No Matter How Hard They Try, The Competition Can't Dent The Sales Of The Lexus RX. Why?

I believe that the success of the RX is the result of just the getting the balance right between pricing, quality, target market expectations, reputation, ride/handlign etc. Lexus knows this market segment likes to play it safe and it delivers a fine car that ticks all the right boxes in a way that the competition cannot match.

— BozzorTheGreat (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 12:40:55 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 14   

women buy cars too.

— chemo (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 12:46:16 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

By the way, it looks GREAT in black.

001

— Agent001 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 12:55:27 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 7   

to me if i was considering a Lexus this would be the only one that I would buy..... other models are just simple rip-offs

— shabaru (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 1:51:22 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Lexus has taken this model pretty seriously from the start. Sometimes, it's quite obvious that Lexus give the RX higher priorities than the LS, ES, and IS combined (unless a redesign or facelift isn't in the near future, of course).

There are many things to hate about this car. The RX is actually a pretty good looking vehicle - the LF-Xh threw every online auto enthusiast off in that everyone constantly looked for aggressive appeal of the RX, which it doesn't have - one has to look at it from its "cute" point-of-view. So what do I hate about the RX? Well, the car isn't desperately pretty (think Alfa Romeo, according to Jezza). This sort of gives Lexus the right to remain rather conservative on certain models in their lineup in the future - not something a Lexus enthusiast would be happy about.

However, having almost forgotten to look at the RX pictures in the gallery above, I have completely changed my mind. The RX is like the pre-facelift E65 and E66 BMW 7 series - not attractive in press pictures but a lot more appealing in real life (and pictures with the car in the real world). I have almost forgotten about the annoying lack of chrome around the foglights in the non-hybrid model. I personally have seen any RXs in person recently, and I think they look great. The RX in recent pictures look great, especially in the pictures above.

And if we were to look at the taillights, we'd have to stop criticizing it and judge it from what Lexus designers intended it to look like - like diamonds and other jewels. It's the same as how the Nissan GTR began to look more appealing as soon as we stopped categorizing it as a gadgety Italian supercar copycat but rather a Japanese Godzilla.

I'm not gonna talk about how well it drives because it is understood that the ride is great for everyday drives to work whether in open freeways or in traffic jams.

So going back to the design of the car, I have to say... I'm really liking how Lexus attempted to simplify the exterior - the rear windshield wiper integrated into the rear spoiler, for example. The fact that the doors go all the way down to the bottom to avoid muddy pants (like those of the Ford Flex) makes the vehicle's side profile look very clean in a good way - not bland; I enjoy the decrease in panel gaps.

You guys might be pissed at how I've kinda digressed from the topic. aha So what do I see from the RX? It's cute, kinda pretty, and a little aggressive (the front bumper has this transition to the front fender flares). Those who need more utility can go for the GX, but like what most say, who really uses those rear seats? The RX is the perfect size (like how the CTS is both a 3-series and 5-series competitor). Hassle-free parking w/o feeling like you're driving a vulnerable miniature car, and there is a big cargo area! Moms can drive it, and so can dads going to work in a suit. The optional larger wheels are quite befitting. It rides just as smoothly as previous generations of the LS, which

— WorldofLuxury (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 4:05:30 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 9   

Have to agree with Shabaru its the best thing they make it's not bad looking and not bland like many.... no the rest of their cars.

— 1UAW (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 4:06:57 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

Yeah but, those damning stories aren't about brands he despise.

— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 5:49:16 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 5   

I think the corolla inspired styling is enough for me to conclude that Lexus has more fanboys than you could imagine!

— M53R (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 5:03:03 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -12   

1. I do not believe that the RX is in the same class as the Q5, X3, GLK etc. The RX is way too big to be considered in the compact crossover segment. The most worthy component of the RX is the Mercedes Benz M class. Both are five seaters of about the same size. That is the reason it sells, it is a cheap alternative to the M-class soccer mom pinnacle.
2. The RX is on a decline. Each iteration is less attractive than the next. Lexus had the opportunity to make the RX THE go to car. I believe that the concept was much more attractive and appealing than the production version.
3. If one considers this car in the same class as the compact crossovers. Then the Q5 is going to crush the RX in this segment.
4. Lexus needs a compact crossover that is REALLY a compact crossover and not just passing as that segment.
5. RX is on a downfall.

