General Car Conversation
CL Community Team
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 9,339
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From: IL
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
Yeah. Was just a little surprised that they did that. Definitely pros with having it. At the same time, cons are that is a longer reach to retrieve cargo. And if you come from a traditional lift up hatch, it would be different. I would prefer the clamshell design if I had to choose. Didn’t realize the X7 had the clamshell as well
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,019
Likes: 496
From: Knoxville, TN
Heck no, it ain't a 70s GM station wagon. Plus it's designed for RHD so here in the States and Canada it will open the wrong way if you're parallel parked.
For us, the barn door isn't very appealing. We are glad we passed on GX altogether and went for the big daddy.
It really doesn't create much of a reach at least from my experience, but that's just me.
Also, you can remove the third row. There are DIY instructions on IH8Mud or here or somewhere, I've seen them. It's not hard to do from what I gather. I don't blame people, I'd consider it myself if it were more than just us two but nah.
For us, the barn door isn't very appealing. We are glad we passed on GX altogether and went for the big daddy.
I've owned our LX for 7 years and never honestly thought about the reach issue the clamshell creates, but you are right. On the Rivian, I was really impressed with the amount of cargo space with the 3rd row folded down as pictured. It is bigger inside than I anticipated. And as I've complained about many times on here, every time I see an SUV with no jump seats in the very back it reminds me of how much valuable space I'm losing in my LX for storage and makes me angry. The Rivian is likely a smaller SUV but I bet has more usable cargo space than my LX.
Also, you can remove the third row. There are DIY instructions on IH8Mud or here or somewhere, I've seen them. It's not hard to do from what I gather. I don't blame people, I'd consider it myself if it were more than just us two but nah.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
Heck no, it ain't a 70s GM station wagon. Plus it's designed for RHD so here in the States and Canada it will open the wrong way if you're parallel parked.
For us, the barn door isn't very appealing. We are glad we passed on GX altogether and went for the big daddy.
It really doesn't create much of a reach at least from my experience, but that's just me.
Also, you can remove the third row. There are DIY instructions on IH8Mud or here or somewhere, I've seen them. It's not hard to do from what I gather. I don't blame people, I'd consider it myself if it were more than just us two but nah.
For us, the barn door isn't very appealing. We are glad we passed on GX altogether and went for the big daddy.
It really doesn't create much of a reach at least from my experience, but that's just me.
Also, you can remove the third row. There are DIY instructions on IH8Mud or here or somewhere, I've seen them. It's not hard to do from what I gather. I don't blame people, I'd consider it myself if it were more than just us two but nah.
And on the LX clamshell and "reach", I'm 6'2 and once/year I load up the LX with all kinds of things and have to hang clothes in the very back on the 3rd row handles. I can't reach them without climbing into the back. Never dawned on me that the tailgate being folded down is likely the reason. I should try it with only the top part opened (insert Homer Simpson "Doh" gif here)
And yes I know about being able to remove the jumpseats, but when you are a family of 4 and your kids occasionally have friends joining, I always have to be able to use the 3rd row so I have to keep them in. So it becomes an issue when we go on a big trip and I am having to haul all kinds of suitcases, etc. and the jumpseats really kill the usable cargo space.
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
I'm not really sure what the benefit of the design would be. I remember it on 90's Tahoe's and Yukons which had the 2 barn doors. We had a 2004 GX which had the big single door. I remember when we got the LX I was happy to not have the big single door but I don't really remember why I felt that way. I don't think I could open the GX door in our garage because it swings out deeper than a traditional gate/hatch would open vertically.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,382
Likes: 357
From: ON/NY
Last edited by Toys4RJill; Apr 5, 2023 at 06:25 AM.
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Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,019
Likes: 496
From: Knoxville, TN
And on the LX clamshell and "reach", I'm 6'2 and once/year I load up the LX with all kinds of things and have to hang clothes in the very back on the 3rd row handles. I can't reach them without climbing into the back. Never dawned on me that the tailgate being folded down is likely the reason. I should try it with only the top part opened (insert Homer Simpson "Doh" gif here)
And yes I know about being able to remove the jumpseats, but when you are a family of 4 and your kids occasionally have friends joining, I always have to be able to use the 3rd row so I have to keep them in. So it becomes an issue when we go on a big trip and I am having to haul all kinds of suitcases, etc. and the jumpseats really kill the usable cargo space.
They should have designed the third row to be removed, but then we'd lose the power folding stuff which is pretty neat I must admit.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,096
Likes: 1,740
From: Ohio
I really like the split gates since if you are tallish like me the upper section is easier to reach (I don't have to reach down as far) and the smaller upper section doesn't require me to move out of its way nearly as much as a one piece. The lower section is also very nice to brake rifles off of, my Jeep allows the glass to open so it is similar but not.....not good enough to use as an access point but good enough to rest even the .50s on when shooting.
I am indifferent on the single large door, I like the fact I don't have to really move around it to open/use it but the fact it blocks one entire side when open can be annoying depending on what you are doing. I would not necessarily pick it over a standard type but also wouldn't try and avoid it. It does have a huge edge when you have guys in rear facing jump seats though, much easier to leave the car that way even with rifles.
I am indifferent on the single large door, I like the fact I don't have to really move around it to open/use it but the fact it blocks one entire side when open can be annoying depending on what you are doing. I would not necessarily pick it over a standard type but also wouldn't try and avoid it. It does have a huge edge when you have guys in rear facing jump seats though, much easier to leave the car that way even with rifles.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,019
Likes: 496
From: Knoxville, TN
IDK about your Jeep but with an LX the "grab down" to get groceries etc. with the bottom split up is the same as or less effort than lifting it out of a car trunk. Now that I think about it we literally NEVER open the whole thing to get groceries and lighter stuff out, just the top part.
Last edited by AJT123; Apr 5, 2023 at 07:16 AM.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Oct 2019
Posts: 18,096
Likes: 1,740
From: Ohio
IDK about your Jeep but with an LX the "grab down" to get groceries etc. with the bottom split up is the same as or less effort than lifting it out of a car trunk. Now that I think about it we literally NEVER open the whole thing to get groceries and lighter stuff out, just the top part.
Lexus Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 35,382
Likes: 357
From: ON/NY
Pole Position
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 3,354
Likes: 555
From: fl
Roll down rear window is such a great feature on the 4Runner. I know you don't care for it but I'll never understand why! I'd buy a 4Runner just to have that option again. I absolutely love that on nice days/nights being able to open that rear window, sunroof, etc. It's amazing.
Lexus Champion
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 17,019
Likes: 496
From: Knoxville, TN
It's a piece of cake getting stuff out just with top part open in LX. Even easier than a trunk of a car because the groceries, etc. are more on your level.
Clamshell is awesome, there's an outlet there and speakers above when you open it. It's great to sit on and listen to the music while fueling if you've had back surgeries lol.
And yes Jill lol I simply just don't get how you don't like a roll down window, lol. I hardly ever see 4Rs with them up when it's nice out.
Clamshell is awesome, there's an outlet there and speakers above when you open it. It's great to sit on and listen to the music while fueling if you've had back surgeries lol.
And yes Jill lol I simply just don't get how you don't like a roll down window, lol. I hardly ever see 4Rs with them up when it's nice out.