The Numbers Don’t Lie
Here’s a fact that should make any car shopper pause: a well-maintained Lexus LX 570 from a few years back now trades for less than a brand-new base Toyota RAV4. That’s not a typo.
New SUV prices have gone stratospheric. Even mainstream family crossovers now wear sticker prices that once belonged to luxury badges. The average transaction price for a new vehicle in the U.S. hovers above $48,000, and a loaded RAV4 can easily brush $40,000. Meanwhile, a 2016–2018 LX 570 with reasonable mileage often lists between $38,000 and $45,000 on the used market.
Let that sink in for a second.
You’re comparing a three-row, full-size, body-on-frame luxury SUV with a 5.7-liter V8 against a compact crossover. The Lexus LX 570 was built to conquer deserts and carry dignitaries. The RAV4 is built to carry groceries. Both are excellent at what they do. But they are not the same class of vehicle.
Why the LX 570 Is Called “Bulletproof”
The LX 570 has earned a reputation that few vehicles ever achieve. It’s not just reliable — it’s absurdly reliable. Owners routinely report crossing 200,000 miles with nothing but routine maintenance.
That’s because the LX 570 shares its bones with the Toyota Land Cruiser, a vehicle so over-engineered that humanitarian organizations and military forces around the world depend on it. The 5.7-liter 2UR-FE V8 is nearly indestructible. The six-speed automatic transmission is old-school but proven. The full-time four-wheel-drive system with a locking center differential can handle conditions that would make a RAV4 cry.
This isn’t a vehicle that will leave you stranded. It’s a vehicle that will outlive your patience before it outlives its usefulness.
Depreciation Is Your Friend
Here’s the kicker: the LX 570 depreciates like a luxury car but lasts like a work truck. The first owner takes the biggest financial hit — often 40% or more in the first five years. The second owner gets a nearly new vehicle at a fraction of the price.
And because the LX 570 is built to last 25 years or more, that “used” vehicle is barely broken in.
What You Actually Get for the Money
Let’s compare what $40,000 buys you in each vehicle.
Base Toyota RAV4 (new):
- 203-horsepower four-cylinder engine
- Cloth seats
- 8-inch touchscreen
- Front-wheel drive (unless you pay more)
- Compact cargo space
Lexus LX 570 (used, 2017 model):
- 383-horsepower V8 engine
- Semi-aniline leather seats with heating and cooling
- 12.3-inch display with navigation
- Full-time four-wheel drive
- Three rows of seating
- Mark Levinson premium audio
- Adaptive variable suspension
- Hydraulic body motion control
We’re not talking about a slight upgrade. We’re talking about a completely different universe of vehicle.
The Catch: Fuel Economy and Maintenance
Let’s be real. There are reasons the LX 570 is cheap on the used market, and they all involve your wallet at the pump.
The EPA rates the LX 570 at 13 mpg city and 18 mpg highway. In real-world driving, expect around 14–15 mpg combined. The RAV4 gets nearly double that. If you drive 15,000 miles a year, the LX 570 will cost you roughly $1,800 more in fuel annually at current prices. That’s not nothing.
Maintenance is also more expensive. The LX 570 requires premium fuel, and when something does need replacing — brakes, tires, suspension components — the parts cost more because it’s a heavy, powerful luxury vehicle. But here’s the counterintuitive truth: the LX 570 needs fewer repairs than most vehicles. Reliability is a form of savings.
Why You Should Consider the LX 570
If you’re the type of buyer who keeps a car for 10 years and values comfort, safety, and dependability over the latest tech features, the LX 570 is arguably the smartest used car purchase on the market today.
It’s also a statement. Pulling up in a full-size Lexus SUV carries a different presence than a compact crossover. The LX 570 commands respect on the road, offers a commanding view of traffic, and provides a ride quality that few modern vehicles can match — even those costing twice as much.
Yes, you’ll sacrifice fuel economy and modern infotainment. The LX 570’s tech is dated by today’s standards. But if you’re looking for a vehicle that will never leave you stranded, that will carry your family in absolute comfort, and that will still be running when your grandkids learn to drive, the LX 570 is hard to beat.
The Bottom Line
The used market is full of bargains, but few are as compelling as the Lexus LX 570. When a luxury SUV with this level of capability and reliability costs less than a base model compact crossover, you have to ask yourself: what are you actually paying for in a new car?
If the answer is “peace of mind,” the LX 570 delivers that in spades. If the answer is “the latest touchscreen,” well, you know where to find the RAV4.
For buyers who prioritize substance over style, the LX 570 is the ultimate value play. And at these prices, it’s a no-brainer.
