Lexus basically invented the luxury crossover when it modified a Toyota Camry platform with a wagon body style and a higher ride height for the 1998 model year. The result was the Lexus RX, and it has been a perennial best-seller ever since. The RX, however, plays in the midsize segment and aims to insulate occupants from the road, which draws an older buyer. That leaves room for a smaller crossover with more nimble moves aimed at a younger buyer. Enter the 2015 Lexus NX. This compact crossover is 5.5 inches shorter than the RX and is tuned for a sportier driving character. In fact, the N in NX stands for "nimble." We drove the NX in Whistler, British Columbia, to find out if there is room for two 5-passenger crossovers in Lexus' lineup. Long story short: There is.


Model lineup
The 2015 Lexus NX is offered in two main variants, the 200t and hybrid 300h. An F Sport is also treated like a variant, but it's really an option package. Standard features on the 200t include vinyl upholstery, keyless access and starting, 10-way power adjustable driver's seat, 60/40-split folding rear seats, multi-information display, dual-zone automatic climate control, auto-dimming rearview mirror, Siri Eyes Free iPhone integration, AM/FM/HD radio with 7-inch center screen, HD traffic and weather data services, Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, USB port, rearview camera, Lexus' Enform Safety Connect, and 17-inch tires on alloy wheels. The 300h adds a standard navigation system.

The F Sport comes with P235/55R18 tires, sport-tuned suspension, unique front bumper with mesh grille, LED fog lamps, aluminum pedals, vinyl sport seats with contrast stitching, paddle shifters, turbo boost gauge, G-meter, and unique interior trim.

Notable options include leather upholstery, heated and ventilated seats, heated steering wheel, a towing package, a precollision system with radar cruise control, blind spot monitor with rear cross traffic alert, lane departure alert, LED headlights, sunroof, and intuitive park assist.


Under the hood
The Lexus NX provides a choice of two powertrains. The 200t features a new 2.0-liter turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. It sends its power through a 6-speed automatic transmission with manual shift capability. Lexus estimates the Environmental Protection Agency fuel economy ratings for the 200t at 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway with front-wheel drive and 21/28 mpg with all-wheel drive.

The 300h teams a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine with a pair of electric motors (three motors for the all-wheel-drive variant) for a total system output of 194 horsepower. Fuel economy estimates for the 300h are 35 mpg city/31 mpg highway with front drive and 33/30 mpg with AWD.

The all-wheel-drive system can send up to 50 percent of the power to the rear wheels when the front wheels slip.

Inner space
Many RX drivers will find the NX's interior to be a completely foreign environment. Its sporty design, inspired by the Lexus LFA and IS, is much different from that of the RX. However, the materials will be familiar to any Lexus owner. The dash, door panels and armrests are covered in a soft-touch faux leather called NuLuxe, and the design is accented with metallic colors. NuLuxe is also the standard upholstery instead of leather. It looks a lot like leather but isn't as supple. Real leather is available in various packages.

Instead of an upright seating position with wide seats, the NX's cockpit leans the driver back in more of a sport sedan driving position. The base seats have decent side bolstering to hold passengers in place and the F Sport's sport buckets are more heavily bolstered. Those seats are too narrow for larger folks, making occupants sit up on them instead of settling into them. Traditional Lexus buyers will find the F Sport's aggressive seats off-putting.

The NX also has the next generation of Lexus' Remote Touch infotainment interface. It features a new pinch-and-stretch touch surface on the center console. The touchpad controls a cursor on the dash's 7-inch screen. The cursor snaps into place with haptic feedback and users tap the touchpad twice to activate the functions on the various screens. We like this version of Remote Touch much better than the second generation, which used a joystick-style controller that required lots of manual dexterity. This version also requires some nimble fingers, but we found ourselves getting used to it in just a few hours behind the wheel.

Remote Touch also controls the Lexus Enform system, which provides data services, automatic collision notification, access to various apps through owners' smartphones, and remote control of some vehicle functions through an app that can be downloaded to a smartphone. This type of system is expected in today's luxury vehicles, and Enform is one of the better versions on the market.

Although based on the Toyota RAV4, the Lexus NX doesn't offer nearly as much cargo space as that compact SUV. The rear seat is pretty roomy. A six-footer will fit comfortably behind a driver of the same size, and three adults can fit across in a pinch. The rear seats recline too, although the natural position feels a bit awkward; passengers will want to tilt the seatback forward a bit for best comfort. With the rear seats up, the NX has 17.7 cubic feet of cargo space compared to 38.4 for the RAV4, and with those seats folded down volume expands to 54.6 cubic feet (the hybrid has slightly less space at 53.7 cubic feet) compared to 73.4 for the Toyota. While the RAV4 offers much more utility, the NX still has useful space and its volumes are competitive for the class. Those who need more space will be better served by the RX's 80.3 cubic feet of cargo volume.


