2012 GX 460 Premium Review "The End of an Era"?
#17
Lexus Fanatic
Nice review Mike.
Great to hear that you have such a good relationship with your local dealership and they are willing to go above and beyond for a loyal customer.
In light of your request, I will only say that there are multiple reasons why the sales of luxury SUV's looks like this:
X5-44,445
ML-38,101
GX/LX-16,044
Cayenne-15,545
Great to hear that you have such a good relationship with your local dealership and they are willing to go above and beyond for a loyal customer.
In light of your request, I will only say that there are multiple reasons why the sales of luxury SUV's looks like this:
X5-44,445
ML-38,101
GX/LX-16,044
Cayenne-15,545
#18
Moderator
GX 400 (China)
GX 460
http://www.lexus.com.cn/cn/GX400/default.html
Brochure
http://www.lexus.com.cn/cn/GX400/ima...hure_1211e.pdf
Last edited by Trexus; 01-13-13 at 03:15 AM.
#19
Guest
Posts: n/a
On the contrary there is a V6 GX 400. It's just not available in Canada or the United States. Worldwide:
GX 400 (China)
GX 460
http://www.lexus.com.cn/cn/GX400/default.html
Brochure
http://www.lexus.com.cn/cn/GX400/ima...hure_1211e.pdf
GX 400 (China)
GX 460
http://www.lexus.com.cn/cn/GX400/default.html
Brochure
http://www.lexus.com.cn/cn/GX400/ima...hure_1211e.pdf
#20
Lexus Test Driver
don't mean to hijack this thread, but again: Why doesn't Lexus have an upsized RX? How is it possible that Lexus is not competing in the 3 row crossover arena, against the Infinity JX and Audi Q7?
#21
Lexus Champion
It does make you wonder though if they wouldn't like an even bigger slice.
#22
Lexus Fanatic
Well, the most obvious answer to that would be to take a look at the huge sales-figures of the RX, just as it is with two rows. It has been phenominally successful over the years, even without a third-row. The Q7 and JX sales numbers, by contrast, are a drop in the bucket.....though, admittedly, the JX hasn't been on the market very long.
#23
Very nice review Mike! I've driven the GX460 multiple times and I am a fan of it. I think there is still a definite niche for a full frame off road capable luxury SUV and I'd say the GXs sales figures prove it consistently.
#24
Moderator
As for sales numbers it's been consistant. Since it's redesign to the 2GX it's sales numbers are as follows:
2010 16,450
2011 11,609
2012 11,039
The 1GX did very well from 2002 - 2009.
#25
Guest
Posts: n/a
Now Lexus did state they tried a 7 seat RX but the design looked bad. I think MPLexus just stated Lexus will go unibody with the next GX so a more car like SUV is coming with 7 seat seating. I think Lexus is scared to upset the RX since it is such a great seller and the leader and creator of the segment.
Makes sense to keep the RX where it is, maybe change the GX to battle those other 7 seat SUVs as it does now.
#26
Lexus Test Driver
iTrader: (1)
Why is the question not the other way around? The RX is the one selling 8-12k a month, the JX 2-3k and the Q7 even less. The Encalve/MDX are other 7 seaters that sell well.
Now Lexus did state they tried a 7 seat RX but the design looked bad. I think MPLexus just stated Lexus will go unibody with the next GX so a more car like SUV is coming with 7 seat seating. I think Lexus is scared to upset the RX since it is such a great seller and the leader and creator of the segment.
Makes sense to keep the RX where it is, maybe change the GX to battle those other 7 seat SUVs as it does now.
Now Lexus did state they tried a 7 seat RX but the design looked bad. I think MPLexus just stated Lexus will go unibody with the next GX so a more car like SUV is coming with 7 seat seating. I think Lexus is scared to upset the RX since it is such a great seller and the leader and creator of the segment.
Makes sense to keep the RX where it is, maybe change the GX to battle those other 7 seat SUVs as it does now.
You can't find a GX for less than $60k or so, which puts its cost on par with the Q7. And because it's more SUV than crossovers, it doesn't really directly compete on features with the JX or Q7.
An RX doesn't really break into $50k unless you heavily option it - even the FSport is $47k.
Lexus has plenty of room to introduce a more expensive RX or less expensive GX with a base price around $44k. Optioned out, it could be around $53-56k, and it would snub a lot of JX sales. As is, there's just no competition from Lexus to match the JX (3rd row seat and mom-friendly features like the 2nd-row sliding forward to let an ADULT into 3rd row with a car seat in the 2nd row.) Also the CVT is an advantage for this type of car - it's just smooth acceleration.
#27
Lexus Champion
I will try to keep this polite as possible. I've owned an RX330, ML320, and an E53 and E70 X5 all within the past 4 years. The GX doesn't sell because it can't compete on many levels with the Germans. We looked at and drove it, but it was never a serious consideration with the Cayenne and Q7 also being significantly better offerings.
The RX is a fantastic vehicle and it's sales numbers show that. While in reality the interior dimensions are similar, it is still perceived to be a smaller version than an X5 or ML. I don't understand how the RX can be so great and the GX is so deficient? If they put half the thought into it that they put into the RX it could sell much more consistently.
What would be the danger of cannibalizing some of the RX sales anyways? (Which I don't think would necessarily happen as they target different drivers).
I think worst case, they would be swapping sales from one to the other but now selling at a significantly higher price point. Realistically, I think they could bite into the ML/X5 sales without disrupting the RX in any noticeable way. Fyi, the ML/X5 are not cheap and are not super reliable....lol.
The GX does not need a refresh....it needs a full rebuild inside and out.
#28
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
do not like 7 seat 'mid-size' suvs because you have to choose between people or cargo, and when you choose cargo, those 3rd row seats take up a lot of room, even if they fold 'flat', it still means the floor is higher. better off with a minivan if you're gonna take 6/7 people around a lot.
#29
Lexus Champion
do not like 7 seat 'mid-size' suvs because you have to choose between people or cargo, and when you choose cargo, those 3rd row seats take up a lot of room, even if they fold 'flat', it still means the floor is higher. better off with a minivan if you're gonna take 6/7 people around a lot.
#30
Driver School Candidate
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: IL
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We just traded our 2006 GX470 for a 2013 RX450H. We should have held on to it much longer, but we just never truly bonded with it. My husband was very unhappy with the cockpit area and as silly as this might seem, he spilled more coffee when making turns because of the shallow depth of the cup holders! The heavy barn door was a big issue for us, and also the third row seats that had to be taken in and out when not using them. (We may have used them once or twice) We had the oppty to get a new generation GX460 as a loaner, but that also had some of the same issues we were unhappy with. On the bright side our GX was a very smooth ride and probably would have lasted many more years. The RX is a definite downsize for us, but even though I don't have the third row and it is a little smaller, I like the overall comfort and cockpit of this new vehicle, and of course, the gas mileage. (Averaging 28mpg vs. 16 mpg)