Lexus, the luxury division of Toyota has recently revealed the second-generation iteration of the NX SUV. Based on the new GA-K platform (derived from the TNGA-K platform) as the Toyota RAV4, it gets new styling, more features, and mechanical upgrades.
Also Read: Lexus To Launch To Two New PHEV And BEV By 2022
2021 Lexus NX – Exterior Design
Starting with the exterior, the new Lexus NX features a more chiselled look with elegant character lines. It features a trademark spindle grille up front flanked by sleeker LED headlamps with new integrated LED DRLs. The rear gets new LED taillights, which are now connected by a horizontal light bar. It also gets LEXUS lettering at the centre of the tailgate instead of the brand's logo.
The new NX is also available with the F-Sport package to dress up the exterior in a more aggressive manner. It gets bolder front grille mesh, more dynamic bumpers, a front-lip spoiler, and customised 20-inch alloy wheels as a part of this package.
As far as the dimensions are concerned, the new Lexus NX SUV is 4,660mm long (+20mm than its predecessor), 1,865mm wide (+20mm), 1,640mm tall (+5mm), and has a wheelbase of 2,690mm (+30mm). The cargo space has also been increased to some extent.
Also Read: 2022 Toyota Land Cruiser 300 Revealed Globally, Will It Launch In India?
2021 Lexus NX – Interior & Features
Inside, the new Lexus NX gets an overhauled dashboard with an optional 14-inch infotainment system with integrated automatic climate control functions taking the centre stage (standard kit includes a 9.8-inch unit). Beneath that lies a revamped central console, which is now free from the ill-famed infotainment controller touchpad.
On the tech front, the upgraded Japanese SUV gets a new steering wheel with touch-sensitive buttons, a distinct 7-inch digital driver’s display, an optional 10.1-inch head-up display, a new Virtual Assistant, 10-speaker sound system, wireless Android Auto & Apple Carplay, over-the-air (OTA) updates support, panoramic sunroof, digital car key, a virtual assistant, 64-colour ambient lighting with 14 themes, wireless charger, heated front seats (optional for rear), and all-new digital Latch system (E-Latch) that enables doors to open smoothly at the touch of a button when entering or exiting the vehicle. Also on offer is an optional Digital Mirror that provides a clear view of the obstacles behind the vehicle.
Also Read: New Mercedes-Benz S Class India Launch On June 17
Safety features on board include Lexus's latest Safety System+ 3.0 that comprises the following technologies: –
- Risk Avoidance Emergency Steer Assist – helps support collision avoidance within the lane by providing gentle braking and steering operation.
- Left Turn Oncoming Vehicle Detection/Braking – designed to provide a warning and automatic braking if the driver turns left in front of an oncoming vehicle.
- Right/Left Turn Oncoming Pedestrian Detection/Braking – designed to provide a warning and automatic braking if a driver turns left or right in front of an oncoming pedestrian or cyclist.
- Dynamic Radar Cruise Control with Curve Speed Management – maintains a cruising speed in alignment with the flow of traffic while managing speed on curves.
- Safe Exit Assist – alerts the driver and passengers to avoid the risk of accidental contact with vehicles and cyclists, helping ensure safe openings and closings.
- Pre-collision System with Oncoming Vehicle Detection – provides the potential to detect a preceding vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist in low-light situations. It also alerts the driver, and, potentially activate automatic emergency braking to help avoid a frontal collision.
- Lane Assistance – designed to provide an audible alert if an inadvertent lane departure is detected.
- Intelligent High Beam- provides greater visibility for drivers with added illumination when the road ahead is clear, then temporarily switches to low beams when it detects the headlamps or taillamps of vehicles ahead.
- Road Sign Assist – uses a built-in camera to help provide road sign information in the instrument panel or even on the available Head-Up Display. The system can also alert the driver of certain detected signs that otherwise might have been missed.
Buyers picking the F Sport package will also get black-red upholstery, aluminium pedals, sports seats, and a bespoke steering wheel.
Also Read: Hyundai To Launch N Line Electric Vehicles In The Future
2021 Lexus NX – Powertrain
The new NX SUV gets four engines on offer out of which three are new offerings. It includes NX 250, NX 350, NX 350h, and NX 450h+.
The NX 250 gets the same 2.5-litre 4-cylinder naturally aspirated petrol engine, belting out 203PS/250Nm. On the other hand, the NX 350 uses a 2.4-litre turbocharged motor making 275PS and 430Nm. Both engines are paired to an 8-speed automatic transmission, with an all-wheel-drivetrain (AWD) as standard with the NX 350 and optional for the NX 250.
As the names suggest, the NX 350h and NX 450 h+ gets hybrid powertrains. The NX 350h employs the same 2.5-litre petrol engine as the NX250, albeit with two electric motors (one on each axle). It delivers a combined output of 239PS, making it 43PS more powerful than the predecessor’s 300h.
The biggest attraction of the next-gen Lexus NX is the all-new NX 450h+, which is the first plug-in hybrid offering from the brand. It utilises the same 2.5-litre hybrid engine as the NX 350h, paired with an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery. Lexus claims a range of up to 58km on all-electric propulsion.
Also Read: F-150 Lightning: Ford’s First All-Electric Pickup Truck Revealed
Will Lexus launch the new NX SUV in India?
Lexus will start the production of the new NX in the Q3 of 2021. As of now, the brand hasn't shared any words regarding its India launch, but we expect it to hit the Indian roads by the next year. It will undoubtedly command a significant premium over the ongoing model, which is priced from Rs 58.20 lakh to Rs 63.63 lakh (ex-showroom). Once launched, it will resume its competition with the Mercedes-Benz GLC, Volvo XC60, Audi Q5, and BMW X3.
Also Read: Toyota bZ4X Electric SUV Concept Revealed
