Spies Get Exclusive Skinny On 2010 Lexus RX-Lexus Taking A Page Out Of The BMW Playbook?

Since it's entrance into the marketplace, the Lexus RX-Series has been an all out home run for Lexus and an absolute nightmare for the competition.

It has been so successful for them you would almost think there was some magic dust sprinkled on it.

We all know previous success is NO guarantee for future sales and with gas prices as high as they are, the deck is leaning in the wrong direction for launching an SUV.

So the pressure couldn't be higher on their engineers for the next RX.

It HAS to be right.

Absolutely, positively, bang on perfect.

So here is the latest information courtesy of a dealer salesperson who is a fan of AutoSpies.com.

Turns out all the salespeople were invited to a training and a lot of the details on the new RX were shared with them.

And some of them will be surprising.

The official intro will be at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show and it will look very similar to the concept in the photos here.

Not surprising right?

So here are the surprises that might or might not make you happy.

1. No third row seat in the 2010 RX. Seems like the family of SUV's philosophy that have different feature sets will continue on, versus a one vehicle does it all strategy.
2. And taking a page out of the BMW playbook, NO MORE touch screen nav system. The RX nav will be totally controlled by an iDrive-like console mounted knob.

Of course, these could still be rumors but the salesperson assured us it is true.

But it sure seems strange to us that Lexus would mess with a nav system no one on earth doesn't love.

Anyone care to guess why they would switch to a system that seems like a step backwards and forgo the 3rd row seat when even the Highlander has one?

And any other salespeople who attended this care to share their findings?

Anonymous of course... ;)

DogLb - 8/11/2008 1:04:00 AM

-1 Boost

Not sure how this is a page out of the BMW play book? rear lights look more like a page out of the new Nissan Maxima's head lights

Not sure if I like this or not...kinda looks like a Pacifica. Had the previous model...the car seems to be getting a little more manly and aggressive which is not bad. I've had a hard time getting to like the new LS, and this grill looks too much like it

Agent001 - 8/11/2008 2:25:21 AM

+7 Boost

We mean by dumping touch screen nav for an iDrive controller setup is taking a page out of their playbook.

001

dumpsty - 8/11/2008 12:48:22 PM

+1 Boost

Dumping the 3rd row may be a solution to decreasing the gross weight of the new RX over the old design. And they may have done real-world research and found that not too many consumers actually use the 3rd row (for people) 50% of the time or more.

It make sense. Some larger SUVs should drop their 3rd row also (see Yukon, Tahoe, Escalade). The "3rd row seating" was just a gimmick to entice minivan drivers to purchase a more expensive SUV. In actuality, not many people use the SUV 3rd row often and leave it either folded & tucked away or removed from the vehicle all together.

Notjustlex - 8/11/2008 1:46:33 PM

0 Boost

I just went to the same training program and have been with lexus a long time. The Idrive rumor is true much to my chagrin. The main point of the touch screen is ease of use. The Idrive no matter how slick is never going to be as easy as touch. It is the same reason more modern computers are doing away with a mouse and going to touch screen.

The RX will not get a third row due to the proximity of the the seat to the rear bumper and the crash test ratings.

FactsRule - 8/11/2008 9:45:38 AM

0 Boost

But of course, Lexus always copies BMW and MB..

Everyone laughed at BMW when they introduced the idrive years ago, but as always, Lexus sees the light and copies BMW after all the bugs have been worked out.

You see this is what Lexus does to save money. They let all the German Car Companies do all the research and development so they can save money by copying them.

FactsRule - 8/11/2008 9:48:20 AM

+2 Boost

I posted the above comment just for Staar.

ghosthunter - 8/11/2008 9:31:21 PM

-1 Boost

FactsRuleFactsRule
i wouldn't be too sure if i were you. BMW is adding 30+ buttons for the second generation I-drive if you haven't noticed.

FactsRule - 8/12/2008 1:00:01 AM

+2 Boost

ghosthunter,
Try 5 or 6 buttons, not 30, and unlike most Jap car companies they are logically located close to the controller, which is called finger access.. Watch Lex, Infiniti, Acura and the rest of the anime group follow this design in the years to come.

