This compact utility vehicle flaunts its style, technology and fuel efficiency By MALCOLM GUNN

The NX 300 and NX 300h hybrid that arrived for the 2015 model year have the honor of being the first Lexus compact utility vehicles. Back then we wrote, “If it’s anonymity you’re after, you had better pick something else.” The same holds true today as the NX is still its own very unique animal. In the brand’s current pecking order, the NX is 10 inches shorter than the RX and four inches longer than the UX (which arrived for 2019). The NX’s distance between the front and rear wheels is five inches less than the RX’s.

As before, the NX’s oversize spindle grille absolutely dominates the front end and is typical for the brand. The rest of the body is replete with knife-edge bumps and angles that extend all the way back to the rear hatch.

The interior has a central fourdial gauge cluster, redundant pushbuttons on the steering wheel plus numerous — and we mean numerous — switches on the instrument panel for the various climate controls and audio system. A centrally located analog timepiece adds a touch of class.

The infotainment system is operated by way of a touchpad on the center console, which might not be to everyone’s liking and could prove distracting. Protruding from the dashboard is an 8.0- or available 10.3-inch touch-screen that’s part of the optional navigation system. The standard eight-speaker audio system can be upgraded to a premium 14-speaker Mark Levinson setup with 835 watts.

One interesting feature is the optional Active Sound Control that allows you to dial in artificially enhanced (and somewhat raucous) engine noises through the audio system. It’s fun to try, but will likely wind up in the off position so as to enjoy the quietness of the hybrid’s cabin.

The NX 300h is close to equal to the nonhybrid 300 in terms of cargo space behind the rear seat, and provides extra room below the load floor for stashing small items.

The hybrid’s 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine is augmented by three electric motors; two that directly assist the engine and a third to drive the rear wheels. Total system output is 194 horsepower.

A continuously variable transmission with paddle shifters on the steering column controls 10 built-in “steps.” They do a more than adequate job of mimicking a geared automatic and really improve on-demand acceleration.

Fuel economy is rated at 33 mpg in the city, 30 on the highway and 31 combined. The nonhybrid NX 300 with its 235-horsepower turbocharged four-cylinder is pegged at 22/28/24. You might notice that the hybrid’s city number is a whopping 50 percent better.

Lexus rates the NX 300h’s zero-to-60-mph time at a leisurely 9.1 seconds. The NX 300 lops two seconds off that, mainly due to its more potent engine and the weight difference; the hybrid has 130 extra pounds of battery (for a total of 4,180) to lug around.

Set to Normal operating mode — essentially a comfort and economy setting — the hybrid feels slow and