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2007 Tokyo Auto Show Video - Lexus LF-Xh Concept

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A hybrid drivetrain in the Lexus LF-Xh concept is pretty much a guarantee that there will be a second generation of the RX 400h.
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
The concept's chunky rear suggests the next RX sport-utility will finally have a third-row seat, at least as an option.
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
This chiseled mug suggests Lexus might want to inject a little more masculinity into the next-gen RX, but we'll be surprised if the company doesn't soften it up for the production version.
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.
There aren't many clues to be found on the inside. Neither the flat-bottom steering wheel nor the all-digital instrumentation seems plausible for production.
Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.

Lexus LF-Xh Concept

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What is it?
Lexus LF-Xh Concept

What's special about it?
With the current RX sport-utility entering the fifth year of its model cycle, it shouldn't be long before Lexus has a redesigned version ready to take its place. The Lexus LF-Xh provides a good look at the styling direction the company is likely to take, and evidently the third-generation RX will be significantly more chiseled and masculine than its softly penned forebears. That said, we'd be surprised if the production car's snout has quite the defiance of the LF-Xh's.

Exterior styling has never been critical to the sales success of the Lexus RX 350, though, nor the RX 330 and RX 300 before it. The more significant aspect of this concept crossover SUV is its size. Its 111.2-inch wheelbase is more than 4 inches longer than the current-gen RX's, and it's nearly 3 inches longer overall and 2 inches wider. It is, in fact, about the size of the 2008 Toyota Highlander, and we expect this will finally allow the installation of an optional third-row seat.

The little "h" in the concept's name indicates the presence of a hybrid drivetrain, which means that today's RX 400h will have a successor. Lexus hasn't gone into any specifics about it other than to say that the all-wheel-drive LF-Xh has a gasoline V6 and a "high-output electric motor hybrid system." We have a feeling, though, that the company might try to differentiate the next hybrid RX from the family-oriented Highlander Hybrid by installing a more powerful gas engine — perhaps a version of the potent 3.5-liter V6 in lieu of the current 3.3-liter.

What's Edmunds' take?
With sales of the current RX 350 and RX 400h remaining brisk, Lexus won't need to change much in the upcoming redesign. A slightly larger size and an optional third row should keep the Acura MDX and BMW X5 at bay. — Erin Riches, Senior Content Editor