The new Lexus NX is a premium mid-sized crossover SUV. It’s aim is to attract a new breed of “Generation Y” customers into the Japanese marque’s fold. Lexus also want to take on other car makers such as BMW and Audi to gain a bigger market share.
When you look at the car’s styling cues, you can see that Lexus have invested a lot of time and money into its development. It’s a car that is packed with technology, features and luxury. But are those selling points enough to tempt new buyers to the Lexus brand?
In today’s review, I explore what the new Lexus NX has to offer potential buyers.
Performance
At the moment, the Lexus NX is only available with just one engine and transmission choice. The car comes with a hybrid drive system. The main power plant is a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol unit.
With the hybrid powertrain, the entire setup achieves 195 brake horsepower. It will also get you from zero to 60 mph in nine seconds. What I find impressive about this 1.7-tonne SUV is that it boasts combined fuel economy figures of up to 56 mpg. CO2 emissions are only 116 g/km, which is perfect for those that pay car tax based on engine emissions.
You can choose from a two-wheel drive or four-wheel drive system when you buy a new Lexus NX. The engine and hybrid drive system is linked to an automatic (CVT) gearbox. Sadly, there is no option to choose a manual transmission at this stage.
It’s worth bearing in mind that this car isn’t a high-performance model. But it’s a car aimed at people that want a practical, luxurious and tech-centric SUV for daily driving. It’s a vehicle that will also keep your ongoing motoring costs down too, thanks to the hybrid drive system.
According to the guys at Inchcape Lexus, you have the option of selecting a “Sport” mode on the transmission. The aim of this option is to improve throttle response and works in a similar way to the same mode on other cars with automatic gearboxes.
Road handling
Lexus wants people to know that the NX offers a safe and commanding view of the road ahead. You can chuck it around corners at speed, and it won’t veer off course thanks to its excellent grip on the road.
You do have the option to pay extra for adjustable suspension on some trim levels. But I’ve found that the standard setup is more than sufficient for everyday driving.
Trim levels
S, SE, Luxury, F Sport, and Premier are the five trim level options available on the new Lexus NX. “S” offers LED headlights, 17-inch alloy wheels on the exterior. Inside the car, you get features like DAB digital radio and adaptive cruise control.
“SE” adds roof rails, 18-inch alloys and heated front seats. You also get automatic wipers, which are a handy feature.
“Luxury” includes LED fog lights with cornering functionality and heated leather seats.
“F Sport” includes features like sports seats, two-tone alloy wheels and a body kit.
“Premier” is the range-topper. You get heated and ventilated front seats, a better infotainment system and a 360-degree panoramic view camera.
As you can see, there are plenty of reasons to attract new buyers to the Lexus NX!
