Lexus recently introduced the new NX, and now we have the first opportunity to drive it at an international presentation in the “capital of Europe”, Brussels. Lexus is a pretty brave brand. First, they got into a fight with the world’s strongest players in the car business and succeeded. After that, they forced alternative hybrid drives and succeeded. And in the luxury SUV class, they were one of the world’s pioneers.
The new NX is just another proof of how fast this brand is advancing. Compared to the previous model, this car is a completely different dimension. Everything that could have changed has been fundamentally changed: a new platform, a new exterior design, a new interior, new innovative features, new propulsion machines, a new infotainment multimedia system …. In short, as much as 95 percent of the parts are new.
So many changes are worthy of the successor to the very successful model, which with its appearance instantly became the most sought-after Lexus in Europe. Namely, every third Lexus sold in Europe is NX, as many as 1.1 million first-generation NXs have been sold in the world so far. The new generation Lexus NX is currently the most sought-after car of this brand in Croatia.
The NX is really 100 percent affected by the design. Elegant, but also a bit sporty-aggressively designed car that attracts the eye wherever you appear. The design is also largely subject to aerodynamics, which is significantly better than the previous generation models.
And the interior is a whole new story and the new NX inside looks by far the most advanced of all the Lexus models currently on the market. Lexus calls the new interior concept the Tazuna cockpit. It is dominated by a huge 14-inch touch screen, new digital instruments and an advanced HUD screen on the windshield that is among the best we have ever seen. Despite all this, the physical keys are not neglected either, so the most important functions can be accessed by pressing the classic key. The main features of the Lexus NX interior are ergonomics and intuitiveness.
The new NX is a fairly spacious C-segment SUV and dimensions between compact and mid-range. Compared to the previous generation, it has grown further. The rear also has more than enough space for more adults, and the trunk holds a sumptuous 545 liters. What impresses me the most is the luxury and the quality of the materials and workmanship. The new NX now brings innovative and very unusual features such as electric door openers. The new Infotainment is much more advanced and faster, and the car is constantly connected to the Internet. There’s also a “Hey Lexus” voice control system similar to Google Assistant or Amazon Alexi.
In terms of driving, the car has changed the most. The new platform, brakes, suspension, steering system and drive systems are responsible for a big step forward in terms of driving characteristics. On test drives in Belgium, the car proved to be an ideal combination of a comfortable “cruiser” and an entertaining car capable of a very sporty ride. Still, we liked the comfortable side of the NX the most.
In Croatia, the NX is offered with two drive systems. The basic is the classic “self-charging” hybrid NX 350h. This is the fourth generation of Lexus hybrid drive and is significantly more efficient than the previous one. Compared to it, it develops 24 percent more power with 20 percent less consumption and CO2 emissions. The hybrid system combines a 2.5-liter petrol engine with an electric one and develops a total power of 244 horsepower which is enough to accelerate to 100 km / h in 7.9 seconds.
New to the NX is a plug-in hybrid system with a rechargeable battery on the charger. It is installed in the NX 450h + model. This system consists of the same 2.5-liter gasoline and two electric motors. Due to the rather large battery capacity, this car can, according to factory WLTP data, cover up to 74 km in combined driving and up to 97 kilometers in the city. On the test rides, in the combined ride with a slightly heavier foot on the gas, we easily covered a very good 67 kilometers before the first start of the petrol engine.
The drive system of the NX 450h + is very powerful, the car develops 309 hp, which allows it to respectable acceleration. It accelerates to 100 km / h in just 6.3 seconds. It can run on electricity up to 135 km / h, and the average fuel consumption with a full battery according to the WLTP measurement method is only 0.9 l / 100 kilometers. Lexus boasted that this car works very well even when the battery is low. In such conditions, according to their claims, NX has 23 to 30 percent lower fuel consumption than comparable competition. The NX 450h + comes standard with all-wheel drive, while with the classic 350h hybrid, such drive is an option at an additional cost.
The NX is a fascinating car with which Lexus once again shows its strength and knowledge, and it is not surprising that it is currently the absolute star of this brand in Croatia, although sales have only recently begun. The basic version of 350h in our country costs 401,900 kuna, and 450h + of 515,900 kuna.