From my experience with Luxury brands. Lexus, BMW, Mercedes, for example, a lot of what goes into the car is not on the window sticker nor can it be readily seen.

Sure Hyundai or Kia will throw a lot of techno gadgets at you, but the technology is so cheap these days, they use it to distract you from the other value propositions.

Things like higher quality, smoother shifting transmissions, more comfortable seats with padding designed to stand up in the long term, additional sound deadening, thicker laminated glass on some models, higher level of service and dealerships with free loaner vehicles, and long-term reliability at the top of the list.

I currently own both BMW and Lexus. While there are a lot of other brands out there, especially at lower price points, you need to decide if you are comparing window stickers, or the vehicle as whole.

There is Cabernet wine the sells for $5/bottle and $500. Both are red wine. There are wrist watches that sell for $10 and $1,000. Both tell time/date. The reason for the price variance is not always obvious from general observation. So if you want to pay less for a car with the same options, you need to ask yourself how can they do that?

 

Well I don't know about cars but a Red for $500.00 a bottle will be incomparable. =)

 

Chuck makes an excellent point. The NX with its 4 banger is remarkably smooth & quiet. Take a Volvo XC90 for a test drive & you'll see what I mean. The NX is very refined in relation to ride and cabin noise. That's what sold me...

 

This is not about justification but more about what you get for a few thousand more.

You do realize that a Honda CRV Touring is $34k? Not far from an NX base price.

As far as "countless threads" go, well there are few as only those with complaints typically complain in any car forum. They will most likely not be satisfied with any car. I consider them outliers. They do not represent the average perspective and can skew perceptions on car forums.

Some may think Lexus is expensive yet ignore a Chevy Tahoe or Silverado pickup costing $60k.

or the $50k Toyota Highlander with a f u loaner.

It is not the price you pay, but rather what you really get for the price paid.

 

U gotta get your head outta Mark levinson. It's not even that good, the only thing Mark levinson is good for is there HiFi stuff. Which I've use. Your JL C2's will sound better than the stock mark levinson.

 

You truly exemplify your name....
The NX and the redesigned XC90 came out the same year. The current XC90 has zero relationship with the past XC90 Volvo manufactured. I extensively drove the XC90 as I was between that and the X5 in 2015. Glad I took the X5 route because the XC90 has been plagued with gremlins from day 1. Go over to the swedespeed boards and take a look at how many issues owners are having with that $60-$80k car. The NX absolutely drives smoother than the XC90, unless you opt for the $3k suspension package which is plagued with malfunction issues.

Just for the record, I have a '17 NX and don't experience any of the shake/rattle issues that others have mentioned on this board. Additionally, there is zero wind noise with my NX. I suggest that those byatching about the NX go take a test drive of Kia Soul if you want to see what wind noise really sounds like, or take a highway drive in a Toyota Sienna to experience lack of insulation. (also own both those cars: The Kia MSRP'd @ $27k and the Toyota Limited MSRP'd at $46k) I've owned 2 Lexus GX460's as well and the NX is as quiet as those were, so I'm guessing that expectations are a bit much for a $40k entry level luxury crossover.

Finally, I'm not justifying a thing, don't need to. Take a look at Lexus' sales numbers and you'll see nobody needs to justify their purchase of an NX because it has become the #3 seller in the entire Lexus lineup & the fastest growing at 19%. Perhaps you are the one with buyers remorse?

 

I think audio system quality is really subjective. For every person who loves ML, there is another who may think Logic 7 or some other system is better. I don't think anyone is wrong as it really comes down to preference.

 

I dont think the NX stereo is that bad. Especially after I put subs into. But anyone on this forum who knows me, knows I know sound. Hence go look at my GS

 

Lol this is so funny. I think pinhead jus don't like the NX, but I totally agree with u. I went from a 2015 ML 350 bluetec and the car had nothing but problems. Then NX came along and I never been to the dealership except for oil changes.