On the road
Lexus promotes the NX as one of its sportier models, along with the GS and IS sedans. Those vehicles both have solid rear-drive bones, but the NX is based on the Toyota RAV4's front-wheel-drive architecture. Lexus says 90 percent of the structure is new, and that the architecture is 20 percent stronger thanks to additional welds and bonding.

Once behind the wheel, it's obvious the NX is a big departure from the smooth and isolating RX. It feels firmer and more direct, and it offers some road feel, with steering that has some decent weight to it and that is reasonably quick. The vehicle leans far less in turns than the RX, but it doesn't have the handling-bred rear-drive structure of its competitor the BMW X3, and it doesn't rotate through corners as well. The ride quality, while firmer than typical for Lexus, is still fairly smooth.

The F Sport package adds several features to improve handling, including 18-inch wheels, cross brace dampers, and sport-tuned springs, shocks, struts and bushings. Just as they might with the sport bucket seats, typical Lexus owners might be put off by the F Sport's firmer ride and quicker moves. Yes, the F Sport is more agile than the base versions, but it still doesn't offer the road feel or ability to rotate like the best vehicles in its class. Lexus may group the NX with the GS and IS sport sedans, but if company management wanted to make a truly sporty crossover, they would have based it on the IS platform, not the RAV4.


The NX has something the IS doesn't, however, at least for now. The NX marks the debut of Lexus' new 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. This engine is unique in that its advanced version of variable valve timing can both advance and retard the cam intake timing, allowing the engine to run on the fuel efficient Atkinson cycle in low load situations. The Atkinson cycle is more fuel efficient but offers less usable power than the Otto cycle that just about every other engine runs.

The 2.0's power output is similar to other engines of the same size, but it doesn't feel quite as robust on the road as the 2.0-liter turbos from Audi and BMW. Still, it's reasonably quick, with a zero-to-60 mph time of 7.0 seconds with all-wheel drive, and it gets slightly better fuel economy than the competition. It also works well with the smooth and responsive 6-speed automatic transmission.

The NX 300h features the hybrid system from the Camry. It makes slightly less power at 194 horsepower versus 200 horsepower, and it has to propel more weight (4,055 pounds versus 3,435 pounds). We really like this system in the Camry, but it's not as lively in the NX. Zero to 60 mph takes about nine seconds, which is a bit slow for a vehicle with the NX's sporty aspirations.

Right for you?
Pricing has yet to be announced, but expect the Lexus NX to be in line with the Audi Q5, which starts at $37,300. That puts it in the middle of the compact crossover class — below the BMW X3, but above the Acura RDX, which we find to be a great value. Like those competitors, the NX is fun to drive and provides useful space. The looks may be polarizing, but the NX should be more reliable than its German competitors.

Sometimes it takes a while for luxury buyers to catch on to a trend, but once they do, they catch on with a fury. Compact crossover vehicles have been hot for a few years now, as drivers seek to reduce their ecological footprint without sacrificing the utility to which they have become accustomed. Luxury buyers looked at the popular crossovers like the Nissan Rogue, Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4, and said “me, too.” Manufacturers have begun to respond. The latest answer to the question that luxury buyers have asked is the 2015 Lexus NX. Let’s drive.

First Glance

The NX will come in two basic flavors: NX 200t, a gasoline-only crossover; and NX 300h, a gasoline-electric hybrid. The NX 200t gets Lexus’s first turbocharged engine, a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder powerplant. The NX 300h gets a 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder gas engine mated with an electric motor. Each model can be ordered with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. There’s also an F-Sport package available for the NX 200t – more about that later.

Other than exterior badging, the NX variants look about the same. They wear the signature “spindle” grille, which has now made its way onto all Lexus vehicles. Additionally, the front LED marker lights and rear taillights feature an “L” or arrow shape, further tying in to the current corporate style. NX 200t gets LED low/halogen high beams, with the full LED treatment as an option.

From the side and front, the exterior design is quite successful and elegant looking. The strong shoulder line gives the impression of forward momentum; the sculpted insets above the rocker panels on each side look modern and muscular. Around back, the tailgate is a little bland and familiar-looking, bringing to mind a RAV4 more than a Lexus, despite the signature tail lamps. Which is not a surprise – after all, the NX and RAV4 share the same basic architecture, including a 104.7” wheelbase.

As usual, Lexus has lavished a very high level of fit and finish on the NX, which helps to elevate the vehicle into the luxury class. The NX’s paint is deep and lustrous, its trim is tasteful and panel fit and gaps are near flawless.

In the Driver’s Seat

You won’t mistake the NX interior for a RAV4’s. The look is much more tailored and layered, with good looking materials and soft touch surfaces all around. The center stack is modern and has a modular look, with sections devoted to function. The customizable home screen can be divided into three sections, and is in just the right position, at the top of the stack. Navigation is an option, and information from the audio and nav system is shared from the center stack home screen to the multi-information display in the middle of the instrument panel.

