SLegacy99

It would seem like since the engineering has already been done it wouldnt be too difficult to put the RX's setup in the GX, ES, etc. And yet the Camry hybrid is on its 3rd year and there's no ES hybrid. Clearly the platform can support it. What gives?

xioix

What is the 12th model being launched there? The HS?

I8ABMR

I hope they did a better job on this model because the last one didnt seem that appealing relative to the other high end SUV options from the Europeans

spwolf

i had a chance to sit in new LC150 Prado, brother to the new GX. It is a lot nicer car compared to old gen, and a bit pricier too. It makes LC120 look like 90's vehicle.

Both Interior and Exterior look nicer and more cohesive than LC200, at least to my eyes. Interior is impressive, to me it looks better than a lot pricier LC200. European Prado gets a lot of new features such as electric folding 3rd row seats, 4 cameras that are used as parking cameras while parking, and "terrain monitoring" cameras while you are driving, latest gen NAV and... Xenons, which are on all but base models :-). So there you go, Toyota's real-suv's are finally getting xenons!

spwolf

i fail to see what GX and RX have in common ;-).

(Cj)

A GX hybrid wouldn't be ideal. Why? Because body on frame SUVs are both heavy (not good for fuel economy) and tall (not good for aerodynamics). Also packaging-wise where would the batteries go? I'd rather see an LWB RX450h with an option 3rd row. That would be much lighter, and much more efficient than a GX hybrid. Another option for a hybrid SUV/CUV is the rumored GS based JX crossover.

RXSF

LWB RX450h would not be possible with that sloping roof. It would just turn into a minivan. lexus should just stick with the 5 seater in the RX for now, and maybe a hybrid minivan for toyota

MR_F1

A GX450d (using their 4.5 TT V8 diesel) would make so much more sense than a hybrid application on this platform.

(Cj)

The slope isn't that extreme.



It's about the same as the 3 row crossover competition. Aside from that if the RX were 6 or more inches longer a little slope wouldn't affect the 3rd row too much. Also the LF-X concept has a similar slope and 3 rows of seats.

encore888

IIRC, the 1GX has been surprisingly successful in sales, relative to initial small expectations from corporate...with the middle market I thought this model would be a possible candidate for a repurposing for its next gen, in contrast with Lexus traditional practice ('the next gen builds on, and does not reject, the prior gen'). Given the GX designation, the rumored GS-based 3-row, 7-seat crossover could have been the 2GX. However, the fact remains that the success of the 1GX probably led corporate to consider continuing with its LC Prado connections. Even the side-swinging door (although now they're adding that window opening). I still am a bit surprised that there is a market for the LX and GX together, but it has worked out well so far, and the 3LX has its niche. Perhaps this midsize GX will be less of a looker though.

The G Man

Hmmmm, you might be onto something here, those lights in this picture do look like HIDs.

SLegacy99

If GM can do it, I am sure that Toyota can as well.


Better question, is there still a market for the GX at all?

IS-SV

Market is small for this vehicle, makes me wonder if it's worth the bother.

(Cj)

It's probably cheaper for coporate to just rebadge the Prado instead of switching the GX's platform. There are still rumors that a GS based crossover could be in the works, but if I were Toyota/Lexus I would just make an RX350/450L to maximize on the RX "brand". Imagine how many sales the RX would add by having a LWB 3 row seat version. It would also add to the RX's appeal for larger families.

SLegacy99

That's what I was thinking. Look at the LX. It had a brief influx of sales and now its back to selling in low volume. Perhaps Lexus would be better off to expend its resources just on one.