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Honestly, I think Toyota/Lexus and Tesla share some similarities in the customer base in that Toyota/Lexus draws heavily from people who don't like cars, and Tesla also has a large amount of people who aren't really car people, but are tech people that were drawn to a techy car.
DRiving an ES or RX dont mean those people dont like cars or enjoy driving. You dont have to drive an "enthusiast" car to actually enjoy driving or like cars. People have their own preferences. Some people like to go fast, some people like flashy cars, some people like to sit back and relax, some people like to just cruise.
TX compromizes on handling and off-road ability to get a surprisingly spacious 3rd row.
A true mechanical 4WD rear transaxle is bulky, so it really raises the floor height of the 3rd row of the Toyota Landcruiser 300, compromizing its vertical floor to ceiling space.
Not to forget the bigger rolling diameter fat off-road tires resulting in intrusivehuge wheel arches for only 2 [as opposed to 3] 3rd row seats.
TX is all about typical TMC FWD-based design for spaciousness and novice driving in snow.
Unfortunately, TX has no RWD-based steering feel with lighter power steering, minimal torque steer, no self-centring, and throttle-controlled power oversteer for much less hand work on the steering wheel.
On the other hand, the compact rear suspension of the FWD-based GA-K platform - allows for deep 3rd floor for TX's spacious near MPV-like 3rd row.
Last edited by peteharvey; Dec 25, 2023 at 02:54 PM.
DRiving an ES or RX dont mean those people dont like cars or enjoy driving. You dont have to drive an "enthusiast" car to actually enjoy driving or like cars. People have their own preferences. Some people like to go fast, some people like flashy cars, some people like to sit back and relax, some people like to just cruise.
The ES and RX are the definition of cars for people who don't care about cars or driving lol! This TX is just a modern minivan and drives just like it......
You only have to "like" motor vehicles to be an enthusiast.
You have to drive fast to be a "performance" enthusiast.
Then there are "handling" enthusiasts.
Then, even "drift car" enthusiasts etc.
"Off-road" enthusiasts.
The list goes on...
The ES and RX are the definition of cars for people who don't care about cars or driving lol! This TX is just a modern minivan and drives just like it......
I have never driven a CVT that doesn't suck.
I drive a GX460. I happen to like driving and like cars. Just not for the same reasons as you. Shocking! I know.
Least you got one that is able to perform off road and towing that uses a proper platform and not the others!
I also like my SUV to actually be able to do things, the RX/TX both fail in that aspect
UX/NX/RX/TX are only crossover soft roaders.
Landcruiser, Sequoia, GX and LX are BOF platforms with RWD-based 4WD transaxles and larger rolling diameter tires for greater ground clearance for off-roading.
TX not meant to compete with Sequoia.
The ES and RX are the definition of cars for people who don't care about cars or driving lol! This TX is just a modern minivan and drives just like it......
I have never driven a CVT that doesn't suck.
I drove a TX (non-hybrid) and I didn't feel that it drives like a minivan. It felt like a slightly larger RX. Not a fan of the 4 cyl motor on such a big car, though...
As for the CVT transmission, the TX has traditional 6-speed (hybrid) and 8-speed (non-hybrid) transmissions. Only the TX550H+ has an eCVT transmission; this car is not out yet, but other owners of the RX450H+ which has this same eCVT transmission have indicated that it's very different (in a positive way) from the CVT transmission in the pre-2023 hybrids (of which I have one in my '21 RX450H).
"but other owners of the RX450H+ which has this same eCVT transmission have indicated that it's very different (in a positive way) from the CVT transmission in the pre-2023 hybrids (of which I have one in my '21 RX450H)." I do not know what you mean by "CVT transmission in the pre-2023 hybrids".. My understanding is that the hybrids with CVTs are ll about the same, except for better versions. None of the ever had belts and pulleys.. My 2018 450hl CVT is basically the same as any of the other CVTs or eCVTs.
"but other owners of the RX450H+ which has this same eCVT transmission have indicated that it's very different (in a positive way) from the CVT transmission in the pre-2023 hybrids (of which I have one in my '21 RX450H)." I do not know what you mean by "CVT transmission in the pre-2023 hybrids".. My understanding is that the hybrids with CVTs are ll about the same, except for better versions. None of the ever had belts and pulleys.. My 2018 450hl CVT is basically the same as any of the other CVTs or eCVTs.
That's what I thought, but apparently the plug-in hybrids have a different CVT called eCVT. See post #25 in this thread:
The Grand Highlander looks very similar to the RAV4. It’s like a bigger version of it especially the interior. That’s one thing I didn’t like about it. Even the platinum hybrid max didn’t feel premium. It reminded me so much of the RAV4.
Its not going to, and it really doesn't have to since they have the TX. I don't necessarily need that sort of vehicle to feel luxurious.
Originally Posted by situman
Why would you assume or expect the TX to be for enthusiasts? That alone makes no sense. Have you driven the TX? It handles really well without the harshness and the powertrain is responsive. Armchair enthusiasts need not apply.
You answered your own question below:
Originally Posted by situman
DRiving an ES or RX dont mean those people dont like cars or enjoy driving. You dont have to drive an "enthusiast" car to actually enjoy driving or like cars. People have their own preferences. Some people like to go fast, some people like flashy cars, some people like to sit back and relax, some people like to just cruise.
What an "enthusiast" is varies. I am not a performance car enthusiast, I like premium excellent products that drive smoothly and quietly and are well appointed and attractive. I had two Lexus ESs remember. My latest Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid satisfies me as an enthusiast because its incredibly well designed and the hybrid powertrain makes it drive great, its also very luxurious and comfortable inside. As an Enthusiast I love the Palisade, and the Telluride...I like the MDX...
What I don't like about the TX is that it is not excellent in any way, I don't like how it looks inside or out, the engineering and the design don't do anything for me. What I want is Lexus to create a proper RWD layout 3 row crossover like an X7 or GLS, or if its going to be a transverse/mac strut Toyota clone at least look good and feel luxurious inside. To me, for as long as I waited for Lexus to make that vehicle its very disappointing. It feels like it was designed in about an hour after they were done with the Grand Highlander.
[QUOTE=SEFL;11637724]That's what I thought, but apparently the plug-in hybrids have a different CVT called eCVT. See post #25 in this thread:
They may have a different version of a CVT, but here is what my sticker says about the transmission, which I think is the long way of saying eCVT. "Electronically Controlled ContinuouslyVariable * Transmission with lntelligence"
If I'm not wrong GLS /X7 are performance/handling/premium SUV's.
TX is utility/practicality/entry level SUV.
GX/LX are off-road SUV's.
Pity the TX couldn't be better styled.
When we look at Japanese food and art, Japanese styling is often like origami.
TMC styling is rarely like Ital Design studio.
Koreans worse.
Chinese styling even worse again.
AFAIK, TMC hybrids use e-CVT's.
However, some of their latest iterations, the e-CVT's are programmed with stepped gears like 6/8/10 speeds, rather than being stepless.
Last edited by peteharvey; Dec 26, 2023 at 12:32 PM.