There’s plenty of available technology on the NX, much of it expected at this point, but some pleasant surprises, too. You can order up a Qi wireless charging pad for your center console, so you can charge a compatible cellphone or handheld device just by placing it on the pad – no wires or connections to mess with. There are Qi compatible cases available for iPhone and Samsung phones right now, with more on the way. Order up the Navigation Package, and it comes with a center console mounted Remote Touch Interface controller, a touchpad that greatly simplifies no-look inputs.

Lexus talked a lot about “right sizing” when they discussed the NX. Inside, they’ve just about got it right, though I felt a little cramped around the knees when driving and when sitting in the front passenger seat, thanks to an overly wide center console. I’m 6’2” tall and I tend to sit with my legs far apart – so maybe that’s to be expected, but my co-driver at 6’0” tall had a similar complaint.

The NX’s second row is comfortable for two adults, even three in a pinch. Even though the roofline looks like it slopes down, headroom is not an issue. The second row can be ordered up with a power fold feature, a nice luxury to compliment the power tailgate. Luggage space is adequate at 17.7 cubic feet, expandable to 54.6 cubic feet of cargo room by folding the second row.

On the Road

Lexus’s first turbocharged powertrain is bolted under NX 200t’s hood. It’s a 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder job with 16 valves and variable valve timing, tuned to produce 235 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. Not exactly blazing power, but it’s good enough to propel the 3,940 lb front-wheel drive 200t to 60 mph in 7.2 seconds (the 4,050 lb all-wheel drive version scoots to 60 in 7.0 seconds). A new six-speed automatic transmission handles the shifting for you, while the NX sips 91-octane Premium fuel at the rate of 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway (FWD) and 21 city/28 highway (AWD).

Handling is quite good in the NX. Lexus has maintained a relatively low center of gravity, and there’s a good sense of balance. The electric power steering is nicely weighted, and provides decent road feel. The optional all-wheel drive system is biased toward the front wheels, but it can send up to 50% of available torque to the rear wheels when necessary. Lexus calls the system “Dynamic Torque Control AWD,” and it uses an electromagnetically controlled coupling in the rear differential housing – very sophisticated and efficient.

As I mentioned before, there’s an F-Sport version of the NX 200t. It comes with 18” wheels, sport seats, F-Sport instrumentation, and special interior styling. The F-Sport also benefits from some special suspension tuning, said to be stiffer and “sportier” than the stock setup. I didn’t really get enough time behind the wheel of an F-Sport to evaluate the difference.

If you’ve ordered up an F-Sport trim level NX 200t and you’re not impressed with the swiftness or efficiency of the NX, Lexus has a way to get your juices flowing – with synthesized engine sounds that get piped into the cabin. Active Sound Control (ASC) is an adjustable sound generator with its own separate speaker and amplifier. It’s a very odd way to make an SUV seem sporty, but it does have a visceral effect, even if it doesn’t do anything to make the NX any faster. I suggested to a Lexus engineer that they didn’t go far enough with the technology. If you’re going to pipe in synthesized engine sounds, why not really go for it? Pipe in the wail of an LF-A, or a Ferrari V-12, or a jet engine, even.

Journey’s End

Pricing hasn’t been announced on the NX 200t yet, but knowing Lexus, it will be competitive. The NX has a lot to recommend it – a decent array of standard features, a ton of available technology, a new engine and transmission, good looks and handling. It could be quicker, it could be more fuel-efficient, and the F-Sport could be more of a performance package and not mostly cosmetic and handling; but it’s a welcome alternative to the RX, which was previously Lexus’s only crossover vehicle.

This is a hot segment, this luxury compact crossover segment, and there are some tough competitors already established in the market. Audi’s Q5, BMW’s X3 and Mercedes-Benz’s GLK have marched in from Germany and established a market; Acura’s RDX has its fans; and Porsche’s new Macan is sure to turn some heads.

If NX 200t is priced correctly when it arrives at the end of 2014, it should be an attractive entry into the Lexus brand for many younger buyers. Lexus believes that they’ve found the right size for their new luxury crossover, and they may be right. They’ve certainly found the right time.

Lexus finally jumps into the upscale small SUV fray with their new NX; we determine that it's far more than a fancy Toyota RAV4. Moving on to viewer comments and questions, our comments on the Volkswagen GTI still bring us grief. A viewer asks how to get into the auto journalism business. Finally, we talk about the seldom-mentioned Nissan Altima.

As compact luxury SUVs go, the 2015 Lexus NX combines enough driving fun and occupant comfort to deserve a look, but anyone with serious cargo needs should look elsewhere, or stick to the brand's popular RX.

