Lexus enters PHEV territory
The flagship of the new secondgeneration NX is the first Lexus plugin hybrid. David Thomson checks out the PHEV vibe. LEXUS NX450H+ F SPORT
What’s new?
Following on from a firstgeneration model that gave Lexus a vital presence in the midsized luxury SUV segment, the secondgeneration NX continues a typically quiet Lexus revolution.
Sharing its underlying GAK platform architecture and many of its mechanical attributes with various midsized Toyota models, the new NX is larger allround than the model it replaces. Key gains include a 30mm stretch in wheelbase and, as part of the new platform, a range of vibrationlimiting and noisereducing enhancements.
This recent arrival also showcases new Lexus technologies, including pressureswitch door handles and a new multimedia interface. Centred on a massive 14inch centre display, the new interface abandons the fiddly hapticcontrolled system that Lexus has favoured in recent years, and adopts a more conventional touchscreen setup, augmented by ‘‘Hey Lexus’’ voicecontrol, and a considered array of shortcut buttons.
These new technologies feature on all three variants of the range. The opening NX gambit — the frontdrive $92,700
Overall rating:
Design & styling:
Interior:
Performance:
Ride & handling:
Safety:
Environmental:
SPECIFICATION
Price (as tested): $107,900
Clean Car rebates and charges (additional to price): price threshold)
Engine: 2.5litre 4cylinder Atkinson Cycle petrol with dual electric motors and combined peak power output of 227kW.
350h — and the more lavishly equipped allwheeldrive $101,900 350h Limited are conventional hybrids of the nonplugin variety. In both instances, a 2.5litre petrol engine combines with an electric motor system to deliver a peak output of 179kW, and a 5.5l/100km standard cycle fuel consumption figure.
Plugin hybrid motoring makes its first appearance for Lexus on the $107,900 NX 450h+ F Sport. The 450h+ deploys dual electric motors in combination with a 2.5litre Atkinsoncycle petrol engine and packs a 227kW power punch. Equipped with an 18.1kWh Lithiumion battery pack, it has a theoretical 87km range on battery alone and manages a 1.4l/100km standard cycle fuel return.
It was the flagship NX450h+ F Sport that Lexus New Zealand supplied for this appraisal.
Transmission:
Brakes and stability systems: brakes, ABS, BA, ASR.
Safety Rating: 5star Ancap.
Wheels and tyres: Alloy wheels, 235/50 R20 tyres.
Fuel and economy: 95octane petrol, 1.4 litres per 100km on standard cycle, fuel tank capacity 55 litres, battery capacity 18.1kWh.
Emissions: 31g of CO2 per kilometre.
Dimensions: Length 4660mm, width 1865mm, height 1670mm
What comes as standard?
Safety needs are thoroughly catered for with the latest Lexus Safety System suite. This includes precollision systems with active emergency braking and pedestrian and cyclist detection, emergency steering assist, intersection assist, lane tracing assist, adaptive radar cruise control, traffic sign recognition, and selfdipping headlights. Secondary collision braking, active cornering assist and blind spot monitoring systems are also fitted.
It is rare for Drivesouth to get excited about a car’s door handles, but the NX is genuinely innovative in replacing conventional mechanical latches with pressure activated electric latches.
To open a door from the outside, one simply grips the handle, and the latch releases. From the inside, a pressure pad on the door serves the same function, with the added safety benefit that it will not activate if a vehicle or other hazard is detected approaching from behind.
Even the standard 350h features both the elatches and the mighty 14inch centre touchscreen. More mundane items at entry level include dualzone climate control, a 10speaker sound system, synthetic leather trim and heated, power adjusting front seats. Wireless charging, dual front USB ports (one a USBC) and dual rear USBC ports are fitted, and there is Apple CarPlay and Android Auto phone synchronisation.
The 450h F Sport adds front sports seats (ventilated as well as heated), a heated steering wheel, a 10inch head up display, touchsensitive switchgear and full LED exterior lighting. Though not the range flagship, the 350h Limited tops the creature comforts listings by including a panorama sunroof, 17speaker sound system and rear seat heaters.
What’s it like to look at?
The first generation NX spearheaded the angular, chiselled look that is now part of Lexus’s core visual DNA. Its successor is also sharply creased, most obviously about the nose, and along the flanks. The rear styling, however, is more conventional and this aspect, plus the sweeping curve of the roof, stop the vehicle from looking too much like a piece of roadgoing origami art.
A vibrant Cobalt Blue is the herocolour for the NX F Sport flagship, but the test car was finished in a luminescent white, which is at the conservative end of the eight colour options available across the range. Still, it looked smart sitting on its dark grey 20inch alloys and 235/50 R20 tyres.
The meshpattern grille and painted rather than baseplastic wheelarch mouldings are small visual cues to set the topspec NX apart. F Sport badging and a charge port on the right as well as a fuel filler on the left are further identifiers.
What’s it like inside?
While some exterior visual cues carry over from the old to the new NX, the interior of the latest model goes its own way.
Originality is most apparent up front, where the NX design team have deployed the ‘‘Tazuna’’ cockpit concept, which take its name from the connection between a horse and rider through the reins. What this boils down to is a determined effort to declutter and provide a more direct, less distracting interaction between car and driver.
Touchscreen technology has played a critical role in reducing button clutter, especially on the centre console. The touchscreen system is wellsorted for easy operability, and both the central digital display within the main instrument cluster and the headup display also play a role in simplifying the cardriver interface.
There’s plenty else to like about the front of the cabin: the front sports seats are supportive and very comfortable; storage is well thoughtout; the sweep of the dash is visually pleasing; and, of course (because this is a Lexus), the quality of fit and finish is firstrate. The test car took a further visual lift with the red interior trim option, which brings red leather inserts on the seats, doors and centre console, along with red contrast stitching.
A reasonably high seating position offering good visibility is a key feature in the back. Rear head and legroom are both good, though shoulder space will become an issue if three adults sit across the back.
The boot is accessed via a poweropening tailgate, and luggage capacity increases by almost 10% from the old NX to a classleading 520litres. Part of this increase comes through a spare wheel in favour of runflat tyres, and there’s still room under the main floor for stowage compartments for the plugin’s charging cables. Carrying capacity extends to 1141 litres with the second row seats folded down, and the NX450h+ has a modest 1000kg braked towing capacity, which is 500kg less than the conventional hybrid.