First look: 2022 Lexus NX with PHEV and new infotainment system

The Lexus NX introduces us to a new block with four powertrain options, a hybrid option and a PHEV.

With the advent of 2022, the Lexus NX is set to give the luxury crossover a new generation, after undergoing major changes to the model. Among them, the infotainment system has disappeared, and now it has a large touch screen. The automaker says the Lexus NX will start production in the third quarter of 2021, and Lexus announces pricing closer to that time.

Lexus NX New Look

The Lexus NX looks at us with an exterior that has a more advanced appearance than the current version. Everything is new except for the spindle grille that’s always been familiar with Lexus, and of course the 2022 version carries a package of redesigned headlights, which contain pointed arrow-shaped lamps. The front of the car is decorated with three LED headlights that you can choose from, and in the new version we solve the rear end of the traditional brand emblem L. Instead, the English name Lexus is placed in large letters “LEXUS” to decorate the rear trunk, where the lamps extend in the rear area also the full width of the car .

Inside the Lexus NX, a revamped infotainment center pulls you in, renamed Lexus Interface. It comes standard with a 9.8-inch screen, and an optional 14-inch infotainment screen. There are physical discs to control the entertainment and management elements of the car, such as climate control “temperature” and volume. Other technologies in the interior of the Lexus NX include a 7.0-inch high-resolution display in the instrument cluster, as well as an optional 10-inch display on the windshield.

Heated front seats are now standard on all trims, and there is an option for a heated rear seat. The upholstery is available in black, black with Rich Cream, Palomino, Rioja and Nolux red. Cutting options include Black Open Pore wood and Black Prism in a 3D fractal pattern. Available with a panoramic sunroof with passenger hatches in the front area and the other in the rear area.

Lexus NX engine

The 2022 Lexus NX gives you four options for the Lexus engine , starting The base version has the NX 250, a naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 203 hp (151 kW) and 184 lb-ft of torque (250 Nm). ). Connected to an eight-speed automatic transmission, with front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive layouts. It takes the front-wheel drive 8.2 seconds to reach 60 mph (96 kph) and the four-wheel drive system it takes 8.6 seconds to reach that speed on the AWD model.

The NX 350 can also be selected from Lexus, and it is powered by a 2.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine that produces 275 hp (205 kW), with a torque of 430 Nm. With the 8-speed automatic transmission, Lexus can reach 60 mph in 6.8 seconds.

If you prefer a hybrid, there is a version called the NX 350h with a 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motors on each axle. It generates 239 horsepower (178 kW) and can accelerate to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds. Don’t worry about the numbers, the estimated fuel economy is 36 miles per gallon of gasoline.

Of course, the options in Lexus are endless, at last, there is the new plug-in hybrid version called the NX 450h+. Unfortunately, Lexus hasn’t given us the full specs for the powertrain in this version yet. But it uses the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine as the NX350h, and Lexus claims there is “an EV equivalent output as a 2.0-liter petrol engine”. Depending on its acceleration capacity, this version can go from 0 to 60 mph in 6.0 seconds, and you should note that the range of the electric power charge is not great at around 36 miles (58 kilometres).

The NX 450h+ comes standard with an internal 3.3kW charger. As for charging time, it takes 4.5 hours for 240V power to recharge the junction. The optional pre-charged charger works at 6.6 kW and reduces charging time to 2.5 hours.

The F Sport handling package is available for the NX 350 and NX 450h+ models. It includes adaptive suspension and rides on 20-inch gloss black wheels. The front and rear fenders have a more aggressive look and the fender edge is the body color. Inside there are sports seats and a different steering wheel. There is a combination of NuLuxe Black and Circuit Red upholstery with Dark Graphite Aluminum trim.

safety technology

The new NX contains the Lexus Safety System + 3.0 suite of assist technologies. This has all the features from the previous version plus some new systems. It includes the hazard-avoidance emergency steering assist system that can perform gentle braking and steering correction to avoid collision.

There is also vehicle detection on left turn and pedestrian detection on both sides of the vehicle which can brake automatically to evade them. Pre-Collision System can now detect an oncoming vehicle and activate automatic emergency braking.

The upgraded Radar stability control system has Curve Speed ​​Management that maintains speed and alignment with traffic while also handling corners safely.

$37,950The 2022 Lexus NX will start at just $37,950 (plus $1,075 destination). For a starting price nearly $5,000 lower than that of the Audi Q5, Mercedes-Benz GLC, or BMW X3, the 2022 NX gives you modest power from its front-drive 203-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine