Lexus', Mazda, Toyota 4Runner In This Month's Letter From Europe
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European Bureau Chief
Belvedere California, January 14, 2026; Last fall the Western Automotive Group of which I am a founder member organized our annual Best of the Bay event.
12 cars-12 journalists.
Having had the Lexus LX 700h Ultra Luxury for a week I am sorry to hear that it might be going out of production…
If that is the case items a great pity because quite frankly it has what Rolls Royce have at one third of the price.
I appreciate that arriving at the Golden Globes in a Rolls has a certain cache but beyond that in my mind the Lexus is Just as capable.
I suppose at 140 thousand dollars it has to be. It is powerful and luxurious whois pairing a twin turbo V6 with an electric motor which adds up tp 457 hp and 583 torque. The road quality is impeccable and having been a Rolls Royce chauffeur I can testify that this is a first class product.
Oozing luxury with massage seats it reminds me of a Mercedes Maybach which we had a good 15 years ago.
There was a charity function at the Getty’s in San Francisco’s Pacific Heights and the valets all made a dash for the Maybach. I get a similar feeling with the Lexus 600.
Second, prices are pretty reasonable keeping it well above 100 thou. If the 600 has a problem it is that it doesn’t look a hundred thousand dollars and in this day and age of showing off that is a problem.
Mechanically it is first class and it terms of comfort I can honestly say that the only thing its missing is the kitchen sink. Everything else is included covered in fine leather. There are of course buyers who are not show-offs, just discerning.
For these dare I say wealthy but sensible the 600 would make a lot of sense. My girlfriend and I loved cruising along in grand style.
2026 Toyota 4Runner
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Toyota’s 4Runner is a byword for I can get there under all conditions-be rain or shine. It has a tremendous reputation
Although to say that it is perfect would be going somewhat over the top. As regular readers know I have a penchant for V6 engines and Toyota had one of the best ones.
I-Force 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine with turbocharger is not my dream but it will still get you there, maybe a little bit more slowly. I”ve always felt that 4 cyl engines get out of breath here as an unstressed V6 so much more welcome.
I have been to the Lotus factory in Hethel, Engand home of the legendary British sports car I went on to the production line surrounded by big wooden crates stamped V6 engines From Toyota.
Lotus know a thing or two about engines and at that point they had a choice-the V6 of course. Well,
Regardless of 4 cylinder or 6 the 4Runner has a tremendous following, one might say a cult-a bit like Mazda’ Miata.
When people go back to the dealer to get a new one trading in the one they had you know the 4Runner is well worth a closer look.
Second hand prices are holding up remarkably well, always a good sign. Most people would get a 4Runner to lug a lot of stuff around so the furl consumption of around 2r4 miles per gallon is not altogether surprising.
The gearbox is a flawless 8 speed and it goes of course have 4 wheel drive.
The one I tested costs 62 thousand dollars and as I have said don’t expect huge discounts. What you can expect are 20 inch alloy wheels, a first class 14 speaker audio system , a moon roof , blind spot monitors, a vital rear=cross traffic alert, in other words everything the world’s biggest nufacturer would think of.
If you canalize without the extras such as third row, or running boards the price does come down to 57 thousand dollars. You can of course cut the 4Runner down.
To 2 wheel drive and could save yourself over 10 thousand dollars.
As to the question of whether I would buy one?
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If I had a ski hut in the Sierras most definitely yes. As I don’t in 25 miles per hour sleepy Belvedere it wouldn’t make a lot of sense.
2026 Mazda CVX 50.
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I have a very wealthy friend in Hungary. He could afford any car having owned Mercedes wagons and lots of Audi. Having tried the Mazda CVX 50 he would not consider anything else.
First of all he is a bit of a show off and as you can see from the enclosed photos the 50 looks a thousand tick's better than 42 thousand dollars.
Inside is where it scores yet again over its rivals. Exceptionally clear instruments, proper buttons instead of prodding the screen, it just feels up market. The seating is great, as is the steering wheel.
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The hybrid does not always work but it certainly does in the 50. The fuel consumption is a staggering 40 miles per gallon if you drive like I do. Gently.
These days 0-60 acceleration figures are for schoolboys and unless the car is completely gutless it is of minor relevance.
The engine-courtesy of Toyota is a 4 cylinder unit pushing out 219 bhp. In other words it could do with a few more horses. The ride spikes a fine balance. Firm enough to feel controlled yet supple enough to avoid rattling you fillings.
As the son of an oral surgeon I know what Mazda are talking about
What is really to like about this 50 is that it is so well thought out. No sign of cost cutting, simply well put together for people who have more sense than money. At 40 thousand you get all the above plus room for children, dogs and golf clubs. Also as it is all wheel drive Tahoe is only three hours way from the Bay Area.
Nice to see Goodyear tires, these seems to have been out of fashion for a while, for the 50 these are perfectly fine, there is no need spending a fortune on fancy Michelin's for a lot more money.
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Back to the question of whether would I buy one? Assuming that I was without a shadow of a doubt. Just for the brilliant red paint. It stands out a mile. Well done Mazda.
2026 Lexus 350 TX
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The block where I lived is full and always has been full of Lexus cars and SUVs. Truth be told it is a pretty elderly block.
I will not pretend that the folks here buy their Lexus for rocketing acceleration or razor sharp handling. G forces are not even talked about.
What the ladies who buy SUVs like the 350 TX are more concerned about are getting to the Yacht Club or the Legion of Honor in style,safety and comfort.
They probably don’t know that the TX has a turbo-harged 4 cylinder engine pushing out 275 hp.
Their primary concern is the knowledge the Lexus equals reliability so getting to the Opera late because of a mechanical breakdown are ruled out..
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They are more concerned that the three elegant coiffed ladies with her should enjoy the ride without creasing their Chanel pant suits.
The TX also looks the part far more than many of its drivers such as the Lincoln Aviator which looks horrendous. The Audi Q7 is another rival but is is much more difficult to get in and out of.
I should point out whilst the TX is perfect for the Opera it is also fully capable of carrying 7 people. For comfort the front seats puffer heating , ditto for the steering wheel, very helpful indeed in San Francisco’s recent Arctic weather.
The kick under to open lift gate is a nice touch and it does of course have built in smart phone charging which should be made obligatory.
Talking of more mundane things the fuel economy is all right rather than spectacular. I got 22 mpg in the City and 26 on the highway. Clearly with seven people going up to the Sierras it would be less.
However many there are in the TX the sound system is excellent.21 Mark Levinson speakers are called class.
The limited warranty is a reassuring 50 thousand miles and there is complimentary maintenance once a year or 10 thousand miles which is the case of the Opera going ladies is more likely very years.
All in all I loved having the TX, living where I live and the folks have ask me for a ride it is definitely what the doctor ordered. Proceeds go from 57 thousand to 66, I think the 59 thou dollar Premium is just fine.
The local dealer Tom Price is a first class man, feel free to say that I’ve said so. There are some less endearing dealerships around here but as I can't afford a lawsuit, silenced is golden.
See You Here Next Month, Happy New Year, Andrew