New hybrid Lexus has the NXFactor
Toyota, along with its ‘luxury’ brand Lexus has, after all, pioneered the whole hybrid engine revolution and in doing so forced every one of its opponents to follow suit.
While Toyota had been beavering away with all those, major opposition like BMW, Mercedes and VW had also been busy trying to come up with the next true ‘clean’ source of power for the automotive sector. They focussed mainly on Hydrogen as the fuel source, but were largely battered into submission by the massively successful hybrid ideas which the Japanese giant brought to the market.
And then, just as each and every one of them had succumbed to the attractions of hybrid technology and gone about making their own systems - seen to radical effect with such as the BMW i8 - Toyota goes away and does its own thing with hydrogen, and the Mirai is the first example we’ve seen from them of this technology.
That they have come up with a car which appears to be almost production ready is astonishing, especially as most of its competition gave up the ghost on hydrogen, despite the fact it is easily the cleanest possible fuel source, largely because getting a supply of it to the masses was largely deemed to be too expensive and potentially too dangerous as well.
It will be interesting to see just how the new Lexus NX impacts on the growing mid-size SUV segment - particularly at the premium end of the market.
Lexus appears to have re-focussed itself completely and, aside from adopting hybrid technology as its main powertrain - rather than the after-thought most other manufacturers have latched onto - it has set itself aside from the pack. But, in the case of the NX, what a pack. Audi has its Q5, Land Rover has the Evoque, BMW has the X3 (and the X4) and Mercedes will soon be coming along with its new GLC. So, Lexus is not exactly taking on a bunch of scrubbers.
But despite the promise of premium driving, does the new Lexus live up to the standards the opposition has set? Well, yes, it does, but I have the feeling the NX will appeal to a particular section of the buying public and that may well limit sales.
Not all drivers will feel the appeal of hybrid driving is something that will meet their needs, but then many others will and Lexus obviously hope there will be enough of them to make the NX profitable. Obviously they are targeting the American market for a large proportion of sales, but the European market will also be important.
The car has an edgy and contemporary look - inside and out - and is reasonably pleasant to drive. It is packed with kit and there is also a raft of safety gear, depending on how deep your pocket is.
A battery of innovative things - such as the wireless charging tray, which allows you charge your phone on the move, or the touch pad interface - will attract some buyers, but I feel that it will be the Lexus badge, the favourable taxation and the practicality of the SUV design that will be the main things that bring buyers in.
The powertrain will appeal to as many as it appeals. The NX adopts a highly sophisticated HV control unit, especially developed for the NX, combined with proven Lexus 2.5 litre Atkinson cycle engine, generator, motor and battery. The powertrain delivers a total system output of 145kW (195 bhp), with CO2 emissions from 120g and a fuel consumption rate under 5.2 l/100 km (over 50 mpg).
While some will cavil at the anodyne driving experience, many others will point to the fact that the hybrid technology has been amongst the most reliable on the market place right now. The Prius, after all, which uses a similar system, has the fewest warranty claim in the Toyota range and the hybrid drive system is the lowest warranty claimant on the car. Expect a similar situation here.
Many Lexus drivers, I suspect, care little for the niceties of a fine handling car, which is just as well, because this isn’t one of them. Certainly it does pretty much everything well, but if you like a decent level of dynamism in the handling and ride you’ll be disappointed by the interminably intrusive stability control system which appears to make far too many decisions for you.
The NX is not a bad car in the whole area of ride, grip and handling, but it is certainly not the most engaging and that is something which will alienate many buyers. However, many others will be reassured and comforted by the fact the car is almost uncrashable. Hats off to Toyota and Lexus, though.
Colley's Verdict
Lexus NX 300h
from €43,950 to €57,950.
another Hybrid variant from the Japanese masters of the genre. Not the greatest driver’s car, but there is plenty here for those more focussed on people getting there - cheaply.
well up to Lexus standards.
I expect this to be something of a niche seller in its segment.
