Car prices fluctuate significantly around the world, influenced by factors such as taxes, import duties, and delivery fees. However, the cost of the Lexus LX570 SUV in India is particularly staggering. Toyota’s luxury division has recently introduced the Lexus LX570 in the country, where it is priced at 2.329 crore Indian rupees, equivalent to an astonishing $343,877.
In contrast, the same full-size SUV is available in the United States at a starting price of $85,380 for the two-row model, while the three-row version is priced at $90,380, marking a $5,000 increase. When making an apples-to-apples comparison of the three-row variants, the cost of the SUV in India is an astounding 380 percent higher than its U.S. equivalent. Even if one were to select every option available on the Lexus U.S. website, the total would be around $100,000, which is just 29 percent of the premium seen in India.
This situation is not particularly surprising for those in South Asia, as nearly all foreign vehicles priced above $40,000 incur a 100 percent import duty. For instance, consider the newly launched Audi RS5. In the U.S., it starts at a relatively affordable $69,900. However, purchasing it in India requires an additional $100,000 or so due to various taxes and fees, bringing the total to a starting price of $162,415 in India.
One might expect added benefits at that price point due to the luxury status of the brand, but in reality, you might even sacrifice some horsepower, as high-quality fuel isn’t widely accessible in all regions of the country.
With a price tag of $343,877 in the U.S., you could invest in a house, a boat, or even both. In automotive terms, that could translate to purchasing three BMW i8s, a dozen Toyota 86 coupes, or one and a half Bentley Bentaygas. Alternatively, you could opt for the newly launched Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
Therefore, if you find yourself in the land of the Taj Mahal and spot someone driving even an entry-level luxury vehicle, you can be certain that they are quite affluent.
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