How is Lexus doing?
01-05-14, 08:44 PM
#151
Not every car is suitable for real performance version... I dont think RX is particularly... Hopefully they dont make 2015 RX much sportier (harsher/harder). It is best selling luxury SUV for a reason.
Q5 looks great, easily best looking SUV (and much better looking than RX), but its interior is nothing special, back is cramped (not much bigger than 2IS) and ride is harsh.
I would guess that NX would be something a lot more similar to Q5/X3 than 2015 RX. There is huge amount of growth possible in luxury SUV market for Lexus.
Q5 looks great, easily best looking SUV (and much better looking than RX), but its interior is nothing special, back is cramped (not much bigger than 2IS) and ride is harsh.
I would guess that NX would be something a lot more similar to Q5/X3 than 2015 RX. There is huge amount of growth possible in luxury SUV market for Lexus.
01-05-14, 08:47 PM
#152
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I understand, I'm not a CVT fan either. Was merely pointing out that features that should be available on a vehicle such as the RX are not while they are on a less luxurious nameplate, not acceptable.
New baby and she felt the Pathfinder had better flexibility. Don't get me wrong, the RX is a nice vehicle with good standard features, but the competition is stiffer than ever, and the lack of options, powertrains, and some cheap plastics are unbefitting of a vehicle in this segment.
New baby and she felt the Pathfinder had better flexibility. Don't get me wrong, the RX is a nice vehicle with good standard features, but the competition is stiffer than ever, and the lack of options, powertrains, and some cheap plastics are unbefitting of a vehicle in this segment.
-Defiantly better sound and tyre roar insulation..
01-05-14, 09:12 PM
#153
In the States we had it the best of both worlds. The RX350 in 2RX body starting 2007-2009. Material quality was superb for it's price point. The the latest one's credit, the technology and wider stance make it more agile though than the 2RX which has more body roll. Agreed on the sound insolation, the 3RX has a more "booming" engine noise in the cabin.
01-05-14, 09:34 PM
#154
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In the States we had it the best of both worlds. The RX350 in 2RX body starting 2007-2009. Material quality was superb for it's price point. The the latest one's credit, the technology and wider stance make it more agile though than the 2RX which has more body roll. Agreed on the sound insolation, the 3RX has a more "booming" engine noise in the cabin.
Or at least have F-sport and 'normal models'
Lexus doesn't seem to be able to pull 'sport luxury' like how the Germans manage.
-I hate to say this but looking at their current lineup there is nothing that I find compelling.
01-05-14, 09:56 PM
#155
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One must remember that change is constant. For Saturn it was change for the worst not change for the better that GM was ultimately responsible for...and now Saturn no longer exist today...
01-05-14, 10:42 PM
#157
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Personally, I don't have an issue with how Lexus is going; they're clearly trying to head in a certain direction, and separate themselves from their competition. Big steps like that won't always please everyone (and they've come out and mentioned that they know the new design direction will not make some of their traditional fanbase happy), but that was something that they clearly felt they had to move away from, design that was based already being as inoffensive to everyone as possible. My 2 current Lexus vehicles are both pre spindle, but when it comes time for a change, I don't think I'll have any issue with the current (and future) lineup to choose from (waiting for RC-F!).
01-05-14, 10:46 PM
#158
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I'm actually quite keen to see how the interior on the NX looks; I hope it's more Evoque, rather than X1/Q3 (in terms of material quality).
SQ5 (no options) costs more than a RX450h (no options) in Australia. It has a lower rated MPG than the RX450h on paper (and in real life will be worse off if the majority of driving is done in metro areas as opposed to highway). The only thing it does is go faster. And yes, it's a different sized vehicle. Try the back seat in a SQ5. It's like people that were comparing a CLA to the IS, they're in different market size segments.
Last edited by Nights; 01-05-14 at 11:03 PM. Reason: Added second section
01-05-14, 11:18 PM
#159
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The new ES is a poor effort at 'luxury' as the interior is made from flimsy, rough dyed plastics.
Pretty bad ergonomics and illogical placement of buttons and cup holders.
My 2011 2IS is way more 'luxury' than the new ES350/ES300h
My car comes with real wood, nice switchgear, dampened cup holder and ash trays, no cheap plastic anywhere. And nice hefty and well padded door panels. And everything feels substantial like how LEXUS WAS INTENDED TO BE!
