Video: Introducing The Three-Row Lexus RX L Crossover

krew

Honestly, I don't mind it. The front overhang is the only real fault I see with the RX design, so bulking up the rear to match is almost unnoticeable.

This rendering is great, and proves the RX L is going to be a home run for Lexus.

Agreed, the larger rear overhang balances out the design really nicely.

krew

Autoweek takes a guess at the seven-seat crossover.

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It's weird to see the gas door on the driver's side :confused:

Overall, I think the rendering looks good. This whole process won't be a simple feat, but the overall flow of the vehicle looks to have ultimately stayed the same.

ThePenguin

It's weird to see the gas door on the driver's side :confused:

Depends on whether you consider the "driver's side" the left or the right (not sure where you're from).



I immediately picked up on the discrepancy in the fuel filler on the 2 left side shots (present in the RX L, absent in the RX) used in Krew's article. It seems to me that the fuel filler door is on the left side of the RX, regardless of market. I've been through the galleries on Lexus' official U.S. (LHD), Japan, UK and Australia sites (all RHD), and each and every photo has the 4RX fuel filler on the left side. It seems that the RX shot Krew selected above was originally facing right but was flopped to face left via Photoshop (thus explaining the missing fuel filler door).

The other noteworthy take from the two illustrations is how a beefier, wider rear fender flare in the RX L (especially on the top and rear/trailing edge) cleverly helps mask the RX L's longer rear overhang.

My final comment: if the rearmost side window in the RX L (between the C and D pillars) is that shallow in the production RX L, the poor 3rd-row passengers will be subject to some major claustrophobia...

Joaquin Ruhi

It seems that the RX shot Krew selected above was originally facing right but was flopped to face left via Photoshop (thus explaining the missing fuel filler door).

The other noteworthy take from the two illustrations is how a beefier, wider rear fender flare in the RX L (especially on the top and rear/trailing edge) cleverly helps mask the RX L's longer rear overhang.

I can't get away with anything! :eek:

Yeah, I flipped the image because I wanted it identical to the rendering. Good eye! :praise:

krew

I can't get away with anything! :eek:

Yeah, I flipped the image because I wanted it identical to the rendering. Good eye! :praise:

LOL! :joy:

krew

krew

Autoweek's effort is a nice try, and the sizes of front and rear overhang are a nice match, indeed.
But if you look at the real camouflated stuff on the above picture, it seems to me that the line above the rear wheel arch keeps the same shape as on the 5 seater and the back door's window is more vertical than on Autoweek's try-out (where the angle looks the same as on the 5-seater).

Gecko

I spent some time over the last few weeks helping a coworker shop for "something nice that can fit both of my kids comfortably and costs around $50-55k." That pretty quickly came down to RX, MDX, QX60 and... Highlander.

I won't go into all of the details, but I really don't understand how the Acura brand is still in business. We drove the RDX, TLX and MDX and I know Acura's entire model range is a bit long in the tooth right now, but I was kind of shocked by the general downmarket feel of each of them. That certain quirky Honda-ness shines through and I understand some people like that, but the RDX and TLX were pretty quickly eliminated because of size. The MDX was eliminated because of the interior and dashboard. The interiors of all three have tons of plastic, minimal wood and generally didn't feel "premium" with regard to fit and finish. The current CR-V and Accord are much more impressive, but I don't care for all of the shiny black plastic inside the Pilot. Overall, the Acuras felt no better than Hondas, Toyotas, Fords, etc.

Infiniti QX60 was pretty nice inside but she didn't like the CVT transmission and it was a bit out of her price range. They tried to sell her on a CPO model.... but...

... then we went to the Toyota dealership and drove a Highlander Platinum Hybrid. I can't believe I'm saying this, but the Highlander handily trounces the MDX and QX60 without a second thought. Neither holds a candle to the Toyota. The only case I can make for buying either of those is if you absolutely have to have a premium badge. Highlander drives better, handles better, feels much more solid on the road, has nicer interior amenities, is more powerful, gets better MPG and costs $10-15k less. Im really baffled about how Acura or Infiniti are selling any of these in comparison to a Highlander.