As badge engineering goes, Toyota's luxury division has more hits than misses. The ES midsize sedan feels considerably nicer than a Toyota Camry; the GX bears little resemblance inside or out to its Toyota 4Runner sibling. And so it goes for the NX, a car Lexus calls "loosely related to the RAV4," Toyota's popular small SUV. Still, Lexus insists the NX has 90 percent different parts and a structure that's 20 percent more rigid.

Indeed, the two seem like distant cousins, at most. The NX hits U.S. showrooms in December and pricing is still to come, but at a media preview in Seattle, I drove preproduction versions of the gasoline-powered NX 200t and the gas-electric NX 300h hybrid. My early take is that the NX holds promise.

Exterior & Styling

When the NX broke press last April, we thought it would compete with the latest crowd of subcompact luxury SUVs — namely the BMW X1, Audi Q3 and Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class. Lexus, however, insists the NX stacks up against those competitors' larger X3/Q5/GLK siblings, a group that's still a few inches shorter than the RX. The brand's spindle grille draws similarities to the rest of the Lexus lineup, but the standard four-bar design combines with the NX's thin lights and pinched nose to evoke an angry, rat-like expression. F Sport versions extend the grille lower, swap in a crisscrossing insert and finish out the bottom with a deeper, layered air dam. It's unique — sinister, really — and you should get used to it. It's what most F Sport models look like now, and I'll take Vader over varmints any day.

Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are standard; 18s are optional. F Sport versions have 18s and P225/60R18 all-season tires or optional (and wider) 235/55R18 summer high-performance tires.

How It Drives

Roughly the size of a Q5 or X3, the NX is still longer and wider than the original 1999 RX 300. In two generations since then, Lexus' mainstay has grown; today's RX 350 is 5.5 inches longer than the NX. It's also more than 230 pounds heavier than Lexus' new smallest SUV, whose lighter weight benefits drivability and efficiency. The NX 200t's 235-horsepower, turbo four-cylinder speeds ahead with sufficient punch, and its six-speed automatic performs better than the RX's clumsy transmission, holding lower gears and kicking down adeptly. Using Lexus' familiar Drive Mode Select, the Eco and Normal modes introduce occasional gear-hunting in passing maneuvers, but Sport mode imbues the transmission with satisfying decisiveness.

All told, Lexus says the NX 200t hits 60 mph in the low 7-second range. That's a hair slower than the competition's base gasoline engines, but the expected fuel efficiency justifies it: Lexus pegs gas mileage at 22/28/24 mpg city/highway/combined in the front-drive NX 200t and 21/28/24 mpg with all-wheel drive. Final EPA figures are still pending, but if those figures pan out, the NX will impress in this class. One pesky detail: The NX 200t requires premium gas, something many competitors merely recommend.

The NX's ride quality is busy at times, but it still feels more composed than the sometimes-choppy RX. I couldn't detect a huge difference between the normal and F Sport suspensions; the latter have performance shocks and retuned springs, but most of our brief seat time in an NX 200t F Sport was over smooth pavement in moderate traffic.

We'll have to put an F Sport through our handling loop around Cars.com's Chicago headquarters to get a better sense of the ride/handling differences. In all trims, the steering feels a bit numb at low speeds; feedback improves as you speed up. Still, a non-F Sport 200t pitched hard into corners — a quick reminder that this is no sport sedan. The 200t's all-wheel-drive system biases power up front, though it can split power 50/50 (front/rear) if needed. You can enforce the split with an all-wheel-drive lock switch on the dash. The 300h, meanwhile, gets a unique all-wheel-drive setup with separate motors for the front and rear axles.

The 194-hp NX 300h (which doesn't come in an F Sport version) cedes more of the fun factor. There's plenty of droning, rubber-band responsiveness from its continuously variable automatic transmission, along with a slow climb up the revs when you floor it; even at full bore, power feels adequate but never energetic, and the regenerative brakes have a degree of pedal vagueness that evokes earlier hybrids.

Indeed, Lexus says zero to 60 mph takes a modest 9.1 seconds in the hybrid. It feels like that, but the payoff comes in impressive efficiency. Lexus estimates the NX 300h will get 32 to 33 mpg combined, depending on driveline — figures that trounce any immediate competitors, hybrid or diesel. What's more, premium gas is only recommended, not required.

Interior

The NX's interior packs a lot of eye candy, mostly thanks to stitched, leatherlike synthetic materials that cover portions of the dashboard, center console and doors. Less convincing is the molded stitching that adorns upper sections — similar to the dash materials in the Camry and ES — as well as the big chunks of faux-metal plastic trim that flank the center controls. The layered approach does, however, look sharp overall.

