2022 Lexus NX debuts with a plug-in hybrid powertrain, new touchscreen system – Roadshow [CNET]

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The NX’s surfacing is less angular and more sculpted than the old one, and it loses the cool, super boxy rear fenders. There’s a nice crease that runs from the front fender and kicks up to meet the pointed C-pillar, with another line coming off the taillights to add definition to the rear haunch. Overall, it’s much sleeker and more modern than the previous model without shaking things up. The biggest change comes at the rear, where Lexus ditched its traditional round emblem for a de rigueur written-out script. This treatment will start to spread across the Lexus lineup, though the brand’s cars will continue to have the round logo in the grille.

As usual there’s an optional F Sport package that adds a more aggressive front bumper with a different grille pattern, unique wheel designs (including the first application of 20-inch wheels on the NX), dark chrome exterior trim and body color wheel arches. The F Sport package also brings a different steering wheel, aluminum pedals, perforated sport seats and other interior enhancements, while an additional F Sport Handling Package adds upgraded dampers and Lexus’ variable suspension system to turbocharged and hybrid models.

Finally, that damn touchpad is gone

The revolution comes when you step inside. That horrid touchpad setup is finally gone, replaced by the new Lexus Interface touchscreen infotainment system that Lexus designed in-house. A 9.8-inch screen will be standard, but the huge 14-inch screen you see in these photos is optional. The screen is canted towards the driver and is well integrated into the design of the dash, flowing nicely into the center console. With the larger screen you still get physical temperature knobs for the automatic climate control that contain a digital screen inside, as well as a physical volume knob and real buttons for the heated windshield and mirrors.

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The system also gets over-the-air updates, can connect to two different Bluetooth devices at the same time and offers the ability to create multiple user profiles to store different drivers’ data and settings. A digital key is available for smartphones and can be shared with up to seven people, allowing for starting of the car and remote locking and unlocking. The NX also gets Lexus’ new Siri-like Virtual Assistant, which Lexus envisioned as the primary way drivers will interact with the Interface. It uses multiple microphones, noise-cancellation tech and seat detection to make sure it can hear well, and it can control everything from navigation and media functions to climate controls and opening or closing the windows. 

Otherwise the NX’s interior is pretty standard Lexus fare. Lexus says there’s more headroom, legroom and cargo space than the old model, though no dimensions have been released. The NX comes standard with a crisp 7-inch digital gauge cluster, and a 10-inch head-up display is optional. The electronic shifter on the center console is kinda quirky, and it’s surrounded by an optional wireless charging pad, a drive mode dial, both USB and USB-C ports and other controls. A digital rear view mirror, a panoramic sunroof and 64-color ambient lighting are all new options, and there are a bunch of new color and trim options. The NX also comes standard with heated front seats, while ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and a heated steering wheel are available.

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But the biggest deal is the NX 450h Plus, which is Lexus’ first plug-in-hybrid production car. It’s basically the same powertrain as the Toyota RAV4 Prime, pairing that 2.5-liter four with a larger battery pack (likely the same 18.1-kWh unit as the Prime) and two electric motors. Lexus says the NX 450h Plus makes 302 total horsepower and has a 0-60-mph time of 6.0 seconds, matching the RAV4 in terms of power but 0.3 seconds slower to 60. Lexus says the NX 450h Plus has an electric range of 36 miles, and it can gain a full charge in two and a half hours on a 240-volt supply when using the optional 6.6-kW charger. With the on-board 3.3-kW charger, that time jumps to about four and a half hours.

Every NX will come standard with Lexus’ Safety System Plus 3.0 suite of safety features. This includes adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection, automated emergency braking, lane-departure warning with steering assist, automatic high beams, blind-spot monitoring and road sign recognition. There’s also oncoming vehicle detection and braking assist for left turns, and oncoming pedestrian detection and braking assist for both right and left turns.

Lexus says the new NX will enter production in the third quarter of 2021, and all four powertrains will go on sale at the same time. Pricing won’t be announced until closer to the on-sale date, but we expect a starting price for the NX 250 close to the current NX 300’s $40,085 base price, with the turbocharged NX 350 and hybrid NX 350h each coming in around $45,000. The NX 450h Plus could start at well over $50,000 before incentives.

2022 Lexus NX crossover looks better inside and out

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