DRIVEN: Lexus NX 200t SUV tested in British Columbia

Lexus NX Canada Drive 1

Lexus is late. Late to the compact SUV party, the happening place to be for both mass market and premium brands. By the company’s own admission, this is one of the fastest growing segments in the auto industry, one that has expanded almost seven-fold in seven years, and expected to exceed one million units per annum in 2015. Highly profitable, too.

The term ‘compact SUV’ leads one to think of the B-segment Honda HR-V/Ford EcoSport/Peugeot 2008 class in the mass market, but for premium players who entered the SUV game with full sized offerings like the BMW X5, Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, anything smaller is classified as such.

The all-new Lexus NX will be joining a party dominated by the established BMW X3 and Audi Q5, with stylish options such as the Range Rover Evoque and Porsche Macan in the mix. Better late than never, they say, but does the NX have enough to stand out in the class? We find out in British Columbia, Canada.


The edges have been rounded off slightly, but the production NX retains the LF-NX Concept’s bold design

Lexus first showed its intention to create a smaller sibling to the RX with the wild LF-NX Concept from Frankfurt 2013. To say that the showcar’s styling was divisive is a bit of an understatement – that origami of a concept had so many lines and edges, it was impossible not to be captured by it. Coupled with a fearsome face, the LF-NX look like it came straight out from AVP.

Things were toned down for the production NX, which made its bow at Auto China earlier this year. While still clearly recognisable as an evolution of the LF-NX, with all the complex lines and surfacing intact, the actual thing had softer edges, both in shape and details. No longer extreme, but the NX is still the SUV with the sharpest suit in town.

Now, why would Lexus, a brand known for refinement and elegance, choose such a bold path for the NX? Wallflowers gain nothing, in both real life parties as well as the one Lexus is crashing.

Lexus NX Canada Drive 45The US market NX (left) gets a steep approach angle to qualify it as an SUV for fuel consumption ratings

We’re familiar with the spindle grille by now, but this is the boldest rendition of the signature so far, thanks to the available height of the nose. The triple LED arrangement is as striking as car eyes come, and it’s “ticked” by a LED DRL strip, an arrangement first seen on the Lexus IS.

Two regular NX faces were present at the international media drive – the US front has a pronounced chin caused by a steep approach angle, needed to qualify the NX as an SUV in the States for fuel consumption ratings. The “Asian face” (as referred to by Lexus officials) is more agreeable, and I believe there won’t be any debates about it.

The F Sport gets a more aggressive nose with a mesh grille and metallic painted lower body moulding (as opposed to black); the latter to create an impression of lower centre of gravity. Black wing mirrors and unique 10-spoke alloys complete the sporty package. The F Sport additions fit the NX’s design concept to a tee, to these eyes.

Lexus NX Canada Drive 3

The NX’s rear carries the biggest visual link to the ageing but still popular big brother RX (the top selling premium badged vehicle, not just SUV, in the US), although there are more “layers” at play here. “Flared wheelarches” are claimed by all these days, but Lexus has full rights – click on the pic above, study the lines and surfaces, repeat. Impressive, isn’t it?

At 4,630 mm long and 1,845 mm wide, the NX, which sits on a heavily reworked Toyota RAV4 platform (90% different, 20% more rigid, Lexus says), is comparable in size to an Audi Q5. It’s just slightly less wide, but the impression one gets is a narrower and taller SUV than the Q5, with the X3 in another league. It could be the Lexus’ slim glass area, but the NX manages to look smaller than it is – good or bad depends on how you like your SUVs.

The effect of the slim daylight opening is the first thing you feel once cocooned. It can get pretty dim and enveloping inside, exacerbated by our test car’s rear privacy glass, but the “sporty” feel they’ve clearly set out to achieve is present.

Lexus NX Canada Drive 48

Contributing greatly to the latter is a high centre console that clearly divides the front cabin into two zones. The cockpit effect is present without employing the angled centre stack found in the X3/Q5. A thick-rimmed steering wheel and supportive seats play active roles, too.

Touches like the analogue clock, soft leather on the dash and centre console walls, plus LF-A-style rivets on the kneepads lift the ambience. Ladies (and let’s admit it, men too) will love the removable centre console cubby lid, which has a vanity mirror on its base, while those with compatible smartphones will appreciate the convenience of Qi wireless induction charging.

Also new is the Remote Touch Interface with touch pad, which works like the one on the Mac I’m typing on now, flick and pinch in/out operations included. There’s vibration feedback to guide your finger along, too. It works better than the older mouse-like contraption, but nothing beats a good ol’ knob for this tech laggard. Familiarity is all I need, perhaps.

Hard plastics can be found on the lower half of the dash, but you’ll have to be actively looking. In any case, our test cars were pre-production units that may or may not be representative of customer cars. Overall, there’s sense of occassion in here, not something you’d say of the nice, but safe and business-like German cabins, which look the same throughout the range.

