Phoenix-Lexus intends to expand and diversify its customer base with the new NX. For this reason, luxury brands have diversified NX's products.
There are now four models, four different engines, and a new grille. It is a better-looking small crossover, not so small anymore.
They improved the main shaft grille and added full-width blade tail lights and Lexus rear badges. At the front, the updated grille pattern and frame create a more integrated feel for the body.
The spindle-shaped grille composed of tall U-shaped blocks is designed as a three-dimensional effect, which creates a sense of depth while expressing a strong impression. The top is composed of L-shaped daytime running lights with optional three-projection headlights.
At the rear, the Lexus logo has been redesigned. The use of the L logo has been replaced by the new unified LEXUS logo located in the center of the vehicle. The rear combination lights of the full-width blades are separated from the L-shaped lights on the rear fender, making NX a unique way of expression. The light bar lights continue to illuminate at night, serving as tail lights and illuminating the rear brand logo.
NX has a driver-centric cockpit. NX’s first 7-inch multi-instrument display and optional 10-inch head-up display are designed to convey vehicle information, warnings and updates within the driver’s line of sight.
The single meter layout is more clearly visible through the high-definition screen. Most driving-related functions are concentrated on the steering wheel for intuitive operation, while keeping the driver’s eyes on the road.
In the central stack, a standard 9.8-inch touch screen makes a range of multimedia functions within easy reach. The optional 14-inch touch screen is another NX initiative, providing an immersive multimedia experience. The dial control retains common functions such as climate control and media volume. Comfort features, such as heated seat options, are now easier to use. All enhancements are combined to create a more user-friendly digital in-vehicle experience.
We strongly recommend that you sit and view the tutorial in your newly purchased NX. So that you don’t drive without discovering the many functions it has or the functions it can perform.
Watch NX. It will lead Lexus into the future. This crossover is Lexus' first model equipped with a turbocharged engine, and will be the brand's first model to provide functions such as digital keys, cloud navigation, virtual assistants, and digital assistants when it goes on sale at the end of the year.
The engine model starts with the NX 250, which is a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine with start/stop function and an eight-speed automatic transmission. It has two options, FWD and AWD. It is estimated to provide 203 horsepower and 184 pound-feet of torque, and the combined results are 0-60 times of 8.2 seconds (FWD) and 8.6 seconds (AWD), respectively.
NX's new low center of gravity and stronger rigidity enhance its performance. This makes NX 350 more sporty. It is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with an eight-speed automatic transmission. It produces 275 horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque, and has a zero to 60 mph time of 6.8 seconds.
There is also an NX 350h, which is what Lexus calls a hybrid car. The system has been completely redesigned. The D4-S fuel-injected 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine is equipped with two high-torque electric drive motor generators, which have strong acceleration and passing performance. Instead of using a transmission gear and a drive shaft connected to the rear wheels, the AWD system uses a second independent electric motor to drive the rear wheels when it detects the need to help maintain optimal traction.
With the new Lexus NX 350h, consumers can get performance and fuel economy. The total power of this NX hybrid is 239 horsepower, which is 20% more than the current model. It is estimated to be 36 MPG, which is 6 miles better than the current model. This NX hybrid reaches 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. This is 1.5 seconds better than the model it replaces.
NX 450h+ is the top product. It has a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with a plug-in hybrid electric motor. It produces 302 horsepower and they are still testing to finalize the torque while we are driving.
But we can tell you: 450h+ can be sent from a static state to 60 mpg at 6.0. It can use its high-capacity lithium-ion battery to drive 36 miles in pure electric mode.
Lexus said it has a high-output, high-efficiency system designed to reduce power loss when converting from AC power to DC power. This leads to a shorter charging time.
The Lexus NX 450h+ plug-in hybrid vehicle uses a maximum charging current of 240V and is equipped with an optional 6.6 kW fast on-board charger, which can be fully charged in approximately two and a half hours. Using a standard 3.3 kW car charger, the charging time is slightly extended to four and a half hours.
Voice commands on NX have been expanded. You can now use it to open the wipers or lower the heated rear seats. Can voice commands for windows or lift doors fall far behind? Now its tire is flat.
Although the 2022 Lexus NX is larger than the vehicle it will replace, it is lighter. The turbocharger is 170 pounds. Lighter, the hybrid car weighs 200 pounds. lighter.
The rear cargo area has been expanded by 14%. The door lock is digital, with 11 different colors, and the shift knob is digital. There are four USB jacks, two on the front and two on the back. But three of the four are USB-c jacks. There are 64 shades of ambient lighting. There is a new steering wheel and the driver assistance system has been upgraded.
It has a digital rear-view mirror. Heated front seats are standard. The rear seats can be heated and the front seats can be cooled. There is an enhanced navigation Lexus interface connection. Suitable for wireless charging of Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The new NX can be combined with your smartphone to activate the digital key.
We used 2022 Lexus NX 450h+ for a quick test drive. The new NX is reliable in quality. It is quiet, well handled, and fully equipped. But there is more.
Lexus has learned how to build the robustness of a luxury car. It is invisible, but it is there. We also noticed the 14-inch touch screen in the infotainment screen, which looks large.
All instruments are digital. We climbed to the back and found that there was plenty of headroom and comfortable seats.
The main shaft grille, car chrome, wheels, badges and roof rails are all black. Our test NX 450h+ is equipped with a high-performance shock absorber MacPherson strut suspension at the front and a trailing arm double-wishbone suspension at the rear.
The base price of the NX 250 is US$37.950, the 350 NX Turbo starts at US$41,500, and the price of the NX 350h hybrid is lower than its gasoline-powered version of US$41,050, while the top-of-the-line NX 450h+ starts at US$55,560. NX is produced in Ontario, Canada, at the North American assembly plant of Japan and automakers.
Frank S. Washington is the editor of AboutThatCar.com.
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