RUMOR: THE NEXT RX330? WHY CHANGE?

I hope this won't be another one of my very disputatious articles again

disputatious, Good Word!

no. i just never really realized the difference... becuase there is no difference. just a name change

The RX does not have proper front seat height adjustment. I bang my head on the roof every time I try to get into it even after the salesman adjusts the seat to its lowest position. Also, the RX used to have a matching alloy wheel in a proper wheel well below the floor inside the vehicle. It is now outside below the vehicle floor exposed to winter salt and snow. Lexus can keep the RX as far as I am concerned -- they won't sell one to me, especially if they keep ripping off Canadian customers by not lowering the price to U.S. levels now that the C$ is at par.

The RX350 and RX400H (which is the Hybrid Version) will be re-designed for the 2010 model year. The 2009 RX's are the same as the 2008 models. The only thing new is that the 2009 has a Pebble's Beach Edition.

If Lexus keeps on track with what it's been doing with the RX since it's introduction, it will be released in either the early Spring of 2009 as a 2010 model. The 2009 RX's are already on their way to the dealerships...

Uh... it is.

#1. The RX330 has been discontinued. It's now the RX350 and RX400h. To be safer, just put "The next RX" instead.

#2. This car isn't a rumor. It was a concept (LF-Xh), and while it's not guaranteed for production, it will likely become the next RX, in a toned-down form.

#3. The RX's current design is looking very dated. I would think that, in such a cutthroat market (crossovers), Lexus would want to put out the new model sooner, like 2009 or even late 2008.

^^^ What he said...

I agree 100% This artile MAKES NO SENSE!!!

The Rx is in its sixth year,usually they change every five.It sells so well they didn't need heavy incentives.The new one will again dominate.

The RX330 came out in 2003 as a 2004 model. It's 2007, and most cars are 2008 models.

Why Change?

(Note: the RX-series... That Is)

Because in the automotive world, this vehicle is fast approaching ancient in its current guise.

The concept RX certainly looks manly enough with the overly aggressive front end and hood. Maybe this will be the RX model that finally attracts more male buyers.

Its 'Armored Assualt Vehicle' window line might also attract the young urban crowd if it's retained in the production version.

(Note: I, personally, think that this concept looks like some Mad Max-ian/Pseudo Futuristic version of the current... Not My Thing)

Don't you me "a" male buyer.

@theoptimisticpessimist

i see more women driving lexus' more than any car out there... especially th RX

The current RX has already had a mid-life refreshening, so the timining of its replacement sounds correct.

Plus, competitors such as Hyundai's Veracruz and Mazda's CX are "cooler".

veracruz? Car & Driver called it "Just Another Crossover To Add To The Long List"

the car has been out for 5 years ago...the same amount of time as the RX300 that changed to the RX330.

it is about time for a redesign. the competition is very competitive in this segment. Plus, the highlander is already out, and technically, based on features, it trumps he RX. lexus would not let its parent company do that.

the RX is also the best selling (perhaps less or more not sure than the ES) and therefore is very important to lexus. they need to keep the buyers coming and make it revolutionary, like it was back in 1999 and 2003.

Well, I'm a 'Logical' kind of guy, and there was nothing 'revolutionary' about either the 1999 or 2003 RX-Series.

Sure it's a decent enough vehicle, but really is little more than an re-bodied/luxed-out Camry wagon aka Toyota Highlander aka Toyota Harrier.

Nothing More

lexus proved to the world that an SUV can drive like a car with the RX300 in 1999. it started the entire suv boom that not provides the ML, the FX, the CX-7 and 9, and all the others. lexus was first.

the 2003 version proved that you can have an SUV that drove like a car, and still kinda look good in it. the RX330 and 350 is a pretty sleek car.

The Mercedes-Benz ML320 came out in 1997 as a '98. The Lexus RX300 came out in '98 as a '99. Believe me, I bought one of the first RXs.

Sorry kid, no to both counts.

Lexus had neither the first luxury SUV, nor the first SUV to drive like a car, and to be honest, the first RX wasn't particularly good at either of those things.

Subaru has been building car-like SUVs for longer than Lexus has even been in existence, and the concept has been toyed around with by automakers for decades.

As for the Luxury SUV thing, you can argue that Mercedes-Benz was there way before Lexus with the G-Wagon and the original ML, although neither of those were "crossovers" and I don't even know if they were the first to do it.

Actually, come to think of it, Land Rover has been building "luxury" SUVs forever. So take that.

yeh i had one too, a 1999 RX300 and now i have a 2004 rx330. both were great cars.

the original ML was nothing compared to the RX. even though it came out first, it doesnt mean they did it better

The 1st Ml was rubbish. It felt so cheap that it didnt even deserve an MB badge.

"the original ML was nothing compared to the RX. even though it came out first, it doesnt mean they did it better"

I agree, but I was just stating the facts.

We looked at the ML320 before going with the RX300. The Lexus dealer happened to have a '98 ML320 on the lot, and our salesman went over to us and said he would show us something. He put up the hood... and bent it, like rubber. Then he went over to the RX300. It wouldn't bend. I was sold right there.

Now, with our X5, the only way to bend that thing is by crushing it with a steamroller. It's a tank!

Why not just get a Buick Lucerne and have more room?

Am I to understand that you meant - Buick Enclave?

It is due for a change as many noted it has been out since 2003. Many dis Acura but the MDX has heated rear seats which the RX doesn't offer and just about everything thing else the RX has. If Lexus wants to stand behind there Pursuit of Perfection they have to change, perfect doesn't stay still and let the competition catch up.

It won't be catch up it will be pass up.As for sales numbers its called dominate.

The only cramp part of the MDX is the 3rd row seat, which who needs it anyways. The front legroom is one of the best in class and the second row is average for an SUV.

I just hope they make the next RX a rear wheel drive.

it should just be an option

If the next RX looks anything close to that concept, Successs is gurrenteed. That will be one stylish, sleek and plushest Crossover.

JUGNU

The concept won the ugliest concept of the year award in my book. It looks like a squashed bug, with camry headlights. Lets hope it doesnt look like the concept. :)

but u were drooling over the X6 concept,right. In my book that's the ugliest.

JUGNU

Yes, the X6 is sexy :) Nothing ugly about it, unlike this one...

agree.

The X3 is built on the E46 3 Series platform, I believe, but the X5 doesn't share its platform with the E60 directly.

That was a very evasive post, huu. Nice try, though.

Oh, that interior is so gaudy. Far too much "wood" that's cut in odd shapes. I don't like the interior door handles, either. They remind me of those off a '90s Chevy sedan or something.

Please, drive the X5, even the inline six. It's simply much more upscale than the RX. It feels like a nicer car... because it IS, numbers regardless. You sit there with your interior space calculator while I'm here having OWNED both of the cars.

I recall the first X5 being recalled 9 times.

Nope, you just took a look at their spec sheets. I'm sure you don't know that the X5 is now available with a power tailgate for 2008, or that it will get the 3.0TT next year, or that the 535d will be available next year, or that the 7 Series will be standard with the 4.0TT V8 in the US, or that the 3 Series sedan will receive a mid-cycle update soon...

As I always say, enjoy your jeep :)

the mdx is sorta out of the questio

I believe that a refresh is supposed to be the 2009 model year.