Mood settled, so let’s get it on. We zoomed in on the NX 200t, because Lexus reckons that the turbo variant will outsell the hybrid NX 300h globally by a significant margin. That’s a given in Malaysia, a market that isn’t kind on big capacity engines.

Now that the CT 200h no longer enjoys hybrid tax exemptions, Lexus Malaysia is left with a range that’s good looking, but hobbled by an engine range that bottoms out at 2.5 litres (V6 IS 250, four-cylinder ES 250). This is when all German rivals are pushing downsized, turbocharged engines that trump a big NA on drivability (if not outright figures), fuel consumption and road tax costs. This is why the 2.0 turbo engine in the NX is a breath of fresh air – one that models like the Lexus IS have been crying out for.

The Lexus-developed engine has a world’s first combo of cylinder head with integrated 4-to-2 exhaust manifold and twin-scroll turbo. Turbo efficiency is maximised by eliminating exhaust gas interference. Also, due to the exhaust gas cooling effect, the driving range with theoretical air-fuel ration is expanded for cleaner exhaust output and better FC.

The direct injection D-4S unit, which has VVT-iW (intake) and VVT-i (exhaust), makes 235 hp and 350 Nm from 1,650 to 4,000 rpm. Paired to a new six-speed conventional torque converter automatic, it’s good for 0-100 km/h in 7.1 seconds and a top speed of 200 km/h. The on-demand Dynamic Torque Control AWD system manages drive to the tarmac, sending torque to the rear axle when needed.

To give you an idea of the ballpark, the Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI does 225 hp/350 Nm (0-100 km/h in 7.1s) and the BMW X3 xDrive20i makes 184 hp/270 Nm (8.2s), so the Lexus is competitive, on paper at least.

Lexus-NX-Canada-03

To put paper into practice, we drove from the Olympic ski resort town of Whistler to Vancouver city – via the British Columbia Highway 99, more popularly known as the Sea to Sky Highway – and back. The scenic route – cliff on one side, water on the other – is a collection of sweeping high speed corners with the odd straight thrown in, an appropriate exercise for the new SUV.

The NX 200t feels quick enough with decent low-end shove expected from a turbo engine, something novel for a non-hybrid Lexus. It’s surprisingly willing to be worked too, and we found ourselves extending the motor to its redline (6,200 to 6,300 rpm or thereabouts) pretty often.

There’s more than adequate performance on call, and it’s not underpowered by any measure, but the NX lacks the Q5’s TFSI-DSG combo of explosive take off and immediacy, even if both share the same century sprint figures.

Lexus NX Canada Drive 24

Could be partly due to weight, but the gearbox definitely plays a role in the NX’s relatively leisurely gait. The six-speeder is not as quick as VAG’s DSG or BMW’s eight-speed auto, and is occasionally tentative during kickdown, although it’s not frustratingly slow either. Yes, the drivetrain isn’t the sharpest in town, but that’s no deal breaker in this context. It would have been if the NX was launched with a 2.5 V6 engine!

If one’s dynamic point of reference is Lexus’ other SUV, the NX is mighty impressive on the move. A static NX looks significantly more dynamic than the RX, and so it is when you get going. The steering is light and easy in Normal, and not too heavy in Sport. Direct and accurate, it feels a lot more natural than the RX’s helm. Even the physical wheel itself feels good in the hands – soft leather, not too fat.

The theme was reinforced with a couple of corners. The NX shows good resistance to roll and decent body control, unlike the RX, which feels like a fish out of water when driven spiritedly. The fact that we continued to push on, risking a ticket by the cops, says something. The high speed ride was pleasingly steady, although Highway 99’s smooth blacktop gave no clues on how the NX will perform on our patchy roads.

F Sport MID shows boost and G force meter; Malaysian F Sport gets AVS active suspension with S+

Note that our F Sport test car wore 18-inch alloys on standard suspension – local F Sport buyers will get the Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) with active 30-stage damping and a Sport S+ mode, along with goodies like a 14-speaker Mark Levinson sound system with Clari-Fi technology.

Without forgetting the NX’s practical aspects, Lexus claims best in class luggage length, and there’s minimal wheel well intrusion for a pretty square area. Also said to be class topping is rear legroom, although one shouldn’t expect Honda CR-V levels of space in this segment.

The company is also proud of the NX’s couple distance (between the front passengers), which is almost equal to the bigger RX’s. Three variants in the Malaysian range will get powered rear seats, a class first.

LEXUS-NX-PRICE-SPECS-LIST

Click to enlarge Lexus Malaysia spec sheet

The NX is a child of the new Lexus, a brand that’s injecting dynamism into its cars, one by one. This rejuvenation is most visible in design, but also through the drive – like the GS that opened this writer’s eyes last year, the NX is pleasant enough to indulge in a spot of fast driving without embarassing itself. It’s still not the most athletic guy in the room, or the fastest runner, but we’re talking about luxury SUVs that rarely wander out of cities and the highways that connect them.

