul something with the rear upper hatch open, can you stop or trick the open door chime? I realize the exhaust dangers and will keep all windows open. I feel like I could do this with the ‘01 but maybe I just turned up the stereo. I researched this but could only find a fix for the GX.
Regarding the LX vs GX and other options, I drove several GXs, they are great, almost bought one. The LX seemed just a little better in most categories. A little more cargo space, more comfortable, more usefully-adjustable suspension. I find the split tailgate super-useful compared to the GX swing door. I also drove 4Runners and Sequoias, which are also great, but feel less substantial and more rough-riding in comparison, and the 4Runner was slooow. Don’t drive a Ford Expedition unless you want to be tempted away from Japanese. I wasn’t that tempted, but heck is it comfortable and full of cool features and storage. Of course, I also looked for LCs but the LX was more affordable and available and I like the hydraulic / AHC and stereo. (Everything I drove was used.)
For the cyclists out there, my 1UP rack with two trays, when lowered, allows sufficient clearance to open the tailgate without hitting the rack. It seems like some kind of swing-away might be convenient, especially if hauling 4 bikes. When the rack is vertical, it is an excellent support for a SUP or other long, but lightweight, cargo.
Hopefully, some of this is useful. The 100 served my family exceptionally well, but it’s good to be driving a 200!
