Lexus has achieved a respectable success in Europe with the mid-size SUV NX. The new edition should now attract even more customers. Among other things with an unusual drive.
Lexus will bring the new generation of the mid-range SUV NX onto the market at the end of the year. For the first time, the little brother of the RX comes not only with the well-known full hybrid drive, but also as a plug-in hybrid model.
The externally chargeable variant operates under the name "NX 450h +" and positions itself at the top of the portfolio in terms of performance. A 2,5-liter gasoline engine on the front axle and an electric motor at the rear together provide 225 kW / 306 hp, which should enable a 100 km / h sprint time in around 6 seconds. The manufacturer specifies the electric range as a comparatively lush 63 kilometers. Alternatively, the classic full hybrid drive with 350 kW / 178 PS, which can be combined with all-wheel or front-wheel drive, is also available in the NX 242h on the same combustion engine basis.
Externally, the 4,66 meter long crossover appears in the well-known jagged style, even if the corners and acute angles in the sheet metal dress now look a little less provocative than on the current model. New accents can be found, among other things, at the rear, where a light band across the load compartment flap now provides more visual width. In the interior, the previously quite switch-heavy operation is being replaced by a touchscreen and a voice assistant.
Prices for the NX, which is positioned between the compact UX and the large RX in Germany, are not yet known. The current model is available from around 43.000 euros.