Lexus' standard NuLuxe upholstery helps, too. It's fake leather, but it's damn convincing. Real cowhide is optional, but you'd be hard-pressed to tell the difference. Seat packaging is good: The reclining rear seats offer good legroom and a higher seating position than the backseat in the RX, which is too low to the floor. Still, taller adults may want more headroom; sitting upright, my 6-foot-tall frame brushed the ceiling. The optional power-folding rear seats work with one touch, and if something is in the way — say, a mischievous child trying to pancake his sibling — they stop and retract. You can work them from the backseat or cargo area, too; in the backseat, the hip-level buttons double as power recliners.

Cargo & Storage

Lexus says four golf bags fit behind the rear seats. If that's the case, certain competitors must be able to fit the bags plus a caddy. The 2011-2014 X3, plus the Q5 and Acura RDX both have 25-plus cubic feet behind their rear seats, but the NX 200t has just 17.7 — a little more than the GLK's undersized cargo area, but small for the class and less than half the cargo space of the RX. Fold the seats down, and the NX's 54.6 cubic feet makes up some of the lost ground, falling near most competitors. (The NX 300h's battery pack sits beneath the rear seat, cutting about 1 cubic foot of volume in either configuration.)

Ergonomics & Electronics

I'm less enthralled about the brand's next-gen Remote Touch interface, which comes on navigation-equipped NX models. The latest setup abandons a stubby joystick for a square surface that's similar to a laptop touchpad. It's straightforward and retains haptic feedback, but it suffers clunky map interactions and menu items that are too easy to miss. Pinch-to-zoom map functions operate with halting lag, and scrolling the map still takes too much hold-and-swipe dexterity. Sans navigation, the NX gets a simpler directional joystick ****.

The standard CD stereo has HD and AM/FM/satellite radio, Bluetooth audio streaming, Siri Eyes Free compatibility, USB/iPod connectivity and DVR-like real-time audio recording (AM/FM only, unfortunately). An optional wireless smartphone charger works through Qi, a wireless charging standard (much like Bluetooth is a wireless data-streaming standard). Navigation-equipped models add extra stereo speakers, including a subwoofer. They also add Lexus' Enform system, which can stream apps ranging from Yelp to iHeartRadio off a compatible smartphone once you download the Enform app.

Safety

The NX had not been crash-tested as of publication, but standard safety features include eight airbags, a backup camera and the required antilock brakes and electronic stability system. Front parking sensors and blind spot, lane departure and forward collision warning systems are optional. The lane departure warning includes automatic steering correction, and the forward collision warning — packaged with all-speed adaptive cruise control — can automatically apply brakes if the driver misses its warnings.

Value in Its Class

Lexus expects to sell about 36,000 NX SUVs in the U.S. annually — about a third of RX sales, but right in the thick of Q5/GLK/X3 numbers. And very few of those should come from RX shoppers; Lexus officials predict just 5 or 10 percent of sales will come at the expense of the brand's mainstay SUV. Pricing information is due in fall 2014. The NX comes fairly well-equipped: eight-way power front seats with driver's power lumbar; keyless access and push-button start; Bluetooth phone/audio with Siri Eyes Free integration; and that backup camera are all standard. The German competition starts just less than $40,000 (all prices include destination), but Acura's 2015 RDX, at $35,790, is the value pick of the litter. We'll see which direction Lexus goes. The NX can't, however, start too close to the RX, which starts at less than $42,000 for 2015. With the right pricing, the brand's latest SUV deserves attention.

Lexus has dominated the midsize luxury crossover market since its RX lineup debuted back in 1998. Its small size, fuel-efficient engines, and long list of luxurious amenities make the RX a hot seller. In 2013 alone, the RX sold over 103,000 units within the U.S. Lexus seems bent on gaining even more sales and growing its SUV lineup by offering a completely new product, the NX. Smaller than the RX and with striking features inside and out, the NX is poised to further solidify Lexus’ position as a luxury leader. The NX is all-new for 2015 and comes with two available powerplants, front- and all-wheel-drive, and room for five. Two separate models — the 200t and 300h — offer a wide range of choices and additional packages for customers looking to buy that just-right crossover.

Lexus says it only plans on selling roughly 36,000 units per year within the States, but if the RX and other crossover sales have any indication, the NX will easily surpass Lexus’ conservative estimates. The NX is also going global, selling in more than 80 markets worldwide. And while the official pricing hasn’t been released, the NX is estimated to undercut the RX’s price by some $5,000, meaning it will start in the mid-$30,000 range.

I recently spent some time behind the wheel of the new 2015 Lexus NX in the rolling hills of Nashville, Tennessee. What I discovered was a competent-handling, fun-to-drive vehicle that makes the trade-offs of owning an SUV less impactful, while still retaining all the benefits of a utilitarian crossover.

