What if Lexus made a sub RX LUV based off of RAV4?
Driver School Candidate
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Congratulations. 
A CT200H won't have quite the versatility, interior room, or bad-weather traction of an AWD X1, but it has a heck of a lot better paint-job than lower-line BMWs, is better-built, likely to be more reliable, and, of course, will stretch out your gas-dollars a lot more. 
A CT200H won't have quite the versatility, interior room, or bad-weather traction of an AWD X1, but it has a heck of a lot better paint-job than lower-line BMWs, is better-built, likely to be more reliable, and, of course, will stretch out your gas-dollars a lot more. 
Lexus Fanatic
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With the introduction of the new Buick Encore, this thread may have more relevance now. A small, sub-RX Lexus SUV, if done properly, would be good competition for the Encore.
It also gives Lexus the opportunity, IMO, to avoid some of the mistakes that were done with the Encore. First, of course, is the Encore's too-small (IMO) 1.4L turbo. 138 HP and 148 ft-lbs. of torque is just not enough for a 3200-lb. vehicle with added weight in pasengers and cargo. Even the Verano uses a 180 HP four. Second, the Encore is too short for its height......it looks like it went halfway through a crusher. Third, the Encore lacks power-adjustment for seatback-rake and, unlike the sister Verano, uses a manual hand-brake lever instead of a electronic-brake. The Encore, like all current Buicks, does have a rich interior and Quiet-Tuning (adding Active Noise-Control for the engine), but its first-year production goofs may give Lexus the opportunity it needs to one-up it.
It also gives Lexus the opportunity, IMO, to avoid some of the mistakes that were done with the Encore. First, of course, is the Encore's too-small (IMO) 1.4L turbo. 138 HP and 148 ft-lbs. of torque is just not enough for a 3200-lb. vehicle with added weight in pasengers and cargo. Even the Verano uses a 180 HP four. Second, the Encore is too short for its height......it looks like it went halfway through a crusher. Third, the Encore lacks power-adjustment for seatback-rake and, unlike the sister Verano, uses a manual hand-brake lever instead of a electronic-brake. The Encore, like all current Buicks, does have a rich interior and Quiet-Tuning (adding Active Noise-Control for the engine), but its first-year production goofs may give Lexus the opportunity it needs to one-up it.
Last edited by mmarshall; Feb 20, 2013 at 10:48 AM.
Lead Lap
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,892
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From: Virginia
With the introduction of the new Buick Encore, this thread may have more relevance now. A small, sub-RX Lexus SUV, if done properly, would be good competition for the Encore.
It also gives Lexus the opportunity, IMO, to avoid some of the mistakes that were done with the Encore. First, of course, is the Encore's too-small (IMO) 1.4L turbo. 138 HP and 148 ft-lbs. of torque is just not enough for a 3200-lb. vehicle with added weight in pasengers and cargo. Even the Verano uses a 180 HP four. Second, the Encore is too short for its height......it looks like it went halfway through a crusher. Third, the Encore lacks power-adjustment for seatback-rake and, unlike the sister Verano, uses a manual hand-brake lever instead of a electronic-brake. The Encore, like all current Buicks, does have a rich interior and Quiet-Tuning (adding Active Noise-Control for the engine), but its first-year production goofs may give Lexus the opportunity it needs to one-up it.
It also gives Lexus the opportunity, IMO, to avoid some of the mistakes that were done with the Encore. First, of course, is the Encore's too-small (IMO) 1.4L turbo. 138 HP and 148 ft-lbs. of torque is just not enough for a 3200-lb. vehicle with added weight in pasengers and cargo. Even the Verano uses a 180 HP four. Second, the Encore is too short for its height......it looks like it went halfway through a crusher. Third, the Encore lacks power-adjustment for seatback-rake and, unlike the sister Verano, uses a manual hand-brake lever instead of a electronic-brake. The Encore, like all current Buicks, does have a rich interior and Quiet-Tuning (adding Active Noise-Control for the engine), but its first-year production goofs may give Lexus the opportunity it needs to one-up it.
Encore would be WAY too small at 168 inches long. And Lexus doesn't care to compete with a Buick Encore.
I expect it would be closer to RAV at 180 inches long, but much more dynamic in style than either the RAV or RX. This would allow RX to grow slightly with the next gen and potentially offer at 3rd row.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
Well, that was just my point. Lexus will have a chance not to repeat that too-short error.
If there's money to be made by doing so, they will indeed care. Money talks (sometimes, of course, too much). 
And Lexus doesn't care to compete with a Buick Encore.
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Lexus Fanatic
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The Encore is not a luxury vehicle, its way to small and way to cheap with a gutless engine for a SUV. Heck the CT hybrid makes 138hp.
Internally they are aiming for the RR Evoque and other stylish SUVs that elevate a brand's position, even if its an entry level model.
Internally they are aiming for the RR Evoque and other stylish SUVs that elevate a brand's position, even if its an entry level model.
The RX has never offered a 3rd row despite being derived from the 7 passenger Highlander.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Virginia/D.C. suburbs
The last one did (see above), but you're right. I don't see it as an option on the new one.....probably because the V6 option was also deleted. Six or seven people might be just too much for the four.
BTW, slightly off-topic, but the new RAV-4 offers factory body-side mouldings as an option (more than $200). While I feel that (and you know this from my reviews) they should be standard, it proves what I said earlier.....that eliminating them was NOT a styling-issue, as some have claimed, but simple cost-cutting.
Lead Lap
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From: Virginia
3rd row in the RAV was worthless, and if you want a 3rd row, Toyota wants you to step up to the Highlander.
Driver
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From: ca
I know Lexus is just trying to keep up with the massive array of mix matched offerings and sizes of cars from the other premium makes, but damn.......To me the RX is small enough as it is! How small do you want your car/suv to be?! Sheesh, wouldn't having such a small SUV be a nuisance instead of utilitarian ? I've been in compact cars before ie miatas and mr2s, but those cars are purpose built for track use or as Sunday cars to zip around in. A smaller SUV wouldn't even be a Sport Utility Vehicle anymore, SNRAL Sport No Room At All Vehicle. LoL