2016 Lexus RX: It's New But It's Not Reimagined - Car and Driver (blog)
The Lexus RX pioneered the luxury-crossover segment when it debuted in the late 1990s as the RX300, and the model has been a pillar of the Lexus brand ever since. It remains the bestselling Lexus model today. The company shifted 107,000 units last year, putting the RX well ahead of the runner-up ES sedan , of which it sold 72K. So while Lexus would like the RX to shake its somnambulant image, it is loathe to move it too far off the beam. [while] staying true to the pioneering values of previous RX generations. The new RX adopts the brand’s aggressive—which is not to say “beautiful”—new design language, with L-shaped lighting elements and a giant, spindle grille. The “floating” roof created by the blacked-out C-pillar is a new twist—unfortunately for Lexus, it’s one that is also seen on the new Nissan Murano. The extra length results in enhanced rear-seat room, but Lexus has opted not to wedge in a third row of seats. Under the tortured sheetmetal, Lexus engineers managed to wring additional output from familiar mechanicals. Electing to sit out the trend toward engine downsizing and forced induction, they are again serving up a 3. 5-liter V-6, only now with 300-ish horsepower (final figures aren’t in) instead of 270. An eight-speed automatic, formerly exclusive to the... Source: www.caranddriver.com
