With its second generation NX, Lexus at last fields a properly class-competitive contender in the segment for mid-sized premium brand SUVs. Jonathan Crouch takes a look.

Ten Second Review

With this second generation NX, Lexus has brought us a strikingly styled premium mid-sized SUV that's unafraid to go its own way when it comes to cars of this kind. It's still one of the only models in its class that can't be ordered in diesel form, offering instead a beautifully refined and highly efficient petrol/electric hybrid powertrain, now available in PHEV Plug-in as well as self-charging forms.

Background

At last, Lexus seems to have sorted out its SUV and drivetrain strategy. The brand has never had a properly-sized mid-shaped model similar in aspiration and shaping to key premium models like the Audi Q5 and the Mercedes GLC. The company's first generation NX crossover wasn't quite big enough to fill that role, but it was just a little too large and pricey to fill the compact premium SUV niche now taken by the smaller Lexus UX. This second generation NX, in contrast, is a direct Q5 and GLC rival, also taking on cars like the BMW X3 and the Jaguar F-PACE on equal terms.

All of these models now offer a plug-in hybrid option, something no Lexus in history has ever provided. Well this second generation NX can give you that too - if you don't want its standard self-charging hybrid powertrain. In short, this car looks a rejuvenated proposition.

Driving Experience

Most NX sales will be of the standard self-charging hybrid NX 350h model, which as before uses a 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol electric engine. This car though, uses a re-engineered fourth generation hybrid system offering 242hp (20% more power than the previous version of this engine could produce). As before, sales are focused across the range on AWD versions. The extra power means a 15% improvement in acceleration, so 62mph from rest takes 7.7s.

This time round, there's also an alternative NX model, the NX 450h+ plug-in variant which uses the same PHEV powertrain we've already tested in the Toyota RAV4 and the Suzuki Across. Here, a 182bhp 2.5-litre normally aspirated four cylinder engine is paired with a 180bhp electric motor on the front axle and a further 54bhp motor on the rear axle. That means a total power output of 306hp, channelled through permanent 4WD, with a 0-62mph time of just 6.3s. The motors are powered by an 18.1kWh battery which when fully charged has an electric driving range of 40 miles and can run at speeds of up to 80mph.

Design and Build

This second generation NX takes the styling themes established with the brand's smaller UX crossover and interprets them into a slightly larger size, with various cues from the first generation NX model. The overall length is now 4,660mm, 20mm more than before, making this car now only about 2cm shorter than an Audi Q5. This NX is now also 20mm wider and 5mm taller than before.

Inside, the cabin has been significantly updated, primarily with bigger screens which no longer operate using the much-criticised previous touchpad system. The standard centre screen offering - 'Lexus Link Connect' - is 9.8-inches in size. Alternatively, there's the top 14-inch 'Lexus Link Pro' set-up. Around the cabin, there's the brand latest 'Tazona' cockpit design with its high-quality materials and a dashboard that curves towards the driver's seat. Lexus has also introduced touch-sensitive buttons on the steering wheel.

Market and Model

Expect a starting price for the NX 350h self-charging AWD model of around £38,500 in base form, with prices up to around £52,000. The three equipment grades are base NX, 'F SPORT' and 'Takumi' and within these, there are various pack options you can specify. You'll be paying quite a lot more for an NX 450h+ plug-in model - in the £49,000-£60,000 bracket. You do at least get lots of equipment for that. Including the latest Lexus multimedia platform that meets customer priorities for fast, intuitive on-board connectivity. It introduces smart services, including a cloud-based navigation system, via the car's data connection module (DCM). There is also a new "Hey Lexus" assistant, which responds to natural voice commands, as if you are conversing with the car.

This NX is Lexus's first model to feature the third generation of Lexus Safety System+, equipping it as standard with a comprehensive package of active safety and driver assistance features. These include further expansion of the brand's Pre-Collision System capabilities so that motorcycles and some solid objects in the car's path, such as trees, walls and utility poles, can be detected. It also gains a new function that identifies collision risks with oncoming traffic or crossing pedestrians when making a turn at a junction.

Cost of Ownership

Improvements made to this car's fourth generation self-charging Hybrid system have enabled CO2 emissions to drop by about 10% compared to the previous generation model, which gives the front driven NX 350h variant an emissions reading of up to 133g/km and up to 47.9mpg on the combined cycle. Lexus expects the NX 450h+ Plug-in variant to deliver CO2 emissions of up to 20g/km and up to 313.9mpg. Apparently, there's no reason why a full electric drivetrain couldn't work with this car's floorplan and later in the production run, it's likely that Lexus will consider it. Across the range, there's the usual three year vehicle warranty - and a five year/100,000 cover on drivetrain defects.

With the NX 450h+ PHEV variant, you can set charging times is by using the provided 'Lexus Link' app, via this app, you can also defrost the windows and either pre-heat or pre-cool the cabin before you reach the car. The LexusLink app additionally allows NX 350h+ owners to check battery charge and driving range - and find public charging stations in the 'Lexus Charging Network' - there are about 30,000 of those in the UK. NX 450+ charging takes 2 hours 45 mins from a 7kW garage wallbox - or 8 hours 15 minutes from a domestic plug.

Summary

Take a close look at this enhanced NX and increasingly, you find yourself seeing just what's on offer here. That might not necessarily mean you'll want one. And the NX may still be a little too individual to sell in the kind of numbers its maker would like - but then that's all part of its appeal. It's not perfect but it's never boring. And in a market sector that's getting just that little bit stale, it's a breath of fresh air.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

CAR: Lexus NX

PRICES: £35,000-£50,000 – on the road {est}

CATEGORY: SUV - PREMIUM D SEGMENT

INSURANCE GROUPS: TBC

CO2 EMISSIONS: {NX 350h 2WD} 155g/km {WLTP} {est}

PERFORMANCE: {NX 350h 2WD} 0-62mph 7.7s / Max Speed 112mph {est}

FUEL CONSUMPTION: {NX 350h 2WD} 40mpg {combined – WLTP} {est}

BOOT CAPACITY: [litres] 555

WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Height mm 4660/1865/1640 mm