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Bruce Newton29 Aug 2014
NEWS

Lexus NX to start at $55K

All-new mid-size hybrid SUV to top out under RX 350 from October, but next year's NX 200t turbo will be cheaper

Lexus Australia has announced that pricing for its new NX crossover will spread across a $20,000 band from $55,000 to $75,000 (plus on-road costs), effectively straddling the upper reaches of the small luxury SUV segment and the lower end of mid-size premium SUV class.

That means it lines up against versions of everything from the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 to the Q5 and X3, as well as the most affordable RX, the 2WD RX 270 ($68,575 plus ORCs).

Lexus has only announced pricing and confirmed equipment highlights for the 300h petrol-electric hybrid version of the five-seat wagon, which will be available for delivery from late October.

Pricing for the NX 200t, which is the first home for Toyota’s new 2.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine, will not be announced until closer to its launch in quarter one 2015.

Contrary to its previous advice, Lexus now expects the NX turbo, which is forecast to account for 60 per cent of sales, to be a little cheaper than the hybrid – potentially from around $53,000 -- up to $10K less than the cheapest Q5 and X3.

There are four 300h models spread over three grades, with the front-wheel drive Luxury opening proceedings at $55,000. The all-wheel drive Luxury adds $4500.

Next up is the $66,000 F Sport and the $75,000 Sports Luxury.

Important equipment to note includes rear cross traffic alert (a first for Lexus in Australia), power-folding rear seats (a claimed segment first) and wireless inductive mobile phone charging (a claimed Australian standard-fitment first).

However, these items are not available across the range and some important safety equipment cannot be optioned in the entry-level Luxury (see below).

All NX 300hs are powered by a 145kW hybrid drivetrain similar to the one seen in the IS, ES and GS sedans that combines a 2.5-litre petrol engine and e-motor. The only transmission offered is a CVT.

Effectively Lexus’ economy alternative to the diesel engines offered by its rivals, the 300h averages around 5.6L/100km on standard unleaded fuel.

Loosely based on the same architecture of parent Toyota’s RAV4 SUV, the NX is purposely sized to attract customers from both the compact and medium SUV segments. For our first drive review from the global launch in Canada go here.

Lexus is bullish about the fortunes of the NX, forecasting it will become one of its best-selling models in SUV-mad Australia.

“To date, pre-order interest has been extremely strong,” said Lexus Australia chief executive Sean Hanley. “We have more than 100 orders for the hybrid already.”

About 75 per cent of internet enquiries for the NX are new to Lexus.

Hanley admitted hybrid supply will be “tight”, while turbo supply will be “reasonable”.

Standard NX Luxury equipment will include satellite-navigation, a reversing camera, front/rear parking sonar, a power tailgate, a touch-sensitive controller, three-mode drive selector, heated and powered front seats, LED low-beam headlights and foglights, 18-inch alloy wheels, 10-speaker audio, power steering column adjustment and a 60/40-split folding rear seat.

F Sport gains include adaptive variable suspension with performance shock absorbers, a 360 -egree panoramic monitor, blind-spot monitor, rear cross-traffic alert, all LED headlights, the wireless phone charger, driver’s seat memory, front seat cooling, unique F Sport wheels, exterior and interior styling touches and a leather-accented interior.

Sports Luxury additions include power rear seats, all-speed active cruise control, lane departure warning, a colour head-up display, auto high-beam, smart key, moon roof and Mark Levinson audio.

The Luxury adds a moonroof for $2500 and F Sport buyers can add the moonroof and Mark Levinson audio for $4000.

A pack comprising important Sports Luxury standard safety items such as all-speed cruise control, LDW and HUD is available in the F Sport for $7500. It is not offered to Luxury buyers. Lexus says that is to keep model complexity under control.

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