Why not have two million dollars in your pocket instead of one million dollars? Lexus is going for the gusto, as any business who has the mean to do so, does. This add-on will keep RX sales spiking during this generation's run. Wise.

I'm just a bit surprised they aren't bringing out an entire new vehicle to fulfill the 3rd row duty. I think it would have enhanced their portfolio more and led to even more overall sales. I'm roughly reminded of the 1990 Chevy S-10 Blazer and GMC Jimmy's morph into a 4-door SUV. Rather than adding an all new model (Tahoe/Yukon), they just made an existing unit longer.

 

don't follow your logic. you said "The long wait here is likely due to keeping this generation RX sales rolling" by which it seems you mean they want to keep sales rolling now by delaying the intro of the 3 row rx. maybe that's not what you meant, if so, sorry. it seems maybe you mean that lexus can extend the life of the current rx once the 3 row rx comes out, but if so, i don't see how launching the 3 row helps sales of the 2 row.

either way, i agree more models is better, just wish the world didn't have to wait so darned long before the 3 row is available and i'm sure the dealers feel MUCH more strongly about this!

 

How are these new RXs selling? I live in the MD/DC/VA area, which has thousands of older RXs, and I see very few new ones. I don't see Mom's rushing into trade in their older RXs for this latest polarizing model.

I just can't believe that grill is going to attract women.....I still believe this is a bold gamble by Lexus. The RX is their breadwinner.

 

Yes! That is exactly what I meant. Thank you. The addition of the third row a few years from now keeps this gen RX's sales hot.

 

The new front end barely works on the current model, stretching that sausage would make it worse. I tottaly understand why they want to wait until the mid cycle refresh, they have to do something to that front end.

 

What does the nose have to do with the length of the vehicle?

As for sales, sales are doing well. It'll take a while before you see enough of them on the road to see them everywhere. I see quite a few and I'm in the MD/DC area too.

 

The nose is too agressive, may not look good on a longer version. The NX is shorter and looks great, the current RX is, well, it depends on how you look at it..... the angle..ect

 

Form what I understand, the sales of the current RX are doing well, but not as great as I thought it would. I can see a RX350l just padding to the sales and doing its best to keep the sales going.

 

It just looks like a larger version of the NX to me. Honestly, cars like that really irk me. Take the FX(Q), X5, CX7, etc. What do all those cars have in common? They have a "Baby" version of them. Nothing screams EFF you more than when you buy one of these cars (especially at MSRP or greater) and then there is another person pulling up to you in the same car pretty much at a lower cost, but similar options and styling. It is almost "Troll" of these car companies to create these type of cars that are generally similar in looks. Its almost as if they are trying to stir the pot within the human population to pretty much generate more sales...someone who purchases an NX will mostly feel inadequate and eventually wish they had bought an RX, Then RX owners will want something else... It is just what I have gathered from personal experience with people.

 

This is what the luxury segment demands today. Brand uniformity.

 

No.....not even close. They may have the same general exterior shape (spindle-grille and all LOL)....and similar-looking dashes, but that is where the similarity ends. Test drive the two of them, and IMO you will notice a significant difference in refinement, ride comfort, noise-control, and a general sense of being in a luxury-class vehicle. The NX is not a bad vehicle by any means, but IMO it drives more like a Toyota than a Lexus....devoid of some sound insulation and refinement.

(I have done full-reviews on both vehicles, so I am just communicating what I myself found).

 

From reading Car and Driver, Motor Trend and Edmunds, they praise the smooth and quiet engine, Car and Driver even says the turbo four is quieter than the hybrid at 70MPH

 

Like I said to Skylar978...compare the two of them on a test-drive, if you have not already done so. I wasn't necessarily talking about the hybrid versions, but the bread-and-butter ones that rack up the most sales. I think most people, in general, will find the RX considerably quieter, smoother, and more refined than the NX. That's not to say the NX is a bad design or a bad vehicle...it's not. But it simply doesn't ride and drive like an RX. There is a reason why the RX costs more.

 

Increasing the wheelbase for the 3-row version could improve the proportions of the RX. The current one does rather long overhangs but a stretch to the wheelbase could give less focus to that long nose.

 

I agree with the above. The RX has a real long front nose...