The previous generation Lexus NX was certainly a half-decent car. However, despite having a number of good points, in some ways it didn’t really feel truly like a Lexus should. Let’s fast forward to what you see here, the new second generation Lexus NX and straight away I am happy to say there is much more to like this time around.
The range is made up of three models with only electric hybrid power available. Making up the stable is the entry level NX350h FWD HEV at $92,700 plus ORC, the mid-tier NX350h Limited AWD HEV at $101,900 plus ORC and the flagship plug-in NX 450h+ F-Sport PHEV at $107,900 plus ORC. I had the opportunity to test the flagship NX 450h+ F-Sport PHEV earlier in the year and loved it, but I had to wait patiently until Lexus New Zealand gave me access to the NX350h.
As you might imagine, this has now happened with both the base model and Limited back-to-back up the drive over the last fortnight or so. Here is the lowdown on both. To begin with, the NX is actually a bigger car than its predecessor. So much so that from a distance it does seem to resemble its bigger RX sibling. The wheelbase has been increased by 30mm and the front and rear track has grown by 25mm and 45mm respectively.
This is down to the new Lexus GA-K underpinnings. The GA-K part stands for Global Architecture K by the way. This new platform is not only longer and wider, but it also means the NX350h sits 25mm higher and the overall car is 20mm longer too. There is also space for alloys up to 20-inches from the old NXs 18s.
Larger alloys do suit the NX350h better in my view, as I feel the 18s on the base model do look rather small when compared to the rest of the car. No to mention the 20s on the Limited which look pretty good. More aesthetic changes include a new spindle grill, a reduced rear overhang, more chiseled looking headlights and a new full width blade rear light bar. Very similar to what we first saw on the smaller UX, it also features a new look Lexus logo, with lettering replacing the traditional Lexus emblem.
Both the entry level and Limited NX350h get the same 2.5L four-cylinder engine with hybrid battery pack to give 179kW of power. This is a boost of 23 per cent over the previous generation and fuel consumption has been reduced by 12 per cent, now sitting at a claimed combined 5L/100km. I was able to get a snip over 7L/100km in terms of averages from both the base and Limited which was pretty impressive.
Inside the NX’s cabin has been considerably refreshed. Whereas the old NX was nice, the latest rendition brings things bang up to date, though the absence of a CD will take some getting used to. Anyway, what commands your attention straight away is the new 14-inch touchscreen multimedia display which is now standard across the range. It is a vast improvement over the old touchpad mouse system of the previous car. Alongside that more user-friendly interface, you also get new graphics and a much sharper looking resolution too.
The focus of the NX’s interior carries on the Japanese Tazuna Concept which encourages the relationship between horse and rider. To reflect this is, there are now far fewer switches than before, 45 over the previous model’s 78 to be exact. The base model gets conventional buttons on the new looks steering wheel whereas the Limited gets the new touch buttons. These are quite clever, but I found them to be not as user friendly as the regular switchgear. For example I would often press them twice in succession to change tracks on Spotify which wasn’t the end of the world, but still a bit annoying.
What isn’t annoying is the NX’s new voice recognition feature. Much like its German rivals, simply saying “Hey Lexus” allows you to give direct voice commands for the sat nav, Bluetooth and many other interior features. However, as I found, the other occupants of the car must remain silent to use this effectively.
To keep you and those other occupants as safe as possible, both the base NX350h and the Limited get a fully upgraded safety suite as standard. Aside from the usual features like radar cruise control, lane departure warning and rear cross traffic alert, you now have intersection turn assist in the pre-collision system and the radar cruise now comes with lane trace assist.
You also have a new safe exit assist system which works hand in hand with blind spot monitoring. It works by detecting if a cyclist is in your blind spot, it will not allow you to open the door. Said doors also get a set of new e-Latch touch door handles. All these require is a press of your thumb and the door will open. This also doubles as a lever which if you pull twice in succession, the doors will also open.
Another cool feature is the use of the wireless phone charger which on a sliding tray can be stowed away to reveal a cubby hole. In fact, there is a good amount of storage throughout the new NX350h with a variety of good-sized hidey-holes and storage areas. Boot space sits at 545L. It doesn’t have the deepest floor imaginable, but there is still plenty of room for two large suitcases. Additional space is found by folding that second row down flat where upon it grows to 1436L respectively.
With Apple CarPlay and Android Auto now coming as standard, the NX350h gets a good number of additional features thrown in. However, the Limited takes it further with things like heated and ventilated leather seats, heated steering wheel, a new LCD instrument cluster, a head up display, heated steering wheel and a Mark Levinson 17 speaker sound system with a hefty 1800w amplifier.
Both the Limited and the base NX350h have very similar driving habits. The hybrid four pot feels a lot stronger than before and much more eager to get going. That extra boost of power does make a difference and as you waft along, there is a greater feeling of refinement. The base model does ride just that little bit better thanks to its higher profile tyres, but you do have to concentrate pretty hard to notice this over the Limited.
Despite the merest suggestion of body roll, both cars handle well and when you get out onto SH1 for a motorway jaunt, they both take it all in their stride very nicely. In the inner city, you can hum along in EV silent running at a considerable speed by feathering the throttle. 50km/h is easy in EV mode, most of the time. You can flick over to Sport Plus and have a bit of fun, but most of the time, its laid-back wafting where the NX is at its best.
While my pick of the range would still have to be the flagship plug in NX450h+ F-Sport, the NX350h should not be overlooked. For those not quite ready to go for a plug-in variant and love the familiarity of an ICE hybrid combo while having a much more refined urban SUV, the new NX350h will give you plenty of reasons to add it to your shortlist.
RATING: 8/10
