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They'll have a PHEV V6 when the TX 550h+ comes out later this year, but that will be an $80,000+ vehicle which is insane for what you get, and will probably have near-nonexistent volumes like other Toyota PHEV's.
I'm looking at the new LM interior right now and it boggles my mind why Lexus didn't just reuse this masterpiece for the TX or any of their other recent offerings. This is the type of design progression I expected to see after the LS and LC, yet now we're going backwards into the Toyota parts bin.
I agree with the 450H power train. I think it is the best. The LM looks great, but for $200,000 it is too much for me.
you guys need to look at what's happened to the Yen vs the dollar in recent years. that's why toyota/lexus cars are made more cheaply.
You got it backwards, the depreciating yen would make their cars cheaper to make, not more expensive. From Toyota themselves:
The dollar-yen exchange rate, which had previously been hovering at around 240 yen to the U.S. dollar, fell below 200 yen by the end of 1985 and then further, to 160 yen by May 1986. This rapidly appreciating yen forced Japanese automakers several times to raise the prices of the cars they were exporting, primarily to the United States, reducing their competitiveness. TMC was no exception. Its global export volume for 1986 fell by 5.3 percent from the previous year to 1.87 million vehicles, bringing to an abrupt halt the company's sales growth toward 2 million vehicles.
Toyota and Japanese brands want a weaker yen for export. Regardless, this should have no effect on the TX because it's already made in the US.
You got it backwards, the depreciating yen would make their cars cheaper to make, not more expensive. From Toyota themselves:
Toyota and Japanese brands want a weaker yen for export. Regardless, this should have no effect on the TX because it's already made in the US.
Correct, the weaker Yen helps Toyota's profits from US sales:
These things started to pop up around me. I don't think it looks good at all. At some points in the past I was hoping to replace my GX with this or new GX. Now this one is out. Waited for a long time and it's truly a disappointment.
Well the good part is, Lexus probably dont care about the opinions of the 10 or so people posting on this thread. The bad part is, there are probably more of the same people out in the real world. The reality of it is, It still looks better than the current RX and if people can overlook that face, people will love the TX. Is it the highest end prettiest model? No. Was it meant to compete at the highest end with the GLS and X7? Certainly not. As with anything Lexus these days, they march to their own drumbeat and they are making money hand over fist. Anybody that is uninformed and only goes by what the internet says, they will miss out on a great vehicle. Its not exceptional or class leading by any stretch of the imagination, but its a well built solid vehicle that meets the needs of a lot of buyers. If someone wants a GLS or X7, they should just go get one instead of complaining what Lexus didnt and dont intend to do.
If someone wants a GLS or X7, they should just go get one instead of complaining what Lexus didnt and dont intend to do.
You're not seeing the issue. We want Lexus to compete head to head with BMW and MB like they used to do. I want a vehicle of that caliber, but with Lexus reliability. Both the GLS and X7 have some serious issues with reliability.
We want Lexus to compete with the Germans, what they have done is completely back out of the upper end of the luxury segment and instead focus on being an Acura competitor. As enthusiasts of the brand, we of course have opinions about that and where else to express them but here?
The reality of it is, It still looks better than the current RX and if people can overlook that face, people will love the TX.
I was actually thinking how much better the new RX looks than the TX when I saw them in person. The RX is definitely nicer inside
Anybody that is uninformed and only goes by what the internet says, they will miss out on a great vehicle. Its not exceptional or class leading by any stretch of the imagination, but its a well built solid vehicle that meets the needs of a lot of buyers.
Honestly, I don't agree. I think its a really lousy effort with options that are more compelling that are $20-30k cheaper. What is wrong with wanting Lexus to actually make something that is "exceptional and class leading"? What you describe is mediocrity...why should we be excited about that? All someone who listens to us will miss out on is a very middle of the road effort that frankly is way too expensive for what it is. It doesn't have to be a GLS or X7 competitor but I would hope that as a Lexus it would at least feel well made and luxurious...
This vehicle should be $50k to start, not $55k and top out at $65k, not $80k. Zero reason this should cost more than an MDX which is a nicer vehicle.
You're not seeing the issue. We want Lexus to compete head to head with BMW and MB like they used to do. I want a vehicle of that caliber, but with Lexus reliability. Both the GLS and X7 have some serious issues with reliability.
We want Lexus to compete with the Germans, what they have done is completely back out of the upper end of the luxury segment and instead focus on being an Acura competitor. As enthusiasts of the brand, we of course have opinions about that and where else to express them but here?
I was actually thinking how much better the new RX looks than the TX when I saw them in person. The RX is definitely nicer inside
Honestly, I don't agree. I think its a really lousy effort with options that are more compelling that are $20-30k cheaper. What is wrong with wanting Lexus to actually make something that is "exceptional and class leading"? What you describe is mediocrity...why should we be excited about that? All someone who listens to us will miss out on is a very middle of the road effort that frankly is way too expensive for what it is. It doesn't have to be a GLS or X7 competitor but I would hope that as a Lexus it would at least feel well made and luxurious...
This vehicle should be $50k to start, not $55k and top out at $65k, not $80k. Zero reason this should cost more than an MDX which is a nicer vehicle.