WorldofLuxury - 8/11/2008 2:09:35 AM

+1 Boost

From the mules, I'm hoping that it's 'cause they're non-hybrids that they don't have the awesome headlights.

If I were to have one, I'd get it in matte black...like this one...:
http://thepassionatepursuit.com/?q=2008/06/12/the-lexus-lf-xh-concept-in-matte-black/

WorldofLuxury - 8/11/2008 2:15:26 AM

+1 Boost

oh...and Lexus wanted the interior to be as spacious as possible, which is quite evident from the look of the concept shown above.
They decided to push the dash forward as much as possible, making the touchscreen quite a reach. As a result, a rumor has it that Lexus considered something mouse-like - either a touchpad or the iDrive. (I'm just hoping that, like the current generation, the dashboard doesn't reflect too much sunlight.)

atomicbri - 8/11/2008 7:55:45 AM

+3 Boost

Love that matte black paint also! More cars need this!!

Dr550 - 8/11/2008 3:35:44 AM

+1 Boost

The new RX may be too polarizing. New design may play well with IS/GS buyers, but it may be too radical for ES buyers. Do not know average age of ES buyer, but it is probably over 48. That is why HVAC is basic, so "idrive" system could be a challenge. I like the new style. My comments reflect the Lexus market and not a comparison to any BMW model.

atomicbri - 8/11/2008 7:58:41 AM

0 Boost

LOL! Also maybe because BMW is not for sale... LOL! Dude you make some strange postings on this site. You really should broaden your car repertoire to include something other than Lexus or Toyota. I have never met a car fan that doesn't at least LIKE some other brand! If you don't well you are the first person I have met so hellbent on a brand! My uncle works for Toyota USA, maybe he could get you a job there!

Agent00J - 8/11/2008 8:38:22 AM

+3 Boost

BMW is a privately held company. Toyota/Lexus is publicly traded. If BMW wanted, it could start buying up shares of Toyota and than make a takeover attempt.

Now that, my friend MichaelTaylor, would be funny. Your precious Toyot/Lexus owned by BMW.

-00J

_43LE - 8/11/2008 9:33:58 AM

+4 Boost

Autospies isn't biased....right.

FactsRule - 8/11/2008 9:46:35 AM

+4 Boost

LMAO!!! Taylor turd alert...

steve27t - 8/11/2008 1:41:49 PM

+2 Boost

Toyota could just buy every other auto company and then they would make the fastest, slowest, most economical, tallest, heaviest,.............

Will this ever end ? We need to ban teenagers off this site. At least those who have had a full frontal lobotomy like MT.

Agent63 - 8/12/2008 7:12:20 AM

0 Boost

Taylor Troll is a douche bag. He knows nothing.

atomicbri - 8/11/2008 8:08:38 AM

0 Boost

I guess if they make the dash further back, the touch screen would be out of reasonable reach when driving, so I guess looking to a BMW-style of iDrive might be the thing. I think a touch pad, like on a laptop, would be a neat thing.

As for the third row of seating, Staar earlier actually made a good point (am I actually saying that?) they already have 2 other vehicles that have a 3rd row. Don't see why they would need another.
I think the concept is ok, not great looking, but ok. I love the one concept's matte black paint scheme. The style is very Lexus, which is good for Lexus fans.

Ynot - 8/11/2008 8:39:37 AM

+2 Boost

I like the agressive design elements. As always, I'd like to see it in person. I've always liked the RX but felt it was a chic suv.

Also, I'd like to see a prototype of a touchpad control for nav -- not a fan of knobs.

Hachee2001 - 8/11/2008 9:10:14 AM

+1 Boost

It's obviously been very successful as a 5-seater, but I'd be surprised if they don't include a 3rd row in the new version. One, the LX is in an entirely different class - low volume, much more expensive. Two, the GX is a truck based platform (I believe it's on the 4Runner platform, but I could be wrong) and doesn't sell anywhere as well as the RX. Third, as the market moves more and more AWAY from SUV's, those buying are going to be the ones who truly NEED the utility, especially of the third row. Those who really don't need the 3rd row are moving back to more car-like, economical vehicles, even in this class.

