New Lexus NX is amassive step up
The new NX has arrived and it’s quite an update. There’s a new interior, fresh exterior and every model in New Zealand is a hybrid of some sort thanks to a shift to a new platform. This is the entry 350h, a front-driver boasting low fuel usage and all the bells and whistles you need.
OUTSIDE
Exterior changes are evolutional, with similar angular headlights and large spindle grille as before. A crease runs along the doors, splitting at the rear door handle. Plastic cladding surrounds the wheel arches, while the headlights are now single units with the DRL dash now inside the headlight cluster as opposed to under it as a separate unit. Looks much better, in my opinion.
Around the back an interesting almost-full-width LED strip, underlined at each end by the taillight design. ‘‘LEXUS’’ is spelt just under the LED bar, while a fake diffuser sits under the bootlid.
Other changes are pretty minimal, but that’s OK because the NX was always quite goodlooking, and there are vastly more interesting changes inside the SUV.
INSIDE
Lexus has used the NX to debut a new interior, which is a big improvement on the old cabin.
There’s a new, larger 14-inch touch screen mounted in the centre of the dash, with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto as standard.
Beneath the central screen is a new, stubby gear selector, and behind the wheel is a digital dash. Despite this being the entrymodel, there are still swathes of synthetic leather, a wireless device charger, dual-zone climate control, powered front seats, and a powered boot with hands-free operation.
The whole cabin is a nice step up over last generation, and quite the jump over the related RAV4, which is hardly a slouch in this department either. But that’s what you expect for the price difference.
UNDER THE BONNET
The entry NX 350h is, as mentioned, front-wheel drive. It’s the only one of the range too, with the 350h Limited and 450h+ F-Sport PHEV both being allwheel drive.
As the numbers indicate, the 350h and 350h Limited share the same powertrain, that being a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated inlinefour with a single electric motor producing a decent 179kW/239Nm. It’s the same as in the hybrid Toyota RAV4, if it sounds familiar, and represents a bump in power of 23% over the old model.
It is paired with an
electronically controlled CVT, which isn’t as bad as you might think. The typical low-speed drag a CVT usually carries is mitigated by the electricmotor, and the nature of the transmission means it’s most happy on the motorway or driving around town.
Toyota’s hybrid systems are very good these days, and the NX will drive on electric power alone quite a lot, helping keep fuel around that 5.5L/100km claim and the CO2 at 126g/km.
ON THE ROAD
That platform shift means the NX is 15% quieter on-road, and I’d believe it. Cruising in the NX is lovely, the noise and vibration reductions pairing well with the stronger electricals in the powertrain. The cabin is a genuinely nice place to be, and the basic sound system is pretty good.
It’s a little boring to drive, the steering being somewhat numb and the CVT/front-wheel drive combo not really being appropriate for flat-foot driving, but that’s OK. This is a family SUV, and the entry model at that.
There’s heaps of space for rear passengers and luggage, so road trips should be as easy as aroundtown doddling.
Considering this is a base model, there are a few bits and pieces missing, like a 360-degree camera and a front camera, but you do get lane keep assist, adaptive cruise control, automatic high beams, road sign assist, and a reversing camera. It would be nice to see the full kit on a $90,000 vehicle though.
VERDICT
The NX 350h ticks every box in the family SUV column easily, but is ever so slightly let down by missing out on some kit. The price is fairly high too, considering you can get a top-spec Toyota RAV4 Adventure Hybrid with the same powertrain andAWDfor $57,990 alongwith a $2335.69 rebate. But if you’re prepared to fork out for it, the NX is a healthy step above the RAV4 in terms of basically everything aside from the engine, especially the cabin.