What’s New About the 2022 Model
It’s FINALLY new!! The outgoing NX (see prior drive review) was a bit aged when it came out for the 2015 model year. It was based on the RAV4, which at that point was already a few years old and on a platform that was pretty ancient. That original NX debuted the first Lexus turbo engine and was the first Lexus with a wireless phone charger. Nearly 8 years later, the 2022 NX is here, finally moving onto the newest platform although again trailing corporate cousin RAV4 by a few years.
While the new platform definitely tightens things up structurally, we also see NX stretching and covering quite a bit more up and down its lineup. Where the first NX had a standard turbo 4-cylinder engine, the entry NX 250 is now a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder with 203 horsepower. This likely helps keep a lower price of entry, but we also see Lexus using this pedestrian motor (lifted directly from the Toyota product line) in their ES as well. The NX 350 features a new 2.4-liter gas engine with a meatier 275 horsepower, while the NX 350h brings a hybrid 4-cylinder with 239 horsepower that also achieves 36 miles per gallon in fuel economy. NX 450h+ brings plug-in hybrid power to the Lexus lineup for the first time as well with an estimated 36 mile electric driving range.
Also significantly new in the NX is the launch of the Lexus Interface infotainment system, replacing the almost universally loathed remote touch mouse/trackpad interface that came before it.
What’s Good About the NX
Very happy to see the NX finally get the update it so desperately needed. It’s actually the first Lexus SUV to migrate to the newest generation of platforms. Ride and handling, along with overall body structure feel markedly better, in both comfort and responsiveness. Pricing also remains relatively affordable, at least to start, starting at $39,025 for an NX 250 Front Wheel Drive model, but rises pretty quickly from there. The new infotainment system is also a huge leap forward from the prior unit. Standard is a 9.8″ unit, but a whopping 14″ unit is available. While the exterior design may not look all too different at first or even second glance, it’s a much improved car in nearly all the right places.
Key Content / Trim Available
As one of the most popular Lexus vehicles, the NX also comes in a dizzying array of build configurations, even more so now that there are 4 engines, up from 2 in the 1st generation.
NX 250 (with the base 4-cylinder non-turbo affair) is available in both Front Wheel Drive and All-Wheel Drive. If you’re looking for a FWD vehicle, this is the only way to get it. The 9.8″ infotainment “Lexus Interface” is standard, along with wireless CarPlay/Android Auto. Heated front seats and blind spot detection are also standard, as is the latest Lexus Safety System+ 3.0 which includes things like pre-collision with pedestrian detection, full-speed dynamic radar cruise control, road sign assist, etc. New is the digital latch door handle, which can help ensure that doors only open when there isn’t a threat of upcoming traffic or cyclists.
NX 350 adds the turbo 4-cylinder engine and standard all-wheel drive.
NX 350h adds the 4-cylinder hybrid
The Premium Package adds niceties like ventilated front seats, memory seats and mirrors, moonroof, power rear door with kick sensor, rain-sensing wipers, parking sensors with automatic braking and a power tilt and telescoping steering adjustment.
The Luxury Package builds on that with 20″ wheels, perforated leather interior, 4-way lumbar support for the driver, head-up display, 14″ Lexus Interface, black open pore wood trim and what Lexus calls thematic ambient illumination. This package also provides a trial of the Drive Connect system, which really becomes the brains of the new infotainment system, including the “Hey Lexus” voice control assistant.
NX 450h+ adds the plug-in hybrid powertrain, and the Luxury Package and a heated steering wheel.
On the sporty side of the house, NX offers the following:
NX 350 F SPORT HANDLING: This configuration adds an adaptive variable suspension, head-up display, F SPORT exterior design cues and unique grille, F SPORT front seats, 20″ Gloss Black wheels, F SPORT steering wheel and shifter, rain-sensing wipers, aluminum door trim and front and rear performance dampers.
To this one can add the F SPORT Luxury Package, which includes a moonroof, power rear door with kick sensor, memory seats, steering wheel and mirrors, ventilated front seat, parking sensors with automatic braking, 14″ Lexus Interface, the Drive Connect trial, and the thematic ambient illumination.
NX 450h+ F SPORT HANDLING: adds the plug-in powertrain, F SPORT Luxury Package and an F SPORT heated steering wheel.
In addition to those bigger groupings, Lexus also allows for singular options.
Heated Steering Wheel/Wiper De-Icer/Fast Interior Heater (NX 250/350)
Heated Steering Wheel (NX 350h)
Wiper De-Icer/Fast Interior Heater (NX 350h)
Bi-LED headlamps with adaptive front lighting system (F SPORT Handling)
If you get the Premium Package, you can add the following:
14″ Lexus Interface with Drive Connect Trial
20″ Wheels (350/350h)
Head-Up Display and Digital Rearview Mirror
If you get the Premium OR Luxury Package, you can add the following:
Mark Levinson audio upgrade
Lexus Digital Key/SmartAccess Card and wireless charger
If you get the Luxury Package, you can add the following:
Panoramic View Monitor, Land Change Assist, Front Cross-Traffic Alert
60/40 split power folding, heated rear seats
Bi-LED headlamps with adaptive front lighting system
Triple Beam LED headlamps
Panorama glass roof
Digital Rearview Mirror
Advanced Park (NXh, NXh+)
On the NX 450h+ there is an optional up-rated 6.6-kW onboard charger. (This should just be standard for the Lexus)
Quick Drive
If you’re coming from a 1st generation Lexus NX, the difference in feel will be apparent immediately. Significantly more power for both the turbo engine and the hybrid, while the ride is quiet and still comfortable. A lot of the flex and slow responses of the prior NX are gone, but not completely. We drove the NX 350, so it had the turbo 4-cylinder. It was technically the NX 350 F SPORT HANDLING AWD (their naming and all caps, not mine). As configured it would probably be in the mid-$50,000 range.
Ride quality is improved, but didn’t feel quite up to the level of say an Audi Q5 or a BMW X3, or even the new Genesis GV70. The NX leverages the economies of scale of being on one of the most widely produced platforms in the world, but it is one that has fairly humble roots, and some of that shows if you were to drive them back to back with the competition. Overall sophistication and substantive ride quality isn’t quite there yet. But maybe that’s where Lexus is counting on many customers not really caring and perhaps instead prioritizing perceived reliability and customer service.
Improvement Points
Build combinations – There are just too many and with the plethora of various packages and then stand alone/a la carte options it creates the potential for a massive disconnect in what a customer wants to build online and what might be available (whenever ANY cars are really available again) at their local dealer, especially in the color that they wanted. Would like to see some better packaging and bundling. If there’s a Base, Premium and then Luxury tier, it seems like there could be another one on top (Unobtainium/Maximus/Lexify), and then limit some of the stand alone items.
Ride Quality – Would love further separation for the NX from its Toyota brethren.
Engines – Does the Lexus brand really need to offer the base 2.5 liter engine? It doesn’t seem to befit a premium, luxury branded offering, especially with just a $2,000 jump to go to the 350 with its turbo 4-cylinder.
