Official Lexus NX thread
New Lexus NX Compact SUV Detailed in Beijing, Rivals BMW X3 and Audi Q5 w/88 Photos
Lexus' new NX compact SUV has made its world premiere at the Beijing Auto Show. From a sales standpoint, the NX is Lexus' most important new model introduction in years as it marks the brand's entry in the growing luxury compact SUV segment where it will fight against the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLK.
Slotting right under the slightly larger Lexus RX which up until now, has been positioned in-between categories (expect the next RX to grow in size), the NX is 4,630mm (182.3 inches) long, 1,845mm (72.6 inches) wide, and 1,645mm (64.8 inches) tall with a 2,660mm (104.7 inches) wheelbase.
In comparison, the RX is 4,770 mm (187.8 inches) long with a 2,740 mm (107.9 inches) wheelbase, while the (recently facelifted) BMW X3 is 4,652 mm (183.1 inches) long and rides on a 2,810 mm (110.6 inches) wheelbase.
Scheduled to go on sale in world markets in the second half of 2014, Lexus is showing the NX in Beijing with two powertrains, including the brand's first ever turbocharged gasoline unit for the NX 200t and a hybrid unit for the NX 300h.
In JDM spec, the NX 200t has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with direct-injection and start-stop tech that delivers 235hp (238PS) and 350Nm (258 lb-ft) of peak torque, and is linked to an all-new six-speed automatic transmission. According to the Japanese carmaker, "to ensure Lexus quality and performance, the new turbo engine has been tested for more than 1 million kilometers [about 620,000 miles]".
The NX 300h combines 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-four gasoline engine with an integrated high-torque motor producing a total system output (in JDM spec) of 194hp (197PS), which is less than what the same unit returns on the RC 300h coupe at 217hp (220PS).
Furthermore, the NX features a new Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) that Lexus says is capable of variable control in 30 stages, with the SUV to be offered in both front and all-wheel drive editions, the latter sporting a Dynamic Torque Control All-Wheel Drive system that automatically switches from front-wheel drive to all-wheel drive "by calculating the driver's intended driving line and adjusting the distribution of torque to the rear wheels as required".
Slotting right under the slightly larger Lexus RX which up until now, has been positioned in-between categories (expect the next RX to grow in size), the NX is 4,630mm (182.3 inches) long, 1,845mm (72.6 inches) wide, and 1,645mm (64.8 inches) tall with a 2,660mm (104.7 inches) wheelbase.
In comparison, the RX is 4,770 mm (187.8 inches) long with a 2,740 mm (107.9 inches) wheelbase, while the (recently facelifted) BMW X3 is 4,652 mm (183.1 inches) long and rides on a 2,810 mm (110.6 inches) wheelbase.
Scheduled to go on sale in world markets in the second half of 2014, Lexus is showing the NX in Beijing with two powertrains, including the brand's first ever turbocharged gasoline unit for the NX 200t and a hybrid unit for the NX 300h.
In JDM spec, the NX 200t has a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four with direct-injection and start-stop tech that delivers 235hp (238PS) and 350Nm (258 lb-ft) of peak torque, and is linked to an all-new six-speed automatic transmission. According to the Japanese carmaker, "to ensure Lexus quality and performance, the new turbo engine has been tested for more than 1 million kilometers [about 620,000 miles]".
The NX 300h combines 2.5-liter Atkinson-cycle inline-four gasoline engine with an integrated high-torque motor producing a total system output (in JDM spec) of 194hp (197PS), which is less than what the same unit returns on the RC 300h coupe at 217hp (220PS).
Furthermore, the NX features a new Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) that Lexus says is capable of variable control in 30 stages, with the SUV to be offered in both front and all-wheel drive editions, the latter sporting a Dynamic Torque Control All-Wheel Drive system that automatically switches from front-wheel drive to all-wheel drive "by calculating the driver's intended driving line and adjusting the distribution of torque to the rear wheels as required".
Thread Starter
The pursuit of F
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Toronto, Canada
Rookie
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From: Ca
I have a older (2002) BMW 330 and was looking (on-line) at the new X4, but priced out it comes to close to $60 grand and looks like a mini X6! We just bought my wife an RX350 yesterday and I love everything about it!
I also love the look of this NX, especially the Dark Gray F-Sport looking version (above). If the NX handles more like a car than a SUV and the 4cyl is powerful and it gets decent MPG (approx. 22city - 32 Hi-way) and fully loaded is under/around $40k. I will be all over it! I would like a Mark Levinson stereo as well!
As I said my wife's (nearly) fully loaded RX350 FWD was MSRP @ $49k and we got it for $42k, so this NX better be $5-$6k UNDER would be great!
I also love the look of this NX, especially the Dark Gray F-Sport looking version (above). If the NX handles more like a car than a SUV and the 4cyl is powerful and it gets decent MPG (approx. 22city - 32 Hi-way) and fully loaded is under/around $40k. I will be all over it! I would like a Mark Levinson stereo as well!
As I said my wife's (nearly) fully loaded RX350 FWD was MSRP @ $49k and we got it for $42k, so this NX better be $5-$6k UNDER would be great!
Last edited by Dreamlab; Apr 21, 2014 at 04:00 PM.
