When it comes to Lexus, a luxury car brand, everyone has been mixed praise and criticism, but no matter how the outside world denigrates Lexus, its sales have not disappointed. Over the past year, the Lexus brand sold 760,012 units worldwide, up 6% year-over-year. Among them, the North American market will have cumulative sales of 332,000 units in 2021, second only to BMW and Mercedes-Benz, and the cumulative sales volume in the Chinese market is 227,000 units.
Lexus' main sales models in China are ES, RX and NX, these three cars in addition to NX, Lexus ES and RX have to be decorated or extended warranty all year round to pick up the car (price increase), and because of this, Lexus has been complained about by everyone. However, due to the upcoming release of the new generation of Lexus RX, the current Lexus RX has been sold at an affordable price in many regions, which has attracted the attention of many interested users.
It is worth mentioning that the current Lexus RX belongs to the fourth generation of models, introduced into the domestic official sales in 2015, has been nearly 7 years, during which a mid-term modification was carried out in 2019, but only for the appearance of the details have been adjusted, is a painless change. With the successive rebranding of Lexus ES and NX, the Lexus RX revamp has also been put on the agenda.
Recently, overseas media took the lead in filming a set of spy photos about the new generation of Lexus RX Road, which means that the new car is expected to be released in the second half of 2022, and sold in Japan, the United States and other auto markets, and then landed in the Chinese market.
Judging from the exposed road test spy photos, the new generation of Lexus RX is wrapped in thick camouflage, and it is difficult to see its true appearance. However, from the overall body contour, the new car is still based on the details of the current model adjustments, including the replacement of the latest family-style spindle grille, the internal shape is more exquisite, how to do it, you can refer to the new Lexus NX.
On the side of the body, the spy model adopts a new spoke wheel, and the size is very large, the aura has been improved a lot, and the blackening treatment is carried out, showing a very sporty visual effect, which is expected to be a SPOTR model.
At the rear of the body, it can be clearly distinguished that the new car uses a new style of LED taillights, but it does not adopt a penetrating design like the Lexus NX.
In terms of size, there is no way to judge, for reference, the current Lexus RX300 has a length, width and height of 4890/1895/1710mm, and a wheelbase of only 2790mm, the same as the previous generation Highlander. As a medium-sized SUV, it is at an absolute disadvantage in the same level.
Pictured is the second row of the Lexus RX450hL
Even the extended Lexus RX450hL model, which has a length, width and height of 5000/1895/1720mm, is just in the passing line, but it is puzzling that the extended Lexus RX450hL wheelbase is still 2790mm, which is currently only Lexus.
The picture shows the second row of Highlander
However, according to overseas media reports, the new generation of Lexus RX will be built on the TNGA-K platform, and there is also a new generation of Highlander on this platform. The new Highlander is known to have a length, width and height of 4965/1930/1750mm and a wheelbase of 2850mm. As expected, the new Lexus RX300 is comparable in size to the new Highlander.
Pictured is the interior of the current Lexus RX
Pictured here is the interior of the new Lexus NX
In terms of interior, it is expected that the same as the appearance is a "squeeze toothpaste" upgrade, the overall layout will not make too many adjustments, nothing more than equipped with a new style of multi-functional steering wheel, full LCD dashboard and a larger size of the floating touch screen, as well as air conditioning outlet area for simple treatment, while appropriately reducing physical buttons, in order to present a more technological, more luxurious interior atmosphere.
At present, the power information about the new generation of Lexus RX is still unknown, but according to overseas media speculation, the new generation of Lexus RX will provide four power options, of which the ordinary version of the RX350 will be equipped with the same NX350 2.4T four-cylinder engine, the maximum power of 280 horsepower, the transmission system matches the 8-speed manual transmission, and equipped with a full-time four-wheel drive system, the acceleration time of 100 kilometers is only 6.6 seconds.
Of course, as we can see, Lexus did not introduce the NX350 to domestic sales, so the RX350 with a 2.4T engine is basically not related to us.
The entry-level hybrid model RX350h is expected to be equipped with a hybrid system composed of a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated engine with the same NX350h, which is divided into a single-engine version and a dual-motor version, and the system has a comprehensive power of 243 horsepower. Among them, the single-machine version has an acceleration time of 8.7 seconds per 100 kilometers, and the dual-motor acceleration time of 100 kilometers is 7.7 seconds (the above are Lexus NX350h data).
The high-end hybrid model RX500h is expected to be equipped with a gasoline-electric hybrid system composed of a 2.4T engine + electric motor, and the specific parameters are not yet known. In addition, the vehicle also has RX450h+ plug-in hybrid version, which is equipped with a 2.5-liter engine and a more powerful electric motor and a larger capacity battery pack, and the pure electric mileage is expected to reach 80 kilometers.
According to domestic emission regulations and consumer demand, the future version of the new generation of Lexus RX sold in China is most likely to be RX350h and RX450h+, as well as RX500h equipped with the current RX450h powertrain. Of course, the specific situation is subject to the final listed model.
From the current point of view, the current Lexus RX price range of 40.50-80.10 million yuan, covering a wide range of prices, the entry-level RX300 model can reduce the dimension of the Mercedes-Benz GLC, BMW X3 and Audi Q5 and other medium-sized luxury SUVs; high-end RX450h models and the same level of BMW X5, Mercedes-Benz GLE, Audi Q7 and Lincoln Aviator and other models to compete, Lexus this hand played really beautiful.
In addition, since the Lexus RX was listed in China, the discount has basically not been, and no price increase is the biggest offer, but it is in such a bold situation that its cumulative sales in 2021 are 48,617 vehicles, second only to the 50,217 vehicles of the BMW X5. The More brand-strong Mercedes-Benz GLE (47,786 units) and the "fractured" Volvo XC90 (19,992 units) can not sell it, which shows that the lexus RX is still very strong.
In the context of today's economic depression, and the imminent launch of a new generation of models, some Models of Lexus RX do not increase prices, and even have a discount of 50,000-70,000 yuan (only RX450 models). As for the RX300 model, it still needs mandatory selection, according to the sharing of riders, it is equipped with extended warranty (100,000 kilometers in four years to 150,000 kilometers in six years), explosion-proof film, 360 panoramic images, 360 driving recorders, full vehicle sound insulation, original carpets and tail box pads, etc., and the final selection price is 38,000 yuan.
Overall, from the currently known information, the biggest improvement of the new generation of Lexus RX undoubtedly lies in the powertrain, which is equipped with a more fuel-efficient 2.5-liter hybrid system, which is more in line with the needs of domestic consumers. In addition, if the interior and size can also be well improved, this is undoubtedly more tempting for consumers.
Of course, a penny for a penny, the new generation of Lexus RX is bound to be the same as the new Highlander, the price will increase, as for the price increase, it depends on what the model itself has upgraded and how much the current model has increased. If you start from the perspective of cost performance, it may be the best choice to read the current model before the new model is launched, after all, the current model can meet the demand in all aspects.