The new model RX350L and RX450hL with 3rd row seating will be coming out as 2018's early in Calendar 2018.
Lexus is apparently going to debut those and the regular 5 passenger RX350 and RX450h style together.
Build status of some 2017 RX's show a November 2017 production date.

 

It's time to replace my 2010 RX 350, and a dealer visit is upcoming.

Does the 2018 have any more trunk space than the 17?
Is there a full sized spare or even a full sized space for a tire?
Are there any new annoyances in the 18?

Those two items may drive me to a different brand.

 

there is a spare in the 350 and 450, not full size i believe. (very important to me too)
the 3 row will add more room in the back, otherwise i expect no changes.

 

when will it be available

 

after the first of the year from what i am being told,

 

Are you referring to the 5 seater 2018 or 7 seater 2018? The 5 seater will be the same as 2017. I don't think any car comes with full size spare anymore; for USA/Canada market.

 

How come the three row model wasn’t released on Wednesday or Thursday in Tokyo?? Weren’t the press days those days?

 

This article states that the 3 row RX will arrive at dealerships in February. Do you think we will see the car at Detroit in January or do you think that it will just arrive at dealerships?

 

https://www.clevelandjewishnews.com/...65f77eb6d.html
Sorry, forgot to tag the link.

 

I would hope so. Lexus also should have a new marketing campaign for it as well. The RX-L could really poach MDX and maybe Q7 buyers. Lexus should really consider adding more power and for the love of everything rear zone climate control.

 

Which is proving hugely frustrating for those of us who can't get what we want in a 2017 and could not care less about 3rd row seating in the 2018 but who at the same time can't order because of the fact that Lexus wants to do both at the same time.

 

Despite all the news in previous months there is no sign of RXL in Tokyo show.
I am start to thinking it will be a 2019 model.

 

I really have my doubt on when we will see 2018, last month dealers were saying late December (2017) now they are saying Feb 2018? what is going on?

I recommend lexus skip 2018 and go straight for 2019.
(Same thing Audi did for Q7 , skipped 2016 and launched 2017 in January)

 

Automatic AWD is triggered to engage when a front wheel or wheels begin to turn faster
than the rears. The "3000 mile use" temporary spare is narrower but is the same circumference
as the normal road wheels so it rotates at the same speed as the remaining three so as to not
engage the AWD. A full size will fit (the law requires that the flat tire be safely stowed and
secured after mounting the spare) but raises the floor board a couple of inches.

Along with the new 10 year Safety / Service Connect trial, Lexus lowered the cost of the
renewals on all 2010 - 2017's to $80/year from $160 previously. The two optional services,
Lexus Enform Remote and Destination Assistance were also reduced to $80/year each.
Result is that an earlier car now can have Remote Start for $80 + $80 = $160/year instead
of the previous $250. If you want the live operator Destination Assist also as in the original
trial period it is $80 + $80 + $80 = $240/year instead of the $350/year charged before.

2018's with the 10 year SC trial will pay just $80/year for the Remote Start/Vehicle Finder/
Guest Driver tracking/Status Monitor features.

 

The dealerships I have spoken to are mirroring more than a bit of frustration about this as well. I don't know about other places but all three dealerships I talked to have pretty much met with radio silence from Lexus on the 2018s. They have a few more shipments of 2017's coming in but said Lexus isn't taking custom orders anymore and at the same time has not provided any ordering catalogs or literature pertaining to 2018.

The places I talked to are beginning to run low on inventory except for common configurations and are wondering why everything else on their lot is 2018 except for their highest volume vehicle.