The Road Less Taken with a 2017 Lexus NX200t
Gettin’ Dirty With Lexus’ Entry-Level SUV in Laramie, Wyoming.
A recent excursion with a Cheyenne, Wyoming-based Rough Country Four Wheelers club resulted in a unique driving experience for the 2017 Lexus NX. By unique, we mean going over snow- and mud-covered trails dotted with water-filled potholes large enough to swallow the compact luxury SUV. With no idea beforehand of what to expect, we pushed the NX and fortunately avoided making a long walk back home.
Meeting at a McDonald’s in Laramie, the Jeep club members gathered to plan out the day’s excursion. This trip aimed to take the club high up the side of Elk Mountain following an old hunter’s trail pushing through the snow.
When we arrived, we were under the impression we would be riding with another member. What we didn’t realize is this ride along would take place once we got to the trail head and not from the McDonald’s.
The club leader looked at the Lexus NX and said, you have an SUV, you should be fine. Besides, we can always tow you out if you get stuck.
Reassuring words.
On the way to the trailhead, we followed I-80 out west of Laramie and the NX200t’s 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine accelerated nicely up to 80 miles per hour and seamlessly slipped through the six-speed automatic transmission. With 235 HP for the roughly 4,000 lbs SUV, the powertrain feels well suited for the entry-level, luxury SUV.
While cruising, the good handling and smooth ride allows time to study the interior design, fit and finish. The NX200t takes many of the design elements found in other Lexus SUV models and uses them in a different configuration. For example, the center stack uses all the same parts found in the larger RX except in a different order. The shifter knob is moved to the opposite side, away from the driver, to make room for the track pad. Cup holders are moved behind the shifter and the center stack shrinks in width at the center getting wider again on top of the dash.
A 10.3-inch split-screen multimedia display sits on top of the dash, but unlike other Lexus models, it isn’t so large that it spills over on top of the glove box. This screen fits more neatly in line with the rest of the center stack.
After 30 minutes of highway driving, we pull off to a two-lane highway with Elk Mountain in our sights. Forecasts put the snow on top of the mountain at more than a foot deep with swells up to 2 feet deep.
The morning planning conversation made the assumption the trailhead parking lot should be open and the trail should be open for another few days until the U.S. Forest Service closes them for the winter. It is a now or never trek to the top or as far as the Jeeps will go. For the Lexus NX 200t, it is a question if it will make it to the trailhead.
Turning off the pavement, the dirt road to the trailhead is a pot hole strewn muddy mess caused by the still warm ground mixing with recent snow fall. Pot holes are overflowing with water and it is hard to say how deep they go.
We are following in the middle of the caravan of Jeeps and 4×4 pickups towing in other Jeeps. Passing by are groups of hunters in their 4×4 hunting rigs hoping to find an Elk. The 2017 Lexus NX200t stands out in this crowd and looks completely out of place.
Dodging the water, gunning the engine over the muddy ruts and climbing up to the trailhead, it is a spirited off-road driving experience with a key eye on the road ahead. While the Jeep members all carry an assortment of vehicle recovery gear, we are still not taking chances.
A long, steady 2 percent grade climb is our last obstacle to the top of the parking lot and we dutifully keep the NX200t on track to our parking spot.
Pulling to a stop, we let out a gasp. The all-wheel-drive SUV did what it was engineered to do – make it to the final destination. However, this wasn’t without some nervous moments wondering just how capable that system and the NX200t truly are in these conditions.
While the upside was we made it, the downside is the brown exterior color visually hides how muddy the SUV truly got.
For the next 5 hours, we played in the snow riding in various Jeeps while climbing to the top. With the afternoon sun growing short, we descended back down the mountain to the parking lot. A startling realization sets in as we reached the Lexus – there is only one way in and one way out. This means we had to drive back over the muddy roads that have not improved during the day. Gripping the wheel, we are more confident in the SUV, but we can’t deny, seeing the paved roads of I-80 was a very, very welcome sight.