Calling the Lexus NX distinct in its styling is an understatement. It looks like no other crossover on the road. It does, however, carry a rather bold interpretation of the Lexus ‘Spindle Grille’ and arrowhead, LED daytime running lights. The NX comes with two unique front grilles: the standard and the F Sport. The standard 200t and hybrid 300h models get a less aggressive front splitter and grille, while the F Sport enjoys a larger, more authoritative styling cue. LED headlights are also available and come as standard on higher trim levels.

A steeply-raked windshield flows back into an almost coupe-like roofline and an equally-raked rear glass panel. The side profile is full of angles, swoops, cuts, and accent lines that give the NX an almost flowing appearance. Lexus says its designers took inspiration from diamonds.

The rear end is equally as interesting as the front. Bold LED taillights enjoy a strong 3D construction with the red lens cover having numerous surfaces. The F Sport also enjoys bespoke, 18-inch wheels colored in a beautiful gunmetal gray. The standard NX models get either 17- or 18-inch wheels that correspond to the different trim levels. Non-hybrid models also get unique exhaust tips. The designers left the sides visible, citing motorcycle’s exhaust design as their inspiration.

An all-speed radar cruise control is available to make daily commuting an easy task. A Pre-collision system, blind spot monitoring, rear cross-traffic alert, and lane departure alert keep the vehicle out of trouble, while eight standard airbags and high-strength steel keep passengers safe in the event of a crash.

Inside the new NX is a cabin that almost seems familiar to those used to Lexus’ other products. The Spindle design is found the center stack and the center console features the same elements as other models, namely the current IS sedan. A rotary dial offers the driver three drive modes: eco, normal, and sport. A new track pad controls the Enform infotainment system, yet it works much like the mouse-like design of other Lexus products. Haptic feedback pulses give it an engaging feeling and confirm inputs. Behind that lies a unique cubby area designed to hold sunglasses. The lid is completely removable and has a mirror glued to its underside. Vanity knows no limits, and Lexus seems to be catering to that.

The driver enjoys a upscale gauge cluster with four analog gauges, fuel and coolant temperature, along with the larger tachometer and speedometer. A TFT display between the two large gauges allow for customizable views of information, including a G-meter and turbo boost gauge. While the gauges look great, I wish the speedometer’s number range were more detailed with smaller intervals. Who drives 160 mph in a crossover anyway?

The NX also features a ‘cache radio’ that will record up to 15 minutes of music while the audio is on mute. Acting just like a DVR at home, the radio will resume playing your favorite station when an interrupting phone call is ended. That’s pretty clever, to say the least.

With the infinitely adjustable driver’s seat, the steering wheel falls perfectly at hand. Its power tilt and telescope design allows for a great range of seating styles. The controls on the center stack and console fall nicely at hand. Everything is in reach, through the high placement of the HVAC controls take some getting used to. Padded armrests keep elbows happy and two seat types keep backsides in the same condition. F Sport models get unique seats with more bolstering. They feel superbly cushioned too; no flat seat bottom issues like I’ve had in the ES sedan before.

In the back, rear seat passengers enjoy a decent amount of leg, hip, and shoulder room. Headroom will be tight for those folks any taller than six feet, thanks to that sloping roofline. The rear seats fold 60/40 style, allowing for a good amount of cargo room. If you’re hauling large stuff on a regular basis, the RX will likely be better suited for that, but the NX works for moderate stuff.

The 2015 Lexus NX comes with two separate engine options. The standard engine is an all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged, inline four-cylinder and the second is the familiar 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder mated to Toyota’s Hybrid Drive. The two engine options are also accompanied by the option of either front- or all-wheel drive.

2.0-LITER TURBO
The turbocharged, 2.0-liter I-4 is an all-new engine for Lexus. In fact, it’s the automaker’s first ever turbocharged gasoline engine. With its first turbo attempt, Lexus decided to go all-out, throwing massive amounts of technology into the engine for high performance and good fuel economy. The engine uses direct fuel injection to precisely place the fuel in the cylinders while the dual overhead valves seamlessly switch from the conventional Otto cycle to the fuel-sipping Atkinson cycle.

The engine features an integrated exhaust manifold built directly into the cylinder head. The twin-scroll turbocharger is then bolted onto the head to make turbo lag nearly nonexistent. Also hanging off the block is the water-cooled intercooler. A variable wastegate control system reduces backpressure during low engine loads. All told, the 2.0-liter turbo is worth 235 horsepower at 5,600 rpm and 258 pound-feet from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. The turbo is rated to push 17 psi of boost at wide open throttle. An all-new six-speed automatic transmission is mated to all NX 200t models.

2.5-LITER HYBRID
The 300h hybrid utilizes the older, but still capable, 2.5-liter inline four-cylinder. The engine runs continually in the Atkinson cycle, giving it the best chance and delivering good fuel economy ratings. Helping it along is a version of the Toyota Hybrid drive. For the sportier NX, Lexus split the battery pack into two units, each sitting under the second-row outboard seats. All told, the battery pack only weighs 88 pounds, and combined with the gasoline engine, produce a total of 194 horsepower. Though it’s not the performer the 200t is, Lexus claims the 300h hits 60 in 9.1 seconds.