More relevant to our market is the unique style and bold presence of the newcomer, expressed both inside and out. It’s best not to be late, but if you must, step into the hall fashionably late.

The Lexus NX is now available in Malaysia – read our launch report here.

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Danny Tan

Danny Tan loves driving as much as he loves a certain herbal meat soup, and sweet engine music as much as drum beats. He has been in the auto industry since 2006, previously filling the pages of two motoring magazines before joining this website. Enjoys detailing the experience more than the technical details.

 

Comments

  • Shebang on Nov 07, 2014 at 10:36 pm

    The Lexus could not have been launched with a 2.5 v6 I think. The 2.5 Camry four cylinder more likely like the ES

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 4 Thumb down 0
    • Top Gear's verdict on Nov 09, 2014 at 2:06 am

      Lexus NX 200t Verdict from Top Gear (5/10)

      “It’s that old Lexus cliché – if you want to be different, and not stick to the regular German option, then the Lexus does at least offer an alternative.

      But it’s no more than that. In the pursuit of this new ‘driving dynamic’, Lexus seems to have forgotten what made some Lexus’ great in the past – that waftability and refinement, that ability to get you 600 miles down the road and feel no worse for it. The NX doesn’t do that, nor does it drive like a sports SUV. It’s compromised both ways.

      It’s an interesting looking thing, and the interior quality is good, but there’s no one reason you’d buy it over any of the major rivals. Radical looks, average car.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 9
      • Sports SUV on Nov 09, 2014 at 2:21 am

        If I have RM300k to spend on a luxury SUV, I’ll definitely go for the BMW X3. I test drove this car back in Shanghai and the handling is the NX’s weakest point. Lexus wanted to create a car that handled with all the dynamism and rides with all extreme comfort but the steering is motionless and the ride is too harsh with all this despite the addition of adaptive damping. Such a disappointment from Lexus..

        It’s like Lexus has lost a bit of its identity, hunting the sports car driver without remembering what it’s done brilliantly for 25 years – making cars ride well.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 23 Thumb down 18
        • Same L0rrr on Nov 10, 2014 at 11:47 am

          So many Malaysian go for BMW, however BMW reliability only last for 5 years, RV so bad when they sell it off.

          Second hand owner bought the BMW in cheap price, play for a while, can’t afford the maintenance then sell it off again. Thus why so many BMW on the road.

          True luxury car owner knows how good Lexus is, thus it is still best luxury car seller in US today.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 45 Thumb down 9
        • Desmond Gasper on Dec 08, 2014 at 12:17 am

          I would spend money on an X3 too…

          If it wasn’t so god damn ugly

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 2
        • I own a 20i X3 2013 model and the ride quality for malaysian roads is horrible. China has 10x better roads than us. I would take my 370k and get a CX-5 instead

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
    • Sports SUV on Nov 09, 2014 at 2:22 am

      If I have RM300k to spend on a luxury SUV, I’ll definitely go for the BMW X3. I test drove this car back in Shanghai and the handling is the NX’s weakest point. Lexus wanted to create a car that handled with all the dynamism and rides with all extreme comfort but the steering is motionless and the ride is too harsh with all this despite the addition of adaptive damping. Such a disappointment from Lexus..
      It’s like Lexus has lost a bit of its identity, hunting the sports car driver without remembering what it’s done brilliantly for 25 years – making cars ride well.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 23
      • I own a 20i X3 2013 model and the ride quality for malaysian roads is horrible. China has 10x better roads than us. I would take my 370k and get a CX-5 instead

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 3
  • Jimmy on Nov 07, 2014 at 10:40 pm

    LX, GX, RX, NX.
    ‘X7’, X5, X3, X1.
    GL, ML, GLK, GLA.
    ‘Q9’, Q7, Q5, Q3.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 3
    • Nissan on Nov 08, 2014 at 5:19 pm

      Mind to add those of Infinity?

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
    • Yi Liang Yew on Nov 14, 2014 at 9:32 am

      Instead of saying
      “LX, GX, RX, NX.
      ‘X7′, X5, X3, X1.
      GL, ML, GLK, GLA.
      ‘Q9′, Q7, Q5, Q3.”

      I would say
      “LEXUS –, RX , NX , –.
      BMW –, X5 , X3 , X1.
      MERC GL, ML , GLK , GLA.
      AUDI –, Q7 , Q5 , Q3.”
      INFI –, QX60/80, QX60, QX50

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 2
  • Same L0rr on Nov 07, 2014 at 11:07 pm

    This got VSC

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 19 Thumb down 1
  • Obviously (Member) on Nov 07, 2014 at 11:10 pm

    And divisive it is! I can’t say that I like the styling elements that have gone into it. That’d be lying. The mesh grille looks weird and the horizontal slats aren’t any better. Maybe even worse, depending on mood. The DRLs seem like shining eye bags or a strangely placed ads for Nike. The rear is alright, I guess.

