Lexus NX 200t 2015 Review

Picture one of those big-screen TVs in a fictional war room, showing the rapid spread of a worldwide contagion. You guessed it... it's the growth of global SUV sales.

SUVs are everywhere, and they seem to be doubling in number every 60 seconds. And they're sprouting in new, previously untapped segments.

Lexus is a new player in the small luxury SUV segment, but it has hit the ground running. The prestige brand has barely introduced its NX range, with the hybrid NX 300h already on sale in Australia. Now, it's also bringing out the big gun in the range, the turbocharged NX 200t.

Lexus expects the new engine variant – available in three levels of trim arranged in a Y-shaped model hierarchy – to account for the majority of NX sales in Australia, although the prestige importer anticipates a reasonably close race, with the hybrids taking 40 per cent of the retail action.

For the local launch of the NX 200t Lexus held a drive program through the Canberra hinterland. Other than a brief spell fording a watercourse and negotiating a gravel road, the NX was not subjected to any sort of test that could be described as 'off-road' during the event. But the target buyers are fairly unlikely to spend much time in the bush anyway.

What the drive program did convey was that the NX 200t in the upmarket F Sport grade was quite dynamically capable and safe – even a little fun to drive, within reason. It also brought with it the renowned Lexus virtues of refinement, ease of use and plenty of equipment.

That equipment includes electronically adjustable sports suspension, 360-degree cameras, four modes for the car's Drive Mode Select facility, inductive recharging for mobile phones and other portable devices, blind-spot monitoring, shift paddles, 10-way electrically adjustable front seats (heated/cooled) with memory function, electrochromatic mirrors and all-LED headlights. Those are just the features in the F Sport variant, over the entry-level NX 200t Luxury specification.

According to Lexus, it's the F Sport variant that will be the volume seller in the NX 200t range. Other than the equipment listed already, plus cosmetic differences, the F Sport model shares its abiding traits with the other two models in the range.

NVH is one such example. Even when the tyres were rushing over coarse-chip country roads outside Canberra there was little noise to be heard in the cabin.

The new turbo engine also proved as quiet as the grave when cruising or idling, but it delivered strong mid-range torque and revved to redline without fuss, emitting a rich note from the exhaust while doing so. Codenamed 8AR-FTS, the turbocharged four is actually a pretty nice engine and is arguably the highpoint of the NX.

Out on the ACT's country roads the four-cylinder engine – with both port and direct-injected systems delivering the fuel load to the combustion chambers – stumped up plenty of torque at short notice for overtaking from open-road speeds. The car's trip computer revealed fuel consumption was 10.8L/100km, which is far adrift from the combined-cycle figure of 7.9L/100km. Then again, the drive back to Canberra wasn't conducted in accordance with any standard economy run protocol.

Coupled to the engine was a six-speed automatic that changed smoothly and performed flawlessly on the run back to Canberra from Tidbinbilla. Shift paddles delivered a lower gear immediately, but without any shock to the system. There was no conflict between the sequential shifting and kick-down either.

If I had any misgiving about the automatic transmission at all, it was the lack of forward ratios. Some of the rivals to the Lexus are now boasting eight speeds – and the Land Rover Discovery Sport is now getting around with nine. If the transmission had eight speeds first gear in the Lexus could be a lower ratio, for a livelier launch. As it was the NX 200t was slow to make a break for it from a standing start. Once on the move though, the NX 200t could be hurried along readily.

Riding on the F Sport suspension – with retuned dampers – the sportier NX 200t variant was an agile and responsive handler. The SUV turned in enthusiastically and there was better than expected feedback through the wheel.

The Lexus tracked precisely through corners and adopted a stance approaching neutral. It was a throttle-sensitive machine, feeling more stable with the power applied, but tucking in tight on a trailing throttle. While the ride quality of the F Sport variant felt very slightly firmer than the base-grade NX 200t Luxury, the sportier Lexus still felt underdamped at times. Despite its decent cornering prowess it lacked the ultimate body control of its German rivals in the same environment.

Style is a personal choice, but I will say this: I have warmed to the NX now from having seen it in the flesh. But the design of the centre fascia and console isn't doing it for me. That said, I found the driving position to be agreeable. Unlike the competition, the indicator and wiper stalks were where they should be and the other controls are well designed – with obvious graphic icons – and located for easy use. The instruments were clear to read also and the 360-degree monitor does offset the field of vision to the three-quarter rear, which is obstructed by the D pillars and roofline.

Both the front seats were very comfortably cushioned, yet they held the occupant properly in place even when pressing a little harder into corners. Rear-seat accommodation was fine for adults and the seat squabs reclined by means of a manual lever on the base, although the headrests back there will need to be adjusted up for anyone of teenage years or older. While the luggage space was adequate, the boot floor was high and might be demanding for users of smaller stature loading heavy items in the rear.

The off-road ability of the NX 200t remains unassessed, but for all the SUV qualities buyers typically want, the new Lexus has the wherewithal to upset the established order in its market segment.