Lexus has to determine what's best for Lexus as a whole. Lexiis dont sell at the high end. They play in the mid to upper mid level and no one knows this better than Lexus. Take the LS430 as an example. They added new features, more power and etc then raised the price. Sales never reached the level of the LS400 ever again. How about the LX is another example where prices went into the 6 digitals and by all measures it isnt a sales success at about 6k units a year. The GX by comparison sells by the boatloads and in 2023 sold over 40k units. For them to create a TX and start it at 75k is just asking for failure.
Lexus has to determine what's best for Lexus as a whole. Lexiis dont sell at the high end. They play in the mid to upper mid level and no one knows this better than Lexus. Take the LS430 as an example. They added new features, more power and etc then raised the price. Sales never reached the level of the LS400 ever again. How about the LX is another example where prices went into the 6 digitals and by all measures it isnt a sales success at about 6k units a year. The GX by comparison sells by the boatloads and in 2023 sold over 40k units. For them to create a TX and start it at 75k is just asking for failure.
I think Steve's entire point is that the TX actually is priced at the high end, despite not having high-end underpinnings. At the top end, the TX is basically toe-to-toe with a near loaded Q7 Prestige in price despite not being anywhere near that vehicle in any aspect other than interior space, nevermind compared to cheaper competitors in the segment like the MDX and QX60. I'd argue that the RX also has gotten very expensive too now that it can be specced to the mid-$70K mark. The appeal of Lexus has always been relative value, like getting a naturally aspirated V6 while the Germans would only give you a turbo 4-pot for that price. Yet now we have Lexus offering an $80K turbo 4-pot (hybrid or otherwise) in a segment where everyone at least has a turbo 6 or is going electric. And unlike with a Volvo, there's nothing inside to at least give the impression that you're getting the highest quality or luxurious product, in either tech or comfort.
An argument could be made that Lexus has established enough brand prestige where they are able to command German prices, but as pointed out by many, the underpinnings of the TX are practically no better than the Toyota Grand Highlander it's based on. At least with the Germans, when you pay that top dollar you know you are getting something bespoke. I suppose that is the dream for Toyota, where they can charge such high prices for what is essentially a mainstream FWD transverse product with a different skin.
Last edited by Motorola; Jan 10, 2024 at 05:41 PM.
Lexus can absolutely sell cars at the high end, they just have to present a product that is worth somebody at the high end buying it, which they haven’t done in a long time. Could Lexus sell a 3 row proper premium crossover that tops out in the 90s? All day long.
When they set out to make Lexus they sought to make cars that were the best and also presented excellent value, and I just don’t see that from the brand anymore and it’s a shame. This vehicle is the most egregious I think…
Well the good part is, Lexus probably dont care about the opinions of the 10 or so people posting on this thread. The bad part is, there are probably more of the same people out in the real world. The reality of it is, It still looks better than the current RX and if people can overlook that face, people will love the TX. Is it the highest end prettiest model? No. Was it meant to compete at the highest end with the GLS and X7? Certainly not. As with anything Lexus these days, they march to their own drumbeat and they are making money hand over fist. Anybody that is uninformed and only goes by what the internet says, they will miss out on a great vehicle. Its not exceptional or class leading by any stretch of the imagination, but its a well built solid vehicle that meets the needs of a lot of buyers. If someone wants a GLS or X7, they should just go get one instead of complaining what Lexus didnt and dont intend to do.
Justify the price. Go on, explain to me why it's worthy of what they are asking vs the competition. That's the ENTIRE issue we have with it, if they priced this 20k lower no one here would've complained
I think Steve's entire point is that the TX actually is priced at the high end, despite not having high-end underpinnings. At the top end, the TX is basically toe-to-toe with a near loaded Q7 Prestige in price despite not being anywhere near that vehicle in any aspect other than interior space, nevermind compared to cheaper competitors in the segment like the MDX and QX60. I'd argue that the RX also has gotten very expensive too now that it can be specced to the mid-$70K mark. The appeal of Lexus has always been relative value, like getting a naturally aspirated V6 while the Germans would only give you a turbo 4-pot for that price. Yet now we have Lexus offering an $80K turbo 4-pot (hybrid or otherwise) in a segment where everyone at least has a turbo 6 or is going electric. And unlike with a Volvo, there's nothing inside to at least give the impression that you're getting the highest quality or luxurious product, in either tech or comfort.
An argument could be made that Lexus has established enough brand prestige where they are able to command German prices, but as pointed out by many, the underpinnings of the TX are practically no better than the Toyota Grand Highlander it's based on. At least with the Germans, when you pay that top dollar you know you are getting something bespoke. I suppose that is the dream for Toyota, where they can charge such high prices for what is essentially a mainstream FWD transverse product with a different skin.
Absolutely agree. Lexus is quickly becoming the luxury brand for people who know nothing about and don't care about cars past the superficial and size. Oh and who never drive a car hard at all
On looks, I think the TX looks better than the RX, but that's largely because IMO it's hard to look worse than the RX. They have yet to make a generation of the RX that appealed to me visually. I'm sure they're probably made with a much older demographic in mind than me.