    But it’s good to hear that the car lives up to its sporty look somewhat while still maintaining comfort that’s proper for a premium car inside — it has more substance to back up the looks, which is more than what I can say for the MB CLA200. The interior is probably the part I like most about this car, second only to the balance between dynamism and comfort.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 15
  • I could be weird, but I like the design.

    With the soul-less RX selling near 10k units every month in the US, don’t be surprised if this sporty yet luxury NX sells half as many.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 3
    • People still buy because of its reliability and overall after sales service satisfaction

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 25 Thumb down 6
      • Don’t get me wrong. The RX is an incredibly good car. It’s comfortable, reliable and ages well.

        99% of the drivers on the road don’t look for excitement and go for drag races every day, nor will they go to Sepang for a lap.

        If I were to buy a car to reward myself, a Lexus is good for me. Comfort and reliability are the main priorities.

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 21 Thumb down 3
        • There’s nothing wrong with your comment sir. Lexus = good and comfort.

          Like or Dislike: Thumb up 16 Thumb down 4
  • If you want sport go for X3,
    If you want comfort go for NX.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 14 Thumb down 8
  • albag on Nov 08, 2014 at 8:10 am

    i absolutely love the design… bold with sharp edges..

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 13 Thumb down 4
  • sudonano (Member) on Nov 08, 2014 at 8:21 am

    I’m not sure if I like it, on the looks department. Somehow, it doesn’t look harmonious, like its been over designed. You don’t need 100 lines to show beauty, simple lines can be very nice too, as long as they flow right. Case in point, the Jaguar and Land Rover products. Even the Porsche products too, not many lines, but very nice to see.

    As I said before, the pricing locally is what is most disappointing. However it is good to see that the 2.0 turbo is not a bad engine, now what Lexus needs to do is introduce this engine option on the GS and IS, to make it competitive too.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 11 Thumb down 8
  • Exactly Sudonano, Jap are trying too hard nowadays… but they are lack of their own identity and innovation.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 7
  • seancorr (Member) on Nov 08, 2014 at 3:47 pm

    I’ll leave my judgement on the looks until I see it I the metal. But for our local spec I have to say it’s bang on especially for the F-SPORT with has adaptive dampers for a spirited drive. The price can be said to be here abouts in competitiveness but there are cons to this model when compared to its rivals in the handling of the family and cargo department.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • Kuntakinte on Nov 09, 2014 at 12:49 pm

    The X3 looks very dated….

    If one were to choose between this and the Volvo XC60, what would it be?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 5
    • alamu on Nov 09, 2014 at 3:28 pm

      Definately not X3 ( JUST VERY DATED AND RUBBISH ) will definately settle for the Volvo XC 60 ( better overall package with outstanding safety features and comfort )

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 10
      • kl fella on Nov 10, 2014 at 10:50 am

        the volvo xc60 is not even AWD, not even on-demand.. all power is sent to front wheels only.. it’s only a tool for fetching kids to school and for grocery

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 12
  • techart on Nov 11, 2014 at 12:01 am

    Very good attempt from Lexus on their NX.Good performance,faster than X3 and Q5.But what make it really good is luxury when you step-up into the cabin.Ride is comfort and NVH kept to minimum.That why in US it can sell very well.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 9 Thumb down 2
  • Jaybond on Nov 11, 2014 at 12:44 pm

    Lexus should upgrade the headlamp design on the current IS model, to the same headlamp design of the NX. This one looks much much better!!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 0
  • Lexus FTW!

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • Top Secret on Nov 17, 2014 at 3:30 am

    Top Secret scale, I would rate this 6 out of 10. Like the bold face and turbo engine.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Old dog on Nov 17, 2014 at 8:53 am

    Bring in new harrier and sell at 200k…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • Proton Fanboys (Official) on Dec 20, 2014 at 11:37 pm

    No,I am not interested.I am waiting for the Proton SUV that maybe will launch next year.Its still on RnD stage and still testing in Europe.Proton aims to get avt least Euro 6 for it’s SUV.Leaked report say that it will powered by 2.4 or 3.0 by Proton New engine.So,stay tuned guys!!

    #ProtonThenNowForever

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 14
  • Regular Reader on Feb 04, 2015 at 8:56 pm

    Dear car producers,

    Would you please stop making such small windows on your cars. It feels like driving a world war 2 tank. I am 187 cm tall and I can’t drive a car like this at all. My head does not fit inside and I can hardly see anything outside. I can’t even drive the RX comfortably. I tried.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
 

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