by "Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
Published 11/15/2017 at 18:04
by "Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
Published 11/15/2017 at 18:04
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STARS: 2
In the year of our lord 2017, the only way to get a 3-row Lexus vehicle is in the form of a truck-based SUV, even though the bread-n-butter RX shares its platform with the Toyota Highlander, which has offered a 3rd row since 2004. Lexus is (finally) remedying this.
According to Autoblog , at the L.A. Auto Show, Lexus will introduce an extended-length L version of the current RX350 and RX450h, that adds a 3rd row of seats. Lexus expanded on this information in an Instagram post that actually doesn’t expand on this information at all, but does crop the teaser image above into a square.
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I’m mildly shocked that it took Lexus this long to make a 3-row crossover. Acura has been selling the 3-row MDX in the same price bracket as the RX since 2001. Lexus has been selling the 2-row NX since 2015. I guess someone finally told them that 3 row crossovers are a thing.
Maybe this will incrementally reduce the number of extremely tall Lexus GXes being aggressively driven around my affluent, suburban corner of Wisconsin by rich people looking for something like a Range Rover, but reliable. Actually, the GX hasn’t been all that popular around here for several years. And maybe we do want people to keep buying GXes so that a ready supply of them continues to reach their third owners who use them like the Land Cruiser Prados they are underneath, while cursing their need to replace expensive air springs.
Welcome to the 3-row crossover party, Lexus!
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
11/15/2017 at 18:09, STARS: 1
We’ve been RX shopping, and the sales person mentioned this to us (we don’t need a 3rd row, so don’t really care in our case). What he said is that the wheelbase will *not* change - the extra length will all be in the rear overhang.
And I still suspect that 3rd row will be a penalty box, for small children only. I imagine that headroom will be at a premium.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/15/2017 at 18:12, STARS: 2
I was always a little confused why the RX didn’t get one. Its the same car as the Highlander. They dress it up like they are difference but they are the same chassis with the same wheelbase and overall length. I guess the real question is...why an “L” designator? Its not like it needs to be longer, just less ugly.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/15/2017 at 18:12, STARS: 1
Also the air springs weren’t too expensive to replace.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
11/15/2017 at 18:14, STARS: 0
Yeah but in order to keep it as ugly as it is, they had to stick another foot or so of sheet metal behind the rear axle.
So you can pretty much count on the “L” being even uglier...
"BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather" (bugeyedacura)
11/15/2017 at 18:15, STARS: 0
So like an X5? But with extra interior volume to actually be useful, unlike an X5.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/15/2017 at 18:16, STARS: 1
“So you can pretty much count on the “L” being even uglier...”
Its theoretically possible...but can they actually do it?
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
11/15/2017 at 18:17, STARS: 0
‘Bout time. The RX is so freaking bigly and long now.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
11/15/2017 at 18:17, STARS: 1
Toyota/Lexus have been on a roll lately, seemingly outdoing themselves with virtually every new car intro - so don’t count them out.
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
11/15/2017 at 18:21, STARS: 1
Depends on if they actually stretch out the body in some way, or try to shoehorn a 3rd row in the existing shape, which...isn’t very big back there.
"Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap" (ddadragon)
11/15/2017 at 18:26, STARS: 0
The Highlander could get away with a third row on the same wheelbase because it was more square, so you know, actual people could fit under the roofline.
"HammerheadFistpunch" (hammerheadfistpunch)
11/15/2017 at 18:34, STARS: 0
Thats what I mean with making it less ugly.
"Dr. Zoidberg - RIP Oppo" (thetomselleck)
11/15/2017 at 18:35, STARS: 1
Ever seen the third row on a 1st gen Highlander? My SIL had one... Hilarious to see my mom cramped back there. Truly the perfect seats for people with no legs.
"gin-san - shitpost specialist" (gin-san-)
11/15/2017 at 18:44, STARS: 0
My father has a 2008 RX400h, but I can’t imagine a 3rd row in there even with an extended model, unless this is a BIG extension to the existing body.
"wafflesnfalafel" (wafflesnfalafel1)
11/15/2017 at 19:01, STARS: 0
interesting - hasn’t the comparable Acura MDX always had the 3rd row like the Pilot?
"415s30 W123TSXWaggoIIIIIIo ( •_•))°)" (415s30)
11/15/2017 at 19:17, STARS: 0
Soccer mom’s rejoice
"FTTOHG Has Moved to https://opposite-lock.com" (alphaass)
11/15/2017 at 19:40, STARS: 0
I think it was probably that their customers didn’t ask. Just my own experience, but RX buyers tend to be retired. And retired people don’t typically have a need to shuttle around 7 people in one car. Even if some people are saying it is ugly, this latest generation is definitely less staid and perhaps that is attracting younger buyers that have more interest in a third row.
"WilliamsSW" (williamssw)
11/15/2017 at 19:59, STARS: 0
No - but those first gen Highlanders aren’t very big, so I can imagine that 3rd row is awful.
I didn’t realize they had a 3rd row TBH
"Textured Soy Protein" (texturedsoyprotein)
11/15/2017 at 20:02, STARS: 0
Yes, it has. The original Pilot and MDX were very similar but over time the Pilot has gotten softer and more minivan-like while the MDX has gone semi-sporty. The MDX has a higher output motor and needs premium fuel. The Pilot maxes out at 8 seats vs. 7 in the MDX.
"Michael" (mhanczyc)
11/15/2017 at 21:57, STARS: 0
I’m the 3rd owner of a Lexus GX. Can confirm.