The second-generation LX 470 shared exterior styling with the Japanese domestic market Land Cruiser Cygnus.

Externally, the LX 450 was identical to the J80 series Land Cruiser, with the exception of the grille, side body cladding, and wheels.

[5] The three options consisted of a console-mounted 6-disc CD changer, electronic front and rear locking differentials, and a power moonroof.

[5] It was brought to market as US buyers showed greater interest in large SUVs, which had grown popular because of their high driver's vantage point and truck-like characteristics.

The US government threatened to place 100 percent tariffs on all Japanese luxury import cars, but not including SUVs.

The LX 450 replaced the Land Cruiser in the Canadian market starting after 1996, reducing internal competition (big expensive SUVs have traditionally faced a difficult market in Canada) and avoiding the issue of selling a rebadged model (except for GM, Ford and Chrysler, rebadged models in Canada have not met with success).

For a 5,000 lb (2,300 kg) vehicle, the LX 450 was regarded by some critics as underpowered,[8] leading to the shortening of its model cycle (despite sales increases) and replacement with a V8-powered successor.

It shared the floor pan and most body panels with the equivalent Land Cruiser, and differed in its front appearance and had a more luxurious interior.

The AHC could raise the vehicle for off-roading and return to a normal driving height reducing the center of gravity and wind resistance.

AVS alters shock absorber firmness in under 2.5 milliseconds at each wheel, individually selecting from a range of 64 settings depending on road conditions and driver input such as steering-wheel activity, braking and acceleration.

During 2002 for the 2003 model year, Lexus introduced minor tweaks to the exterior, a 5-speed transmission[citation needed] including larger standard 18-inch wheels, a new front bumper, etc.

Other new features included Lexus Link, an emergency service similar to GM's Onstar, in North America.

The Night View infrared camera safety system was offered as an option in 2002, projecting information on the windshield using a head-up display; the driver could vary brightness using a dimmer knob.

In 2005 for the 2006 model year, a refresher included LED tail lamps, adding VVT-i to the engine and increasing its power to 205 kW (275 hp).

During 2006, for the final model year, 2007, Lexus produced 400 "Limited Edition" LX 470s with Black Onyx paint, stone leather interior, and specialized badging and scuff plates.

Several awards were made for the J100 series: On April 4, 2007, Lexus debuted the 2008 model year LX 570 at the New York International Auto Show.

The final design was approved in 2004, with testing being conducted into early 2007 on development prototypes and late 2007 on pre-production models.

The LX platform has logged 240,000 test kilometers through subtropical forests, the Australian Outback and American deserts.

Other performance features include a Crawl Control (more advanced version of Downhill Assist Control) system that negotiates off-road obstacles in both forward and reverse at low speeds by automatically providing throttle and braking inputs for less experienced off-road drivers: an interior lever allows the driver to reduce speed.

[22] The interior includes amenities, standard and optional, featured in the 2007 LS 460, such as semi-aniline leather seats, four-zone climate control, a 19-speaker 450 Watt Mark Levinson surround-sound stereo system with hard-drive memory storage, a hard-drive-based navigation system, XM satellite radio with NavTraffic as standard, a two-piece power liftgate/tailgate and Lexus Intuitive Park Assist, sonar parking assistance.

The new front bumper gave the effect of the new Lexus "spindle" grille without redesigning any of the major bodywork components.

A more substantial facelift arrived in 2012 for the 2013 model year, characterized by a new grille, bumpers, headlamps, tail lamp lenses and miscellaneous trim changes such as new wheel designs.