https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...y-the-numbers/
The punchline
"However, it does mean the NX350h, as the least expensive hybrid in its segment, better meets the needs of buyers looking to purchase a hybrid compact luxury SUV as a matter of financial prudence. It may be unexciting and—in some areas—unpolished, but the 2022 Lexus NX350h is arguably a more sensible hybrid option than better-performing PHEVs."

I was surprised it did worse on the skidpad than the 450h+. I think it may be because the weight of the 450h+ affords it a lower center of gravity.

BTW, their review of the 450h+ is here:
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...y-the-numbers/

 

Expecting either the 350h or the 450h+ to think they are "sports cars" and have good skid pad numbers is an oxymoron.

YMMV,
MidCow3

 

Just to put things in perspective, 20 years ago, sports sedans had skidpad numbers similar to what we see on the NX today. So they are not bad at all. In fact the NX actually does better than some of these which go from 0.76-0.86. The 0.86 came from the BMW which had the sports pack with sports suspension and summer tires.
https://www.caranddriver.com/reviews...parison-tests/
NX 350h - 0.79
NX 450h+ - 0.81

 

I have been buying cars for a long long time, much longer than 20 years. MY current performance car is a sports car with skid pad fo 1.02 g and 0-60 4.5 seconds. The most fun skidpad sports cars I had was a 2006 Honda S2000, 0.94 g. you could controlled slide the rear end around curves and corners ;;;Awesome!

I love my 350h NX, but it is by no means anywhere close to a sports car and even the 0.79 g skidpad number may be misleading you. That number is from a professional driver pushing the absolute limits close to wheel lift. Normal drivers will never see than number except in an accident or just prior to an accident.

Your opinion may be different and that is okay. The NX is a comfortable, quiet, luxury small SUV and is not meant for autocross rallies and pushing g limits on skidpad trestds.

YMMV,
MidCow3

 

How did C&D get a blue 350h with a red interior?

 

Their test car was actually nori green. These are pictures from their archives. Why do you think the color combo is remarkable?

Edit: I think I see where your question is coming from because that color combo is not configurable on the Lexus website. Interesting.

 

Hey Midcow3, I'm with you on the skid pad. Most fun I had was with an old 240Z all done up. Fun as heck to rip around, drift, and was easy to control. Had some nice corvettes as well but not the same, little scary when they got loose. The Viper was just scary and not really fun.

I find the NX a nice handling small SUV, takes corners well for what it is. Maybe the Audi and BMW handle far better, but the NX is still good.

 

I had a Datsun 280ZX 2+2 Turbo. Interesting car, it was when everything was going digital and it also had the beginnings of Siri/Alexus with 5 voice statements. Anyway it was a early turbo, big with a 1 second or so spool-up time. You pressed on the gas and waited then it would breake the rear end loose when the power hit. Also, had to run the engine 30-60 seconds after stopping for turbo cool-down, It drove well and handled well but not one of my favorite cars.

If your Viper was one of the early ones without all of the safety nannies then I bet that was a wild ride

Another fun car I had "a pocket rocket" was the CRX Si. It didn't have a lot of horsepower but it was so light that it kept up with supposedly much faster cars. Another great handling car, another one of my favorite cars was the Integra GSR especially after I added the cold air intake.

Car and Driver is okay reviews , but almost dry and too quantitative sometimes. They don't feel the true soul of cars. I think the 2022 NX 350h is so much better than they give it credit for. i would take it any day over a BMW; BMWs are good when they are good, but so so finicky. When I had my M3 I was always taking it back to fix this or that or to tweak this or that. Little things happened all the time.

YMMV,
MidCow3

 

Too funny you mentioned the CRX Si. I remember one night of racing. Some kid in his CRX Si wanted to race me in my Lightning. Geez had to give it some gas as it was quick. Caught up with him in the pits, he had more than a normal CRX, but what a pocket rocket!

280ZX 2+2....are you, my twin? Yup big disappointment after the 240Z. Don't suppose yours was silver and blue with Tee top or whatever it was called.

Viper 2008 only kept it for the summer. Totally scary, not a good enough driver, wife hated it. And everyone wanted to race you!

Cheers!

 

I was told that a Grecian Water / Rioja Red interior was only available in F Sport editions (either the gas or 450h+). Trust me I tried as that was the color combo I wanted. Lol still waiting for my Grecian water / Black & creme interior. Would love to see that interior in person but no dealers around me have it available.