An AWD option is available with the 300h. Rather than the mechanical driveshaft and rear differential utilized by the AWD system in the 200t, the 300h uses electric motors to drive the rear wheels. No mechanical connections from the engine are involved. The hybrid also gets its own transmission; an electronically controlled CVT with a manual shift mode.

Lexus has done its homework on the NX’s driving dynamics. With a younger demographic in target, the ride is much sportier than the RX. This is especially true for the NX 200t F Sport. Three season or summer sport tires wrap 18-inch wheels, while the suspension benefits from stiffer dampeners and sway bars. The steering is also tighter in the F Sport, making turn-in much more crisp and enjoyable.

The NX F Sport also comes with ‘Active Sound Control,’ a system that literally reproduces engine noise via a special speaker within the cockpit. The volume is adjustable with a simple roller wheel just right of the steering wheel. While it does change the volume of the engine, I found it only reproduced the harsh four-banger noises most folks find grating.

The NX’s overall handling is surprisingly nimble. Flat cornering, a tight suspension, and a peppy turbo engine makes the 200t and 200t F Sport a pleasure to drive briskly. The driver’s interactions with the NX’s controls are all well engineered. Buttons and ***** are right where they should be and nothing detracted from the experience, though rearward visibility is rather limited thanks to the small rear window.

My rather informal 0 to 60 test returned a time of 7.5 seconds. I’m positive Lexus’ claim of 7.2 seconds for the front-wheel-drive and seven seconds flat for the all-wheel-drive are reproducible.

As of 7/31/2014, Lexus has yet to release the official pricing information on the 2015 NX. The Lexus folks I talked to say the NX will have a staring price in the mid-$30,000 range while the F Sport will come ‘under $40,000.’ There wasn’t much talk about how much the 300h hybrid would cost, but expect its MSRP to be several thousand more than the F Sport, likely starting around $42,000.

Competition

2015 BMW X3 BMW X3
The BMW X3 is a benchmark in this crossover category, thanks to its reserved styling, swanky interior, and long list of optional equipment and drivetrains. The X3 gets a revised look for 2015, with sharper lines and a somewhat different kidney grille. New twin-circular headlight and a front bumper complete the front end’s refresh.

The engine bay still enjoys three powertrain options, including the 240-horsepower, turbocharged, 2.0-liter I-4, the 300-horse, turbocharged, 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder, and the 3.0-liter turbo-diesel making a nice 280 pound-feet of torque. Rear- and all-wheel-drive are available with the base gasoline engine while the diesel and 3.0-liter come standard with AWD.

The X3 sDrive28i starts at $38,400 while the xDrive option starts at $40,400. Opting for the 3.0-liter turbodiesel will set you back $41,900 and the 3.0-liter I-6 starts at $45,100.

2015 AUDI Q5 Audi Q5
The Audi Q5 is a strong competitor to the new Lexus NX. The Q5’s dimensions closely mirror that of the NX, so inch-for-inch, the two crossovers are on equal territory. The Audi does enjoy its German heritage, just as the BMW, which can go a long way with buyers in this category.

The Q5 comes powered by one of three engine options: the 2.0, TFSI I-4 making 220 horsepower, the supercharged, 3.0-liter V-6 making 272 horses, or the 3.0-liter TDI making a rather respectable 428 pound-feet of torque. All are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission. Of course, with it being an Audi, all-wheel-drive is a standard thing.

The starting price for the current 2014 Q5 begins at $38,900 and tops out at $52,400. Options are extra, of course.


Conclusion

Overall, the 2015 Lexus NX appears to be a very promising entry into the midsize crossover category. Its tight dimensions, wide range of options and packages, and solid pair of powertrains mean the NX will make a good alternative to the competitors above.

Sure, it looks very radical and even a little outlandish from certain angles, but looks are always subjective. Personally, I found the NX, especially the F Sport with its larger grille, rather appealing. The non-F Sport models, on the other hand, have a rather high approach angle, thanks the lack of a lower fascia. It’s definitely a unique look.

With the combination of its sporty character, vogue styling, and estimated moderate price, the NX seems to offer the best of both worlds between a full-size crossover and a smaller sports sedan. One thing’s for sure, no one will mistake it for anything other than a Lexus.

LOVE IT
Unique styling inside and out
F Sport offers good level of fun
Lexus’ first turbo is loaded with tech
300h expands Lexus’ hybrid lineup to six
A strong competitor against the Germans

LEAVE IT
The exterior look is either love or hate
Small rear cargo area
Where’s the eight-speed transmission?
Rearward visibility is limited

Torque News spent two days with the new Lexus NX crossover line. That was more than enough time to develop our first impressions and predict this vehicle’s future success.
Lexus is launching the completely new 2015 NX 200t, NX 200t F Sport, and the NX 300h hybrid. It will go on sale first in Asian markets (Japan) and then in the US later this year, likely in early December. Torque News was honored to be among the first journalists in the US to see, drive, and learn about this important new vehicle for Lexus and our first impressions are overwhelmingly positive.

