RENDERED SPECULATION: Does Lexus' Next-gen Vehicles Need An EVEN MORE Bold Design?

When it comes to automotive design — today — Toyota's luxury division, Lexus, is pushing the envelope. Previously, one would have thought that Lexus was designing bars of soap.

But when you see a big body coupe as emotive as the LC, you know something different is going on. With its aggressive lines, in-your-face front grille and sweeping details, it's not a vehicle for the faint of heart.

It looks like a concept car.

And while there's been plenty of doubters who have chastised the marque for its over-the-top designs, there's been a base of consumers who love the new Lexus. Now we're at a cross roads: Does the "L" brand continue this aggressive take OR does it go back to a more conservative look and feel?

The latest renderings of the next-gen IS sedan give us a taste of what to expect. Having said that, what say you, Spies? Should Lexus keep pushing boundaries or stay in its lane?

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MDarringer - 10/11/2018 12:29:59 AM

-1 Boost

Why even bother with an IS?

dumpsty - 10/11/2018 9:48:21 AM

+3 Boost

The IS design is following close behind the LS & ES - or maybe now a 3/4ths ES - now that the new ES will be built directly off the Avalon platform.

Lexus designs have clearly become more art & tech than luxury & performance. And it makes sense. The Japanese are concerned with precision, and the flow of artistic design that integrates current/rising technology as well as other standards. It's the reason why Honda & Nissan hasn't really be interested in building larger/full-size sedans to directly compete with the S/E-class or 7/5-series. And their full-size SUV's are the smaller entries in the category. It's just not important to them.

Also, it was a bad decision to make Toyota front fascias more like the Lexus front fascias. Kinda de-values the luxuriousness that Lexus is supposed to be. Remember Chevy vs Buick vs Cadillac?

bmw7er - 10/11/2018 1:10:13 AM

+2 Boost

Pushing the envelope?

TheSteve - 10/11/2018 5:19:26 AM

+3 Boost

Yet more cow-catcher grill? Another take on the LexHideous design language?

Can't say I'm interested. Lexus was one of the first brands I thought about last time I shopped for a new vehicle, but their styling stopped me dead at their website, and it kept me out of their showrooms.

TomM - 10/11/2018 6:02:23 AM

+2 Boost

Lexus styling - and even Toyota styling remain polarizing at best - and downright terrible for many like me who really hate both current themes.

However - I would never buy a Lexus - so maybe they are just doing this to save me some time - how nice of them!

PUGPROUD - 10/11/2018 8:26:07 AM

+1 Boost

Front starting to look like a catfish, a bottom dweller!

dlin - 10/11/2018 12:17:53 PM

+3 Boost

Like it or not, at least Lexus is putting lots of effort on design, UNLIKE BMW.

cidflekken - 10/11/2018 4:21:19 PM

+3 Boost

Pushing boundaries? BS. Lexus is still keeping very basic car shapes, masked by flourishes of unnecessary and gimmicky design elements.

Pushing design boundaries is like Mercedes with its first gen CLS. or BMW with its first gen X6. or Audi with its first 5000. or Lexus with its first gen SC. Those cars have literally shaped either an existing class or cars or created a new one. Chop off the front-end and rear-end of any Lexus and the basic shape is a simple box that almost any other manufacturer can or his already making. The LC might be the only exception.

This new IS (rendering) is nothing more than what resembles a cross between a 4G TL and ILX, surrounded by nasty add-ons both in front and in back.

wilfred - 10/11/2018 7:20:14 PM

+3 Boost

Sure, models like the IS & GS should be the daredevils and try to capture more audiences. But they should not abandon their existing and very loyal customers of the ES/RX/LS.

MDarringer - 10/11/2018 8:11:24 PM

0 Boost

You clearly do not realize that the sales of the IS and GS are HORRIBLE. An EV coupesedan starting at $40K would be the ticket at this point.