The new Lexus LX570 - a 'flying carpet' for Vietnamese tycoons.

The newly designed large SUV is sure to grab anyone's attention, especially with its price tag of 5.7 billion VND.

When driving an LX570, you're likely to encounter all sorts of situations, from looking at it, examining it, touching it, or even "asking" to sit in it. The public's interest in the LX570 is undeniable. It's difficult to say whether this SUV is beautiful or ugly.

Only one thing is true. It's appealing.

In five years, Lexus revolutionized its design, creating a series of products that shed all traces of history. Simple, rounded lines were replaced by complex, muscular angles. The LX570 underwent a major aesthetic overhaul, targeting young, dynamic, and individualistic wealthy individuals, replacing the older, traditionally loyal affluent class.

While its rival, the Cadillac Escalade, is muscular and sleek like an American action movie star, the LX570 is quiet, meticulously crafted, and mysterious, like an Asian tycoon. Its wide, fish-gill-style grille hints at the hidden power behind it, and the sharp LED daytime running lights make the LX570 ideal for those who prefer a softer, more understated power.

In contrast to its exterior, the LX570's interior is not particularly impressive. The sheer size seems to have overwhelmed the designers due to a lack of consistency in the design lines. The wood and leather details don't blend well. The layout of buttons and storage compartments still reflects a traditional SUV design, while both Cadillac and Porsche have reached a more fashionable level.

Nevertheless, for those who need spaciousness and comfort, the LX570 almost perfectly meets all needs. An SUV over 5 meters long with a 2.8-meter wheelbase offers passengers a whole world of possibilities. It features genuine leather upholstery, heated and cooled front seats, and a cooled compartment between the front seats large enough for a few cans of beer and snacks.

The climate control system is so user-friendly that it not only adjusts to the zone temperature but also senses the body temperature of the occupants. A 19-speaker Mark Levinson sound system fine-tunes the sound direction for each zone. It also features a sunroof, a 12-way adjustable driver's seat, and a 10-way adjustable passenger seat. Two additional headrest screens are included for the rear seats.

But all of that pales in comparison to what the LX570 offers on the road. Lexus is renowned for its smoothness and remains true to that philosophy. Anyone who sits in an LX will be surprised by its incredibly soft and comfortable ride, far beyond what they imagined. In the city, the cabin feels like a soundproof room. The soft air suspension makes the road feel several meters away, not just 226 mm of ground clearance.

The Japanese automaker focuses on sound insulation right from the engine, so no noise or vibrations penetrate the cabin.Isolated from the outside world, combined with premium materials, a sophisticated sound system, and well-controlled air quality, it creates a feeling of comfort and relaxation for most occupants.

Comfort extends to the driver of the massive 5.7-liter V8 engine. Lexus understands the car's height, so they've equipped it with a driver-assistance function. When the ignition is turned off, the steering wheel retracts and the driver's seat moves back to create more space for the driver to exit. When the car is returned to and the engine is started, the seat and steering wheel return to their original positions.

The steering is light and very responsive, making the LX570 as easy to control as a minicar. Wherever you want to turn, the wheels will follow. The car will turn however you want. The only thing the driver needs to be aware of is the 5-meter wheelbase. The technologies allow anyone to become proficient in driving in less than 15 minutes.

Everything about this 5.7 billion VND car seems perfect. So what's wrong with it? Of course. Like any product, the weakness lies in the manufacturer's philosophy. Nothing can meet every need.

The Japanese automaker wants to focus on smoothness, comfort, and luxury, so those who need a sporty, responsive, and enjoyable-to-drive LX570 will have to look elsewhere. The steering wheel is quite slow to respond to ensure that rear passengers are not bothered by sudden steering changes. The suspension system has to eliminate road feedback, making the ride feel very surreal and prone to motion sickness if driven recklessly.

Not to mention, Lexus has less experience building high-performance vehicles, so the brakes are still not perfect. A 367-horsepower engine with 530 Nm of torque pulling a weight of nearly 2 tons requires brakes that are more responsive and precise. New LX570 drivers, or those too accustomed to German cars, might find the braking feel a bit overwhelming. The high inertia means that even braking halfway doesn't feel safe, leading to anxiety and a somewhat unsettling feeling. Some people might even feel a bit dizzy when first getting into the LX.

Aside from some "instinctive" details, the LX570 remains one of the top models in terms of safety. The Japanese automaker has equipped it with a range of safety technologies such as anti-lock braking system (ABS), electronic stability control (VSC), electronic brake force distribution (EBD), emergency brake assist (BA), and active traction control (A-TRC) with electronic braking on wheels experiencing slippage to maximize traction.

Drivers can choose between normal, fuel-efficient, and sport driving modes. However, given its enormous size, the difference between the driving styles is minimal. Off-road users have the added feature of active ride height adjustment. It features all-wheel drive.

Other safety features include anti-glare mirrors (inside and outside), blind spot monitoring, tire pressure monitoring, parking sensors, a panoramic camera, automatic wipers, LED headlights that automatically adjust beam range when encountering oncoming traffic, headlight washers, and a 10-airbag system.

The LX570 is priced at 5.7 billion VND, a huge sum for most Vietnamese customers and comparable to the Mercedes GL500. To get it on the road, the LX570 will cost around 6.4 billion VND, and almost only the wealthiest can afford it. Average fuel consumption is about 20 liters per 100 km, even with careful driving. Because this SUV is designed for enjoyment, not for those who are stingy with fuel costs.

According to VNE