No, I don't play soccer!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,652
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From: NJ
Both NXs are at the New York Auto Show - F-Sport upstairs, hybrid downstairs. Took some pics but there's plenty here. F-Sport has dual exhaust that looks absolutely sweet. Moonroof is huge and goes from edge to edge. Hybrid has a vent looking screen instead of exhaust. Being a prototype there were a few peculiar things, like the front door panel was smooth plastic on bottom but textured on the back. Hybrid badge was strangely placed a few inches from the bottom of the door. They both look fantastic though.
AVS - yes
HUD - yes
ML - probably not
360 camera - not sure
Forgot to ask about that pull tab.
Brochure I got. Not much to it.
AVS - yes
HUD - yes
ML - probably not
360 camera - not sure
Forgot to ask about that pull tab.
Brochure I got. Not much to it.
Last edited by kitlz; Apr 21, 2014 at 04:36 PM.
Lexus Champion
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From: Illinois
I may have missed it, but is there any information on the weight of the NX? The German competitors weigh over 4,000 lbs. The RDX 3,800 lbs. Lexus has been good about keeping weight down. Am curious on how the NX fares.
Lexus Fanatic
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it should be 6s car with that turbo...8s with hybrid.
No, I don't play soccer!
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 6,652
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From: NJ
I asked on the 300h but the number didn't make sense. It was a prototype.
Thread Starter
The pursuit of F
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 8,296
Likes: 303
From: Toronto, Canada
AVS too was an unknown but if it's a yes, GREAT!!! The 360 camera is not coming based on past info.Darn that pull tab, the mystery continues!
Lexus Fanatic
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Exactly, as we've all seen the camo'd NX prototype with a RAV4 exterior already. Both the CT and the RAV4 are based on the Corolla platform anyway. The only difference to the Corolla is that the CT and the RAV4 both have sportier double wishbone rear suspensions. I think saying the NX is based on the RAV4 with some CT underpinnings would be equally accurate.
So just like before, in theory it is same platform, in reality it shares almost nothing with other cars. They are developed separately.
Now with new toyota platform from 2015, they should be able to share many parts, not just ability to be made on same production line. Not sure if i like that part.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2014
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From: PA
I have been lurking this thread for quite a while, so thank you to everyone that has contributed the many photos and information on the NX.
A couple thoughts I had now that more details of the vehicle have been released:
I was surprised it will be a 2015 model year vehicle. Will it only exist for roughly 6 months before the 2016 comes out? Most new model year cars seem to become available around April. If this is the case, does it seem reasonable to wait it out for the 2016 to give them a chance to iron out any kinks. I'm especially wondering if this would be worthwhile with the new 2.0T. I have an '06 Passat (1st year of a big redesign), and the following model year had some tweaks to the engine. However V W and Lexus are very different animals, especially for reliability.
The base price seems like it will be 35-36k plus another 1.5k for AWD. Roughly ~5k below the RX seems like a fit, especially since that's roughly where the IS/ES start at. Based on the ES, the hybrid will maybe be 3k above that. I think this competes with the X3/Q5/GLK much more than the X1/Q3/GLA, so it'd be price competitive with them in my eyes.
I was originally interested in the hybrid, but it seems very underpowered. We were looking at an RX450h before, but did not like the RX when we had it as a loaner for several days last month. It'd have been nice if the NX hybrid had the 450 engine instead of the one from the ES, but I understand that the ES makes more sense for a "city" crossover. From what I saw, the ESh does 0-60 in 8.1. That's really slow, like almost minivan slow. It's probably really awful overtaking on the highway. As someone with a long commute, it's a bit discouraging. If the 2.0T is "class leading" as advertised, I'm guessing it will be roughly 25 MPG combined? The BMW X3 gets 24, and the engine is very similar on paper.
Having test driven the X3 recently, I'd guess it's a good approximation of what the NX turbo performance will be since it is a twin-scroll with similar characteristics. I liked it a lot, no lag at all. It really felt like a V6.
A couple thoughts I had now that more details of the vehicle have been released:
I was surprised it will be a 2015 model year vehicle. Will it only exist for roughly 6 months before the 2016 comes out? Most new model year cars seem to become available around April. If this is the case, does it seem reasonable to wait it out for the 2016 to give them a chance to iron out any kinks. I'm especially wondering if this would be worthwhile with the new 2.0T. I have an '06 Passat (1st year of a big redesign), and the following model year had some tweaks to the engine. However V W and Lexus are very different animals, especially for reliability.
The base price seems like it will be 35-36k plus another 1.5k for AWD. Roughly ~5k below the RX seems like a fit, especially since that's roughly where the IS/ES start at. Based on the ES, the hybrid will maybe be 3k above that. I think this competes with the X3/Q5/GLK much more than the X1/Q3/GLA, so it'd be price competitive with them in my eyes.
I was originally interested in the hybrid, but it seems very underpowered. We were looking at an RX450h before, but did not like the RX when we had it as a loaner for several days last month. It'd have been nice if the NX hybrid had the 450 engine instead of the one from the ES, but I understand that the ES makes more sense for a "city" crossover. From what I saw, the ESh does 0-60 in 8.1. That's really slow, like almost minivan slow. It's probably really awful overtaking on the highway. As someone with a long commute, it's a bit discouraging. If the 2.0T is "class leading" as advertised, I'm guessing it will be roughly 25 MPG combined? The BMW X3 gets 24, and the engine is very similar on paper.
Having test driven the X3 recently, I'd guess it's a good approximation of what the NX turbo performance will be since it is a twin-scroll with similar characteristics. I liked it a lot, no lag at all. It really felt like a V6.