I noticed that the 1st gen NX had a special lock button to lock the vehicle into 4 wheel drive with a 50-50 front vs back axle ratio. The NX is normally front axle biased as I understand it. I don’t see this button on my 2nd generation NX 450. Is this lock no longer needed? For example is this done automatically through software?
Thanks

 

Both your front and rear wheels are driven by electric motors independently, there is no physical drive shaft going to the rear. As such there is no means to lock both front and rear axles together to propel the car forward. So in reality even if there were a button it would just be a programmed setting for the motors. You do have various drive modes to select from near your shifter, (trail mode, downhill assist, traction control on/off), to change the traction logic though.

The logic default is to utilize all 4 wheels to drive the car forward from a stop at low speeds and as speed increases it switches to a front drive setup. This helps to reduce energy consumption and increase your mileage. You can watch this happen on your centre screen when you select vehicle then the all wheel drive and view all 4 wheels as they are driven.

 

Not if it isn't a hybrid.

 

All excellent answers here, but in case you are interested:

• NX250: Part time mechanical AWD with front drive bias, capable of up to 50% drive from rear.
• NX350: Full time mechanical AWD with front drive bias, rear drive varies from at least 25% to 50% drive.
• Hybrids: Part time electric AWD with heavy front drive bias, capable of up to 20 to 25% rear drive at lower speeds.

Instead of a lock AWD button, all these cars instead deploy a trail mode button, which doesn't lock anything, but does emphasize some additional rear drive when possible, but more importantly, will selectively engage individual wheel brakes to control and vector power flow for improved traction.

 

correct. Since he mentioned he has a 450h+ my reply was directed toward his model.

 

Sorry - I knew that, and looked. But obviously not good enough. Third or fourth time looking is the charm :-)