Daily Slideshow: NX300 F Sport Delivers Big

Moving Up The Ranks

The 2018 NX300 is Lexus' offering for the compact luxury SUV crossover market which has been hotly contested by Audi, Acura, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, Cadillac, and the like. First introduced in 2015, the Lexus NX has sold incredibly well worldwide over the last few years and has been gaining popularity with solid sales figures for the first half of 2018. Many question how the NX300 is doing so well and if the sporty F Sport package is playing into the car's success.

A Reliable Platform

The Lexus NX has received a facelift for the 2018 model year that includes various exterior styling tweaks, additional safety features as standard, a few more interior tech upgrades, and a new model name for the gasoline engine configuration (NX300 replaces the NX200t). The NX300 comes standard with the same 2.0L turbocharged inline-four cylinder engine as found in previous model years that is good for 235 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. Mated to a 6-speed automatic, the NX300 is said to provide enough pep for drives around town and regular commutes but is not quite the performance monster that most would expect out of a car with such edgy styling. 

>>Join the conversation about the success of the NX300 F Sport right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Visceral Visuals

The 2018 NX300 features the same signature grille styling that Lexus has come to be known for, but the new model is easily distinguishable from earlier vehicles because it has gained additional grille fins that look much more integrated into the front of the car. The F Sport package takes things even further with the trademark honeycomb grille that is present across the Lexus F lineup. The front bumper is now much more aggressive with larger and sharper cooling ducts. Similarly, the rear bumper has been tidied-up with additional vents and accenting along with a new taillight design. Overall, the design is without a doubt the most eye-catching car in its class. 

>>Join the conversation about the success of the NX300 F Sport right here in the Club Lexus forum.

Packed-Full of Tech

The infotainment package and safety features are better than ever in the new NX300. The car now comes standard with a larger 8" touchscreen display, but can be upgraded to a massive 10.3" screen with the optional nav package. The car now acts as a mobile wi-fi hotspot and offers real-time weather and traffic among its many other features that are on par, if not better than its competitors. Lexus has also been known for its excellent safety features, so it is no surprise that the NX300 further builds upon the greatness of the NX200t with a new automated emergency braking system, forward-collision and lane-departure warnings, blind spot monitoring, lane-keeping assist, automatic high-beam headlamps, and adaptive cruise to achieve top safety marks. 

>>Join the conversation about the success of the NX300 F Sport right here in the Club Lexus forum.

F Sport Package - A Must

The NX300 is all about comfort and practicality, which is quite obvious after spending only a few miles behind the wheel, but for those seeking a bit more, the F Sport package will answer the call. At a $2,400 upcharge, the F Sport package includes a more aggressive grille and bumper vents as well as black exterior mirrors,  larger 18" alloy wheels, sport-tuned suspension (with the option of adaptive suspension derived from the LC-500), metallic interior trim, door sill guards, cabin noise cancellation, boost and G-force gauges, and an awesome set of sport seats. The beautiful bolstered seats and compliant suspension alone are well worth the price of admission. 

>>Join the conversation about the success of the NX300 F Sport right here in the Club Lexus forum.

A Jack of All Trades

The NX300 may not be the best vehicle in class in any specific category, but what Lexus does is deliver a well-rounded car with exceptional value that is second to none. Mix in the F Sport package and we are left with something that provides some really great features to make the car pop aesthetically while also improving the handling performance to give the driver a sense of piloting something a bit more special than an average family car. With top-notch safety features and killer looks, the NX300 F Sport should be on the short list of anyone shopping in the luxury crossover SUV market. 

>>Join the conversation about the success of the NX300 F Sport right here in the Club Lexus forum.

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