If none of the current Lexus vehicles excite you and/or are out of reach, what features or specs will get you onboard?

[internalaudit]

My wants are simple: BMW M Performance/ M Lite-like vehicles that are RWD-biased AWD systems with torque vectoring. And maybe 15% lower MSRP and four doors, lol.

I don't mind a full second or two slower 0-60, 15 to 20% lower HP and torque as long as as fuel economy is 30-40% better than on the BMWs.

Until then, it will be the waiting game for me.

 

[ssun30]

I have given up waiting for Lexus to make any competitive product with an ICE. If I buy another ICEV it will be German. So I'm shifting my hopes to BEVs.

I say this because RZ450e was genuinely a big surprise for me. Despite all the criticism on its range and charging speed, I believe this is the best car they have on sale that doesn't have a V8. The way it accelerates and handles should be the new benchmark for "Lexus Driving Signature".

Apart from their new battery tech that is still vaporware at this point, there are still a lot of low hanging fruit to make their EVs modern and competitive:

- update the eAxles with SiC (currently only on the 300e but not 450e).
- change charging to NACS for NA market.
- integrate the 11kW AC charger into the ESU.
- offer eco wheels on the Luxury trim.
- add battery preconditioning and remove DC fast charging limit.
- add plug-and-charge function to software.
- RZ600e with dual 150kW motors.
- charge indicator on the charging port.
- drive mode dial for easy switching between Sport and Eco.

 

[Gecko]

I agree with both of you. My Lexus "coming of age" was in the heyday of IS, GS, LS, and SC, and later, IS F, GS F, RC F, and LFA that all made promises Lexus didn't keep.

I'd be pretty open to ICE, HEV, or BEV -- but I don't care about buying another Lexus until they care about building the types of Lexus cars that made me love the brand to begin with.

 

[carguy420]

An inline 4 is definitely not my 1st choice for a RWD sports sedan, but if that means it can help bring the weight of a higher powered IS (with the new G20E) down to like 1.5 to 1.6 tonnes instead of 1.8 tonnes like the IS500, I'll take it.

 

[qtb007]

Add 3" to the wheelbase of the UX and a less sloped hatch area. Wouldn't mind it being a 350h instead of a 300h either. I don't see it happening, though. The UX is a ROW car that just gets sold in the US as well versus the NX and RX that are much more clearly focused for the US buyer.

 

[NomadDan]

-Better interior designs. Bring the LM design language to the rest of the Lexus line. More wood and soft-touch materials. Especially in the LX and GX.
-Move away from this tacky design language with random body lines that go in every direction. Offer a more cohesive design language with more organic curves. GX and Electrified Sport are good starting points.
-Return of the "F" line with high performance engines.
-Return of the turbo inline-6 for the IS and LC/RC replacement (along with the Supra and GR Crown Sedan). Offer manual transmissions in these models as well.
-Offer a new GS as a 4 door coupe with the inline 6.
-Offer a larger unibody RWD SUV with the inline-6, either as a 2nd gen TX or all new model.
-Offer a large BOF SUV like the Navigator and Navigator L. Offer it in standard wheelbase (Sequoia wb) and extended.
-Offer a flagship model (LS and/or LX and/or larger SUV) with more than 6-cylinders. Hybrid V8? V12?
-Make smaller, more affordable cars that are fun, ie IS with turbo 4 and manual and/or a hot hatch (CT200h successor) with G16 and manual.

 

[ssun30]

Also, reduce front overhang and spend resources on actual crash structures instead of just lengthening the crumple zone. Benchmark Volvo for safety.

The following list of features should be no-cost standard equipment on all products at the base trim:
- automatic wipers and lights
- automatic folding and heated mirrors
- seat memory
- power adjusted steering column
- power rear trunk (sedans and SUVs).
- wireless charger
- heated steering wheel and seats
- remote start (AT)
- double pane windows
- parking sensors

A lot of these features are still optional on many models. I know most actual cars sold have those equipment because Premium trim is the most sold but that just means consumers are paying extra money over the base. The price difference isn't even that large which shows how low cost these options are.

 

[carguy420]

Also, reduce front overhang and spend resources on actual crash structures instead of just lengthening the crumple zone. Benchmark Volvo for safety.

I am legit sick of seeing some of these new cars with massive front overhangs, and it's usually from car manufacturers that can somewhat afford to be lazy and taking the easy way out instead of doing things properly (TMC, Honda and Subaru, I'm looking at you). They're gonna reach land yacht levels of overhang if they continue to just rely on extending the length of the crumple zone in the front overhang to past stricter and stricter crash safety standards 💀.

 

[JustADude]

-Make smaller, more affordable cars that are fun, ie IS with turbo 4 and manual and/or a hot hatch (CT200h successor) with G16 and manual.

The new turbo-4 is said to have 295hp/295tq in the base form, that should outdo the current 350 if the engine is lighter and has their new 8-speed from the GRC auto.

 

[NomadDan]

The new turbo-4 is said to have 295hp/295tq in the base form, that should outdo the current 350 if the engine is lighter and has their new 8-speed from the GRC auto.

That would be a good base powerplant. I do hope they have some sort of turbo 6 or retain the V8 for an F variant though.

