NO LONGER AN N-IGMA (some text hidden) SECTIONED_new_lexusnx_2022

By Jonathan Crouch

With this improved version of its second generation NX, Lexus fields an even more class-competitive contender in the segment for mid-sized premium brand SUVs. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Reviewword count: 101

In this much enhanced version of its second generation NX, Lexus has brought us an even more strikingly styled premium mid-sized SUV that's unafraid to go its own way when it comes to cars of this kind. The NX has always been electrified and in both Hybrid and PHEV forms, its batteries now take you further as part of a wide-ranging package of mid-term updates. If you're choosing in this segment, most of the magazines will tell you to buy something German. But if this revitalised NX appeals, you may well feel that you know better. And you could be right.

Backgroundword count: 181

Back in 2022, the second generation version of the Lexus NX began a fresh chapter for the Lexus brand. And that chapter evolves with the updated version of this design, introduced four years on to allow the Japanese maker to better target rival premium mid-sized SUV models like the BMW X3 and the Audi Q5. The NX model line has been on sale in the UK since 2014, with the launch of a first generation design which went on to become the brand's best selling model, accounting for over a third of all its European sales. That car was exclusively a Hybrid, but the second generation design added a PHEV powertrain to its portfolio too as part of a huge redesign that saw over 95% of the parts being completely new. As part of this, buyers got a fresh design language, more involving driving dynamics, a vastly improved cabin and much stronger standards of safety. The improved version of that MK2 model gets battery changes for both its powertrains, sharper drive dynamics and a revised cabin. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experienceword count: 483

Whatever NX you choose, there is an engine - you'd have to choose this model's close cousin, the full-electric RZ if you didn't want that - but it doesn't cut in on start-up, as it would with all this car's mild hybrid-engined segment rivals; or almost instantly after, as used to be the case with earlier NX Hybrids. So could this be your ideal transitory initiation to the world of electrified motoring? As you might already be aware, there are two distinct versions of this Lexus, full-Hybrid or PHEV, both using an AWD format and the brand's latest sixth generation Hybrid technology. Most will want the more affordable full-Hybrid self-charging 350h version, with a powertrain that you can't plug in but which can run fully electrically, independently of the combustion unit for some of the time, a formula still ignored by many of this car's most direct Crossover rivals. With the updated NX 350h, that drive format uses much the same Hybrid system, mated as before to a 2.5-litre four cylinder engine and developing a system output of 196bhp. But this set-up's battery (derived from Hybrid system used in the latest ES saloon) is now 9.2kg lighter and uses fewer cells. As a result, the car accelerates much quicker, 0-62mph taking 7.3s (down from 8.1s before). Even more significant are the engineering changes made to the alternative NX 450h+ PHEV model. This now gets an increase in battery size from 18 to 23kWh, boosting all-electric range from 46 to 60 miles. Power is up too, from 288bhp to 303bhp, which reduces the 0-62mph time by 0.2s to 6.1s. As before, the car always pulls away in battery-only 'EV' mode, one of the four different powertrain operational settings available. Pressing a button near the gearstick lets you flip between 'EV' full-electric drive and the alternative 'HV' mode, the latter being more realistic for normal driving as it runs this Lexus as a regular full-Hybrid, the software seamlessly blending in either petrol or electric power sources as required. A full press on the same button connects you to a further 'Charge mode', which sees the engine note rise as it (rather inefficiently) charges the battery when you're driving. All that might sound quite complicated, but driving an NX 450h+ really isn't. You don't have to make driving mode choices unless you really want to because an additional 'Auto EV/HV' mode button is also provided, which essentially makes all the decisions for you. In terms of drive dynamics, Lexus has tried to narrow the gap to its German rivals by incorporating a number of changes intended to give the car a more sporting feel. New valved dampers, developed at the Nurburgring Nordschleife race track, are supposed to improve the balance between ride comfort and handling. And it'll feel more sporty too, thanks to a lower driving position and a smaller steering wheel with retuned electric steering.

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