Lexus RX with three rows coming to US in 2017-2018

2015 Lexus RX 350 F Sport

In a turnabout of events, it looks like a seven-seat Lexus midsize crossover will be coming to the US after all, Automotive News reports. The third row will be applied to the Lexus RX – which has consecutively passed the 100,000 mark – in terms of sales for three years now.

Jeff Bracken, general manager of Lexus confirmed this at the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) further revealing that the vehicle will enter the market towards the end of 2017 or early 2018. He added that dealers have been impatiently waiting for a seven-seater model.

“That’s not early enough. They would just love to have it now. But I think they’re quite relieved that they know it’s coming,” Bracken disclosed. Another reason as to why the RX will be the vehicle with a third-row, Bracken explained, “it will be something very close to what we have now with a minor variation.” The new models are likely to be named the RX 350L and RX 350hL – both trademarked recently.

Aside from the additional row, everything else on the RX will stay the same, including the design. “We put so much energy into the styling you see now that we didn’t want to compromise even with the third row,” Bracken explained, despite the engineering challenges. The three-row crossover will come with V6 and hybrid powertrains, similar to the existing RX that’s currently on sale now.

Pricing of the upcoming RX has not been revealed as of yet. Midsize crossovers with three-rows and seven seats are relatively rare amongst luxury brands in the US market, while BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Audi do not have such an offering.

GALLERY: Lexus RX 350 F Sport in Malaysia

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Graham Chin

Having spent a number of years as a journalist for a local paper, a marketing executive for a popular German automotive brand and a copywriter, Graham, a true-blue Sarawakian, knew he had to take the leap back into the motoring scene - and so he did. To him, nothing’s better than cruising for hours along a scenic route, in a car that’s designed and built for that purpose.

 

Comments

  • Onanodus on Mar 24, 2016 at 10:21 am

    I think you’re forgetting that the X5 has seven seats, so yes, BMW has a seven seat offering.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
  • flipper2uman (Member) on Mar 24, 2016 at 11:38 am

    I think if the 3 row RX ever makes it to Asia, they better put in a big engine rather the 200t in the current RX 200t version.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Ugliest jeep everr. God sake who desing this !! He must be blind. Most ppl looking for handsome car to make theie ego higher. But not with this plss mate

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 1
 

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