It’ll be bland, and America will love it.

Me, I like the RDX.

I like the EX35, you cant beat a G35 with a hatch.

“The SUV would likely be based on the Toyota RAV4. However, Lexus is still evaluating if they would be able to deliver the brands expected features at a price point of about $30,000.” Ummm, no. Anybody seen the sticker on these Toyota SUV’s lately? 4 Runners and Highlanders in the high 30’s, low 40’s. A loaded Rav4 is almost 30K.

based?

yeah rsg but the RDX and EX35 both have $30,000 ish price points, and both Nissan with the Murano and Honda with things like the Pilot can get up well into that price range as well. The base price on a rav4 is much lower, and the base price on this would be at the top end of the rav4.

boring. so there gonna slot this between a rav4 and 4runner? then theres a highlander….forget it, too many of these toyota suv’s to keep count just as long as you know there ‘green’—whatta joke!

Somebody’s gotta show ‘em how it’s done!
‘Bout friggin’ time!
Infiniti EX bombed.
DrFill

It better get good gas mileage – should put a baby diesel with turbocharger in it.

This sounds like a great idea granted Lexus dosent price it out of the competition. a smaller S.U.V.\C.U.V. will keep up with the likes of BMW’s X3 or that strange GLK. Plus F-Tuning could make this one hell of a little scooter. I have always loved Lexus’s contemporary styling so i know that it will be styled right.

This segment is growing and this is proof that Toyota does pay attention to market trend, unlike a few other companies . . .

Bah, I’m waiting for the Lexus rebadged Prius. The interior will feature soft baby seal leather seats and African rhino ivory inserts. They’ll call it the Priapism

Funny!
DrFill

What can be any smaller than the RX? Plus smaller vehicle means less features and interior equipment. I already thought the RX as being borderline acceptable on luxury.

Uhm, who cares? It’s still going to be an overpriced POS Toy Ota filled with crap Denso parts. And mentioning BMW, Infiniti, Acura, Audi or Mercedes-Benz in the same sentence is an insult to these car makers.

The RX will be redone next year, grow, and will add a 3rd row
RX doesn’t know acceptable
Kick-ass it does pretty good, doh!
DrFill

Lexus’ problem is that their current RX (which has been rendered obsolete by the nearly identical Toyota Venza) is competing with CUVs based on RWD performance sedan platforms (X5, FX, etc), but it is based on a pedestrian FWD platform that also underpins the Camry/Highlander/Sienna/Venza/Lexus ES, not exactly the perceived prestige Lexus is aiming for. A smaller Lexus CUV based on the RAV4 would suffer the same perception problem. What they should do is create a smaller CUV based on the Lexus IS platform, and remake the RX from the GS platform. Sure, they would cost more, but wouldn’t they have the credentials to back it up?

THe RX will sell 8-10k a month. It would only drop if it became an Acura or Infiniti.
THe next RX is sweet, having seen it.
The RX is not a problem, but it’s 40 large price, and consistent success, means it may be duplicatable, and a new kid can enter the block
Buyers don’t give a damn what platform it’s on.
DrFill

Lexus could base it off of the IS250 AWD or the GS350 AWD drivetrain.

I just hope the thing doesn’t look akward/midget-like like other small CUVs do like RDX, GLK, X3…etc.

@ Dr Fill: I saw the production 2010 RX 2 weeks ago. I’m not quite convinced yet.

I think Toyota has done a good job of differentiating the RX from the Highlander. If they follow this pattern for a smaller luxury crossover based on the RAV4, then I think it will succeed in the market. I don’t think many RX owners care if their vehicle is derived from a Toyota platform (or ES customers, for that matter), as long as it doesn’t look or feel like a Toyota. I’m sure anyone who buys this proposed smaller model would feel the same way.

If there really is anyone truly excited by this announcement there’s a job for you hanging out in dark, remote corners of strip malls wearing a trench-coat holding copies of ‘Watchtower’.

1c3d0g, you mean lilke Bosch for Mercedes?

Bosch > Denso. Everyone knows this.

I really like the EX but then I looked up the mileage on it (17/24) and honestly that is pathetic. The lambdas get that or better, offer more space and utility, and are solid as rocks, and decently loaded cost the same or less. Vehicles in this size range should be coming in at 21/28 or better in mileage.

1c3d0g: and everyone knows they’re OEMs.

AWD comparisons:

Lincoln MKX 18mpg 41K (8.1sec 0-60)
Buick Enclave CXL 18mpg 42.5K (8.2sec)
Infiniti EX35 19mpg 45K (6.7sec)

The EX35 costs more but faster and more fuel efficient.

Yes Veda, but the EX would fit inside the Enclave, with the 2nd row seats folded down of course. Not an even comparo, as even the bigger FX is still smaller than the Enclave.

Secondly, most people will pass on the advanced tech options on the EX, and just get the AWD Journey with Premium package (which is a sweet setup), for $39,125 out the door. So your $45K number includes crap that the other cars don’t even offer, except maybe if someone is stupid enough to pay $2,000 for in-car navi.

Man, that SUV pictured is small enough.

MikeFX: I only include NAV in any vehicle configuration if it comes with additional safety features (lane departure, pre-brake, etc) which I deemed are important enough to include in my purchase. I was just doing a comparison on the similarly priced CUV’s. There’s no way I’m getting a huge-ass Enclave or MKX…

Another tall AMC gremlin that will be the X3s bitch. Just name it what it is, a Lexus RAV4.

I don’t understand why people like these types of vehicles. They are nothing more than tall riding cars with hatchbacks. They’ve pretty much given up all of the “utility” of a traditional SUV, so why not just go back to a regular sedan or hatchback? They can’t tow much, they can’t hold much stuff because they’re smaller, and they can’t even go offroad well. Why do people need tall riding cars? Is it to compensate for something else they are lacking?

global: “The interior will feature soft baby seal leather seats and African rhino ivory inserts. They’ll call it the Priapism.”

Funnier than ****!

the EX35 starts at $35k
it shouldve started at $29k
but its still a great car

and yeah it may fit inside an enclave but when was the last time you could rip an enclave around a track and have fun with it? the EX35 is built for excitement, just like the G35.