Just my opinion here....unless the next GX is going to move to a different platform and will become more of a volume 7 seater.

Personally, if this car was out now and had 7 seats, I would have gotten one.

SecretSquirrel - 8/11/2008 10:24:06 AM

0 Boost

Actually, you'll find that the new Nav system will be VERY voice activated.
Much simpler to address and use than the current system. The controller will likely play a minimal role in the use of the system

2ndbimmer - 8/11/2008 10:30:29 AM

+1 Boost

i thought it was a ford edge at first. The car does nothing for me as it is and probably wont do anything for me. you can bet that since it does sell well, the price will increase too.

Whelan - 8/11/2008 11:12:21 AM

+1 Boost

Does anyone else here see a resemblence to Murano meets CX-7?

Hachee2001 - 8/11/2008 12:06:23 PM

+1 Boost

I also thought "Ford Edge" when I first saw these pics month ago. Its looks are probably the best thing about the Edge, so that's no insult to the Lexus, but the Lexus really should have its own look.

tattedtwice - 8/11/2008 7:24:00 PM

+2 Boost

OK, how much did toyota pay up to get him to spout that hyperbole? The beginning was hilarious.

Just because a certain vehicle is a sales success doesnt mean it's a nightmare to the competition. There's nothing special about the rx, much like there's nothing special about the camry; they both just ride hype and a popular badge.

mikeydred20 - 8/11/2008 9:21:18 PM

+1 Boost

The RX has been a sales nightmare for everything else except the MDX and the new MDX has been proclaimed by some to be the new benchmark for luxury SUV's. Also it is no secret that every manufacture is going away from touch screen for safety reasons every Acura currently has a idrive like setup that controls all Nav functions and Acura nav are certainly more advance even over the almighty Lexus

FactsRule - 8/12/2008 12:54:36 AM

+3 Boost

huu76,
BMW solved this soloution with two options: voice activation and the idrive controller.

The nav on my 335i coupe accepts all verbal commands as well as most other functions ie air, communication, and entertainment.

BMW is light years ahead of the competition in technology. I've had those crappy touchscreen navigation system in other cars and they should be condemned as road hazards, not to metion the smudgy fingerprints left behind.

Also the placement of the navigation screens in most Jap vehicles is so illogical. Take Infiniti for instance... It also has the controls right underneath the nav screen, how retarded.. Talk about elementary design school..

Japanese cars look like cookie cutter designs of one another. Cheap interiors, with a little imitation chrome and "washi paper" trim.. LOL... Too much make up on the interiors and not enough Phd Design...

Germans Rule!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ghosthunter - 8/12/2008 2:04:08 AM

-2 Boost

best voice recognize is offered by Acura for few years now, surpass BMW (even the one used in your 335) in both reaction speed and total command. try it yourself and you will see the difference.

mikeydred20 - 8/12/2008 8:36:17 PM

0 Boost

That's why you have voice activation and buttons on the steering wheel like Acura.

Whelan - 8/12/2008 8:21:56 AM

0 Boost

Acura has had voice recognition for HVAC, radio, and nav since 2004 when it came out in the TL-navi, TSX-navi, and current RL. The new version is faster in response and more adept at recognition as well.

As for the bigger more seating setup. The GX470 is the next step up and a full-size SUV similar to a Tahoe. The next up from that would be the Sequoia based LX570.

bcanddc - 8/13/2008 5:59:02 PM

0 Boost

OK, let's clear the air on the "I-Drive" like Nav controller.......Lexus made a decision to use a different type of interface for the NAV/HVAC/Audio systems to allow for more freedom in the design of the dash. Moving the screen further back in the dash means you can no longer reach it, therefore you need some other way to input commands.

The system Lexus is going to use is NOTHING like IDrive, it's far, far simpler to use and will provide feedback to the user through the interface so that you can keep your eyes on the road.

Please don't waste any time worrying if this will be like IDrive.....it won't, it will be FAR superior I promise!!!