That is the second-generation Lexus NX crossover, and it’d simply be Lexus’ most necessary new automotive for the reason that first-gen RX debuted in 1998. The 2022 NX rides on Toyota’s newest TNGA platform, packs a number of new powertrains, together with a plug-in hybrid and, most likely most significantly, it has a brand-new touchscreen infotainment system.
Relating to styling, the NX is pretty evolutionary. It has among the best purposes of Lexus’ spindle grille but, particularly in relation to the usual model with vertical slats, and the bottom automotive not has an underbite-ish decrease bumper. The headlights are actually one cohesive unit, whereas the taillights have a horizontal bar connecting them, although no cool fins like on the UX.
The NX’s surfacing is much less angular and extra sculpted than the previous one, and it loses the cool, tremendous boxy rear fenders. There is a good crease that runs from the entrance fender and kicks as much as meet the pointed C-pillar, with one other line coming off the taillights so as to add definition to the rear haunch. General, it is a lot sleeker and extra trendy than the earlier mannequin with out shaking issues up. The most important change comes on the rear, the place Lexus ditched its conventional spherical emblem for a de rigueur written-out script. This remedy will begin to unfold throughout the Lexus lineup, although the model’s vehicles will proceed to have the spherical emblem within the grille.
As ordinary there’s an optionally available F Sport package deal that provides a extra aggressive entrance bumper with a unique grille sample, distinctive wheel designs (together with the primary software of 20-inch wheels on the NX), darkish chrome exterior trim and physique colour wheel arches. The F Sport package deal additionally brings a unique steering wheel, aluminum pedals, perforated sport seats and different inside enhancements, whereas a further F Sport Dealing with Bundle provides upgraded dampers and Lexus’ variable suspension system to turbocharged and hybrid fashions.
Lastly, that rattling touchpad is gone
The revolution comes while you step inside. That horrid touchpad setup is lastly gone, changed by the brand new Lexus Interface touchscreen infotainment system that Lexus designed in-house. A 9.8-inch display shall be customary, however the large 14-inch display you see in these photographs is optionally available. The display is canted in direction of the motive force and is effectively built-in into the design of the sprint, flowing properly into the middle console. With the bigger display you continue to get bodily temperature knobs for the automated local weather management that comprise a digital display inside, in addition to a bodily quantity knob and actual buttons for the heated windshield and mirrors.
At all times current on the left aspect of the display are icons for navigation, media, cellphone, automobile and settings pages, which Lexus says are these most utilized by prospects. Additionally at all times current on the very backside of the display are controls for fan pace and different local weather features, whereas above that could be a row of buttons for added options like seat heaters and an apps tab that may be hidden. There is not any residence display per se, such as you get in different manufacturers’ programs, and I feel that is OK — in my brief time with the automotive, the system was simple to get snug with, and also you need not dive into a number of menus to seek out what you are on the lookout for.
The Lexus Interface system as an entire appears actually good too, the navigation map particularly. The whole lot is saved within the cloud and the system makes use of Google information for factors of curiosity and different information. The nav can be utilized offline because the automotive is aware of while you’re coming into an space with dangerous service and can predownload what you want. Each Apple Music and Amazon Music are absolutely built-in as a part of the native media suite, and Lexus says extra apps like Spotify may very well be added sooner or later. Wi-fi Apple CarPlay and Android Auto come customary.
The system additionally will get over-the-air updates, can join to 2 totally different Bluetooth units on the similar time and presents the power to create a number of consumer profiles to retailer totally different drivers’ information and settings. A digital key’s out there for smartphones and might be shared with as much as seven individuals, permitting for beginning of the automotive and distant locking and unlocking. The NX additionally will get Lexus’ new Siri-like Digital Assistant, which Lexus envisioned as the first approach drivers will work together with the Interface. It makes use of a number of microphones, noise-cancellation tech and seat detection to ensure it could actually hear effectively, and it could actually management every little thing from navigation and media features to local weather controls and opening or closing the home windows.
In any other case the NX’s inside is fairly customary Lexus fare. Lexus says there’s extra headroom, legroom and cargo area than the previous mannequin, although no dimensions have been launched. The NX comes customary with a crisp 7-inch digital gauge cluster, and a 10-inch head-up show is optionally available. The digital shifter on the middle console is kinda quirky, and it is surrounded by an optionally available wi-fi charging pad, a drive mode dial, each USB and USB-C ports and different controls. A digital rear view mirror, a panoramic sunroof and 64-color ambient lighting are all new choices, and there are a bunch of recent colour and trim choices. The NX additionally comes customary with heated entrance seats, whereas ventilated entrance seats, heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel can be found.
There’s one different attention-grabbing factor in regards to the NX’s inside, and it might not be what you count on. Rather than conventional, mechanical door handles the NX has what Lexus calls the Digital Latch. The doorways are electronically managed, although there’s a mechanical failsafe, opening with a press of the glossy button within the door panel. (The outside door handles use a button too.) This enables for the NX to have protected exit help, which scans for automobiles and cyclists coming from behind and can warn the occupants and even preserve the door closed to forestall an accident.
Lexus’ first plug-in hybrid
Lexus is providing the NX with 4 powertrains at launch, three of that are new to the mannequin. On the backside of the NX lineup is the NX 250, which makes use of a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter inline-4 paired with an eight-speed computerized transmission. It produces 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, and front-wheel drive is customary however all-wheel drive is an possibility. Then there’s the NX 350, which makes use of a brand new turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder making 275 hp and 317 lb-ft, will increase of 40 hp and 59 lb-ft over the earlier turbocharged NX 300 mannequin. The NX 350 additionally makes use of an eight-speed auto, and it comes customary with AWD.
Subsequent up are the 2 hybrid fashions, each of which construct off of the two.5-liter engine. The all-wheel-drive NX 350h pairs the engine with two electrical motors, considered one of which independently drives the rear wheels, and it has a complete of 239 hp, 45 greater than the previous NX 300h. Lexus says the NX 350h will hit 60 mph in 7.2 seconds, a second and a half faster than earlier than, and it ought to obtain 36 mpg mixed, a 6-mpg enhance.
However the greatest deal is the NX 450h Plus, which is Lexus’ first plug-in-hybrid manufacturing automotive. It is principally the identical powertrain because the Toyota RAV4 Prime, pairing that 2.5-liter 4 with a bigger battery pack (seemingly the identical 18.1-kWh unit because the Prime) and two electrical motors. Lexus says the NX 450h Plus makes 302 whole horsepower and has a 0-60-mph time of 6.0 seconds, matching the RAV4 by way of energy however 0.3 seconds slower to 60. Lexus says the NX 450h Plus has an electrical vary of 36 miles, and it could actually acquire a full cost in two and a half hours on a 240-volt provide when utilizing the optionally available 6.6-kW charger. With the on-board 3.3-kW charger, that point jumps to about 4 and a half hours.
Each NX will come customary with Lexus’ Security System Plus 3.0 suite of security options. This consists of adaptive cruise management, ahead collision warning with pedestrian and bike owner detection, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering help, computerized excessive beams, blind-spot monitoring and highway signal recognition. There’s additionally oncoming automobile detection and braking help for left turns, and oncoming pedestrian detection and braking help for each proper and left turns.
Lexus says the brand new NX will enter manufacturing within the third quarter of 2021, and all 4 powertrains will go on sale on the similar time. Pricing will not be introduced till nearer to the on-sale date, however we count on a beginning value for the NX 250 near the present NX 300’s $40,085 base value, with the turbocharged NX 350 and hybrid NX 350h every coming in round $45,000. The NX 450h Plus might begin at effectively over $50,000 earlier than incentives.