Lexus NX (2014 -) Review

This is the new Lexus NX. It’s the firm’s new premium mid-size crossover (read 4x4) and a key rival to the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Range Rover Evoque.

The NX is instrumental in the manufacturer’s aim to attract a new, younger customer base to the brand. As such, it’s expected to be the top-selling model in the Lexus line-up.

Initially available as a hybrid only, it offers some of the most generous interior space in the segment, a decent boot and some neat technology too. It’s also great to drive, with confidence in corners and enough performance for anyone buying a car like this.

Design played a key part in the new NX’s development and this seems to have paid off - it’s certainly a head-turner with striking looks and defined, sculpted lines. There isn’t another car in the sector with such a distinctive aesthetic.

Hybrid is key

Unsurprisingly, Lexus believes the most popular choice for UK buyers will be the 4x4 hybrid version which boasts CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of 121g/km and 54.3mpg respectively, so it's impressive whether it’s the private buyer, company car driver or fleet manager.

Available in both front and all-wheel drive versions, the 2.5-litre petrol engine, when combined with the generator, motor and battery produces an impressive 195bhp.

It’s a simple car to drive and feels reassuringly well put together; Lexus (and parent company Toyota) has made big strides in this respect and quality really does shine through here.

A newly developed 2.0-litre petrol turbo will also be available from February next year exclusively to the F-Sport trim all-wheel drive version.

Loaded with tech

There’s a generous amount of equipment on offer here. Lexus has developed a wireless charging system for your portable devices available on top level trims, while an all-new touchpad interface is used to control the multimedia system. Adaptive cruise control and emergency collision-sensing braking are now available as standard across the range.

You also have a raft of safety systems such as a head-up display, blind spot monitoring and a rear-facing system to detect cars crossing your path from behind.

On the outside the car wears either 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels and sports LED daytime running lights , headlights and tail lights.

There’s a clever door lock system which hides the key barrel inside the door and the door handles light up when you approach the car (on selected trims), while inside there’s a modern dash with lashings of leather and screens displaying relevant information.

Prices for the new Lexus NX start at £29,495 with five different trims to choose from; S, SE, Luxury, F Sport and Premier. At the top of the range you’re well over £40k and nudging Porsche Macan territory, but we don’t see the high-performance German as true competition for the NX. It’s telling we’ve mentioned it though: perhaps that's a measure of just how good this car actually is.

First deliveries start in October this year and we’re expecting these to go like hotcakes. To find out if it’s the car for you, read on for the full Lexus NX review.