Test drive Lexus LX 1997 - 2007 SUV

Peasant children

Bill Gates does not like ties and other accessories of the traditional uniforms of businessmen. Although to whom, if not him, to understand the importance of formalities and an intuitive interface. It is this role that the standardization of clothing styles plays. And this is what the main product of Microsoft is different - Windows. But the Japanese are known for their attachment to the rules of the game. And even when, in fact, they violate them, pretend that they are following them. In the words of the Nissan Patrol GR and Lexus LX470 they are very similar: about five meters long, V8 in more than four liters, an automatic machine, climate control, leather-drive and other elements of the daily everyday life of expensive SUVs. However, the difference is not only in price. These are representatives of different concepts. The connection of the driver, four wheels and the motor provides a completely different interface.
We are not so simple and well understand that in fact a direct competitor Patrol GR is Toyota Land Cruiser 100. And for the rival Lexus we must contact Infiniti. One problem: Nissan luxury brand has not yet been presented. So the desire to purchase a top model of one of the two faces of the Japanese auto industry will have to limit yourself to Patrol GR. Just recently, he was greatly refreshed, which helped him get closer to Lexus by style. At the same time, the gap in the price remains huge - almost one and a half times. One must think, a person who has decided to save almost $ 30 thousand should lose a lot. After all, even a related Lexus LX470 Land Cruiser 100 costs $ 8 thousand more than Patrol GR. What?
COMMAND LINE. During the total savings, what Nissan with Patrol did is quite called a change in generation: the car received almost a new body. With the angularity that has become a proprietary style on the X-Trail and Primera. It is especially to the face of a large car: these straight lines, which somewhat surprise in horses and kings performed by the sculptor-patriot Klykov, look very organic on a vehicle long in five meters long. It is always nice to feel that you give a lot of money for at least a considerable amount of materials spent. Loading to the salon surprisingly does not cause special difficulties - despite the road clearance of 220 mm, the planting process occurs without any problems. Partly thanks to the footboard. And partly due to what you understand inside: the seats are located somehow in the depths. This is to feel better, probably.
Some concessions for generally accepted tastes cannot hide the main feature of Patrol GR - simplicity of design. Here on the left on the console the leverage sticks out on which it is honestly written that it has not only full, but also just rear -wheel drive. And here is the famous key to block the reptile stability of the rear suspension. Nobody offers such a more such thing in Europe. In general, complete freedom in choosing a traffic mode. These offrooders should appreciate this, as this Cool Hacker appreciates the possibility of working through the command line.
From the honest king of the off -road, the UAZ Hunter Patrol is distinguished not only by the finish, but also the automatic transmission. Here, modernity is already working towards approaching the origins - it has a manual regime.
Windows and clicks. LX470 also has a bandwagon - and here it is very to the place. This car must be included. And it seems not much higher than Nissan, but the impression is completely different. Especially driving.
Moreover, there are no problems in modern technologies - complete automation and electronization. The driver, however, is given the opportunity to choose. For example, which of the four modes of pneumatic suspension to include. The transmission modes lever also present, but here it is no longer necessary to turn on and turn off the front bridge - here we are talking about activating low transmission and blocking differentials.
We were puzzled only by the button in the left corner of the instrument panel with some obscure purpose squares. But, as noted above, it seems not so naive ... repeatedly pressing to visible consequences did not lead. Later it was found that these keys open and close the third side glass. Well, yes, once long ago, the Japanese have already come up with this method of additional ventilation. Only then were these windows connected by cables with levers on the console. Now there is electricity.
In the calculation of the difference in price, we will not forget not only more complex in design and a more simple drive system and the ability to adjust the rigidity of shock absorbers, but also an independent front suspension.
LOADING. When driving around the city, everything was quite predictable. The motors were on top in both cases. Both work smoothly, both are quite responsive, and the boxes, as usual, stubbornly save fuel, blaming the smallest transmission at the slightest opportunity.
Lexus in characteristics has the worst indicators for acceleration dynamics-however, this is somehow less noticeable. Probably, his more passenger salon simply tunes in a more sports way.
Most of all we were shocked by the fact that Nissan, when driving along a snowy road, turned out to be noticeably more stable and was better controlled. And even on a regular highway, in general, he kept more confidently. Despite the rear -wheel drive and a dependent front suspension. And where is it all for which Lexus sellers take the extra thirty tons of cu? It is good that the car has an anti -boom and anti -lock system, but why do they work so often? The walk to the nearest wheel confirmed our assumptions: the rubber was quite urban, and most importantly - summer. In justification of Lexus, we can say that even in these conditions he behaved quite adequately. And even driven into a snowy field quite successfully pierced his track. Of course, it was easier to do in a reduced program, but in the usual mode, electronics ultimately coped with its duties, despite the complete mismatch of the tires of the task.
But still in LX470 in the snow it is difficult to get rid of the feeling of unnaturalness. Like a combination of tuxedos and rubber boots.
We, frankly, did not know what to do with Nissan. As expected, he also overcame the same virgin soil without much difficulty. Unless noticeably slipping on the rear drive, but absolutely without any stress - with a complete one. True, this is better to do in manual box mode. Why, in fact, it is mainly intended. Differential blocking, turned on by the button, has little changed. Perhaps the next time such cars will have to be taken in the fall. Or spring. At least you can be sure that the tires will be seasonally.
The steppe and the steppe are around. Inside, the same theme of the length of everything and everything that is outside continues. Yeah, the designers tried so that no one would forget about 1940 mm width. Here is a passenger ZIL, the widest car in the world, it was like 2070, but there the salon - especially from the driver's place - did not seem so spacious. The doors are very thick. In Patrol, they are also nothing, but noticeably more modest. Yes, and the finish in the places somehow very honestly reminds that it is uninhabited and easily easier. Although the tree is present, and not at all alone hints. There is also metal - like a tree, not shiny, but slightly matte. This is also a modern fashion, such surfaces go hand in hand with the faceted forms of the case. From fairly high window sills, the effect of some increased security arises. This is not at all the result of some special approach: about the same impression, I remember, creates X5. That is, a machine of a completely different category and a representative of another school. And the rest that leaves the feeling is much more passenger.
What else would be nice to find is the display in the center of the panel. The cover of a box at this place is a little offended, but in time we remember that the car costs only $ 63,500. The display is along with navigation for abroad. Or with Lexus.
I only look far away. Now we are not offended by the driver of the same Lexus, quite impolite to have done with the test Lotus - that guy simply did not notice us. The sightseeing is quite good, but due to the natural reasons for some road users, we will notice only if they carry a large red flag in working condition. On Lexus, the flag will be more appropriate on the room. Because by decoration, his salon is so close to some expensive sedan ... Well, let's say, like LS 430, as far as possible. Is it good for, strictly speaking, an SUV, you need to ask the owners. As you know, most of them appreciate in machines of this type rather inherent sizes, and from overcame obstacles they choose tram rails and borders of lawns - in the absence of a place in the protected parking, of course.
In any case, we liked the decoration. In this, Lexus exceeds Nissan - maybe not all $ 30 thousand, but noticeable. Inferior in only one - in terms of moderation of motives. And the tree here is some kind of glossy, and the roundness of the console seems to be excessive. But is it decent to hurry for the fashion for the highest class?

