DecodedCars2005 Lexus LX
Trims, performance, features, fuel economy, safety and known problems — with the pros and cons against similar 2005 models.
- Class
- Sport Utility Vehicle - 4WD
- Body styles
- 470 4dr SUV
- Engines
- 4.7L 8-cyl
- Drivetrain
- 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive
- Fuel
- Regular Gasoline
- MPG (best)
- 13 combined · 12 city / 16 hwy
- Length
- 192.5 in
- Curb weight
- 5,401 lb
- NHTSA rating
- Not rated
- Recalls
- 2 campaigns
Pros & cons
What's good
Nothing stands out against similar models in the data.
Watch out for
- Below-average fuel economyBest version gets 13 MPG combined, 22% below the 2005 SUV - average of 16.7 MPG.
Calculated from EPA, NHTSA and vPIC data against 17 similar 2005 models — not a review. How we calculate this →
Overview
The 2005 Lexus LX is a SUV - offered with a 4.7L 8-cyl engine and 4-wheel or all-wheel drive.
It measures about 193 inches long and 76 inches wide on a 112-inch wheelbase, with a curb weight of roughly 5,401 lb.
EPA rates its most efficient version at 13 MPG combined (12 city / 16 highway), 22% worse than the 2005 SUV - average of 16.7 MPG, for an estimated $5,150 a year in fuel.
It has 2 recall campaigns on file and owners have filed 3 complaints with NHTSA since 2015, most often about the structure.
Dimensions & weight
| Body | Length | Width | Height | Wheelbase | Track F / R | Curb weight | Weight F/R |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 470 4dr SUV | 192.5 in | 76.4 in | 72.8 in | 112.2 in | 63.8 / 63.8 in | 5,401 lb | 51/49 |
Transport Canada CVS (Open Government Licence – Canada), Canadian-market figures.
Will it fit your garage? Check with your measurements →Engines, MPG & running costs
| Version | Engine | Transmission | Drive | City / Hwy / Comb | vs. class | Fuel / yr | CO₂ g/mi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LX 470 | 4.7L 8-cyl | Automatic 5-spd | 4-Wheel or All-Wheel Drive | 12 / 16 / 13 | -22% | $5,150 | 684 |
EPA estimates; "vs. class" is combined MPG against the 2005 EPA class average. How we calculate this →
Safety ratings & technology
NHTSA has not published 5-Star ratings for the 2005 Lexus LX under the current (2011+) test program.
Similar 2005 SUV -s
| Model | Best MPG / range | NHTSA overall | Recalls |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 Lexus LX (this car) | 13 MPG | Not rated | 2 |
| 2005 Mercedes-Benz G-Class | 12 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Land Rover Range Rover | 12 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Porsche Cayenne | 15 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
| 2005 BMW X5 | 16 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Cadillac Escalade | 15 MPG | Not rated | 0 |
| 2005 Lexus RX | 20 MPG | Not rated | 3 |
Recalls (2)
Air Bags › Side/Window · Feb 5, 2016
NHTSA campaign 16V065000 · 320,409 vehicles
- Problem
- Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (Toyota) is recalling certain model year 2003-2006 Toyota Land Cruiser and Lexus LX470, 2005-2006 Toyota Tundra and Sequoia, 2004-2006 Toyota 4Runner and Lexus GX470 vehicles equipped with side curtain-shield-air bags. The affected vehicles have an air bag control module that may be improperly programmed, causing the side curtain-shield-air bags to deploy inadvertently.
- Risk
- If the side curtain-shield-air bags deploy unexpectedly, it can increase the risk of occupant injury.
- Fix
- Toyota will notify owners, and dealers will replace the air bag control module with one that has improved programming, free of charge. The recall began on December 1, 2016. Owners may contact Toyota customer service at 1-888-271-9371. Toyota's number for this recall is G0C and GLB.
Steering › Gear Box › Shaft Pitman · Jul 29, 2010
NHTSA campaign 10V346000 · 39,159 vehicles
- Problem
- TOYOTA IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2003-2007 LEXUS LX470 VEHICLES. THE CONSTRUCTION OF THE STEERING SHAFT IS SUCH THAT THE SNAP RING ON THE SHAFT MAY DISENGAGE WHEN THE VEHICLE EXPERIENCES AN UNUSUALLY SEVERE IMPACT TO THE FRONT WHEELS. IF THE SNAP RING BECOMES DISENGAGED AND THE STEERING WHEEL IS THEN REPEATEDLY TURNED TO THE LOCKED POSITION, OVER TIME THE STEERING SHAFT MAY BECOME DISCONNECTED.
- Risk
- THIS COULD RESULT IN LOSS OF STEERING CONTROL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
- Fix
- DEALERS WILL REPLACE THE SNAP RING WITH A NEWLY DESIGNED ONE AND INSTALL AN ADDITIONAL COMPONENT WHICH WILL PREVENT SEPARATION OF THE STEERING SHAFT. THIS SERVICE WILL BE PERFORMED FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON AUGUST 23, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT LEXUS AT 1-800-255-3987.
Not every 2005 Lexus LX is affected — only a VIN check confirms your car.
Owner-reported problems
Unverified owner reports; best-sellers collect more.
Used 2005 Lexus LX buyer's checklist
- Run the VIN at nhtsa.gov/recalls. 2 recalls this year — ask for proof of repairs.
- Structure › Body — 1 owner reports. Open and close every door, the hood and tailgate; look for rust or misaligned panels.
- Fuel/Propulsion System — 1 owner reports. Smell for fuel around the car and in the cabin, check that it starts easily when warm, and look at the oil dipstick for a fuel smell or rising level.
- Air Bags — 1 owner reports. Confirm the airbag warning light turns off after start-up and any airbag recall was completed.
- Mileage to watch. Owners typically reported problems around 90,000 miles; ask what was repaired near that point.
- Before you pay: service records, a history report and an independent inspection.
Generated by DecodedCars from NHTSA recalls and owner complaints for the 2005 Lexus LX. Not a substitute for a professional inspection.
Other LX years
Compare all years →| Year | MPG (best) | Length | Overall | Recalls | Complaints |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 LX | 20 | 200.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2025 LX | 20 | 200.4 in | Not rated | 1 | 0 |
| 2024 LX | 19 | 200.4 in | Not rated | 4 | 3 |
| 2023 LX | 19 | 200.4 in | Not rated | 5 | 13 |
| 2022 LX | 19 | 200.4 in | Not rated | 6 | 5 |
| 2021 LX | 14 | 200 in | Not rated | 0 | 0 |
| 2020 LX | 14 | 200 in | Not rated | 0 | 1 |
| 2019 LX | 15 | 200 in | Not rated | 2 | 1 |
| 2018 LX | 15 | 200 in | Not rated | 2 | 4 |
| 2017 LX | 15 | 200 in | Not rated | 1 | 1 |
| 2016 LX | 15 | 200 in | Not rated | 1 | 2 |
| 2015 LX | 14 | 197.2 in | Not rated | 2 | 0 |
Sources: EPA, NHTSA, Transport Canada, Wikimedia Commons. Not affiliated with NHTSA, the EPA or Lexus. How we calculate this →