Considering Lexus NX 200t? Try these
Depending on your priorities, you may be able to find a better fit for your money
You want Lexus’ new NX 200t? I don’t blame you. Besides being comely, it’s the first turbocharged Lexus. It’s also Lexus’ first foray into one of the fastest growing segments in the auto industry: small luxury crossovers. Based on the RAV4, the NX 200t has a whole bunch of rigidity-increasing bracing in the frame, some serious hedonism inside and, of course, that new 2.0-litre turbocharged four under the hood.
The NX, which starts at $41,950 before freight and PDI, may be small, but Lexus didn’t skimp on the technology. The little four-cylinder is not only turbocharged, it also has a version of Atkinson-cycle valve actuation, the same technology Toyota added to Prius’ 1.8-L four-cylinder engine to achieve its incredible 4.5 L/100km fuel rating.
Essentially, the NX operates under the Atkinson cycle at low speeds, but as soon as the turbocharger kicks in, the variable valve-timing system returns the engine to the traditional Otto cycle. The result is a peppy, though not outright powerful, little crossover. The 235 horsepower may be a lot compared with the RAV4’s 176 h.p., but the NX carries — depending on the trim — as much as 200 kg more than the Toyota.
The 200t is also quite sophisticated, with little of the valve clatter and intake drone common in lesser fours. The only problem is that, despite that Atkinson cycle and an optimistic 9.9 L /100 km rating, I averaged about 12.4 L/100 km with the NX 200t, not the exemplary fuel economy one expects from a supposedly high-tech engine. Driving’s John LeBlanc averaged 10.4 L/100 km in the same car, so I obviously have a heavy right foot.
The fuel efficiency, and a wonky infotainment system that uses a trackpad-like controller that’s difficult to use when the NX is moving, are the only flaws. The ride is excellent, handling (especially with the as-delivered F-Sport package) is more than adequate and the interior decor is surprisingly youthful.
You want a turbocharger, but without the Lexus price tag? For about half the money, Hyundai will sell you the 1.6T Tucson. The engine displaces just 1.6 litres and the interior is not nearly as luxurious, but it starts at just $31,299 and, though it boasts but 175 h.p., doesn’t feel nearly as lethargic as that 60-h.p. deficit might indicate. It also gets significantly better mileage, a comparative ly frugal 9.1 L /100 km in my testing. It even one-ups the Lexus with a snazzy new seven-speed dualclutch manumatic transmission.
Move up to the 1.6T Ultimate AWD and for $39,599, you get a pretty luxurious CUV. The Ultimate version of the Tucson is as well equipped as the NX.
You really want a sports sedan pretending to be a CUV? Then you might consider BMW’s X1. Like the 200t, BMW’s smallest SAV (Sports Activity Vehicle) is powered by a 2.0-L turbo. In BMW’s case, however, it boasts 228 h.p., but propels the sporty little X1 to 100 km/h in just 6.5 seconds, BMW says (almost a second quicker than the Lexus).
It will also handle a bit better, be more communicative of steering and, if you push things far enough, there’s a little more grip. Of course, there’s a penalty to be paid for all that sportiness. The X1’s base price, $38,800, is also a little lower than the 200t’s, but the Lexus boasts a few more luxuries as standard equipment.
Then there’s the NX 300h: what was once profligate is rendered frugal. If fuel consumption really concerns you, look to the hybrid version of Lexus’ baby CUV, the NX 300h. Out with the little 2.0-L turbo, in with a 150-h.p. 2.5-L Atkinson-cycle fourcylinder mated to a 141-h.p. electric motor for a total peak of 194 h.p. (the addition of electric propulsion to internal combustion motivation is never strictly additive).
That 41-h.p. loss when compared with the 200t is not noticed nearly as much as the cacophony caused when you try to access all 194 of those horses. The 300h’s engine is mated to the same continuously variable-type transmission as in Toyota’s Prius. It’s a lot smoother than older Priuses, but doesn’t match the superb quietness of the 200t. On the other hand, the NX 300h delivers the promised reduction in fuel consumption. Rated at 7.4 L/100 km overall, my measured fuel consumption was 8.1 L/100 km.
The 300h is also quite luxurious. Like the 200t, there’s a full complement of the hedonistic features one expects from Lexus (along with that same wonky touchpad controller). However, it comes at a price: the 300h costs $53,500 in base trim and an even $60,000 once you add the Executive package, which includes, among other upgrades, a better audio system, rear cross-traffic alert, blind-spot monitoring and a heated steering wheel.