Would You Take This $88K Car Off Road???

Get some of your freedom back with Lexus.

So here’s a sad stat: 90 percent of vehicles that are off road capable never go off road. Ever.

Of course, we love our four wheel drive cars because they keep us safe in bad weather, make climbing gravel roads a breeze and their size accommodates our families, our gear and more. But wouldn’t you like to have some of your freedom back?

Does your 4WD really give you your freedom?

Does it make you giggle? Does it make your kids smile? Does it take you places no one else can go? If not, you’re not getting your money’s worth.

This is something I hadn’t thought of, even after owning two 4WD Jeeps and an AWD Toyota Highlander. Sure, they were great for getting to our neighbor’s ski house. And getting down my aunt’s very steep gravel drive – and up my own snow and ice slicked driveway. But they were so capable I never needed to use the 4 low gear; they just did their thing on command.

Truly going off road is another story. And, it’s often where the magic happens. Imagine this: you, your kids, no devices, no WiFi, no crowds, no distractions, just beautiful scenery, fresh air and time together.

Now that is the way to recharge your batteries. And that is why you’d take this $88,000 Lexus LX570 off road.

And, here is why you’d feel fine about taking this expensive SUV off road:

• The Lexus off road commend center give you have tons of control at your fingertips.
• It can handle just about anything the landscape presents.
• Just because the car is roughing it doesn’t mean you have to: you’ll be comfortably ensconced in leather seating, enjoying the premium sound system and a ride experience designed to make you giggle, not jiggle.
• The “Crawl” setting gives the LX570 the power to slowly and systematically get out of almost any situation. The story goes that the system has gotten trucks out of sand pits where they were nearly buried.
• The camera setting allows you to see right next to the right and left tires, as well as right in front of the front bumper, giving you the agility to navigate around (or over, if you wish) rocks, logs, ditches and more.
• The ample cargo space and third row means that you can take everything you need to your off road destination—no need to make a milk run, just bring it with you.
• All these soft, luxurious surfaces—leather seating, leather trim— are easy to clean after being out in the dirt, sand or snow.

We were invited to take LX570 off road in central Oregon. It was a ton of fun and giggles. And, we were all amazed at what we could accomplish when we had a pro in the passenger’s seat walking us through how to use the off road settings. 

My friend Carrie Kim takes us off road in Oregon, guided by expert Travis Martin. 

Next time you think about buying a 4 wheel drive –or if you own one–make it a goal to hit an off road trail. Here is a list of National Parks where you, your family and your 4WD will be right at home.

Disclosure: I was a guest of Lexus for this drive event; travel and accommodations were provided. Opinions (and giggles) are all my own.