Seven-seat Lexus RX parked

Lexus is in no rush to debut a seven-seat version of its large RX crossover. In fact, the man responsible for the development of the fourth generation RX launched in the US this month has ruled out a three-row variant anytime soon.

Although overseas websites have labelled a vehicle captured in these spy shots as a seven-seat RX (some have used the term TX), Lexus insiders including RX Chief Engineer, Takayuki Katsuda, say there is no such car ready for production. Indeed, they even go so far as to state the camouflaged car captured is simply a plain-Jane RX.

The fourth-generation RX was launched in Portland in the USA’s Pacific Northwest and you can read the motoring.com.au verdict here.

Although the new car has a 50mm wheelbase stretch compared to the outgoing third-gen RX, the extra millimetres have been used to improve legroom front and rear.

Katsuda-san says a three-row RX would need a further wheelbase increase. As, such he says the car would also require a new “styling concept”.

“If you are expecting a three-row car with the current two-row packaging… That is impossible. Therefore considering the styling balance versus the requirements of a third row we are still thinking and discussing this,” Katsuda told motoring.com.au.

“We recognise the demand is there, but a practical solution including the styling balance is not [even] at a final discussion stage.

“A vehicle larger than RX is possible, but what we would call it and how we would define its character would be [a decision still to be made]… If space is [primary] consideration, why not make a min-ivan,” the chief engineer joked.

A Lexus executive told motoring.com.au way back in July 2014 that a seven-seat version of the next RX was investigated, and Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley says his company has also studied the demand for a three-row RX.

He says Lexus Australia would be interested in adding such a car to its local line-up if it became available. That said, neither Hanley nor Katsuda believe the lack of a third-row option will negatively impact sales volumes of the RX.

“The actual sales ratio five versus seven-seat in competitor vehicles we have already checked and the volume is limited,” Katsuda stated.