Rendered: The Next-Generation Lexus RX

Posted by Kevin on February 10th, 2015

A reader sent in two next-generation Lexus RX renderings from an unnamed Japanese magazine — there’s the one above, and this grainy image from the rear:

Lexus RX Rendering Rear

Japanese magazines are generally very good at predicting how Lexus models will look (see these renderings of the RC F months before its release) — even so, I have some doubts that the new RX will incorporate the Nissan Murano-style “floating roof” design.

Minus that and the chromed-out foglights, this RX rendering is an extended NX with a squared-off trunk. Really, would it be all that surprising to see Lexus take the RX in this direction?

(Thanks Vlad!)

Comments

C
Crux
February 10, 2015

This looks like the NX....

L
LexusTechSA
February 10, 2015

That is very close to the pictures I saw of the new RX. But I can't say any more.

R
Rowando
February 10, 2015

I can confirm that, i have also seen some pictures at a lexus meeting

T
Troy Howard
February 10, 2015

Aliright SPILL THE BEANS!! I WAS planning to buy the NX but decided to wait on Big Brother to see how the changes looked. Those renderings are awesome. My wife really, really likes the RX but I feel it's a bit big for her to drive. Though I will be doing most of the driving anyway. My only real big concern looking at these pictures is that is has a third row, which I do not need. If so, then the NX wins hands down. I am only a 3 person household so those seats would be for not.

D
DDas
February 10, 2015

Please tell me the side window isn't going into production...

C
Carmaker1
February 13, 2015

Whoever rendered this has privileged inside information or saw it. Just like the 2007 LS back in 2005. I knew this to be true when I first saw this render from UZJ100GXR (on CL), so thank you for the heads up! +1

C
Carmaker1
February 17, 2015

That is not true, as I previously explained that these renders were developed well before the LF-Sh was unveiled in October 2005. These renders were from April and September 2005. The April 2005 render was less accurate (below), but still quite dead-on and a bit blurrier. The September 2005 photos resemble these April 2005 design patent filings by Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha, in domestic Japan. Likely where they originated from, as the US filing was on October 3, 2005. Spy shots of the XF40 LS itself and LF-Sh were not even seen until October 2005, which is after the 100% accurate representation was leaked. All of the photography below dates between April and December 2005. Press photography for the 2016 RX is being taken (for late March/April 1st presentation) as we speak about it.

Y
Yong Thian Ding
February 10, 2015

Well , "floating roof" is a bit NO in my taste , but I'm not surprised if the production somehow turn into something as close as that ... I don't quite like how the spindle grille looks , but the lights are beautiful on front & rear !

L
Lasse J. Nordvik
February 10, 2015

I've not seen the actual RX,but my feeling is it would look more distinguished from the NX than this.

A
Andy Rusin
February 10, 2015

This looks good. The side windows in the rear are too funky though. Hope that doesn't make it to production. Overall this has similar design elements of the new NX yet being larger. Some might say the new RX should be more toned down in respect to the NX but if they are going to rebrand themselves to be more passionate in design and less conservative, they should extend the new design philosophy to their entire lineup. Buyers adjust quite quickly.

T
Troy Howard
February 10, 2015

I agree. As for the design, the blacked out paint that seems to extend from the back windows to the rear reminds me of a woman's eyeliner. Like when a woman extends the eyeliner past her actual eyes to make her either look more exotic or sexy... Not sure I'm feeling that but it's different for sure.

L
Lou
February 10, 2015

I asked our GM....He was at the dealer meeting and saw the car on stage.... He's telling me this is the new RX and not a rendering.. .

C
Carmaker1
February 13, 2015

It's a rendering, but based in absolute truth. Someone saw this car in detail and modified the NX to match it well. I can see why many here claim it is correct and that is what my mind immediately jumped to, when UZJ100GXR posted this render on Club Lexus a week ago. It seemed too accurate, like "BINGO, that's it!" Lexus is one of the few brands, in which the production model is 10x better than speculative renders. See how accurate these 2005 renders were of the 2007 LS460, yet that car went on sale in late 2006.

