Lexus Commits to Wild Styling With New RX
The days of Lexus building plain-looking luxury cars and SUVs is over, and the latest evidence is the redesigned 2016 RX, which debuted at the 2015 New York International Auto Show. The two-row crossover adopts the sharp, crisp styling theme of the smaller Lexus NX crossover, but the proportions are better applied to the midsize RX. The new appearance is a complete reversal from the smooth-sided styling of prior RXs, which has always been a popular choice for shoppers in this segment.
Related: More 2015 New York Auto Show Coverage
Lexus General Manager Jeff Bracken readily admits that the luxury brand’s styling direction, particularly the massive spindle grille that’s present on F Sport models, is polarizing, but he says the approach is important for the brand to “stretch ourselves with design,” even on its most-popular model. The mesh-style F Sport grille looks excessively large on some of Lexus’ cars, but I didn’t mind it on the RX; it seemed like the right size for this crossover. The non-F Sport grille is also large but has a different appearance.
The RX has a new D-pillar design that gives the rear roof a floating appearance. Nissan uses a similar design cue on its Murano crossover, and it works to good effect on the RX. Like prior RXs, the liftgate glass is raked forward, which adds athleticism to the crossover’s look but reduces available cargo room compared with a vertical liftgate. A hands-free liftgate is available, but unlike competing systems that make you swipe your foot under the bumper or stand patiently for a few moments, the RX’s liftgate opens automatically when you put your hand over the rear Lexus badge. It seems like that might be hard to use if both hands are full.
The front of the cabin is tighter than the prior RX, partly because of the wide center console, but it’s not hard to see out of this crossover, and over-shoulder views are good, too, thanks to large side windows. I like how Lexus is paying more attention to details as evidenced by the new window switches that are trimmed in chrome.
I’m happy to report that the RX has traditional dashboard buttons instead of touch-sensitive controls, which are used for temperature adjustment in the Lexus IS sedan. It seems that fad is quickly on the way out. Lexus’ Remote Touch console controller remains and works with an available 12.3-inch widescreen display atop the dashboard that looks like a jumbo iPhone resting on its side.
Backseat space is comparable to its predecessor. There’s good legroom, the seat slides forward and backward, and the backrest reclines. A power-reclining and power-folding backseat is available. The two downsides of the rear seating area are that the seat is a little low to the floor and the seat cushion could offer more thigh support.
Because the RX is Lexus’ best-selling model a full redesign is an especially big deal. Some brands would have played it safe with such a critical product, but Lexus’ designers went the opposite route, and I think the brand will be rewarded in the market for its risk-taking.
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