— LUXCAR32 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 5:32:56 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -9   

In black RX is looking really nice. Almost as good as the best looking car in it's class IMO (Audi Q5). Nice picture Agent001.

Here in middle East also RX is getting very popular. It offers maximum things which customers in this category look for. For example XC60, Q5, GLk...etc worked too much to improve off road capabilities and therefore lost some smoothness and other on road features. Toyota know 90% customers of these cars will not require it so didn't spend much time on it.

It is a very today's car, today's young people like gadgets, so Toyota made the RX interior very gadget or multimedia inspired, look at the mouse, touch screen, great music system, lot of buttons on the steering wheel...etc. People like these little things and RX got lots of them.
Then the funky shape, smooth everything and Lexus reputation of reliability and quality..etc makes it very appealing.

JUGNU

— JUGNU (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 5:47:27 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 11   

The RX is a well-appointed quality luxury midsize SUV from a brand with a reputation for dependability and service, period, all typical Auto Spies bs aside.

— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 5:47:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 11   

There was nothing factually wrong with your quote. As much as you bitter die-hard haters try to convince the few hundred people that read past the bottom of the articles on this website that all Lexus products are falling apart all the time, they simply aren't. As much as you try to convince everyone that Lexus is incapable of selling automobiles, they simply aren't. As much as you try to convince yourself that you are capable of using rational logic, you simply aren't.

— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 6:54:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8   

The problem is, your links aren't flashy enough. They're not catching anyone's attention because there are so many of them. I think you should post MORE. That'll get more traffic to your links.

— Anthony (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 7:59:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 6   

The RX sells more because it is less exclusive.
It is the Camry of the "luxury" crossover world.

— JustaCar (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 7:49:45 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -10   

001 - My only issue with the Lexus is the newest iteration of it is ugly. Looks like the love child of a Pontiac Aztec and AMC Eagle.

It reminds of the Acura TL, ugly as as hell on the outside, but once your inside the vehicle it is great. The problem I see is every time you catch a glance at a reflection of the car you are in you are once again reminded of its ugliness.

-00J

— Agent00J (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 8:31:44 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -6   

Here's a nice thing about the 2010 RX. When you get out your pants won't get dirty because the doors wrap all the way down and underneath the body.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 11:18:48 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8   

Another PAID ad.

— dlin (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 11:40:13 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

I was the biggest BMW fan; I had an 04 X3 and happy enough with it to trade it with an 07 X3. The newer six speed auto transmission on the 07 X3 is just horrible. It was all along shamefully bad for 2 years and BMW kept on telling me it's the characteristic and wait until the next software update. I had 9 updates and BMW told me I have to accept the way it is now. Well, they put a GM transmission on their product and obviously cannot have any quality control over the transmission. Lexus on the other hand, has firm grip over the QC of their product. Their customer service is A1, unlike those clowns at BMW. Buying a new BMW is like playing Russian roulette.

— ItsMi (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 2:20:43 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 8   

The answer is simple and one that most here on autospies already knows ( but some refuses to admit) but highly paid auto executives and research think tank can't seem to figure out.

One word...TOYOTA! Who has more undisputed #1 selling models than everyone else? TOYOTA! RX is just another winner for them, it's actually the slowest seller of all their best sellers.

— Badgewhore (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 6:50:11 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

The RX was photographed at South Coast Plaza in Santa Ana, Ca in Orange County. The mall is on Bristol St and Sunflower near the 405 reeway. I have been to that mall a millions times. It was built around 1966. It originally had a Sears, the mall and JC Pennys. Now the Mall is gigantic and if you want to buy a $100k+ Swiss watch you can find them there. Before the mall the area was a bean field.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 7:05:46 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Justacr,
Kind of like how the BMW 3 series is the vanilla lux car? Difference is the RX doesn't pretend to be exclusive while every BMW 323i pretends to be a one of a kind that nobody else can lease.

RX gives people what they want, the best of everything. People driving SUVs don't want to take a corner at 100km/h like BMW wants people to do, nor do they plan on pulling airplanes like Audi wants people to think they can do with a V10 diesel. A car like ride in an SUV package smothered in luxury.

