Lexus NX

Lexus has always been known for going the extra mile in designing and equipping the interior of its vehicles, and the NX is no different. The overall layout of the cabin of the Lexus NX, like most of the Lexus models, carries an asymmetric approach, with it being offered in multiple upholstery options like hazel, black, and dark rose for the Luxury variant and black and flare red for the F-Sport variants.

Based on the Tazuna concept followed by Lexus, the layout of the dashboard of the Lexus NX features an asymmetric design, with a wraparound look for the centre console. The T-themed multi-functional steering wheel with satin silver accents and large-sized buttons has a full-TFT instrument console behind it, above which there is a coloured head-up display on the upper dashboard. The wraparound centre console has an asymmetric 14-inch touchscreen infotainment system in the upper housing and a layered lower centre console with gloss black touches for surrounds of the transmission lever, cup holders and USB chargers.

The Lexus NX is one of the best-equipped SUVs in this category of midsize luxury SUVs, with it having various comfort and convenience features like dual-zone automatic climate control, Lexus climate concierge with S-flow control and air purifier, 64-colour ambient lighting, powered tilt, and telescopic adjustability for the steering wheel with memory function, 10-speaker audio system with active noise cancellation, wireless charger and powered front seats with memory function for the driver’s seat.

The most highlighted aspect of the Lexus NX has to be its extremely dynamic and edgy-looking design, which is sharp enough to achieve glances in both standstill and motion. The overall size and dimensions of the NX are proportionate enough, with the overall stance only looking dynamic with the presence of sharp creases all around.

At the front, the Lexus NX has the trademark X-themed spindle grille, which has satin chrome surrounds and inserts in the Luxury variant and a gloss black theme for the same in the F-Sport variant. The angular headlamps, which house three LED projectors and L-shaped daytime running LEDs, add to the overall sharpness of the NX when viewed from the front. The front bumper also looks dynamic with the presence of L-shaped air curtains in the Luxury variant and an even larger design for the same in the F-Sport variants, with LED fog lamps common in both of them.

The side profile of the Lexus NX continues the theme of sharpness and sleek styling, with the overall design here comprising angles for the bonnet, C-pillar, and door panels. The SUV drives on 20-inch wheels (machined dark grey metallic units in Luxury and super gloss black alloys in F-Sport). While the Luxury variant has black plastic cladding for the wheel arches and door panels, the F-Sport variant gets the same body-coloured theme.

Towards the rear, the edginess of the Lexus NX reaches a new peak with the extremely dynamic-looking set of LED tail lamps, which have a combination design and come with an LED connecting light bar running between them. The trapezoidal housing for the license plate and wedge-shaped slim air curtains in the corners of the rear bumper make the SUV look more dynamic.

The Lexus NX surprises with the prowess it has in the driving dynamics department, with this SUV reflecting its dynamism in the way it rides and handles too. With a comfort-oriented suspension setup of McPherson struts at the front and double wishbone at the rear, the Lexus NX has Comfort, Sport and Eco modes in the Luxury variant, and Comfort, Eco, Sport S, Sport S+ and Custom drive modes in the F-Sport for a more engaging driving experience and throttle response.

The two variants of the Lexus NX are well-distinguished further with the choice of powertrains they are bestowed with. The Lexus NX 250 Luxury gets a conventional 2.5-litre four-cylinder naturally-aspirated petrol engine, which produces 205 PS of maximum power and 243 Nm of maximum torque and enables the SUV to do the 0-100 kmph sprint in 9.1 seconds.

On the other hand, the Lexus NX 350 F-Sport has a 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, which churns out 275 PS of maximum power and 430 Nm of maximum torque and takes 7 seconds for the 0-100 kmph sprint. The top speed of both versions of the Lexus NX is rated at 200 kmph.

Also common to both versions of the NX is the 8-speed automatic transmission, but while the Luxury variant gets dynamic torque-control all-wheel drive, the F-Sport has electronically-controlled full-time all-wheel drive.

The exhaustive safety package offered as standard in both variants includes seven airbags, ABS with EBD and brake assist, front and rear parking sensors, blind spot monitoring system, rear cross-traffic alert, parking brake support, the rearview camera with panoramic view, active cornering assist, vehicle stability control, traction control, hill start assist, downhill assist and tyre pressure monitoring system. It also comes with the Lexus Safety System+ package, which has a front pre-collision system, dynamic radar cruise control, lane-keeping assist and high beam assist.

Lexus intends to set new standards of styling and equipment levels in the premium midsize luxury SUV segment with the NX, which succeeds in its goals with a sense of dynamism in the way it looks, its equipment levels and the way it drives.