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Lexus NX
Lexus’s newest crossover is now available to order with first deliveries in October. The NX continues the Japanese company’s mission to convert buyers to hybrid with the 2.5 litre petrol / electric hybrid drivetrain being the only option at launch. Early next year a 2.0 litre turbocharged petrol engine will join the line-up, but Lexus expect the hybrid derivatives to dominate sales.
In front wheel drive form, the NX 300h ‘S’ achieves an official combined fuel economy of 56.5 mpg which translates to 116 gCO2/km. This places the executive crossover in VED band C and secures a BIC rating of 16%. This combined with the £29,495 list price means that there are potentially big savings for company car drivers in particular.
The rest of the 300h range features Lexus’s electric four wheel drive system which includes a second electric motor for the rear axle. Due to the electric set-up the fuel consumption penalty is much smaller than with mechanical systems and thanks to this it achieves a creditable 54.3 mpg (121 g/km) resulting in a BIK rating of 17% and falling into VED band D. Prices for four wheel drive models start at £31,495 and top out at £42,995 for the top specification ‘Premier’ model.
Performance is the same regardless of driven wheels with the 0-62 mph dash dispatched in 9.3 seconds and a top speed of 112 mph, performance is acceptable but clearly weighted towards efficiency. The much unloved CVT gearbox lives on which again is great for fuel economy (when driven sensibly) but blunts acceleration.
NX will be the first model to feature Lexus’s Pre-Crash Safety system and Adaptive Cruise Control as standard on all versions. Other “firsts” for a Lexus include a wireless charging tray for easy charging of mobile phones and other devices and the first application of a new Remote Touch Interface with a touchpad control.
Further features include a new Panoramic View Monitor, a comprehensive multi-information display (incorporating for the first time a G-sensor and boost meter on next year’s NX 200t), head-up display, blind spot monitor and Rear Cross Traffic Alert.
