7-seat Lexus RX on its way

With annual sales of over 100,000 units, the Lexus RX350 is the crown jewel of Toyota's luxury marque. The CUV started the luxury crossover craze, but a recent comparison test by Motor Trend concluded that the Hyundai Veracruz was perhaps the better all-around crossover. Lexus fully intends to protect its lucrative turf, so a larger, all-new RX is on the horizon, likely based on the same platform as the new Toyota Highlander. Spy photos from the Lehmann clan show an elongated test mule with a noticeable extension at the rear side window. This means that Lexus is keeping up with the competition by adding the ability to house seven occupants, just like with the Highlander. A third row of seats could make the RX an even more popular vehicle, but Lexus designers will have to be careful not to ruin the trademark design that's made the RX so successful in the first place. We expect to see the new RX unveiled at the upcoming Tokyo Motor Show, and we'll bring you all the shots from the show floor when it happens.
[Source: Auto Express]