WHY Is The Competition Smiling At Lexus Now? Because A SUB-RX Crossover Is MISSING From Their Lineup!

If you were to ask the Lexus competition which model they hate the most they would definitely say the RX-Series.

Why?

Because they get their asses handed to them in competitive situations and the RX is the butter for Lexus' bread.

Of course the GX and LX do well for them also but it is the RX that pushes the pedal to the metal.

And as much as all us us want to think of them as a car company, if you really look closely at the numbers, they are an SUV company more so than ever.

So it mystifies us here at AutoSpies.com to WHY they sat back and watched other vehicles like X3, Q5, Tiguan, X1, GLK, New Escape and others own the dance floor at that party.

In other words, we think they have made a huge mistake ignoring this segment and need something soon.

Why?

Because this will be the volume market going forward in this new economy.

And with their hybrid technology leadership they could have the PRIUS of small crossovers in the premium space.

I would have brought that before the CT 200h or HS.

What are your thoughts?

Is this a huge error for them and do they need to be here or are totally off base here?

Also, if you think they should let us know what that little baby needs to be a success...What should it be called as well? Lexus SX?

Spies, discuss....

globaltrader - 6/3/2012 8:19:56 PM

+1 Boost

Driving an xc60 t5, daughter just bought xc60 R. The Market is huge, Lexus needs to be in it. It would exceed the Rx. Good call:)

david999 - 6/3/2012 10:02:27 PM

+1 Boost

I am sure they are planning something soon. They are just getting back on their feet after the disaster in Japan, HS problem, and re-working of the current crop of cars.

pennfootball - 6/4/2012 8:56:58 AM

+2 Boost

The Rav4 it would have been based on is too much of a POS to be competitive in that space. The suspension is not very good as the packaging of the Current narrow RAV4 is not very good for a good handling sporty SUV. They also designed it to have a spare tire outside the car and it’s jjust a mess of a chassis to tune well for luxury/ BMW competing reasons. Just get an Acura RDX if you want something like that. Lexus might do something when they redo the next GEN RAV4 which will be wider and a tick longer to accommodate a better suspension geometry and be more upscale to piggy back a lexus version into.

thetruth01 - 6/4/2012 3:11:24 PM

+1 Boost

They would have to (and likely will) increase the size of the RX a bit (maybe a 3rd row) before they can bring in a vehicle that slots below it. Since the RX just got its mid-cycle refresh, I'd venture it'll happen in 2015. They can either take the easy route and base it off the next gen RAV4 (like the RDX) or create a new model based on one of their hybrids.