NX vs RC equipment comparison

[Linas.P]

https://media.toyota.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Lexus-Full-Price-List-October.pdf

It seems like RC was not as well equipped as NX, despite being more expensive (and clearly worse than IS, but it may be justified). Just Lexus prioritising SUVs and SUV market being more competitive? 

@ColinBarber As I was saying just comparing the two NX300h F-sport vs RC300h F-sport, the RC was £500 cheaper (previously I thought £1000).

Standard equipment on NX (over RC) even includes ACC, PCS, BSM and RTCA, and it is AWD. I assume F-Sport comes standard with leather cooled/heated front seats. The only real thin RC has over NX is AVS.

Sadly, I don't have full spec sheet for correct year for both, but I would gladly look at it if somebody does.

 

[ColinBarber]

The NX didn't have cooled seats. It didn't have BSM, RCTA etc, only on the Premier. It didn't have memory seats. It didn't have dimming side mirrors.

In three months after your price list the NX has a £500 price increase to make it the same as the RC.

LexusNX300h2017.pdf

Lexus price list 2016 01.pdf

[Linas.P]

Your list clearly states F-Sport had leather, electric, heated and ventilated seats as standard (P53). The base model didn't. NX as wall has automatic electric handbrake and RC has antiquated foot pedal. As well your list suggest F-Sport actually had AVS or whatever they mean by F-sport suspension). Smartphone wireless charger is as well big thing. How comes older model had it, but RC did not?!

Do you happen to have RC spec. sheet as well for the same year.

Other thing, which again makes me thing Lexus prioritised NX much more - look at the list of options. Sure "premier pack" was pricey £2000, but for what it offers it is amazing. RC had no meaningful options like that - HUD, 360 camera, panoramic roof, wheel options, colour options etc. 

[ColinBarber]

2 hours ago, Linas.P said:

Your list clearly states F-Sport had leather, electric, heated and ventilated seats as standard (P53).

No it doesn't, no mention of ventilated seats at all.

 

2 hours ago, Linas.P said:

NX as wall has automatic electric handbrake and RC has antiquated foot pedal.

That is part of vehicle design which all grades get/don't get, the RC being based on the IS is an older design that never had it - it isn't something they would just add during the lifetime of a vehicle.

 

2 hours ago, Linas.P said:

Smartphone wireless charger is as well big thing.

Again based on the design of the vehicle. The IS didn't have an interior designed to accommodate a charging pad and was probably designed before wireless charging was a mainstream feature of phones, the same reason a much more expensive GS didn't have one in 2016 or in 2019.

 

2 hours ago, Linas.P said:

Other thing, which again makes me thing Lexus prioritised NX much more - look at the list of options.

I'm sure they do prioritise the NX over the RC and offer more choice given it outsells it 10:1. That isn't related to the price/spec of the vehicles though - both vehicles are spec'd to hit a price point in their market. The RC has more standard equipment for the same price such as ventilated seats, memory seats probably because the base NX is a more expensive vehicle to manufacture due to 4WD hybrid system, being a bigger vehicle, electric parking brake etc.

RC brochure Jan 2016.pdf

[Linas.P]

Yes you right, seat are leather, electric, memory and heated, only the ventilation is not there on F-Sport. What surprises me that my 2016 loaner NX had ventilated seats, but I don't see it mentioned anywhere as an option. Could that be part of "Premier pack" (which as well adds heated steering wheel, which wasn't an option on UK RC)?

21 minutes ago, ColinBarber said:

I'm sure they do prioritise the NX over the RC and offer more choice given it outsells it 10:1. That isn't related to the price/spec of the vehicles though - both vehicles are spec'd to hit a price point in their market. The RC has more standard equipment for the same price such as ventilated seats, memory seats probably because the base NX is a more expensive vehicle to manufacture due to 4WD hybrid system, being a bigger vehicle, electric parking brake etc.

The argument could be made that if car would have been better equipped or better priced, or had better engine choice, or had better customisation options they may have sold many more of them. Sure - at no point I can see RC outselling NX or even IS for that matter, but the ration may have been 8:1 or 5:1 instead of 10:1.

e.g. RC350 for £40k would make much more sense than 300h/200t for £37k from the perspective of the person who is looking for sporty coupe. 300h may be alright engine for more economical family car, but for sports car it just doesn't cut it. 

Sadly, I don't have number to back it up, but I am sure that ratio of 40i/30i and overall petrol engines is far greater on say BMW 4-Series coupes than it is on 3-Series saloons i.e. in 4-Series petrol engines may be 50% and more powerful variants may be 25%, whereas on 3-Series maybe 90% are diesel or smaller petrol. Basically what I am saying is that clientele for sports coupes are different from saloons and in my opinion Lexus misjudged the market and failed to take advantage of RC as a model.