M
Mike Forsythe the Lexfather
February 10, 2015

With the sea of now SUvs out there, using this treatment on the D pillar can make a vehicle stand out some. I actually saw a new Murano this weekend and to my eyes it seems futuristic and different compared to the sea of bland out there. I am glad Lexus is sticking to its guts and not being scared to push style boundaries. We did check out a NX but it was a bit small for my wife's tastes. She had a RX 400h and I think really wants another one.... I got some word on the 3rd row and its quite the interesting thing.....

D
deusex
February 10, 2015

I don't know about you guys, but I like it. RX sport should look awesome.

L
LexusGXman
February 10, 2015

After looking at both these renderings and prototype pictures from about a month back for about 5 minutes, I can tell you that this rendering is a 99% representation of the new RX, if not, these may very well be leaked official Lexus pictures. I am pretty excited and think it's a bold move and this design is definitely a solid change that the RX needs to progress. The only way to tell of course, is by waiting about a month until its unveiled at Geneva!

C
Carmaker1
February 14, 2015

I agree with you. These are not official, but seem to be very representative of it.

K
Kerw
February 15, 2015

No, they are not. You are a dumb cunt ...

C
Carmaker1
February 15, 2015

Hmm... Mods, I think we have a "problem" here. I will not even dignify this with a direct response, as I know who this is anyway.

D
DDas
February 10, 2015

That side window = no. What even is that? I love that spindle grille though; its so full and clean.

D
Deusex
February 10, 2015

Now I want to see it inside! any pics? :)

T
Troy Howard
February 10, 2015

BTW, if official (or close to), this would be the 350 or 350H not the F sport. Besides that, the vehcile looks awfully long....really long.

T
Troy Howard
February 10, 2015

AND another thing, the images are are not on the same ground... One is on a pier and the other is on the ground which would suggest these are strictly renderings and not actual models. Since, they are not in sequential order of an actual photo shoot.

M
mrxandthexfactor
February 11, 2015

I think: 1) The DRLs on the production model will be separate from the headlamp combination 2) The body contours are a bit messy - the sheetmetal on the production could look tidier 3) The floating roof, while it's not for everyone's tastes, it gives the design some freshness 4) It could possibly be offered with a third row.

R
rowando
February 11, 2015

The DRLs will be in the headlight that i know for sure, the floating roof is alsow a fact. They did't mentioned anything about a third row.

J
Jet
February 11, 2015

A quick bit of detective work finds the NX in the exact same place.

J
Jet
February 11, 2015

Rotated and sized to RX image

C
corradoMR2
February 11, 2015

Haha, good one!

T
Troy Howard
February 11, 2015

Great catch!

F
FooFoo
February 11, 2015

...and the rear.

A
Adriann06
February 11, 2015

Wow surprised on the headlights. Thought it would be he same as their recent design language to where the L-shaped is detached

D
DDas
February 11, 2015

That is one of the reasons why i think this is a rendering along with the chrome around the fog/corner lights

D
DDas
February 11, 2015

I have taken a closer look and here is why I believe this is just a rendering and not the production model no matter what some people claim (attached are the RX spy shots to help my points): 1. Look at the overall shape compared to the prototype spied earlier 2. Look at the rear: the bumper is way taller in the render than the spy shot. Look even closer and you'll see the exhaust tips are actually shaped slightly different on the spy shot model. Also the bottom of the bumper on the render is blacked out. The one on the spy shot is a dark chrome or grey matte (it could be just the angel). 3. Lexus has been separating the L DRL from the rest of the headlight which is not shown here. 4. Notice where the fog/corner light goes on the spy shot. It looks very similar to the one on the NX. The rendering is an odd chrome outlined one that doesn't seem like something Lexus would do. 5. Look at the grilles. The spy shot shows a thick bumper towards the bottom of the grille. The render shows no thick bumper just horizontal lines that flow all the way down (which I must say I love!) 6. This render shows a front plate. Most official Lexus photos have no plate or have the name on the white/silver plate (ie RX 450h). I know that this could be very close but in all honesty I do not believe that this an official photo. Just someone who chopped up an NX with some other added things to make it "different." What do you guys think? Agree or disagree with me?

