Lexus NX 300h new car review

Stars: 3

Ever since Lexus launched onto the luxury scene, it has been chasing - and challenging - the established European brands.

But, despite parent company Toyota being a pioneer - and major player - in the SUV arena, Lexus has been held back from following its rivals in the explosion of high-riding alternatives, relying on just its mid-sized RX and dressed-up LandCruiser RX - neither of which has really captured the same degree of sales as similar models from the likes of Audi, BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Now, though, the Japanese brand has filled out its SUV family and charged into the popular, and more affordable, compact SUV class with its angular NX - the first in its class with a hybrid powertrain and a model Lexus claims could become one of its best sellers.

WHAT DO YOU GET?

Arriving in showrooms late last year, Lexus launched the NX in 300h (hybrid) form first with a high-performance version powered by the company's first-ever turbo-charged set to arrive next month.

The current line-up undercuts its European rivals - the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Volvo XC60 - with a starting price of $55,000 (plus on-road costs) for the two-wheel drive Luxury variant with a similarly-specced all-wheel drive version commanding a $4500 premium.

All models come loaded with a decent spread of gear that includes a reverse camera with front and rear parking sensors, satellite navigation, a powered rear tailgate, heated front seats, tyre pressure monitor and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The F-Sport version we're testing here, which costs $66,000 (plus on-roads), adds a 360-degree monitor with blind spot and rear cross traffic alerts, adaptive suspension, full LED headlights, ventilation for the front seats with leather-accented interior trim, a wireless phone-charging pad in the centre console and unique exterior styling additions.

Topping the range is the $75,000 Sports Luxury variant which includes a class-first powered split-fold rear seat, head-up display, active cruise control, lane departure warning, sunroof, keyless entry and a higher grade 14-speaker audio system.

WHAT'S INSIDE?

The NX's divisive, angular exterior styling is transferred into the cabin with its pinched "spindle" grille replicated in the protruding centre console, which is divided by the climate control and multi-function screen on top and the audio system below.

There's even more buttons around the gear lever with a rotary dial to toggle between the Eco, Normal and Sport modes that alter the suspension and engine mapping while a touch-sensitive pad that controls the functions on the display screen is just as fiddly to use as the mouse-style system it replaces and isn't as revolutionary as Lexus claims.

If you can look past the busy appearance, there's some nice details to its design that is matched to classy, soft-touch materials and top-notch build quality. The front seats are snug, the instruments are easy to read and while there isn't an abundance of binnacles in the centre console there are some handy hide holes, such as the leather-covered slot behind the touch pad that's good for keeping small change away from prying eyes - but not big enough to hide a phone or wallet.

Rear seat occupants are offered ample leg room, the convenience of air vents and the outer pews have decent lateral support, but the sloping roof line restricts headroom and the high window sill will having the little-uns craning their necks to see anything but the sky outside.

The design also creates a blind spot for the driver and while the 475L boot is generous in its length it's a struggle to fit taller items under the windscreen.

UNDER THE BONNET

The NX may be the first hybrid-powered compact SUV, but the powertrain is a fairly familiar unit; the same 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, battery pack and electric motor used in the ES300h mid-sized sedan and the locally-built Camry Hybrid.

In the NX, the petrol engine generates 114kW of power and 210Nm of torque while the electric motor adds an additional 105kW and 270Nm to produce a combined total output of 147kW - which is slightly less than in the ES and Camry.

Uniquely, the petrol engine and main electric motor drive the front wheels through a CVT automatic while the all-wheel drive system employs a 50kW electric motor to drive the rear wheels rather than sending power from the engine through a separate differential and driveshaft.

While it sounds like a smart set-up, it's not quite as exciting in the real world as the petrol-electric powertrain struggles to overcome the NX's hefty 1900kg mass when moving away from the lights, prompting the CVT automatic to hold the engine at high speeds under acceleration and while climbing hills.

It is relatively smooth and quiet at cruising speeds, but isn't as responsive as its F Sport tag suggests - even with engine set to its sharpest mode.

The hybrid set-up does help the NX match frugal diesel-powered rivals with claimed average fuel consumption of 5.7L/100km, but expect to see closer to double digits in its natural habitat of suburban driving.

ON THE ROAD

Within the confines of the city, the NX offers a reasonably pleasurable - but hardly exceptional - driving experience.

The steering is well weighted and provides decent agility around urban carparks and tight streets, and the suspension - in its default comfort setting at least - absorbs most bumps comfortably.

But it is no dynamic match for its European rivals out on the open road, where it battles to control its bulk through the bends and over rough roads. With the adaptive dampers left in Comfort, it wallows over bumps, pitches under braking and leans heavily under hard cornering. There's a marginal - but not dramatic - improvement in the way it reacts when set to Sport mode.

VERDICT

If you can look past the NX's divisive, chiselled looks, its most attractive element is the value stemming from its long list of standard equipment and the more affordable starting price for the entry-level front-driver.

It's a comfortable, spacious family hauler that's well suited to suburban duties, but the rest of the package, however, is less convicing - particularly the F Sport, which isn't very sporty at all. The NX may be the first hybrid in its class, but it's not as frugal as diesel-powered rivals, and certainly can't match the Europeans for performance or driving dynamics.

Spex

Price

$66,000 plus on-road costs

Country of origin

Japan

Engine

2.5-litre four cylinder and electric motor

Power

147kW at 5700rpm

Torque

210Nm at 4200-4400rpm

CO2 emissions

131g/km

Transmission

CVT automatic, all-wheel drive

Weight

1895kg

Safety

8 airbags; stability control

Pros: Good equipment; comfortable ride; exceptional build quality

Cons: Wallowing suspension; lacks punch; divisive styling

Fuel use: 5.7L/100km (5th notch, average)

Performance: 77kW/tonne (4th notch, below average)

Boot: 475Litres (7th notch, good)

Resale: 54 per cent (8^th notch, good)

The Competitors

BMW X3 20d

Price: $64,400 plus on-road costs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo diesel; 140kW/400Nm

Fuel use/CO2 emissions: 5.2L/100km, 141g/km

Safety: 6 airbags; stability control

Pros: Frugal and punchy diesel engine; car-like handling; classy cabin

Cons: Generic styling; flat rear seats; gloomy cabin appearance

Our score: /5

Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI

PRICE $63,600 plus on-road costs

ENGINE 2.0-litre 4-cyl turbo petrol; 165kW/350Nm

FUEL USE/CO2 EMISSIONS 7.9L/100km, 184g/km

SAFETY 6 airbags; stability control

PROS Strong performance; spacious cabin; confident handling

CONS Firm ride; lacks storage up front; optional reverse camera

OUR SCORE: 4/5

Volvo XC60 D5 Luxury

PRICE $69,990 plus on-road costs

ENGINE 2.4-litre 5-cyl turbo diesel; 158kW/440Nm

FUEL USE/CO2 EMISSIONS 6.9L/100km, 183g/km

SAFETY 6 airbags; stability control

PROS Stylish cabin; willing five-cylinder engine; strong safety

CONS Performance not as brawny as German rivals; squishy handling; Not an economy leader 

OUR SCORE: 3.5/5

Online Road Test: BMW i8

VERDICT: Futuristic styling is matched by head-turning performance from radical petrol-electric supercar

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