I guess it's safe to say the new RX has a CD between 33 and 34.

 

Generally speaking, Lexus usually gets better with their drag. So for them to go backwards seems a little odd.

 

I think you could say "generally speaking" everyone gets better with their drag. No automaker is trying to get worse.

 

That's what I am thinking. It may be 0.335 and someone decided to round up to 0.34 and someone else decided to round down to 0.33.

 

Some details of the new RX350 for those who care:

-rear heated seats have three heat stages
-rear doors to unlock a locked door, the passenger pulls the handle to unlock the door, then a second pull to actually open the door
-courtesy door lights on all four doors
-fixed rear coat hooks, no pivoting
-second rows have power backrests/manual forward back
-premium unleaded only for Hybrid model
-pivoting door pockets for front doors
-auto headlight switch now a push button located now on dash
-crome edges on window switches
-fuel door makes a very loud click the pushed shut
-interior door edge appears to be taped with tape that resembles duct tape
-very nice hidden pocket between passenger seat and center console

 

One thing annoying, IMO, on the new RX is that heated seats are a $440 option (at least on the base model I reviewed). IMO, heated seats on ANY SUV in this class should be standard. After all, SUVs are designed to deal with winter. True, in some parts of the extreme Southern or West Coast of the U.S., they aren't needed anywhere near as much as in other places. But, even there, it occasionally gets cold enough for the fanny-warmers.

 

Front heated seats have in been in cars since the 80s and they still haven't been made standard on SUVs. Rear heated seats is still relatively new thing. It will be decades before they are standard, if they even become standard kit

 

I remember there was some arguments that the NX would eat into the RX sales. What is the status of this? From the looks of it the RX is selling at about the same volume as before the introduction of the NX. Can anyone confirm?

 

Given how much the SUV market has grown in general, I think it's evident that the NX has eaten into the RX sales with the RX sales not growing nearly as much as it should, particularly with the RX's recent redesign, although it's obvious that the overall Lexus SUV sales benefits as a result.

 

Agreed. I would've expected the RX sales to jump significantly with the redesign but as you said, that's not really been the case.

 

January

Model 2016 January units vs 2015 January units
NX 3,133 vs 2,812
RX 6,956 vs 6,569

Granted I'm not sure what the split is for actual MY16 vs MY15 but overall volume for January of this year is up and the NX is gaining traction

 

Well the point is that the overall LSUV market has grown by 15% in January 2016 vs 2015, and yet the RX has only grown by 6% despite a complete redesign, making it hard not to point to the presence of the NX as a cause of the RX's decreased market share.
http://www.goodcarbadcar.net/2016/02...uary-2016.html

 

The styling of the new RX and NX is polarizing so I'm sure more than a few potential buyers were turned off enough to look for something else. Long term the new styling language will settle into the landscape and things will find their levels.

 

 

That's not really a big deal though since the NX is like an RX Lite. At 182in in length, it is 2" longer than the original RX300. The RX could no longer straddle segments for this 4th generation, especially with the onslaught of smaller utes being rolled out. RX would be missing out on potential sales regardless, enter NX. Seems like a good tandem.

I've found there is no middle ground. Either you like the look or you don't, simple enough. Personally I like that it's unique and doesn't get lost in a parking lot. I agree as they further the Spindle language into their designs, it will become even more refined. The LC500 is a perfect example.