The Lexus NX is a new species on the RAV4 platform and the smallest SUV in the Lexus model, in addition to being the first Lexus SUV to be equipped with a turbocharged engine.
 
"On the same platform as the RAV4" will probably make many people doubt, in fact, when you get into the cabin of the Lexus NX, you will never guess what configurations it shares with Rongfang, because 90% of the technology on the NX is its own. The chassis of the NX is based on Lexus' own IS. The front suspension adopts the front MacPherson independent suspension, while the rear suspension is a new double wishbone independent suspension structure, and the coil spring and shock absorber of the rear suspension adopt the popular separation design to improve the flatness of the interior space, and the tightening feeling of turning has also been enhanced a lot.
 
The Lexus NX underwent a facelift in 2017 with the NX200t previously equipped with a 2.0-liter turbocharged engine (8AR-FTS) renamed the NX300, the 300h hybrid model with a 2.5-liter self-aspirated engine (2AR-FXE) remained unchanged, and the NX200 with a 2.0-liter self-aspirated engine (3ZR-FAE) was added. The NX200 is paired with a CVT, the NX300 is paired with an Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission, and the 300h is an E-CVT.
 
In the NX car series, 200 is the cheapest SUV in Lexus, with a low configuration of about 310,000 naked cars, which is cost-effective, but the maximum horsepower of this 2.0L self-priming engine is only 150 horsepower, and the weight of the 200 has reached more than 1630kg, which is more than 200kg heavier than the Nissan X-Trail and Mazda CX-5 that also use 2.0L self-priming, resulting in the zero hundred acceleration of this car is only about 13 seconds, and the power can only meet daily needs, but it is definitely not abundant.
 
The power of the 200 is average, but this Multidrive G-value induction transmission will not make you feel that this is a car with 013 seconds in daily driving, it will downshift in advance before entering the corner, and it can maintain the speed in the corner, and it can continue to accelerate with a little fuel, so the whole acceleration feeling is a little faster than expected. If that's not enough, you can also opt for Sport Mode, which shifts gears around 5,000 rpm and delivers much better power than Normal. In addition, the Sport Mode will be better than the Normal and Eco in stop-and-go road conditions in the city, because the throttle response is more responsive, which is more suitable for urban car-following.
 
NX300 is the most recommended model of the NX series, the maximum horsepower of the 2.0T engine is 238 horsepower, which makes up for the power defects of the 200, compared with the third-generation EA888 of the Porsche Macan, it is only 14 horsepower less, and both of them weigh about 1.8 tons, so there is no need to worry about the power. In terms of transmission, the 300 uses Aisin's 6AT, and the whole match is also very perfect, the difference between NX and Macan is that NX's suspension tuning is to take into account comfort and sportiness, first to ensure the comfort of the ride, and then to pursue a little sporty feeling, so the body roll will be greater than the Macan when cornering, but the comfort is better than the Macan in daily driving.
 
The NX300h hybrid is one of the most fuel-efficient engines tested by Consumer Reports, but the noise during driving is a bit louder, and the NX's sound insulation is very good, and the wind noise is well suppressed, and the noise mainly comes from the tires, which is more serious in the case of good quietness, and the acceleration performance is not very good. Overall, while 90% of the technology on the Lexus NX is its own, the overall handling level is not much better than that of the RAV4.
 
The Lexus brand is characterized by humanistic luxury and ultra-high reliability, but the NX's driving experience is not as luxurious as people think. The streamlining of the body affects the rear vision, the cumbersome touchscreen is very distracting from driving, and the head-up system is not a new thing. There is plenty of legroom in the rear, but there is almost no headroom, and the rear window is not large due to the high waistline, so a model without a sunroof will feel depressing. Thankfully, the Lexus NX chair is very ergonomic. The trunk is relatively long, and there is a spare tire, and after all the rear seats are folded down, the space is still relatively large.
 
In terms of quality stability, Lexus has inherited Toyota's consistent craftsmanship spirit. Consumer Reports predicts NX's future reliability performance will be top-notch. At least for two years, the reliability of almost all NX components is top-notch. In the 2016 JD power 100 new cars, Lexus had 95 breakdowns, the lowest number of failures that year. The industry average is 152 times. In 2014, it was 92, the third lowest that year. The industry averages 107 times. In 2012, it was 73, the lowest in the year. The industry averages 102 times, projecting the level of Lexus craftsmanship from one side.
 
When it comes to security, Lexus is no slouch either. Since its introduction to testing in 2015, the Lexus NX has scored "excellent" in all basic components (frontal impact, side impact, roof impact, headrest and seat). The Lexus NX with active safety system was awarded the highest safety level of its type in 2015~2017: TSP. In the NCAP crash tests in Europe and Australia, the Lexus NX scored a 5-star safety rating without any suspense.
Lexus NX test report