Personally, I'd rather have a Highlander hybrid but thats just me. Same price but bigger and to me looks better.

chemo,
That's why the BMW 3 series is so popular with secreties and metros.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 10:45:22 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

Actually, I'd rather have the parents' MDX than the RX.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 10:47:47 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

One thing my 2010 RX has and Agent001's doesn't is the drivers seat lower cushion extender.

— EL34 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 11:04:25 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Q5 & GLK > RX & X3

— AudiNewEngland (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 11:09:59 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -4   

But y is the front overhang like that? everything else about it is nice, but the front bumper they should have kept sportier like the Venza. Q5 is Fail, tiny and more girly looking than RX. The Black Bison front kit is a must for the RX - in person it looks amazing.

http://www.tuning-links.com/uploads/image/2009/September/Wald%20Lexus/wald_lexus_rx_black_bison_01.jpg

— StickShiftCamry (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 11:24:04 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Enter MC Hammer "You can't touch this"

— LexusKindaGuy12 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/1/2009 11:27:50 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

Gas is still relatively dirt cheap, the incentive to buy smarter is not there s people like the Irrational/Rational dumb animals we are will go for the flashy toy as opposed to doing whats right.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 12:04:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

So what are the RX's global sales compared to the X3, GLk, and the Q5. I think we will then see the real picture of Lexus failure on a larger scale.

— VISO (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 12:18:22 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

once again another benchmark that WILL NOT FAIL....FACT
if u don't believe, ask the BMW 3 series....FACT

— Denali (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 1:27:41 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

VISO,
In Sept, the RX outsells the X3 and X5 combined in the US by 4to1 and for the year, 3to1.

Since the X5 and X3 were created specifically for North America, it wouldn't surprise me if the RX still outsold both models if you include worldwide sales.

— huu76 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 10:00:26 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 2   

price and women have 77% of the purchasing decision when it comes to the sale of a vehicle. thats it.
its the worst vehicle I have ever driven and I do not feel safe turning a corner in this fugly vehicle.

— 2ndbimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 10:31:11 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

just looking back at the pictures, it is so ugly. The new I-Drive screen is so much nicer than this thing Lexus has going.
If you really look at that interior shot of the drivers side, it is so plain!
This is a females vehicle. No self-respectiing make will ever drive this vehicle. If you are a man who drives this, I can garauntee you are out of shape.

— 2ndbimmer (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 10:43:33 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -3   

People relate BMW with performance, they relate MB with luxury and cost. The RX is not a hardcore performer, and not a top-notch luxury. It fits right in the middle where most people fall when looking for this type of small SUV. Not to mention you are not paying for every little option separately like leather and HIDs, etc. They all come in the Toyota typical packaging which makes the process that much easier.

— Whelan (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 11:12:58 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

I told u guys when the re-design came out 60k units a year. I was wrong its tracking almost 80k.

— truthpursuit (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 11:40:29 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

Selling one of the RXs main competitors, the MDX, I will give my opinion as to why it sells as well as it does. It combines good luxury appointments, technology (not the best, but by far not the worst), decent enough looks, good price, a "reputation" for reliablity and IT CATERS TO WOMEN. Women are the main purchasers of the RX, hands down. It's not the sportiest of drives or the fastest, but only a VERY FEW women care about that. The women that I encounter when looking at SUVs say that the MDX isn't as nice a driver as the RX, and it isn't. To me, the MDX is the better driver, but not to women. Women purchase mid-size SUVs, men purchase the X5s or the Q7s or the big SUVs like the Tahoes or Escalades. And in my opinion (which is always wrong according to my wife), women make up the demographic that Lexus has dominated with the RX. I personally don't like the RX, but I do know a great vehicle when I see and drive it, and the RX is a great vehicle for what it is.

V-10 NSX

— jsell (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 11:44:39 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

The RX is actually a great car. It's a Lexus so it immediately gets ostrisized on this site because it's not an "Enthusiast" vehicle. You know what though, unless you're driving a 2DR (NOT 4DR) Jeep Wrangler, or a 10 year old Land Rover, you're not driving an Enthusiast SUV either.

