THE LEXUS NX450h+ – PLUGGING INTO LEXUS

THE LEXUS NX450h+ –

PLUGGING INTO LEXUS

In my capacity (if that’s the word…) as a regular panelist on the AutoNetwork Reports webcast/podcast, we often – as that panel – venture into the weeds of the EV. And given that the show is devoted to automotive news, and a great deal of news is coming from the EV segment, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with that. But there remains a lot going on in other segments of the industry – and many of those segments are selling far better than EVs. Also, with all of the environmental positives suggested by electric platforms, people still hesitate pulling the purchase trigger because of range anxiety and charging infrastructure. Veer the conversation over to the plug-in hybrid, however, and range anxiety goes away, and the charging infrastructure can be whatever you want it to be. That’s the role, in the Lexus showroom, of the new NX450h+, a plug-in hybrid with an estimated 36 miles of all-electric range, along with a 0-60 sprint of just six seconds. Hell, you could do a show on it!

The Lexus NX compact crossover, when introduced in the fall of ’14, was a smaller supplement to the ever-popular RX 350, and somewhat predated the compact crossover craze. While sharing some components and dimensions with Toyota’s RAV4, the NX was a fully-developed Lexus, offering both conventional and hybrid drivetrains. And while its architecture put the Lexus twin-spindle grille front and center, this was a tighter footprint, perfect for young families or older empty-nesters. But as that young family grows mature teenagers, the NX would become a squeeze – and it’s back to the RX…or LX 570.

In the first full redesign of the NX, consumers get a more mature take on its original formula. The platform is new, and offers both a lower center of gravity and – in Lexus speak – a stronger stance. And while the end result doesn’t push the NX into the midsize category, it’s a space more appropriate to four fully-realized adults than its predecessor, which was geared for two adults and their children.

Inside, the test NX featured was covered in a Black/Rich Cream combo in Lexus-branded NuLuxe, a vinyl derivative that almost looks and feels like the leather alternative it is. The seating is supportive and accessible, while getting in and out is dialed in; you don’t step up or down – you simply step in. The NX dash is dominated by an all-new infotainment dubbed Lexus Interface. And as you’d hope, it’s an integrated multimedia with digital support spanning an optional 14 inches of touchscreen. For more info, please consult the Lexus website. Really. Please.

Under the NX hood you have more choice than ever, beginning with the NX 250. Offering a normally aspirated 2.5 liter four and available with front-wheel or all-wheel drive, the 2.5 delivers 203 horsepower and 184 lb-ft of torque, and will get you fro 0-60 in just over 8 seconds with front-wheel drive, 8.6 with the additional pork of all-wheel drive. If you’re retired with absolutely no deadlines but appointments with your physical therapist, this is the one for you. For anyone else, Lexus provides better – albeit more expensive – options.

The NX 350 supplies an all-new turbocharged four, displacing 2.4 liters and giving you 275 horsepower and 317 lb-ft of torque. Here you’ll get to 60 in under seven seconds. And should you want to mix spontaneity with efficiency, the NX 350h combines the normally aspirated 2.5-liter four with a hybrid drivetrain. That combined 239 horsepower delivers an EPA estimated 36 miles per gallon and a 0-60 time of just over 7 seconds. 

Finally, our test vehicle, the NX 450h+ takes the normally aspirated 2.5-liter four with its 181 horsepower, and combines with an enhanced plug-in hybrid drivetrain for a total output of 302 horsepower. You net 36 miles of all-electric range and a 0-60 of but six seconds. But the bigger battery adds 400 pounds to the NX curb weight, and $14K over the base-priced of the NX 350h hybrid without that all-electric capability. Of course, your own driving will determine if/when you can pay back that $14K – or if your estate will pay it back. 

On the road or around town, the NX 450h+ went about its business with ease, although there were times when I found the drivetrain more intrusive than I might have expected. On my wife’s side of the garage we have a 2021 Venza hybrid, with the same powertrain as Lexus gives its NX 350h, and the lesser Toyota’s drivetrain (what we call Lexus Lite) seems slightly more isolated. 

You pay your money and you take your choice, but I regard almost $60K for the as-equipped 450h+ plug-in a bridge too far, or a climb too steep – even with the Fed’s tax credit. But then, it’s not my money. It’s your money.