jlvargas78

Its Lexus planing on building a BMW X3/Acura RDX fighter? I would like to see what Lexus can come up with. I used to have an X3 that just traded in for a RAV-4 Sport V-6 after test driving the Acura. Any information???

DASHOCKER

iTrader: (2)

Congrats on the Rav 4..Was your X3 a 2.5 OR 3.0? The X3 actually competes more with the RX350 as they are in the same price range & segment. I can't see Lexus building a smaller SUV as the RX350 is close in size to the current Rav4.

GS69

If sales of the Acura RDX, BMW X3 & Infiniti EX grow, I guess Lexus would eventually jump on board.

A more likely reason tho would be if the RX350 grew bigger (as most cars tend to do during model changes) they may eventually create something to fill the void left by the former smaller RX.

LexusChris

iTrader: (1)

I believe I read somewhere Lexus is not interested at the moment, unless the RX 350 is going to the move upward.

jlvargas78

Thanks!! I had a 05 3.0 X3. Awesome vehicle but german reliability. The RX350 its too soft and pamper for me. I like the exterior but not the drive. I like the RDX but its a gas guzzler for a 4 Cylinder, and also doesnt drive as close to BMW as Acura makes you think, and I had a X3 non-sport model. a CUV based on the IS ( I have a 250 that I love) will be what im looking for. But I reallly enjoy the Sport RAV-4 with that V-6.

Koma

iTrader: (3)

Lexus really doesn't need another SUV.
Toyota already has RAV4, FJ Cruiser, Sequoia, Land Cruiser, Highlander, 4Runner. Lexus has RX, GX, LX. 9 SUVs.

bob2200

You're right. I had to look it up as I thought the RAV-4 was smaller. The RX's have been getting longer and heavier. My RX300 is 180" long, vs. the current RAV-4's 181". My RX300 weighs in the 3,600-3,700 lb. range (in my configuration) which is a few hundred pounds heavier than the RAV-4, but it was a 3L V6 vs. the RAV-4's 2.4L 4-cylnder. On the other hand, There are comparable Lexus and Toyota Models (e.g., ES300 and Camry). I could see having the Highlander/RX and RAV-4/XX pairs. If the RX grows, they should eliminate the GX and go for a smaller Lexus SUV IMO.

Koma

iTrader: (3)

The GX is a truck framed body. The RX is a crossover based on the Camry. The RX pretty much is a Highlander, both are offered in AWD, Hybrid configurations with the same 3.5 V6 and I4 engines (hybrid). The new Highlander is dropping the 4 cylinder model.
I don't see a point to having a 10th SUV in Toyota's family. Although it is rumored the JX is going to be a Sequoia based Lexus. That I can see because Lexus doesn't have something to compete against the Escalade ESV but still a bit silly because the market is pretty small.

LexFather

This is correct and they quote slow X3 and RDX sales in America. They ALREADY sell 110k RXs a year, every year, no one else is close.

Lexus doesn't need the sales volume selling a cute ute.

ST430

With the the new larger Highlander showcased, you can probably bet the RX will inherit this same chassis and move a little upstream. This leaves a little void for a Lexus CUV imho.

Trexus

Or Lexus could bring the RAV4 over to the Lexus side and call it the IX 350. The RX uses underpinnings of the ES. The current RAV4 can sport a V6 engine just bring over the IS engines and voila we have the IX 250/350...

MPLexus301

iTrader: (3)

Man, I really hope that they don't change the RX too much. I think that it's perfectly sized as is now, and I really hope they don't try to squeeze a third row in there. The GX needs to remain their midsize SUV.

spwolf

New RX will become slightly bigger and there will be smaller than RX SUV in the future.

It is fact of life :-).

Main reason is that due to European need for smaller vehicles, Lexus will need smaller SUV there, so there will be no reason to sell it in US as well.

In true Lexus fashion, it will be V6 only.

I have Rav4 and this is what I need. New RX might be tad too big for my needs, and my parking spaces.

LexFather

I agree. Not sure why so many people are facinated with having or saying "it sits 7" when it really sits 4, a kid in the middle and 2 infants in the rear (most midsize 7 seaters).

The RX with 5 seats is FINE, 110k sales a year proves that. People want a SUV for classy, car like transportation, not family haulers.

MR_F1

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