It is perhaps the most important release of the year for Lexus. Developed based on the TNGA-K platform, the new Lexus NX it replaces a model that, since its launch in 2014, has accumulated more than 140,000 units sold in Europe.
Therefore, rather than operating a major revolution on the Lexus NX (2022), the Toyota group's premium brand preferred to improve all aspects of the NX in a very concrete way.
From the interior to the exterior, passing through technologies and engines, Lexus has changed everything without changing the essence of its best-selling SUV in Europe.
Exterior with news
Aesthetically, the front retains the “family feel” of Lexus, with the oversized grille capturing attention and new headlamps with FULL LED technology.
At the rear, the Japanese SUV follows two trends that are increasingly in vogue in the automotive industry: the rear headlights joined by a light bar and the replacement of the logo by the lettering with the brand name.
The result is a new Lexus NX that does not break with its predecessor, keeping the main aesthetic solutions, but resulting in a more modern model.
Driver focused interior
Inside, the NX debuts the new “Tazuna” concept in which the dashboard is designed and directed towards the driver. The biggest highlight goes, without a doubt, to the new 9.8″ screen that appears in the center of the dashboard and, in top versions, grows to 14″.
This is a completely new multimedia system that brings with it a new “Hey Lexus” voice command system, which allows passengers to interact with the model through vocal commands in a natural way. According to Lexus, the processing speed of this new multimedia system is 3.6 times faster and, as you'd expect, it's also compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto wireless.
In addition to the concern with pure technology, Lexus claims to continue to bet on the human side. A bet that, according to Lexus, translates into materials and surfaces that should please all senses.
But the news does not stop there. There's a new 100% digital quadrant on the instrument panel and a state-of-the-art 10″ head-up display system.
Still in the field of technology, the new Lexus UX presents itself with the increasingly common USB-C inputs and an induction charging platform which, according to the Japanese brand, is 50% faster.
Regarding safety, the new Lexus NX 2022 is also undergoing an important evolution. The Japanese brand chose this model to debut its new Lexus Safety System +, the new generation of Lexus' cluster of driving support systems.
Hybrid plug-in in debut
In total, the new NX has four engines: two purely petrol, one hybrid and the other, the big news, plug-in hybrid (PHEV).
Starting precisely with that, the NX 450h+ PHEV version uses a 2.5 gasoline engine that is associated with an electric motor that drives the rear wheels and gives it all-wheel drive.
The end result is 306 hp of power. Powering the electric motor is an 18.1 kWh battery that allows the Lexus NX 450h+ an autonomy in electric mode of up to 63 km. In this electric mode the maximum speed is fixed at 135 km/h. Consumption and emissions announced are less than 3 l/100 km and less than 40 g/km (final values have not yet been certified).
The NX 350h hybrid version (not plug-in) has a 2.5 engine associated with the well-known Lexus hybrid system, for a total power of 242 hp. In this case, we have an e-CVT transmission and we can enjoy all-wheel drive or front-wheel drive. Compared to the previous model, the time from 0 to 100 km/h dropped to 7.7s (a 15% improvement) thanks to the 22% increase in power, but at the same time, it announces CO2 emissions lower by 10%.
Finally, there are also two petrol engines aimed mainly at the Eastern European markets, known as the NX250 and NX350. Both use an in-line four-cylinder. In the first case this one gives up the turbo, it has 2.5 liters of capacity and 199 hp. The NX 350, on the other hand, sees the displacement down to 2.4 liters, gains a turbo and offers 279 hp. In both cases, the transmission is in charge of an automatic eight-speed gearbox and the torque is sent to all four wheels.
The new Lexus NX 2022 should arrive in Portugal before the end of the year. Prices have not yet been released.