Three-Row Lexus RX Spied Testing in the Wild
After months of speculation, we can finally confirm the existence of an extended Lexus crossover.
The development of a three-row Lexus RX has been one of the worst kept secrets in the automotive world for months now. But up to this point, we couldn’t confirm the extended SUV’s existence. Mainly because you can’t confirm something exists based on rumors and artist renderings alone. But now we can tell you that a three-row Lexus RX does indeed exist, and it’s very real. Because a heavily camouflaged mule was caught testing this week.
The intrepid spy photographers over at the Malaysia news site Paultan.org spotted the extended RX cruising around unabashedly. And their photos pretty much confirm what we’ve believed all along. Namely, that Lexus has maintained the stock RX’s wheelbase while extending the rear to make room for the extra row of seats. The rear glass is also much more upright than the existing two-row RX.
Still, it’s unlikely that you’ll be stuffing your 6ft+ tall friends in the back. The restyled glass will certainly provide a little extra headroom, but leg room will still be less than generous. But on the bright side, the extra length of the three-row Lexus RX means you’ll get a lot more cargo space should you choose to remove that extra seat.
Outside of the extra sheet metal, don’t expect the extended RX to be much different than the current model. It’s somewhat hard to tell in the pictures, but it looks like styling will be identical. As will powertrain options. But make no mistake – the three-row Lexus RX is an important addition to the automaker’s lineup.
Right now the only way to buy a seven seat Lexus is via the truck-based LX or GX. The extended RX will constitute the automaker’s first car-based three-row crossover. And that’s a big deal for larger families who want a reasonably sized, soft riding ‘ute.
The extended RX debuts alongside the new UX crossover at the Tokyo Auto Show in October.
