[mister]

The Lexus NX is already a sub-crossover, but Lexus thinks that it may need something even smaller -- a sub-sub-crossover if you will.

Lexus' European vice-president Alain Uyttenhoven says an entry-level crossover is "not impossible" as it "made sense" for Lexus although he didn't provide any details about a launch date. The model would likely do well in Europe, China and Japan where there is a strong desire for smaller premium cars.

This could be a smart move for Lexus as the company sells half of its cars in North America right now. Getting their brand to be successful in more countries would be a huge boost for them.

How small can a crossover get before it isn't a crossover anymore?

 

[mojo]

I just don't see how this is any different than what Mercedes et all have been doing. Whats worse is we had a piece just the other day where lexus was praised for NOT doing this...

Todd Turner, analyst with Car Concepts who drove the new NX at the media introduction here, said Lexus' split image of luxury and sportiness "makes more sense than what Mercedes is doing by going downmarket."

"The sportier vehicles will influence the less-sporty luxury stuff," Turner said. "Lexus is maintaining the integrity of the brand."

 

[mister]

I guess that Lexus just wants to make sure that it is competing with the other brands in every segment. They don't want other brands to get free reign over a segment without them playing too. I can't imagine a sub-NX Lexus, but I guess its going to happen. Hopefully they can do it without it looking forced or like it isn't a true Lexus. Maybe they will impress us all.

 

[Kennedy]

I always thought of the NX as the RX replacement, with the RX getting bigger, so it makes sense that they would do this as it is needed. Plus the NX isn't that small.

 

[mister]

Well it isn't big. A sub-NS vehicle would be very small. When you get that small i think its hard to call it a CUV anymore. Its more of a raised hatchback.

 

[mojo]

oh c'mon lets not tip into absurdity. The RX is based on the K platform, which is shared with Toyota's Camry, Avalon, Highlander, Sienna and Venza, as well as the Lexus ES.

The NX is on the MC platform which is a segment below the K platoform, MC is shared with the Prius and RAV 4. SIZEABLE differences between a Prius and a Venza...

Dimensions:

NX

L: 182.3 in
W: 73.6 in
H: 64.8 in

WB: 104.7 in

RX

L: 187.8 in
W: 74.2 in
H: 66.3 in

WB: 107.9 in

The RX needs to grow because its been straddling two segments for years. Its always needed to comepete with X5 and X3, Q5 and Q3, ML and GLK. Now the NX can focus on X3, Q3, GLK and the RX can become a true rival to X5, ML and Q5.

Look at the relationship between X3 and X5.

X3

L: 183.4
W: 74.1 in
H: 66.1 in

WB: 110.6 in

X5

L: 192.4 in
W: 76.3 in
H: 69.4 in

WB: 115.5 in

And the Mercedes

GLK

L: 178.3 in
W: 74.25 in
H: 66.9 in

WB: 108.5 in

ML

L: 189.1 in
W: 75.8 in
H: 70.7 in

WB: 114.8 in

GLK will be growing larger to accommodate the GLA, GLA is the one the sub NX will focus on. Regardless I think its abundantly clear that the NX is not an RX replacement and that the only reason the RX is growing is to better compete tete a tete with the larger X5/ML/Q5...

 

[Kennedy]

^ that's a great way to put it,

Lexus almost has no choice but to upscale the RX, pushing it up segment is what they can to do ensure the future success of the badge.

But with that, wouldn't it overlap to the GX, people might see the GX as a waste of money since you can go for the RX which is likely going to share some similarities and still be cheaper to run.

 

[mojo]

^ that's a great way to put it,

Lexus almost has no choice but to upscale the RX, pushing it up segment is what they can to do ensure the future success of the badge.

But with that, wouldn't it overlap to the GX, people might see the GX as a waste of money since you can go for the RX which is likely going to share some similarities and still be cheaper to run.

There was some grumbling that the GX may be killed and rightfully so, they sold 12K of them last year, WELL down from its 2004 peak of 35K. Mind you it has kicked out 11K or about sales since 2011.

L: 188.2 in
W: 74.0 in
H: 74.6 in

WB 109.8 in

The GX is also a big and inefficient BOF SUV, not exactly the pinnacle of luxury anymore. I think Lexus is hoping to roll those 12K annual sales into the larger RX, and then anyone who needs anything larger will need to go LX.

 

[mojo]

Another point on the GX, it's been a strange case for Lexus. They made a few subtle changes to the 2014 model, well not changes but an additional of a lower priced base GX with fake leather and less content has put the GX into conversations that are often dominated by other less expensive midsize three row SUV's.

http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2014/07/lexus-gx-sales-double-profits-pile-up/