We also spent some time at the Lexus dealer driving ES and RX, and she really, really loved the RX. "ES is nice but looks like a boat" was the exact phrase from my friend. With options comparable to a Highlander, the RX quickly creeps beyond $55k and the interior is a lot smaller. Ultimately, the Highlander won out because of versatility, extra space and price, but my point in telling you all of this is that when Lexus unleashes the RX L, it will be a very, very hard time for Acura and Infiniti dealers. The interior of the RX feels 2 classes above the MDX and at least one above the QX60. The RX also outshines both on the road with passenger comfort, smoothness and powertrain refinement. The MDX drives kind of hard and while it handles decently, it doesn't give you the same feeling of quality and solidarity that an RX does. QX60 felt slow and unresponsive because of the CVT.

If the RX L has a decently usable third row, it's going to be a bloodbath for the other two.... probably for some other competitors as well. Overall, I was reminded why the RX is so popular - it's so comfortable, beautifully built, has all the right tech options, has an interior that's pleasing to the eye and fingers, feels solid and composed on the road and feels a little more expensive than what it really costs. It ticks all the boxes. Honestly, so does the Highlander just with fewer amenities, but this is going to be a great, GREAT addition for Lexus dealers. Can't wait to see the execution.

I too am a huge huge fan of the Highlander.

With the RXL coming out this afternoon, when can we expect Acura to announce it's closing up shop? Tomorrow?

Acura honestly is meaningless now
The ILX will be much more amazing if it is a trim within the CIVIC
The RLX will be tremendous if they have it again as LEGEND and it will give Honda much more power

I maybe from little whom sees that Honda name recognition and weight is much more than Acura

Lexus Reveals Three-Row 2018 RX 350L and RX 450hL

All the details. Every single one.

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RIP MDX and QX......

It doesn't look awkward at all...looks great..interior stuns still... Hopefully F-Sport comes next year

I must admit
Looks more good than I thought
Not the best but not meh or catastrophic also

yeah its a winner

Like Jalopnik said

Eating my smart remarks from earlier... this looks great. Maybe even better than the standard RX!

The rear windshield wiper comes out of hiding... /:

Good video here

Will this make us forget last year's HOT debut? :yum :joy:

so there are 3rd row AC controls on left side? cool.

Only live photo I could find.

I actually think it looks better than the 2-row RL ... front and rear overhangs look more balanced ... and floating C-pillar seems less contrived, blending better with the overall design.

Tragic Bronson

Will this make us forget last year's HOT debut? :yum :joy:

STOP

View attachment 2654 View attachment 2653

Dang that cutaway is cool!

Did anyone see captains chairs version?

Well, it looks better than I expected, although Lexus is showing it off with the 20 inch wheels of course. I think it will look more awkward with the base 18 inch wheels. On the other hand, the more practical rear end makes it look more like a Highlander in profile.

Other than that, no big surprises here. Same old engine offered, so the RX L is bigger yet slower than the regular RX. Also that 3rd row area is quite small, which is not surprising. What is surprising is some rumors said the RX L was going to grow about 10 inches over the regular RX, but this is simply not true. A length increase of only about 4 inches over the regular RX is disappointing.

The video of the cutaway model perfectly illustrates just how little size difference there is between the RX and RX L. Yet the RX L has reduced cargo space. This RX L seems like a half-measure to me, and certainly not a very strong effort IMO. It almost seems like Lexus decided to make this RX L after many years of customers and dealers on behalf of customers requesting a large 3-row crossover, while in reality not having a truly differentiating 3-row crossover ready for market. So they made this RX L, but this is not exactly what many customers have been requesting. To call the RX L's third row comfortable or luxurious is a huge stretch.

Now don't get me wrong, this will totally eat into sales of "in-between" competitors like the MDX. However very large competitors like the Mercedes GLS don't have a whole lot to worry about, as the RX L simply isn't big enough compared to the GLS.

I have to wonder if the next-gen RX and RX L on TNGA will be the same old, or will the next-gen RX and RX L be much better differentiated.

GuoxJason

The rear windshield wiper comes out of hiding... /:

Great catch! That's a very odd change for Lexus to have made. Did they rush the R&D of this? Why would they suddenly remove the rear wiper from hiding? That's something you'd expect on a Toyota model, not a Lexus. An exposed rear wiper IMO is much more annoying to have than a hidden one.

Video: Introducing The Three-Row Lexus RX L Crossover

Two video overviews of the new model.

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