Is this the next Lexus RX? The Spies dial you into the exclusive scoop

Since the Lexus RX has hit the market, its competitors have been totally confounded by its massive success in the marketplace.

If you look at it on paper its hard to understand why it smokes everyone but at the end of the month, the sales numbers speak for themselves...AWESOME!

So everyone is wondering what the next generation ride will look like.

We published some details a few weeks ago:

"The next Lexus RX will have the basic underpinnings of the Highlander and will feature a third row seat for the first time.

Of course, the RX will be much more 'up-level' than the Highlander with a bevy of luxury features and options that won't be on its junior brethren.

We're also told the design is being penned by Calty design in Newport Beach and will be very elegant and strong."

Now more details are leaking out and our sources have told us that the next RX will be very similar in design to the LF-X concept, that was shown a little over 18 months ago.

LexusKindaGuy12 - 3/5/2007 1:42:05 AM

+2 Boost

umm no....

this has been a concept car on the lexus website for years. and i dont know if youve noticed, thats a station wagon

mitchatlexusofmarin - 3/5/2007 8:27:28 PM

+1 Boost

This is not the next RX, and not really close.

Agent001 - 3/5/2007 1:49:00 AM

-2 Boost

It was not a station wagon, it was a crossover.

And we're told the next RX design is quite similar.

001

kws63 - 3/5/2007 2:21:09 AM

+1 Boost

I thought I read somewhere that the LF-X was going to be a Mercedes R class competitor called the JX?

S4cabriofoxone - 3/5/2007 8:55:41 AM

0 Boost

"And we're told the next RX design is quite similar."

We were also told that the IS, GS and LS would look like the LF-S! Then what happened?

Brembo - 3/5/2007 9:58:03 AM

-1 Boost

YEAH! You tell 001. Lets be PC about it.

dumpsty - 3/5/2007 7:52:49 AM

-1 Boost

Doesn't Lexus already have a crossover touring concept like the R-class and Pacifica which is larger than the concept shown in this thread?

The concept above may be a crossover, but it looks like a tall wagon design. Imagine a Dodge Magnum raised 1 ft and all its sheetmetal extended down to give it a lower-profile.

S4cabriofoxone - 3/5/2007 8:57:37 AM

0 Boost

I still don't understand why the RX needs a third row. Is it really necessary to have THREE three-row SUVs? And doesn't it obsolete the GX?

mitch has told me (quite a few times) that it won't obselete the GX because of the size difference, but if they're elongating the RX, won't there be less of a difference? And who in their right mind would buy the GX over a more comfortable, more stylish, more fuel-efficient, faster SUV that can fit as many people? As if they went off-roading in a Lexus!

S4cabriofoxone - 3/5/2007 7:29:08 PM

+2 Boost

Range Rovers are actually known for their off-roading skills just as well as their luxurious interiors.

The GX470, on the other hand...

And why was I de-boosted once again? My name? Because that post was 100% truthful.

mitchatlexusofmarin - 3/5/2007 8:25:22 PM

+2 Boost

S4, we need the 3rd row to remain in the hunt with our competitors- MDX/X5 etc. The RX will always be rather car like and built on a car chassis, while the GX will be a more serious off-roader with a truck frame. This is the difference.

Mitch

mitchatlexusofmarin - 3/5/2007 8:26:19 PM

+1 Boost

PS- I'll boost you up 1.

S4cabriofoxone - 3/5/2007 10:14:56 PM

+1 Boost

LOL, boosted you too.

The MDX and X5 aren't off-roaders, either. A three-row RX would be closer to them than a three-row GX, in size, heft, price... and most importantly, sales.

I'd say the GX's closest competition is the Q7, with the XC90 following closely, as well as the GL450. But all are more athletic, stylish, and frugal than the middle Lexus. Luxury is rather subjective here, because the Audi, Lexus and MB are all very nice on the inside. Lexus is a bit outdated, however.

mitchatlexusofmarin - 3/6/2007 2:03:19 PM

+1 Boost

S4- agreed on all counts.

montyz81 - 3/5/2007 9:21:08 AM

-2 Boost

Looks like they took an Infiniti FX and evolved it!

DiamondJim - 3/5/2007 10:11:34 AM

-1 Boost

ok, so if the RX will get its suspension from the Highlander and the Highlander has its suspension from the current Camry, and according to Autoweek, the new Camry drives like a Buick, then where is the fun driving either the Camry, Highlander or the new RX?!

someone explain to me the basics of "driving dynamics."

markusck - 3/5/2007 10:20:12 AM

-3 Boost

I somehow doubt that the new look will be anything close to a station wagaon (sorry crossover), no matter who told who what, the marketplace has proven the lack of desire for a wagon, sorry ..crossover, time and time again. If Lexus thinks for a moment that this is the direction they should go, take a look at the R Class crossover (wagaon)..and what a monumental success that has been...

Will_ - 3/5/2007 11:42:05 AM

-1 Boost

Why are people so angry? This concept has been out literally for years now. If the next RX closely resembles it then what's the problem? Clearly the actual production model RX SUV will not look as "stretched" as this CROSSOVER concept.

SupraNeverBack - 3/5/2007 11:58:10 AM

0 Boost

This one should be based on RAV4, smaller than the RX.

It will be really a big mistake for Lexus to build a too big RX.

MBKing - 3/5/2007 1:53:14 PM

+2 Boost

one of the ugliest backs of a car I have ever seen....ever

Designer1 - 3/5/2007 2:33:32 PM

0 Boost

This is one very old concept to be talked about now.

trd1 - 3/5/2007 5:37:07 PM

+1 Boost

very old concept, i dont know why you guys are arguing over this, because this is not the new RX.

mitchatlexusofmarin - 3/5/2007 8:28:46 PM

+1 Boost

Why did I get dizzy reading that?