The Lexus NX: A Latecomer to the Luxury SUV Market

The Lexus NX is a compact, upscale SUV from Toyota's luxury brand that has arrived late to the party. Not fashionably late, just plain late. The Germans have been here for a while, with BMW having sold the X3 for over 10 years. This delay is surprising, given that the original Toyota RAV4 and Lexus RX were early innovators in the world of car-based SUVs.

The Lexus NX is provocatively styled, with familiar design cues that evoke the iconic Lexus RX. The trademark spindle grille is unmistakable, and the black F Sport version looks almost sinister with its blacked-out trim and blood-red leather. However, potential buyers can also opt for a snappy silver-colored one if they prefer. What sets the NX apart from its rivals is its intimate and personal interior design, where the dashboard wraps around you like a cocoon. The high belt line gives it a unique feel that's different from most SUVs.

The Lexus NX is notable for being the first application of Lexus's new 2L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, codenamed "T" and "nx200t", which produces 235 horsepower. This engine is also available in a hybrid variant, the NX 300H, which boasts 194 combined horsepower. The NX 300H offers front or all-wheel drive options and plays on Toyota's corporate strengths.

However, not everything about the Lexus NX is to be celebrated. Firstly, it's not a gussied-up Toyota RAV4, despite sharing the same basic platform. The rear seat is smaller, as are the cargo hold dimensions. This means that small families might find themselves squeezed in, but the X will not be as family-friendly as its Toyota counterpart. Another notable omission is the lack of blind spot monitoring, which would be a welcome feature for many buyers.

Furthermore, the NX does not offer more powerful engine options, such as bigger turbo 4 or a 6-cylinder. Most rivals on the market have these offerings, and the Lexus NX falls short in this regard. The transmission also lags behind German competitors, with only six-speed automatic transmissions available on certain models. This can make it difficult to use the new touchpad controller for the center screen when driving.

One area where the NX does excel is its handling. Unlike traditional soft-riding Lexus SUVs, the NX aims to be more sporty and attached to the road, especially in F Sport trim. Whether this will translate into better performance on the road remains to be seen. What's certain, however, is that the NX holds an important position for Lexus as a potential best-seller in the future.

In conclusion, the Lexus NX offers a unique blend of style, power, and handling. While it may not tick every box in terms of its features and offerings, it has the potential to become one of the brand's top-selling models. As always, prospective buyers are advised to do their own research and weigh their options carefully before making a decision.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enthis is Al Lexus and x a compact upscale SUV from Toyota's luxury brand but you might be surprised by what it isn't first here's what it is it's late to the party not fashionably late just plain late the Germans they've been here for a while BMW's been selling the X3 for over 10 years years now that delay is surprising because the original Toyota Rav 4 and Lexus RX they were early innovators in the world of car based SUVs the Lexus NX it's provocatively styled you see some familiar styling cues here it looks a lot like a shrunken head Lexus RX and that trademark spindle Grill looks like it eats children it's almost Sinister looking in this black f- sport version with its blacked out trim and blood red leather don't worry you can get a Snappy silver colored one if you want it feels very intimate and personal inside un likee most SUVs the dash wraps around you and high Belt Line feels like a cocoon it's also the first application of lexus's new 2 L turbocharged 4cylinder that's what the T and nx200t means makes 235 horsepower it also comes in a hybrid that's rare in the segment and it plays the Toyota's corporate strengths the NX 300H has a 4cylinder hybrid making 194 combined horsepower like the turbo it's available with front or all-wheel drive and one more thing the NX is really good you need an extra mirror and now here's what the NX is not it's not a gussied up Toyota Rav 4 sure it shares the same basic platform but the Lexus rear seat it's a good deal smaller same goes for the cargo hold a small family will fit but the X just isn't as familyfriendly as a Toyota RAF for it's not easy to see out of this thing that cocooning feeling comes from small Windows especially in the back and thick roof pillars thank goodness a rear camera is standard Lexus would be smart to make blind spot monitoring standard too the NX also isn't available with a more powerful engine either a bigger turbo 4 or a 6cylinder most Rivals offer that and there's no 8-speed automatic like the Germans here there's only six with the turbo or CVT with the hybrid it's not easy to use the new touchpad controller to move around the center screen especially when driving finally the NX is not tuned like the traditional soft Lexus instead the NX aims to be more sporty more attached to the road especially an f- sport trim whatever it is or isn't one thing is for sure the NX is a very important car for Lexus one we predict will soon become one of the Brand's best sellers for more check out Consumer Reports onlinethis is Al Lexus and x a compact upscale SUV from Toyota's luxury brand but you might be surprised by what it isn't first here's what it is it's late to the party not fashionably late just plain late the Germans they've been here for a while BMW's been selling the X3 for over 10 years years now that delay is surprising because the original Toyota Rav 4 and Lexus RX they were early innovators in the world of car based SUVs the Lexus NX it's provocatively styled you see some familiar styling cues here it looks a lot like a shrunken head Lexus RX and that trademark spindle Grill looks like it eats children it's almost Sinister looking in this black f- sport version with its blacked out trim and blood red leather don't worry you can get a Snappy silver colored one if you want it feels very intimate and personal inside un likee most SUVs the dash wraps around you and high Belt Line feels like a cocoon it's also the first application of lexus's new 2 L turbocharged 4cylinder that's what the T and nx200t means makes 235 horsepower it also comes in a hybrid that's rare in the segment and it plays the Toyota's corporate strengths the NX 300H has a 4cylinder hybrid making 194 combined horsepower like the turbo it's available with front or all-wheel drive and one more thing the NX is really good you need an extra mirror and now here's what the NX is not it's not a gussied up Toyota Rav 4 sure it shares the same basic platform but the Lexus rear seat it's a good deal smaller same goes for the cargo hold a small family will fit but the X just isn't as familyfriendly as a Toyota RAF for it's not easy to see out of this thing that cocooning feeling comes from small Windows especially in the back and thick roof pillars thank goodness a rear camera is standard Lexus would be smart to make blind spot monitoring standard too the NX also isn't available with a more powerful engine either a bigger turbo 4 or a 6cylinder most Rivals offer that and there's no 8-speed automatic like the Germans here there's only six with the turbo or CVT with the hybrid it's not easy to use the new touchpad controller to move around the center screen especially when driving finally the NX is not tuned like the traditional soft Lexus instead the NX aims to be more sporty more attached to the road especially an f- sport trim whatever it is or isn't one thing is for sure the NX is a very important car for Lexus one we predict will soon become one of the Brand's best sellers for more check out Consumer Reports online\n"