If I could start over again, I would have chosen the MDX.

 

Why's that?

 

The 2014 MY, IMO, had more usable features to offer compared to the RX. In addition, a fully loaded MDX was priced more attractively per dealer negotiations. I just couldn't convince my other half to take a closer look and she countered the fact that we already have a similar platform in the Pilot.

 

There's a ton of space in the boot. If you're were any good at Tetris, you will have no problems loading it up. If not, then no Suburban will help you.

We've gone to Disney and Myrtle Beach and everything fit in the trunk, including a large stroller. Of course, some creative packaging was necessary. This year, I was even able to fit our Espresso maker on a weeklong trip to Outer Banks. For our next trip, we got a roof cargo box. Need some more space.

Bottom line, it's not the car, but how good you are at packing. Our RX is just the perfect size for our family.

 

We had a 2nd gen RX for 5 years (2 of which was with our 1st child) and never had space issues. We drove from NJ to GA with a full size stroller, luggage, and grandparents without a single complaint. As far as the concerns about leg room, I'm 6'1' and at times have moved my son's seat behind mine so I can fold down the 60 side to haul stuff and never had issues with space. We recently got a 3rd gen and it's been just as easy to haul stuff around. We are now expecting our 2nd child so I did a test fit of a toddler and infant seat in the back and I don't have to move my seat up from it's current position at all.

As far as the RDX, the trunk is def smaller than the RX. I took my son's stroller to test fit and found it took up the entire trunk in the RDX. Best thing to do is go to the dealer with a stroller and car seat to do a test fit. This will give you a real world idea of how much space you'll have. The MDX is def a nice choice as well so you can't go wrong with either.

 

My Lexus dealer rents the Thule boxes which I think is pretty cool. They will install and remove for you too.

Anyways, we have 7 month old twins, and just recently traded our 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee on a Kia Sedona Minivan. We looked at a lot of vehicles in an effort to avoid a minivan, including the RX.

I also have an LS460. I would not trade the LS460 on an RX because of the baby. In fact, baby seats and strollers fit better in the LS than in the RX...significantly better. The LS is a great size for car seats.

 

I will throw in my two cents. I would agree that the RX has plenty of storage room. I have packed two sets of technical dive gear, underwater camera gear and luggage into the RX without issues- being a good packer allows for more storage.

I have not taken any pictures of gear storage in my new RX but I've posted pictures on the 2nd generation forum
I hope this helps,
Chris

 

Packing gear and packing baby stuff are separate issues. Strollers of certain types fit differently in different vehicles.

 

It all depends on how much you pack. Having lived in Japan much of our lives, we are used to working in small spaces. Our RX here in the states has been larger than we have ever needed even with the addition of our daughter.

Also we find that all of the "essential" gear for kids did not turn out that way for us. We used a stroller but just as often used a carrier. A jogging stroller is nice for some situations and ours folds up and fits without any problem.

Even with 2 kids and car seats it is fine for us. A 3rd row can be handy for carpool duty if that ends up being part of your regular routine. We find that despite best intentions, few people carpool since everyone has their own schedule.

Something that turned out to be helpful (and we did not predict) is that the taller RX makes it much easier for me to get our daughter secured into her seat than in our lower prius. All that bending is kind of a pain in the back! Our daughter also loves having her own cup holder, something the prius lacks.

Hope this helps!

 

No doubt the RX will be fine for one kid, and even two kids. To the OP's situation where he's planning on replacing an LS with an RX because he's having a baby, I don't think theres much upside to that switch, and there will be downside namely how well the rear facing carseats will fit (better in the LS).

My point is I would not run out and make that trade if the only reason is because they're having a baby.

 

Ditto! I used to tell the same thing to the IS300 crowd.
There's no pressing need to trade-in a sedan just because you're having one kid.

 

People buy way too much stuff, and make way too many big changes in their lives because of a baby coming. Trust me when I tell you 3/4 of the stuff you buy and changes you make are unneccesary.