 

[F1 Silver Arrows]

-Better interior designs. Bring the LM design language to the rest of the Lexus line. More wood and soft-touch materials. Especially in the LX and GX.
-Move away from this tacky design language with random body lines that go in every direction. Offer a more cohesive design language with more organic curves. GX and Electrified Sport are good starting points.
-Return of the "F" line with high performance engines.
-Return of the turbo inline-6 for the IS and LC/RC replacement (along with the Supra and GR Sedan). Offer manual transmissions in these models as well.
-Offer a new GS as a 4 door coupe with the inline 6.
-Offer a larger unibody RWD SUV with the inline-6, either as a 2nd gen TX or all new model.
-Offer a large BOF SUV like the Navigator and Navigator L. Offer it in standard wheelbase (Sequoia wb) and extended.
-Offer a flagship model (LS and/or LX and/or larger SUV) with more than 6-cylinders. Hybrid V8? V12?
-Make smaller, more affordable cars that are fun, ie IS with turbo 4 and manual and/or a hot hatch (CT200h successor) with G16 and manual.

Ding ding ding ding ding ding! What I would add is to create a new (RWD) TNGA-L platform that is genuinely for Lexus cars and select Toyotas only. Use it for every single car in the lineup.

 

[qtb007]

The new turbo-4 is said to have 295hp/295tq in the base form, that should outdo the current 350 if the engine is lighter and has their new 8-speed from the GRC auto.

8AT from the GRC is transverse mounted. Definitely won't fit in a RWD IS.

I'd honestly be OK with something that was a hair more tidy in dimensions than the Camry (and ES) with a G20, GRC 8 speed, and AWD, though. Something to go head to head against the Integra Type S and RS3.

 

[Will1991]

Just make a proper sedan compact sedan with the new 2L 4 cylinder engine, a 2.5L PHEV version, a 2.5L HEV version and call it a day.

 

[MichaelL]

A modern RC, that doesn’t weigh a ton and is fun to drive with respectable gas mileage. I am interested. Is that too much to ask? It sure seems like it considering how old and dated the RC is….

 

[NomadDan]

8AT from the GRC is transverse mounted. Definitely won't fit in a RWD IS.

I'd honestly be OK with something that was a hair more tidy in dimensions than the Camry (and ES) with a G20, GRC 8 speed, and AWD, though. Something to go head to head against the Integra Type S and RS3.

If the Celica GR-Four happens, Lexus could offer a four door coupe version of this. CT-F? I'd be down.

 

[Naveelttil97]

I’d love to see a production version of the DSPORT IS600+ (Basically, just a V35-powered IS, preferably with the quick-shifting 10AT. It doesn’t even need 600hp; I’d gladly take 400-500hp) or an “IS500h” (a 3.5L multi-stage hybrid-powered IS). And I hate to beat a dead horse, but would it kill them to give the IS rear LED turn signals and the LX version of Lexus Interface (the one without the HVAC knobs)?!? I feel like either option could provide the performance, technology, and MPG gains I desire.

 

[JustADude]

I’d love to see a production version of the DSPORT IS600+ (Basically, just a V35-powered IS, preferably with the quick-shifting 10AT. It doesn’t even need 600hp; I’d gladly take 400-500hp) or an “IS500h” (a 3.5L multi-stage hybrid-powered IS).

Agreed. The IS needs something more powerful since I'm guessing the V8 will be dropped soon. The C-Class is getting the V8 back and yet Lexus can't have any new turbo-6s in the lineup

 

[dylanfoos]

For the last few years, I’ve been waiting for the next big thing in their performance lineup. While the IS500 has definitely made waves, I’m still not completely sold on the current options available (except for the LC500).

I’ve been really hoping for some exciting updates, especially around the F brand and any new high-performance models, but so far, nothing has been announced as you guys know. I’ve been checking out the IS500, but honestly, I’m just biding my time, hoping for news on the replacements for the RC and LC, along with the much-anticipated LFR. Those are the models I’m truly excited about, and I can’t wait any longer.

Until then, I’m holding out hope that Lexus will deliver on the upcoming LFR and RC+LC if it does in fact come out.

 

[internalaudit]

If there's any silver lining to the new US administration, it's curtailing that steep emissions standard requirement which really just forces almost every manufacturer to shift to EVs or punishes light duty vehicles and give a free pass to heavy duty vehicles, which many of us are not interested in anyway.

Unreliable EVs and ICEVs come as a result of this approach because everything comes out half-baked. Hopefully Lexus becomes relevant again in our minds. I just want a sports sedan with way above average fuel economy and way above average handling dynamics, two things that Toyota can easily focus on besides build quality and reliability. I don't think hybrid systems and dynamics are mutually exclusive.

 

[johifo]

I have given up waiting for Lexus to make any competitive product with an ICE. If I buy another ICEV it will be German. So I'm shifting my hopes to BEVs.

I say this because RZ450e was genuinely a big surprise for me. Despite all the criticism on its range and charging speed, I believe this is the best car they have on sale that doesn't have a V8. The way it accelerates and handles should be the new benchmark for "Lexus Driving Signature".

Apart from their new battery tech that is still vaporware at this point, there are still a lot of low hanging fruit to make their EVs modern and competitive:

- update the eAxles with SiC (currently only on the 300e but not 450e).
- change charging to NACS for NA market.
- integrate the 11kW AC charger into the ESU.
- offer eco wheels on the Luxury trim.
- add battery preconditioning and remove DC fast charging limit.
- add plug-and-charge function to software.
- RZ600e with dual 150kW motors. ramz e ishq by noor asif
- charge indicator on the charging port.
- drive mode dial for easy switching between Sport and Eco.

You might want to check out Genesis G70 3.3T AWD, Acura TLX Type S, or Audi S4. These offer RWD-biased AWD (though not as aggressive as BMW's xDrive), decent torque vectoring, and a lower MSRP than M Performance models. None will match BMW’s chassis feel, but they provide a balance of performance, practicality, and efficiency. If fuel economy is a priority, a plug-in hybrid performance sedan like the Mercedes C 300e 4MATIC PHEV might also be worth considering. Until automakers bring something closer to your ideal, it looks like a waiting game.