Report: All-New Lexus RX will not be Offered as Three-Row Crossover

CIF

Premium Member
Messages
1,675
Reactions
1,825
CIF
15-09-09-lexus-rx-three-row-crossover-400x200.jpg


Lexus RX chief engineer Takayuki Katsuda explains that while there is considerable dealer demand for a seven-seat crossover, it won't be an RX with an extra row.
View the original article post
 

ThePenguin

Follower
Messages
176
Reactions
158
I'm not saying that this is bad news, however, I know MANY people that were really hoping for a 3rd row to be made available.
 
Messages
2
Reactions
1
I am glad to hear the RX will remain a two row vehicle. There are plenty of minivans and large SUVs out there with 3 rows. There is a reason the RX is Lexus' biggest seller. It's the perfect vehicle for many people. Also, many of of these 3rd rows that are coming out are useless for anyone except a small child.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RAL

Joe

Premium Member
Messages
232
Reactions
377
This answer was to be expected. No Lexus management member is allowed to discuss future product plans in detail, so it is quite normal that Katsuda-san doesn't reveal any 7 seater plans.
However, if market request is real (and I believe it is - certainly if it comes from the brand's biggest market), then why shouldn't they plan a 7 seater SUV, based on the underpinnings of the RX?

Remember the statement from Bracken last year:
“Third-row seating is the No. 1 issue we hear from dealers,” Lexus Division chief Jeff Bracken said at the auto show here. “We feel like we’re missing a 35,000-units-a-year opportunity. We’re working hard to rectify that.”
“It could be any number of solutions,” Bracken said. “We could bring it to market in 2016 or 2017. If we can get it, that’s the priority. We won’t be bothered if it steps on RX. We want it.”


If the request from the U.S. is that strong, a 7 seater SUV should be closer to market than Katsuda-san pretends. But I am also convinced that the camouflaged RX test cars that were spotted recently in different media are 7 seater prototypes.
 

mikeavelli

Moderator
Messages
6,775
Reactions
15,141
Everything I've been told without being told is a 3 row car based SUV is coming.....So thats my 2 cents...
 
  • Like
Reactions: CIF

Gecko

Administrator
Messages
4,721
Reactions
11,280
Please god base it on a RWD architecture. Honestly, basing it on the next gen LS/GS platform might make sense...?



I know it's not likely....... but please.


:D
 
D

DDas

I am still convinced the spotted mysterious RX is a mule for the three row crossover. Lexus doesn't understand the demand for a three row crossover and how well it'll help sales. They're losing sales because of it.
 

Axel

Fan
Messages
110
Reactions
88
Don't be fooled by the fake demand. It similar to the demand that demands stick shift boxes when it made very few will buy it
 

CIF

Premium Member
Messages
1,675
Reactions
1,825
I think all this article means is that whenever a Lexus 3-row crossover appears, it's not going to be an RX variant, but a new model :).
 

James

Founding Member
Messages
648
Reactions
1,168
I do wonder is there room for a 3rd row SUV in the Lexus line-up? We already have an NX now a new RX then GX then LX. I mean BMW only has the X5 for a third row. Audi just has the Q7. MB just has the GL. Lexus already has two models with a third row wouldn't a third just kind of be overkill? Just a thought.
 
Messages
19
Reactions
9
TX would be an unwise choice, don't you think, considering the very similar Acura model name.

RX-L sounds good if it's based on the RL chassis. It trades on the popularity of the RX and signals that it is a similar vehicle.
 

RAL

Moderator
Messages
1,213
Reactions
1,745
Why the shell game? ...

Less than a year ago the Lexus Advisory Board was extensively surveyed as to preference for a 'sporty' or 'utilitarian" D-pillar in a forthcoming SUV ...
Timing would suggest a new third-row model is still some distance in the future.
Why is dealer demand so significant when Lexus already has the now stronger selling GX?
 

mmcartalk

Expert
Messages
4,155
Reactions
2,675
TX would be an unwise choice, don't you think, considering the very similar Acura model name.

RX-L sounds good if it's based on the RL chassis. It trades on the popularity of the RX and signals that it is a similar vehicle.


Well, if you are going to worry about Lexus confusion with Acura's own alphabet soup, then why say that RX-L sounds good? It would be pretty close to Acura's RLX .
 

mmcartalk

Expert
Messages
4,155
Reactions
2,675
Why is dealer demand so significant when Lexus already has the now stronger selling GX?

The most likely answer to that is that the demand is for a 3rd-row crossover, unibody SUV. The GX is truck-based......and generally drives like it.
 
  • Like
Reactions: CIF

Demetrius

Founding Member
Messages
117
Reactions
182
Some brought up the interesting point of there being 5 SUVs. I don't know if Lexus can successfully support all those vehicles.
As much as I like the GX and its place in the luxury market, if you're going to bring a 3 row crossover in, kill the GX or give it the nameplate of GX.

The other option, is just offer the RX as an L model and stretch it out. You could keep the GX then. But I'm sure they've thought this all out already.
 
D

DDas

Am i the only one not a fan of the name TX? I don't know why but it just doesn't work for me. I'm not really a fan of the name NX either but now I'm used to it so maybe I'd get used to TX as well. I just think that making a stretched RX (named RX350l - just an example) would make more sense. It would boost the RX sales even more.