I hear so many people - even here - state that the Lexus ES and RX aren't True Lexus'.. Why?

 

It's a stereotype simply because they are FWD and are based on the Camry platform. Once the RX and ES move to their own platform I think the comments will stop.

 

RX = Toyota Harrier

 

Cannot speak to RX...

...but can the ES, it is the number of quality problems with the model.

 

old is = altezza
old gs = aristo
old ls = celsior.

so they were all not lexus? i disagree

imho, the ES is really entry level lexus, and that's coz' it shares so much with camry (start from platform), and to me it's too much like suit up camry. i still consider it lexus, but it's borderline

rx i have always considered it lexus. it's based on the camry platform, but to me it's on its own and does very well in the market.

 

Does Lexus have platform codes for their vehicles?? Perhaps all Lexus vehicles are based on a modified Camry platform like all Infiniti models (at present) are based on the 350z (FM) platform.. Anyone?

 

No. First, Lexus vehicles come from several platforms. The ES and RX, as you note, are Camry-based.......the ES with FWD and the RX with FWD/AWD. The IS comes from the former RWD (now RWD/AWD) Toyota Altezza platform......the GS a somewhat stretched version of that. The LS is on the same platform as the Japanese-market top-level RWD Toyotas. The GX is a redone V8 Toyota 4Runner...a platform that is otherwise shared only with the Toyota FJ Cruiser. The LX is a twin of the AWD Toyota Land Cruiser....a unique platform that is somewhat wider than the 4Runner/FJ/GX.

Second, Infiniti. Yes, most Infiniti products come from the RWD 350Z/G35 platform....but the big QX56 full-size SUV is done on the RWD/AWD Nissan Titan/Armada platform.

 

A few corrections:

The Altezza platform is old and defunct. The current IS actually sits on a shortened version of the GS platform. The GS shares it's platform with the Toyota Crown. These are the only vehicles that share this RWD midsize platform. It was first introduced with the previous-gen Crown in 2003. This platform was designed for packaging a hybrid system and for AWD.

The current LS sits on a unique platform not shared with any other vehicle. It's a brand new platform for the LS that also allows for the long-wheelbase version of the LS and was designed to be able to efficiency package a hybrid system and mechanical AWD at the same time.

 

You can argue that since Lexus was originally an America-only enterprise, and neither the Altezza, Aristo nor Celsior were ever offered in America, the IS, GS and LS were always 'Lexus.'

 

Interesting topic I know the large SUV's are based on their respective Toyota cousins.. My Rav4 is built on the Corolla platform, which is actually a shortened Camry platform..So your saying that the IS & GS are not based on a modified Camry platform? Is there a source on this?

 

Thanks.

I know the old Altezza platform is gone (I had an IS300 myself), but my impression was that the new IS was as well....though you are correct that the IS platform and GS platforms are linked; the IS being a shortened version.

The Crown, to my knowledge was the "Japanese-market top-level Toyota" I refered to...you just stated it more specifically than I did.

And yes, you were one step ahead of me on the LS.....I forgot the extended-wheelbase LS600H. The 600H's AWD, though (as you no doubt know), is not a conventional AWD system but, like some other Toyota/Lexus Hybrid systems, uses
electric motors on the rear wheels to produce the AWD effect.

 

First off, how can the IS and GS be based off a modified Camry platform? The Camry platform is a FWD platform, while the IS and GS use a RWD platform.

It's common knowledge amongst Lexus/Toyota people that the GS, IS and Crown share the same platform. All three vehicles use the S-Series platform.

Wikipedia is one place to start if you want a source:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_GS
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexus_IS

 

The RAV4's platform, as you note, is essentially Corolla-based (as is the Toyota Matrix as well)....their AWD systems, as I understand it, come from All-Trac Corollas that are not sold in the U.S.

The IS and GS are NOT Camry-based platforms, as I understand it. Both are RWD/AWD, and the Camry platform was basically engineered for FWD, though AWD versions of it are also done on the Highlander and RX (and also on the non-U.S. Camry All-Trac).

TRDFantasy may also want to add some comments here.....he seems to know the platforms pretty well also.

 

FWD.... to me.

 

even though its FWD, i love the new ES. well i love the way it looks from behind, the front is not so good. but i always imagine it dumped and cambered.