Guys, I'm not getting all the speculative concern on the RX L when we have little information and of course no automotive reviews.
At this time, my impression is positive in that it looks to be about 7-8 inches stretched at the rear while still retaining most of it's signature sloped rear design to meet some form of 3-row needs. MDX, QX60, and Q7 are boxier in design and may have slightly roomier rears but when has that stopped the current 2-row RX buyers from being the best seller among 2-row boxier-cargo competitors? The competition has lots to worry about.
:thumbsup:
I wish I could be as optimistic as you in this case.
The RX is rather unique in that it is "right sized" for many people. It is larger than the typical 2-row competitors in class, but it is smaller than the 3-row competitors in class. So why is the RX considered right-sized? It is because it can seat 5 people fairly comfortably, and while still having a decent amount of cargo space in the back. Other 2-row competitors typically have smaller cargo room in the back. Lexus from the beginning had a great formula with the RX and never wavered. Lexus is the pioneer, as they created the luxury crossover segment with the RX.
So now let's look at this coming RX L. Let's say it has been stretched about 7-8 inches based off photos, which seems reasonable. Based on spy shots and rumors, the rear will be less sloped than a regular RX, but still somewhat sloped. There is no way Lexus is going to make a completely boxy rear on the RX L as that will clash style-wise with the rest of the vehicle. The RX is about 8 inches shorter than the Q7, and QX60. It is about 4 inches shorter than the MDX. Also importantly, it is about 10 inches shorter than the GLS. Some consider the GLS to be the top dog in terms of 3-row luxury crossovers. It is priced much, much higher than the RX. Price-wise it sits neatly between the GX and LX, and it outsells the GX and LX combined in the USA. Then you have the oddball X5, which I don't include in this comparison. It is about the same length as the RX, but RWD based, more performance-oriented, and an optional 3rd row is available. The Q7, QX60, and GLS are also taller than the RX, the GLS significantly so. The MDX is about the same height.
So arguably the main competitors to the RX and RX L which include the MDX, QX60, Q7 and GLS are anywhere from 4-10 inches longer. However they are all much more boxy in styling, and also importantly they are all much wider than the RX. That adds to both passenger comfort and cargo area. The RX is quite narrow in terms of width. Not to mention the 3-row competition being taller than the RX, with the exception of the MDX.
I am not focusing on 2-row competitors, since they are irrelevant to this coming RX L.
I have spent lots of time in the 4RX both as a driver and passenger. It's comfortable from a space standpoint, but to echo mikeavelli's post, the 4RX is quite large compared to the 1RX, yet it doesn't feel super roomy inside. The 4RX feels roomy enough, and cozy, but not super roomy. Part of that is the very edgy styling, and part of that is the narrow width.
So does the competition have lots to worry about? Of course, the RX is hands down the pioneering top dog in overall luxury crossover sales. Also in this current market just about any crossover sells. Is that though the standard that Lexus should aim for and aspire to? A bare minimum rush job that meets "some form" of 3rd row needs? Certainly I feel that would be a borderline embarrassing standard for Lexus to aspire to. Also given the legacy, heritage, and reputation of the RX, my expectations of an RX L would be that it be "right sized" just like the regular RX. That means having enough space for 3rd row passengers *and* still having some decent cargo room. That means a length or wheelbase increase of 7-8 inches is not enough. Given how narrow the 4RX is, at minimum I personally feel a 10 inch wheelbase increase would be needed, and a 12-15 inch interior length increase as a bare minimum. Given that the 4RX has very edgy/swoopy styling compared to the competition, the same sort of length and wheelbase the competitors have can't really be applied to the 4RX.
Ideally though, what Lexus should be doing is making a proper RX L on TNGA. That includes making the RX much wider than it currently is, and giving the RX L a long enough wheelbase so that large overhangs do not become a big problem. Not only are large overhangs a problem stylistically, but also practically. Larger overhangs make it more of a hassle in day-to-day situations, including with approach and departure angles and a more boaty feel due to more weight at the 4 corners. The 4RX is great as-is for a 2-row crossover, but I feel it is a bad starting point for a 3-row crossover. The wheelbase, the various proportions and dimensions I feel just aren't suited for a proper 3-row crossover. We can see from the latest spy shots how tight that 3rd row area looks.
Technically the current K platform can support a much longer wheelbase, width, and height when looking at the Sienna's dimensions. The Sienna however is very boxy and square, and the Sienna has a lower ground clearance than the 4RX. Also that would require a complete redesign of the current 4RX to get to Sienna dimensions.
So in summation, I feel this coming RX L will not be "right sized" for 3 rows due to the above points, unlike the current regular RX being right sized for 2 rows.