The 2010 RX350 is a great balance between standard ammenities, power, driviability, reliability, safety, handling, and not to mention the great service offered by Lexus.

Because the car is so new, the residual is very high, even for Lexus, and when you think about what other options you have in this segment and compare it apples to apples, nothing really comes close. Everything else is either too "sporty" or too expensive to compete with the RX in the crossover SUV class.

They have already established themselves as market leaders for a reason, and Lexus has built on that reputation of quality and service for the next generation of buyers. This is also the first RX that they are directly trying to appeal to the male buyer. I wouldn't be caught dead in an RX330, but this new RX is not bad at all. It has a nice engine note as you power through the gears, a sequential shift transmission, giant wheels that don't crucify the ride, and logo on the front of the car that shows you mean business.

The better question is, why NOT to buy this car?

— adamsaf723 (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 11:54:02 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: 4   

I don't know I like the highlander's looks better and it's cheaper and almost as as many gadgets. But it doesn't have an L badge and women think expensive = good! Women are stupid and buy it because they don't know what they don't know and Lexus exploits them the same way BMW exploits people into thinking a BMW 3 series handles better then a Lotus Exige.

— pennfootball (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 12:10:32 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: -2   

Lexus has figured it out:
Most people don't want to be bothered with driver involvement.
It's true and the foundation of their success.

— vonbeeler (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 3:27:37 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

RX is a very polished product. Hyundai's Veracruz is right on it's tail but the sales figures are dismal for the VC because most people take a look at the Santa Fe right next to it and decide for the money the SF is good enough.

For September 2009 sales: Veracruz: 574, Santa Fe: 7,010, RX: 5,631

— Epik (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 7:46:14 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Never, Ever Listen to a chick about buying a car. If she really wants me to drive that car that bad then offer her a purchase of that very same car for her own use.

A woman will think you are a pus-y if you give in to her. Im talking plain and simple mental/biological caveman stuff.

You must stay in control men, its that simple.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 9:39:24 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Also, you do you want to drive the car you only picked out becuase your girl picked it out for you every single day?

Most women have no sense of a proper vehicle, and yet they always have the nerve to bit-h about gas prices. They like things that are overpowered, get sh-t MPG, and flashy looking even if its as unreliable as the Chicago Cubs even making it to the World Series; much less winning.

You want to bring home the smart chick Driving the Small Gas Sipping: KIA, Toyota, or Honda. That's who Id Marry.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 9:46:01 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

Chicks who drive Anything thats not a: VW/Audi, Hyundai/KIA, Honda/Acura, Toyota/Lexus Product usually get put into my FU-K BUDDIES BIN!!!

If you drive an American Product I will always assume youre a nasty whore to be used right off the bat, and I wont repsect you until you prove worthy. (Buick Chicks are fu-king naughty in the bedroom)

Mazda Chicks are Slutty too, though they have this veneer of innocence. However, any man who has gotten close enough to a Mazda Chick knows otherwise.

Chick who drive obscure cars like the MINI the Vibe the Astra are usually sexually cold to everybody except you. They are conservative in dress and for some reason Republican hippy chicks (An oxymoron I know, but conservative hippy chicks exist, as I personally know)

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 10:00:27 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 0   

the rx is a total chick suv. thats y

— maxpnts (View Profile)

Posted on 11/2/2009 11:32:54 PM | reply to this comment | Votes: 1   

The Snata FE is more compareable to an RX than a Highlander. Id say its dead in between the Econo Highlander and the upper Tier Lexus.

Its more like a Buick Truck, id say, and with Hyundais Reliability id say the value Santa Fe implores you to consider it.

The Azera based Veracruz like the Azera is a stop gap model between the further luxury development of the Sonata and Sonata Based Santa Fe, and the development of a Genesis based Upper Crust Truck that would better be able to go above the RX in everything.

The Sonata Based Portico however will be dead on the money a step ahead of the RX, but at a value that demands you to consider it.

Anybody who buys a Lincoln or Mercury Truck over a Lexus or a Hyundai is pretty foolish, id say.

— HyundaiSmoke (View Profile)

Posted on 11/3/2009 8:05:14 AM | reply to this comment | Votes: -1