The Q5 is very versatile with 2.0T, 3.0T, 3.0TDI and 3.0TFSI (SQ5). More props to the competiton for giving options to the consumer.

Another reason to question Lexus's commitment to F and F-Sport. Body work and 8-Speed are nice for the RX, but let's be honest. The same 270hp 3.5L V6 found in a non F-Sport adds no distinction. And to the 8-Speed that shouldn't be a bonus to an RX because it should be standard across the Lexus line. There's no excuse to be using the 6-Speed when they were the first to debut the 8-Speed and the last to implement it into the line-up. LS, IS350, GS350 and RX F-Sport are the only ones, sad. Now I'll give somewhat of a pass since a redesigned RX bows at the end of the year and Lexus has an opportunity to really make F-Sport essentially a S/VSport trim which offer sophisticated performance without stepping up to full fledged RS and V trim. Granted this is what I'm hoping anyway.

Cool though that you're looking at the SQ5. Sad it's rare and hard to find atm. Only seen 2.0T, 3.0T and the older 3.2 models around here. Yet to see a diesel variant

 

You're already going back on your automotive New Years resolution mmarshall....you said it yourself...you need to come to grips with the idea that this is the new normal and stop harping on it.

Not enough people want a car with small diameter wheels for them to be offered by auto manufacturers anymore. That's just a fact. It's not "the press", it's what sells.

It's also not true that a car with larger diameter wheels and low profile tires will ride poorly. I think my GS rides great, as does everyone else on the GS Forum. I've driven many cars with 18s, 19s that I thought rode great

 

It didn't really occur to me until I was looking at the 7 seat Hyundai Sante Fe (or whatever its called, its a damn appealing package) and I saw 290hp…

Yes 20 more than the RX F sport….So I started to really read around SUVs and saw some serious opportunities with the RX. It is the logical choice, being past RX owners (1st/2nd gen) with plenty of experience with it (heck my folks picked one up Saturday).

That said I don't understand why it has the same HP and now with Caddy V-sport (which we spoke on), I kind of what "IN" on that action, from Lexus. Who doesn't want more HP with a minimal decrease in MPG?

We all know Audi is hot as hell right now and the wife loves them, I think they are superb. We prefer the Q5 to the GLK or any other cute ute…and that is the thing, while the SQ5 has that wonderful engine, look and interior, its smaller inside and it is very noticeable. And again good luck getting one. Same thing with the RRS, good luck getting one. Its almost ridiculous.

So it made me think if the RX F sport has the 8 speed tranny, why not go all out and dump the 5.0 V-8 in there. Boom RX F Wishful thinking….

Again I completely understand and we all have spoke on Lexus opportunities. But egads they sold 34,000 cars last month, 520,000 worldwide and their future has never looked brighter. I am perplexed how anyone can conclude its the other way around, even if you don't like the direction.

Lets look at BMW. BMW has gotten fluffier, they have expanded their lineup like mad and alienated SOME of their previous hardcore base. Well BMW has never sold better and they have no intention of slowing down all the variants. Loyal BMW owners can disagree with their direction but they cannot argue with the sales results and that BMW is still loved dearly.

 

Ugh. I had my hands on a dark blue SQ5 this weekend and passed. The ride was just too brittle for my tastes. Sweet ride though.

 

Dude I hate you so much right now….

 

I don't see my statements as harping on it (at least not as much as in the past). I'm simply discussing, calmly and civilly, what MADE it the new normal (often in response to other posters), and what the future may (?) hold. Already there's some evidence that the pendulum may be about to start swinging the other way......which I discussed a few posts ago.

And, (if you think a resolution itself wasn't enough) I actually BOUGHT a car that, though not bad, rides a little firmer than I like (a Verano with 45-series tires), simply because I was so delighted with it in many other areas. In other words, I put my money where my resolution was.


Sure they ride smooth, on some well-maintained, glass-smooth road surfaces like in Germany, or in the Deep South, that almost never gets freezing or winter salt/potholes. So would an old Army Jeep, for that matter. But go up to places around the Great Lakes or in some Northeastern cities, and even high-profile tires can pound you on those roads.

Of course, having said that (and there are always exceptions) , I know that some low-profile tire cars CAN ride relatively smooth on rough roads as well. Even on some of our neglected roads here around D.C., I was amazed at the ride/handling combination that the last-generation BMW 335i, with the Sport-Package 35-series tires gave. BMW engineers are simply geniuses at chassis enginering (with Mercedes also well up there).

 

To make matters worse for the RX. A fully loaded Nissan Pathfinder offers a Panoramic Roof option, rear heated seats, and height adjustable lift gate, things you won't find on any US RX. My manager just got a new one for his wife. Got her out of an RX.

 

No love for GM and their Magnetic Ride Control? Even Acura, Audi and Ferrari license the tech in some applications MDX, ZDX, TT, R8, 599, F12 and California

 

You are not making things any better…even the JX has a Panoramic roof option, it really makes big SUVs seem even roomier (heck cars etc)….

I assume this RX offers less due to the Yen exchange at the time, with the Yen where it is today hopefully we see some of that "value" really come back with some new features….the NX may just preview that….

 

Let's see what happens with the switch at BMW to the electric steering. I think that that move, alone, has the potential to drive away customers (especially the traditional Bimmer-Philes)...more so than the lower-build-quality Bangle cars and the I-Drive did. The tactile (and, in some ways, unmatchable, BMW hydraulic steering is much of what sold these cars.............and now that is gone.

 

I haven't been impressed with the Magnetic Ride Control on some Cadillacs, especially on the new XTS, though it seems to work a little better on the CTS. The ATS is quite stiff even with it, but, of course, it is a purpose-designed sport sedan, and its (admittedly) superb handling is the trade-off. I can't remember if the last Corvette I reviewed (several years ago) had the system or not...most Covettes do today.

GM, though, IS producing at least one truly superb new chassis. The all-new 2014 Chevy Impala, for everyday normal driving, has arguably the best ride/handling combo I've ever seen from the corporation (better than its Buick LaCrosse and Cadillac XTS cousins). This car has to be driven to be believed.....there's a reason why Consumer Reports ranked it only a couple of road-test points short of the Lexus LS460 and Tesla Model S (95 vs. 99).

 

I live in the same place you do, and drive on the same roads. My GS rides great on 18s. That comes from someone who had two ESs and two LSs.

Guess what that Impala you lauded rides on? 18s base and 19s and 20s optional.

 

Pathfinders, though, are stuck with that CVT transmission, which, as you'll remember from the JX35 (oops....QX60) review that I did, was a nice unit in how it actually operated, but I'd be concerned about its long-term reliablity. Nissan has already had to extend the original factory warranty on some CVTs because of a higher-than-average failure rate.

What did his wife dislike about the RX (if you know)...other than the equipment lacks you mention? I'd by an RX350 before any other current Lexus product. More so than anything else in the American-market Lexus-lineup today, it seems to remain true to its roots and what made the original RX300 such a smash hit. No, I don't care for the mouse-controller on the console or the complex video-dash, but it's hard to get away from video-screens nowadays, and the RX, otherwise, IMO, is traditional Lexus as its best in build-quality and refinement. Over the years, it seems to have been compromised the least.

 

LFA is only what $375k? i'm sure people here can afford that.

 

There are some LFA owners on the forum.