WardsAuto has an interview with Lexus USA general manager Jeff Bracken on the 2016 next-generation RX and what the new design means for existing owners:
WardsAuto: You talked about appealing to new buyers and existing owners. What are the dynamics of managing both and appealing to both?
Bracken: RX represents our most loyal owner base. So we wanted to make sure we didn’t alienate our loyal owners with this new design. At the same time, we want to build on that owner base and bring in folks that might not have considered us in the past. Based on our focus group research, we’ve been able to do that.
WardsAuto: What might you have done to alienate?
Well, for example, the spindle grille, right? Some folks feel it is too expressive. On the other hand, there are a lot of people looking at Lexus because of that aggressive spindle grille. They might not have looked at us before.
It could be my familiarity with the spindle grille or my appreciation of the NX compact crossover, but the new RX doesn’t strike me as a vehicle that would alienate existing RX owners.
Even with the major changes on the outside, the RX maintains its overall size and appearance. Current RX owners are also likely to be looking forward to the upgrade in interior features.
Of course, I could be way off — what do you think? Any current RX owners want to weigh in?
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