The NX is one of the best selling Lexus models and now it enters a second generation. The 2022 NX comes with a bunch of new features, upgrades to the engine and design and flaunts a whole lot cooler infotainment system. The new NX models are powered by a variety of petrol engines and Lexus is also introducing a new plug-in-hybrid (PHEV) model.
Changes to the design aren’t substantial, but distinctive enough for you to make out that this is an all new NX. It sports a new spindle grille made of tall U-shaped blocks giving a sense of depth to the Lexus logo in the centre. The grille is flanked by a sleek L-shaped daytime running light and an optional three-projector headlamp creating a very curvy and angular look.
Unlike the outgoing NX, the L logo in the rear has been replaced with a unified Lexus logo right at the centre of the vehicle, a trend that many major carmakers have been following to make their brand names appear distinctly. The taillamps come in a full-width blade combination along with a separated L-shaped lamp on the rear fender, and bar lamps that are constantly illuminated at night to function as a taillight and illuminating the brand logo.
The NX comes in Redline, Cloudburst Gray and Grecian Water and the F Sport models come in Ultra White, Obsidian and Ultra Sonic Blue Mica 2.0 as well.
Interiors on the new NX are as exciting as everything else on the vehicle, it comes with the brand's interior cabin noise reduction with updates made to reduce road noise and external distractions. The NX features newly designed standard heated front seats and optional heated rear seats, with increased leg and head room and an additional storage space in the cargo.
The Lexus NX comes with a seven-inch Multi Instrument Display (MID) and optional 10-inch Head Up Display (HUD) for vehicle information, alerts and updates, within the driver’s line of sight
The grand update on the NX is the all new infotainment system which has the Lexus interface multimedia system that allows the NX to seamlessly integrate and navigate via the 9.8-inch touchscreen with new Human Machine Interface (HMI) which enhances user interaction through sight, touch and voice. If 9.8-inch is not enough, it also comes with an optional 14-inch touchscreen with integrated automatic climate control functions. The infotainment features don’t just end there, it has a new Virtual Assistant, dual microphones, enhanced noise-cancellation, seat detection and speaker location capabilities and much more. It has a digital key which can be used to operate basic vehicle functions via a smartphone in Bluetooth proximity.
The NX250, where the Lexus NX lineup starts, has a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine and produces 203bhp, with AWD or RWD options. The next variant is the NX350 that comes with a new 2.4-liter inline-four turbo-petrol engine with 275bhp, making it quicker than the outgoing models.
The new PHEV NX450h+ employs an electronically controlled, full-time AWD system, and delivers an estimated 57km range on electric power only. Combined with the newly developed hybrid transaxle, a 2.5-litre engine does the 0-100kmph sprint in just 6 seconds
The NX350h produces 239bhp from its 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that is supplemented by two high-torque electric drive motor-generators and does a 0-100kmph in just 7.2 seconds.
The first generation Lexus NX has been sold in India since 2017 and is one of the better selling cars from Lexus in India. There’s no word from Lexus India whether the second generation NX will make it to our shores. Rivals for the NX include the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo XC60 among others.