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Carsales Staff12 Jun 2021
NEWS

All-new Lexus NX revealed

Next-gen mid-size luxury SUV due later this year to be Lexus’ first plug-in hybrid model

Lexus’ answer to the BMW X3, Audi Q5 and Mercedes-Benz GLC – the Lexus NX – has been completely renewed, bringing a sharp new look, more technology, a beefed-up 2.4-litre turbo-petrol engine and the brand’s first-ever plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV).

Arriving in Australia from November this year, the all-new 2022 Lexus NX made its global premiere in Japan this week, showing off a rakish exterior design that incorporates a larger and more striking spindle grille at the front, flanked by stylised slimline LED headlights.

While the front-end looks more like its bigger sibling, the Lexus RX, the new mid-size luxury SUV’s silhouette appears to draw inspiration from the Lexus UX, with a curvier roofline and sportier look overall compared to the model it replaces.

The rear-end also gets bold treatment, with frosted LED tail-lights spanning the full width of the vehicle.

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Unlike the latest Lexus IS mid-size sedan, the 2022 Lexus NX is completely new from the ground up and is the first model from the Japanese brand to feature its ‘Tazuna’ interior concept.

It includes a new digital instrument panel, a large head-up display (HUD) that can manipulated via steering wheel touch-pads, revised controls, redesigned steering wheel and dashboard design, and touch-sensitive 'e-latch' door handles.

The third-generation Lexus safety system plus (LSS+) will be deployed on the new SUV as well, bringing improvements to electronic driver aids but focusing more on avoiding accidents than outright autonomous driving.

As seen on an ever-increasing number of vehicles, drivers can step out of the new NX and control forward/reverse movements via their smart phone to remotely park the vehicle in tight spots.

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As well as bringing plenty of new connectivity technology and luxury features to the table, the new Tazuna interior concept does away with the controversial ‘remote touch’ track pad input system, instead using a large 14-inch touch-screen for the manipulation of the infotainment system.

This looks to be a clear acknowledgement that customers didn’t like the car-maker’s 1990s videogame controller-inspired input system, given the Tazuna interior ethos will be employed on all new Lexus vehicles going forward.

Driving pleasure was a top priority for the latest NX, according to the vehicle’s chief engineer Takeaki Kato, who confirmed that the new model is based on the same TNGA-K platform architecture as the Toyota RAV4, but features greater body rigidity and vastly different suspension.

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Handling dynamics were tuned at Lexus’ massive new Shimoyama driving course, which replicates some of the corners of the Nurburgring.

The NX SUV’s aerodynamics have improved as well, with development videos showing models routinely hitting speeds above 170km/h.

For the second generation, the NX is 20mm longer and wider and offers more interior space.

Lexus has sold almost one million NX vehicles since its inception in 2014 and the vehicle is currently the luxury brand’s top-selling model in Australia and the fifth best-selling model in the medium luxury SUV segment.

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New engines, new plug-in hybrid

The 2022 Lexus NX will be offered with four petrol engine types globally, all four-cylinder units for now. All models except the new plug-in hybrid will be on sale in Australia from November 2021.

Lexus says more details on the NX 450h+ PHEV will be available "in due course" and cautions that it hasn't been confirmed for Australia yet.

Power and torque figures are yet to be disclosed for any of the engine types, but the headline acts include an all-new 2.4-litre turbo-petrol engine that could be reserved for F Sport model grades, and 2.5-litre petrol-electric hybrids – both conventional and plug-in.

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The new 2.4-litre turbo will dial up power and torque levels and replace the current 2.0-litre turbo (175kW/350Nm), which means the NX 300 will be replaced by the NX 350. It will be AWD only.

Then there’s the brand’s first plug-in hybrid model, the NX 450h+, which shares its powertrain with the not-for-Australia Toyota RAV4 Prime.

It combines a 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated engine with a pair of electric motors to deliver a 225kW punch, which should be good for a sub-6.0-second sprint from 0-100km/h. This model is expected to arrive in Australia

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Lexus engineers revealed the NX 450h+ has a slightly different layout to the Toyota PHEV system and that its 18kWh lithium-ion battery pack will offer an EV range of 75km (WLTP).

The Lexus NX 350h plugless hybrid also gets an upgraded lithium-ion battery pack, its electric motors paired with the 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine, and will be offered in FWD and AWD.

The other engine option coming to Australia includes an entry-level naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre engine, designated NX 250, which will be front-wheel-drive only.

There’s also a 2.0-litre engine on offer, but it’s been ruled out for Australia.

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Unlike Toyota, Lexus doesn’t do diesel engines, so the range will remain petrol only. Company execs also poured cold water on EV and long-wheelbase versions of the NX.

Local pricing and equipment details are expected closer to the vehicle’s launch around December 2021.

The NX 450h+ will be among the first of 10 new electrified vehicles that Lexus has pledged to roll out by 2025, at which point it says its electrified vehicles will outsell their pure gasoline counterparts.

The Lexus UX 300e will mark the brand’s first all-electric vehicle launch in Australia from November.

Lexus’ first purpose-built EV that isn’t based on an existing model will make its debut in 2022, and is tipped to be inspired by the LF-Z concept.

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Written byCarsales Staff
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