All which are lacking from the new IS, ES, GS & CT
01-05-14, 11:24 PM
#160
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I wouldn't mind if the RX was a little more luxurious for the next gen, but I would be hesitant about making it bigger. I think it's already plenty big enough as an SUV (for every market outside of the US) and making it bigger would inevitably add more weight, especially if it were more luxurious.
I'm actually quite keen to see how the interior on the NX looks; I hope it's more Evoque, rather than X1/Q3 (in terms of material quality).
SQ5 (no options) costs more than a RX450h (no options) in Australia. It has a lower rated MPG than the RX450h on paper (and in real life will be worse off if the majority of driving is done in metro areas as opposed to highway). The only thing it does is go faster. And yes, it's a different sized vehicle. Try the back seat in a SQ5. It's like people that were comparing a CLA to the IS, they're in different market size segments.
I'm actually quite keen to see how the interior on the NX looks; I hope it's more Evoque, rather than X1/Q3 (in terms of material quality).
SQ5 (no options) costs more than a RX450h (no options) in Australia. It has a lower rated MPG than the RX450h on paper (and in real life will be worse off if the majority of driving is done in metro areas as opposed to highway). The only thing it does is go faster. And yes, it's a different sized vehicle. Try the back seat in a SQ5. It's like people that were comparing a CLA to the IS, they're in different market size segments.
Where as Lexus are stubborn. Hence why Lexus has fallen way behind the Germans in sales.
You can get a loaded SQ5 for circa 90k. Where as Lexus will not negotiate the price of the RX.
The local Lexus dealer here also doesn't let you test drive any of their cars. Where as the Audi next door allows you to test drive all their cars..
01-06-14, 03:20 PM
#162
I wouldn't mind if the RX was a little more luxurious for the next gen, but I would be hesitant about making it bigger. I think it's already plenty big enough as an SUV (for every market outside of the US) and making it bigger would inevitably add more weight, especially if it were more luxurious.
I'm actually quite keen to see how the interior on the NX looks; I hope it's more Evoque, rather than X1/Q3 (in terms of material quality).
I'm actually quite keen to see how the interior on the NX looks; I hope it's more Evoque, rather than X1/Q3 (in terms of material quality).
01-06-14, 03:47 PM
#163
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Yeah the difference between the Germans and Lexus Australia is that the Germans are willing to negotiate price.
Where as Lexus are stubborn. Hence why Lexus has fallen way behind the Germans in sales.
You can get a loaded SQ5 for circa 90k. Where as Lexus will not negotiate the price of the RX.
The local Lexus dealer here also doesn't let you test drive any of their cars. Where as the Audi next door allows you to test drive all their cars..
Where as Lexus are stubborn. Hence why Lexus has fallen way behind the Germans in sales.
You can get a loaded SQ5 for circa 90k. Where as Lexus will not negotiate the price of the RX.
The local Lexus dealer here also doesn't let you test drive any of their cars. Where as the Audi next door allows you to test drive all their cars..
And we got more than $10k off RRP of our RX450h when we bought it 3 years ago. We even got a bit of a discount on the IS which was surprising to me considering we bought it about a fortnight after it was released.
Your experience is really very different from what myself and my colleagues/friends have who own Lexus vehicles.
Last edited by Nights; 01-06-14 at 03:52 PM. Reason: spelling
01-06-14, 03:51 PM
#164
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Yea that's true, although BMW and Audi haven't encountered the same issue with their X3/5 and Q3/5. There may be some slight overlap and sales cannibalisation, but some people are always going to want the bigger car. I don't mind a slight size increase, but definitely nothing near like a LX size. I think it's still preferable to get more potential buyers in the showroom, especially for a brand like Lexus in Australia and some other markets, where the population still generally defaults to the "German = premium" mentality.
01-06-14, 04:48 PM
#165
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I think Lexus/Toyota got to focussed on gross sales, being top dog and lost their vision. I just replaced my Lex with and BMW 335I with the full electronic package. 22 MPG around town and really a nice car to drive. Full sports package etc. I am now looking to replace my wifes GX with an RX, BMW, Tesla X or Mercedes new releases. However I drove 2013 RX 350 full package and it is very much lacking. Backup camera had not visual assistance. No overhead views, limited help on blind spot etc. I am hoping the 2015 RX 350 based on the 2014 Harrier will have a much better package. Last Lexus has lost is design. The lines with the spindel grill is a love it or hate it. This approach limits your market.