Front End design

[ISNXIS]

I think it was a bold move by Lexus that works well on most models. I do prefer the non F Sport variant of the RX over the FS version though. I think the FS version looks best on the NX, which my wife drives and loves.

I’ll never go German again, and I just recently sold my dream E39 M5 for a new IS350. I wanted something I know I could depend on for years to come.

 

[Ian Schmidt]

When Lexus enters the full plug in mode market will it still insist on its homage to the looming mill in the front fascia?

Assuming they're happy with the spindle as the brand's trademark, I think they'll keep it in some form. The BMW i3 has the classic two-kidney grill even though there's really no reason for it other than heritage.

 

[F1 Silver Arrows]

I think it was a bold move by Lexus that works well on most models. I do prefer the non F Sport variant of the RX over the FS version though. I think the FS version looks best on the NX, which my wife drives and loves.

I’ll never go German again, and I just recently sold my dream E39 M5 for a new IS350. I wanted something I know I could depend on for years to come.

WOAH! Okay there. I'm a fan of anything automotive and racing in general. But I am so shocked you sold for E39 M5 (an automotive legend) for an IS350. I really would like to hear why you preferred the Lexus because that's impressive (other than reliability). If an IS350 is able to woo a E39 customer then others shouldn't be so snobby towards Lexus vehicles.

 

[ISNXIS]

WOAH! Okay there. I'm a fan of anything automotive and racing in general. But I am so shocked you sold for E39 M5 (an automotive legend) for an IS350. I really would like to hear why you preferred the Lexus because that's impressive (other than reliability). If an IS350 is able to woo a E39 customer then others shouldn't be so snobby towards Lexus vehicles.

This was my E39. The past two weeks made me wonder if I should have sold it but many factors went into me selling it. Ideally the GSF would have been the best replacement, but I can’t afford it.

I have another kid on the way and I wanted something super duper duper reliable. That E39 sat in my garage for the majority of the years. I drove it maybe 10k miles in 3 years. It had 96k miles on it. So fun and strong, and a modern classic to boot. I did a lot of the preventative maintenance myself. I have an e46 that I drove daily with 210k miles on it. Still have it.

In 2015, my wife and I got our first Lexus and it was an IS250. Great looking car, just slow. I was able to convince her that we should upgrade to her current NX FS and honestly, I love it. I always wanted to get back into Japanese and nothing beats Toyota reliability and dependability. Plus, when I poppped open my NX hood, it’s just so easy and accessible. The Germans engineer things to be so difficult. The car is legendary, but the fact is it was 16 years old and I have little time to deal with what may become of it. Man it sounded so good with even a muffler delete, comfy inside, just nostalgic BMW.

So... I thought about everything. Do I ever want to be caught on the side of the road with my two little kids? Yeah, dads got a cool car, but safety and reliability is more important to me now. Do I want to deal with replacing the clutch soon maybe? What about potential rod bearings? Carbon build up blockage (easy fix with ECU reflash)? I dunno, things were beginning to weigh against keeping the car. Not like I couldn’t maintain it, but did I want to? Golfers elbow doesn’t help either!

Now I hop into my Caviar on Rioja 350 FS and just drive... it’s nice to have a lot of tech in a car, but it’s no e39. I don’t know if I regret it, but I do miss looking at it.

 

[mikeavelli]

Interestingly enough even though RX sales have never been better I am hearing the refresh will tone the front down a bit. I expect it for 2020.

 

[phoenixss]

You buy a Lexus first for its solid reliability and some levels of refinement, for the most part they are sourced from Toyota cars. The grill is a trademark and you like it or not it’s polarizing for sure. Personally I prefer the meshed F sport grill hover in the RX F sport the seats are made perfect for you if you weigh up to 150 pounds wet. So I’m stuck with the blade design which is not as good looking. As for your alternate, You don’t necessarily buy a Mercedes for Reliability, and for me reliability is paramount the grill well from inside the cockpit I cannot see it so I’m enjoying the plush and quiet ride and I know that the chances of getting my view obstructed by a towing vehicle are very very very slim

 

[Trexus]

Update of RX sales:

2010 - 95,790
2011 - 82,595
2012 - 95,381
2013 - 103,920
2014 - 107,490
2015 - 100,610
2016 - 109,435
2017 - 108,307
2018 - 111,641 YTD - Jan thru Dec, Projected 108,000 - 110,000 (wow! actual sales blew past my projection!)
Total = 915,169

 

[Trexus]

Update of RX sales:

2009 - 93,379
2010 - 95,790
2011 - 82,595
2012 - 95,381
2013 - 103,920
2014 - 107,490
2015 - 100,610
2016 - 109,435
2017 - 108,307
2018 - 111,641
2019 - 3,982 YTD - Jan thru Jan, Projected 109,000 - 112,000
Total = 1,012,530

 

[Trexus]

Update of RX sales:

2008 - 84,181
2009 - 93,379
2010 - 95,790
2011 - 82,595
2012 - 95,381
2013 - 103,920
2014 - 107,490
2015 - 100,610
2016 - 109,435
2017 - 108,307
2018 - 111,641
2019 - 12,562 YTD - Jan thru Feb, Projected 109,000 - 112,000
Total = 1,105,291

As of recent Lexus has sold over 10 million vehicles worldwide, which is amazing! Of that 10 million vehicles 20% are sales of the RX in the U.S. alone. Most likely worldwide sales of the RX might be around 33% - 40% of the 10 million. The RX is a great vehicle.