C
Chase
February 11, 2015

You're right in your comparison to that spotted prototype, they're not that similar at all... But maybe that wasn't an RX prototype ;)

C
Chase
February 11, 2015

But honestly though I'm not sure how I feel about this. It looks too combined with the NX, but maybe that's what Lexus really wants. We'll see at Geneva, though. Can't wait!!

C
Carmaker1
February 13, 2015

This is a render, based on insider information. I wouldn't count it out yet... The 2007 LS460 was correctly rendered both in April 2005 and September 2005 (actual car) by Japanese magazines. This happened when LS430 mules were all that existed in 2007 LS spy shots and before the 2005 LF-Sh concept was teased. The renders were so accurate, because Lexus invited Japanese artists to view a prototype (LS460 was designed in 2003; photo below is of 2004 LS prototype with '05 LF-A concept and '06 SC prototype) and then sketch/render it from memory later on. This is likely the case here 10 years later, as this is common practice in the industry for hype purposes. Bear in mind again, that all these photos are from late 2004 to September 2005 during pre-reveal, as the LS460 barely was unveiled January 8, 2006 and launched in September 2006.

C
corradoMR2
February 11, 2015

Based on a casual conversation with a Lexus GM, this rendering appears legit as it was described as a "bigger NX with a unique side rear design".

C
Chase
February 11, 2015

What about third row??

M
MA DI
February 11, 2015

Almost the RX will remain a 5-seat crossover , Because Lexus planning to 3-raw crossover called TX coming in 2016 or 2017

M
Mike Forsythe the Lexfather
February 11, 2015

Honestly with all the leaks on purpose or not, I really appreciate the old days of a concept or near production model debuting and surprising. Ford just did it with the GT and it was REFRESHING to see a debut like that.

A
Absolut Sabs
February 11, 2015

The floating roof doesnt work, nope uh-uh.. no Opel Adam here please!

R
Richard S.
February 11, 2015

I don't think that Lexus will apply the "floating roof" design because ever since 2006 they have chosen to design all their cars with a destinctive sharp 'kink' in their rear window. It's has become their signature design element just as the spindle grill is becoming their signature design element. Why would they move away from that signature design element?

C
Carmaker1
February 13, 2015

Do you mean developmentally "since 2006", 2006 model year or year of 2006? I ask because, Lexus approved final designs for the current RX that year in particular. 2006 model Lexus redesigns (with L-finesse) were designed through late 2002-late 2003 (3GS, 2IS). This new one would've been final in late 2013 by comparison. Lexus has been altering design greatly from 2010 to present, which will affect 2015-2017 much more than 2012-14 models. I apologize if what I said doesn't make sense.

T
Thomaz
February 12, 2015

This rendering is so ugly it hurts. I bet Krew With his bad taste just loves this so-called design(Magazine rendering, that is.).

T
Travis
February 12, 2015

Thats looks good ! Very sharp design

L
lexusfan3473
February 12, 2015

Oh my... I have loved, absolutely love the RX since the first model. I currently am in an 09 that is just stunning in my opinion. The current generation has grown on me. However, still more in love with what I own. This rendering,if it were to be produced might be the first time I would not recommend an RX. That is hideous. I am hoping this is just guesswork and we don't see it again ; )

J
Justin 'jayjay' Jeske
February 13, 2015

Are those 2010-2012 RX 19's? lol. Not sure about the rear quarter windows...

A
Anti
February 15, 2015

The actual RX will look nothing like this. Ofcourse not, that thing is ugly times a million. These magazine renders are allways way off, just like the renderings of the RCF also was way off.

F
FooFoo
February 16, 2015

Another rendered.

K
krew
February 16, 2015

Awesome, thanks! Is there a second page?

F
FooFoo
February 16, 2015

Not exactly. Just something like this:

Rendered: The Next-Generation Lexus RX

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