Text Valery Chusov photo Andrey Danilov

Cars were provided by Nissan Motor Rus, (095) 961-2131 LLC, and Toyota Motor LLC, (095) 258-3465.

Nissan Patrol Gr
 
Gasoline-in-line 6-cylinder engine
Working volume (cubic cub) 4759
Power (L.S. at rpm) 245 at 4800
Moment (nm at rpm) 400 at 3600
Rear -wheel drive, connected front
Gearbox 5-speed automatic
Length/width/height (mm) 5145/1940/1855
Wheel base (mm) 2970
Mass weight (kg) 2460
Maximum speed (km/h) 190
Acceleration to 100 km/h (c) 10.8
Fuel consumption (city/highway, l/100 km) 25.0/14.3
Price in Moscow $ 63 500
Lexus LX
 
Gasoline engine V8
Working volume (cubic cub) 4664
Power (L.S. at rpm) 231 at 4800
Moment (Nm at rpm) 434 at 3400
The permanent drive is complete
Gearbox 5-speed automatic
Length/width/height (mm) 4890/1940/1890
Wheel base (mm) 2850
Equipped mass (kg) 2540
Maximum speed (km/h) 180
Acceleration to 100 km/h (c) 11.2
Fuel consumption (city/highway, l/100 km) 21.5/13.4
Price in Moscow $ 91 900

Classic Patrol GR forms with slightly modernized surfaces hide a classic and rather simple design

The modernization of the Nissan Patrol GR advanced its design towards fashionable representatives and representatives of the upper middle class X-Trail and Primera. Now the plane of surfaces was added to the straightness of the form. Which emphasizes the already considerable length.
The fundamental simplicity of the chassis did not at all affect other Patrol systems: it is equipped with everything that is supposed to have a large SUV. The skin and wood are included in standard equipment. As well as a new automatic transmission-five-speed and with manual control mode-cruise control and control of the audio system on the steering wheel. You could not write about climate control. But here we are forced to mention that it is a single -zone. The ability to adjust the temperature separately is, please, to Lexus.

Despite the unsuitable tires, Lexus LX 470 successfully overcame the snow virgin lands. But he looked at her not quite natural

Electronic systems and a permanent all -wheel drive with a self -locking differential allow you to not particularly think about how to go to Lexus: even if you just drown the drive, the car will eventually crawl out. But the advanced driver has something to do: there is an opportunity not only to be forcibly choosing a program, but also to experiment with the pneumatic suspension mode.
The strangest detail Lexus is the presence of xenon in headlights. What a gap from the Russian reality! And the most inconvenient is the fastening of the seats of the third row. Even with the instructions, dealing with them becomes a problem. It is especially strange to see in a Japanese car. Although many elements are clearly made by Germanophils. Or for Germanophiles: the expansion of the transmission selector and the cruise control handle make one German brand.
 
 

 

 

A source: "Autopilot"