First Generation of the RX (MCU10) - U.S. and worldwide
RX 220 - 5S-FE (Japan model known as the Toyota Harrier)
RX 240 - 2AZ-FE (Japan model known as the Toyota Harrier)
RX 300 - 1MZ-FE

Second Generation of the RX (MCU30) - U.S. and worldwide
RX 240 - 2AZ-FE (Japan model known as the Toyota Harrier)
RX 300 - 1MZ-FE
RX 400h - 3MZ-FE
RX 350 - 2GR-FE

Third Generation of the RX (AL10) - U.S and worldwide
RX 270 - 1AR-FE
RX 350 - 2GR-FE
RX 450h - 2GR-FXE

Fourth Generation of the RX (AL20) - U.S. and worldwide
RX 200t - 8AR-FTS
RX 350/350L 2GR-FKS
RX 450h/450hL - 2GR-FXS

 

[Trexus]

Update of RX sales:

2007 - 103,340
2008 - 84,181
2009 - 93,379
2010 - 95,790
2011 - 82,595
2012 - 95,381
2013 - 103,920
2014 - 107,490
2015 - 100,610
2016 - 109,435
2017 - 108,307
2018 - 111,641
2019 - 23,529 YTD - January thru March, Projected 109,000 - 112,000
Total = 1,219,598

 

[Trexus]

Update of RX sales:

2006 - 108,348
2007 - 103,340
2008 - 84,181
2009 - 93,379
2010 - 95,790
2011 - 82,595
2012 - 95,381
2013 - 103,920
2014 - 107,490
2015 - 100,610
2016 - 109,435
2017 - 108,307
2018 - 111,641
2019 - 31,051 YTD - January thru April, Projected 109,000 - 112,000
Total = 1,335,468

 

[Trexus]

Update of RX sales:

2RX
2005 - 108,775
2006 - 108,348
2007 - 103,340
2008 - 84,181
2009 - 93,379
3RX
2010 - 95,790
2011 - 82,595
2012 - 95,381
2013 - 103,920
2014 - 107,490
2015 - 100,610
4RX
2016 - 109,435
2017 - 108,307
2018 - 111,641
2019 - 39,833 YTD - January thru May, Projected 109,000 - 112,000
Total = 1,453,025

The RX is very successful and can't think of anything to improve it. There are already a 2 row and 3 row RX. Maybe introduce an electric version of the RX such as the RX 400e...

 

[rickc5]

My wife has hated the spindle grille on the RX since 2016. But, she was persuaded by the rest of the vehicle and we just bought a slightly used 2018 in Atomic Silver with the Noble Brown interior. Seems that's a very rare combination.

 

[Huit]

After fifteen problem free years of Highlander ownership I decided to move up to a Lexus RX. From '16 the front end is just hideous. What were they thinking? The Lexus salesman admitted I was hardly the only one to complain. Anyway, they had a mint L Cert. 2015 RX on the lot with 58k highway miles. We took it home. This will be my wife's car and she loves it. I really wish they'd go back to the understated elegance of ten years ago.

 

[mikeavelli]

RX sales have never been better. It is the best selling luxury vehicle in the USA again.

 

[Huit]

I'm not arguing sales numbers. Quality will sell itself. But I will agree with those who comment about the odd, angry looking Lexus front ends. The protruding grill is also very prone to expensive damage. Can thousands of buyers be wrong? Can millions of voters be wrong?

 

[Ian Schmidt]

Here's the thing: in 2013 when this style of grille was first coming out, I'd understand that it's odd and stands out, especially since it was on a body that wasn't intended to have it.

Today, that's not the case. The RX was redesigned with the new grille in mind, like the ES and LS have been. And if you look elsewhere, bling up front is in. The latest-gen pickups from the Detroit 3 have huge, aggressive grilles. Audi has grilles that could swallow a Prius. Mercedes' grilles got huge and they can light up to make sure everyone knows you paid a lot of money for your car. Even BMW's CUVs have a giant, ugly distortion of their trademark kidney beans.

Lexus got there first, but it's almost impossible to avoid now.

 

[Will1991]

A friend of mine bought a RX450h during December and he let me do a "test drive" (with 2900km it was brand new), I finally realized why it sells so well... It truly made me understand "experience amazing" slogan from Lexus. Worlds apart from a 3GS450h I've driven before.

 

[Ian Schmidt]

The RX's driving dynamics definitely have improved over the generations. The TNGA version should be stunning when it arrives.

 

[Sulu]

Here's the thing: in 2013 when this style of grille was first coming out, I'd understand that it's odd and stands out, especially since it was on a body that wasn't intended to have it.

Today, that's not the case. The RX was redesigned with the new grille in mind, like the ES and LS have been. And if you look elsewhere, bling up front is in. The latest-gen pickups from the Detroit 3 have huge, aggressive grilles. Audi has grilles that could swallow a Prius. Mercedes' grilles got huge and they can light up to make sure everyone knows you paid a lot of money for your car. Even BMW's CUVs have a giant, ugly distortion of their trademark kidney beans.

Lexus got there first, but it's almost impossible to avoid now.

Audi was the first modern-era luxury brand with a large grille that extends from the front hood opening and down past the bumper, joining the upper and lower grilles; it even trademarked the name "Singleframe" to describe it.

The following quote, taken from a NY Times blog article, explains the purpose and the need for these types of grilles.

The grille is important, he [Wolfgang Egger of Audi] explained, because other companies have signature grilles with more history. Audi had to develop its symbolic identity more consciously. The result has become so critical to the company’s identity that it has trademarked the word “Singleframe” for a car grille.

Source: NY Times