Over the coming weeks, Torque News will dive deeply into this new 2015 Lexus NX 200t and NX 300h. Consider this story the cheat sheet. We will start at the end. This vehicle is the same size as the Acura RDX, BMW X3 and Audi Q5. In two years we predict this will be the best selling crossover of its size in the premium and luxury classes. That is a bold statement, but we have been right about the Lexus line in the past. Only the larger Lexus RX will rival the NX 200t in sales. Lexus will dominate the class in two size categories, and the future 3-row Lexus based on RX, which is surely coming, may in fact make it a trifecta.

2015 Lexus NX 200t, NX 300h Styling
The look of this car in person is very good, very Lexus. Haters will write their negative comments and add nicknames to it, but this look has already been tried on the new IS and new GS and sales doubled. Views on the looks of a vehicle are opinions, but what we think is not an opinion is that the Lexus shoppers will like it or love it. Will say only this; the photos do not do the car justice. If you are considering an NX, go see it and you will be pleasantly surprised.

Driving Impressions of the 2015 Lexus NX 200t, NX 200t F Sport
We drove the 2015 Lexus NX 200t and the NX 200t F Sport on a combination of city street, back-roads, and highways. The new 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is a gem. Not a powerhouse, but strong enough. Smooth and quiet is the big news. This engine makes the BMW’s 2.0 liter turbo sound like a diesel, and we mean that as an insult, in case it isn’t clear. The six-speed automatic transmission is well-matched to the engine and does not load up the car with more gears than it can put to practical use.

Handling is Lexus-good. BMW’s X3 will still feel a smidge more solid and buttoned down to discerning drivers. Most Lexus shoppers will not be able to tell since the gap is narrow now. On a test drive, this car will excel. It turns without leaning. Bumps are soaked up and dispatched. There is no noise. Brakes were very good an nicely grabby. Acceleration is linear, and there is more than most buyers will need or expect. 0-60 comes in about 7 seconds. If a shopper can push the NX a bit, they will call it “Sporty.” Some in attendance were saying it handles like a Lexus IS sports sedan. I will not go that far, but I understand what they mean. The great news is the F Sport is not overly firm or harsh.

Interior Elements of the 2015 Lexus NX line
Up front, the NX 200t will fit almost all adults. For those that want a lot more room, Lexus already has a larger crossover in the RX 350. I get regular wheel time in a current generation BMW X3, and this Lexus NX feels exactly the same size inside. Lexus already has a larger crossover in the RX 350. Rumors that cargo space is too small are overblown. It will hold an adult’s hockey bag. A family of 4’s groceries plus a duffel bag would fit. Four sets of golf clubs. One or two very large pet carriers would slide inside. What more should one expect in a vehicle this size? It meets that expectation, but no more. Up front the NX 200t will fit almost all adults.
The Lexus dash, nav, and audio are all good or great depending upon your view. We will explore this closely, but it is all there, and the Nav screen does all the cool things, such as give you 3D building views. The interior quality is what I would call “premium.” So as not to intrude on the EX 350 line, the NX configurations don’t allow for all the sporty bits plus all the luxury bits to be combined – yet. Future trims may.

Lexus NX Configurations, Fuel Economy, and Prices
Lexus will offer the 2015 NX 6 ways. NX 200t, NX 200t F Sport, and NX 300h hybrid. All of these can either be 2WD or all-weather drive. Forget the phrase “four-wheel drive.” This is an on-road vehicle. Our estimate for an NX 200t with its most popular content will have an MSRP of about $39,700. For a full price breakdown based on our estimates, please see the story below. The NX turbo will have class-competitive fuel efficiency, and the NX 300h will launch as the most fuel efficient crossover of its size in the US market. Lexus plans a fuel economy and price update in about 90 days and we plan to be the first to bring that news to you.

We see if Lexus first compact luxury crossover can handle its own.

Doug Herbert from Lexus College recently gave Autobytel a very thorough and in-depth walkaround review on the new NX compact crossover. What you notice first is the large spindle grille up front with a mesh insert giving a sporty look. The headlamps are very striking as are the LED daytime running lights. The color (ultrasonic blue) is also unique to this vehicle. The 18-inch F SPORT wheels feature a dark chrome finish.

Late to the upscale small SUV fray, the Lexus NX is far more than a fancy Toyota RAV4. Rather than typical Lexus plushness, the NX aims to be sporty and engaging. Engines include a new turbo four-cylinder and a hybrid.