Lexus NX 2022 Review

The 2022 Lexus NX is a mid-size luxury SUV that has just entered its second generation, bolstering the Japanese brand’s top-selling model line that first arrived in Australia in late 2014.

Although it’s still a fairly new product for the brand, Lexus has sold 24,000 examples of the NX Down Under over the past seven years, including more than 3000 last year.

The new generation provides yet another reason for buyers to consider it as an alternative to the dominant European brands, including the German triumvirate – the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes-Benz GLC – as well as the popular Volvo XC60. The Genesis GV70 is also now in the mix.

New engines are offered with the latest NX range, including a lusty 2.4-litre turbo-petrol unit and a plug-in hybrid powertrain – both firsts for Australia – along with a subtle new look and a completely redesigned cabin.

The latter does away with Lexus’ much-maligned ‘remote touch’ infotainment input system.

In terms of availability, there are growing waiting lists and unless you take a vehicle in stock at a dealership, there are delivery delays of between three and six months for the new NX, depending on the model.

The second-gen 2022 Lexus NX range is priced between $60,800 and $89,900 plus on-road costs, which makes it considerably cheaper than the segment-leading BMW X3, which starts at $73,900.

There are four powertrain offerings – two petrol and two petrol-electric hybrids – and 17 different variants in total spanning Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury (and two Enhancement Packs).

Check out our 2022 Lexus NX price and specification story for the full price guide and standard features.

All models come with generous levels of equipment, including LED headlights, 18-inch alloy wheels, e-latch door handles, a digital driver’s display and a new 9.8-inch central touch-screen system that’s much easier to use than the previous touchpad system.

Satellite navigation, a powered tailgate, heated and self-dimming side mirrors are nice touches fitted as standard, and the ambience stepping inside the entry-level Lexus NX 250 is surprisingly lavish, the eight-way power-adjustable front seats, high-resolution screens and overall cabin design all adding appeal.

Comfort and convenience levels are very good, always a Lexus hallmark, thanks to dual-zone climate control, wireless Apple CarPlay/Android Auto and well-cushioned seats offered in black, black/rich cream, hazel and dark rose colours.

Safety systems include 10 airbags, autonomous emergency braking (AEB) and an excellent semi-autonomous driver assist suite than navigates highway driving with ease, with radar adaptive cruise control, road sign assist and lane tracing assist as standard.

The entry-level NX 250 is a front-drive proposition, powered by a lacklustre 2.5-litre naturally-aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine (152kW/243Nm) that struggles to shift the car’s weight with any compulsion and isn’t as quiet as its European rivals. The eight-speed auto is smooth, however.

Claimed fuel consumption for the Lexus NX 250 is 6.9L/100km, but we only managed 8.0L/100km on our first drive at the local launch.

The Lexus NX 350h starts at $65,800 plus ORCs and uses a 140kW/239Nm 2.5-litre petrol engine that combines with one or two electric motors – for front or all-wheel drive models respectively – to bump up the total power to 179kW in both cases.

The NX 350h can be very efficient, with a claimed 5.0L/100km fuel economy rating, and our testing during this quick spin revealed 6.5L/100km, which is still respectable for a relatively heavy SUV.

For all that, the petrol engine with the hybrid is coarse and loud and often revs hard to build up steam, which detracts from the usually placid ambience in the cabin.

Then there’s the Lexus NX 350 that’s priced from $77,900 plus ORCs and features a lusty new 2.4-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine (205kW/430Nm), the first time this engine has been offered in Australia.

It’s a solid performer and although it doesn’t feel quite as responsive as its more expensive and less powerful German equivalents, it’s far more refined than the naturally-aspirated 2.5-litre engines in the NX 250 and NX 350h models.

The Lexus NX 350 has claimed fuel consumption of 8.1L/100km and, again, our testing showed it be much thirstier at 11.9L/100km.

All models come with a five-year warranty and capped-price servicing costs for the first five years are pegged at $450 every 12 months or 15,000km, whichever comes first.

If you’re looking for a premium experience in a mid-size SUV, look no further than the 2022 Lexus NX range.

The redesigned cabin is beautifully appointed – even the entry models – with great seats and high-quality materials. Everything that moves, such as buttons and dials, feel great and the doors thud shut with a satisfying ‘whump’.

The latest NX is based on a new platform dubbed GA-K that’s very similar to that of the Toyota RAV4.

Lexus claims to have improved the driving dynamics of its mid-size luxury SUV, and while this is true to a point – the F Sport models in particular tracking through corners with precision at mid-to-high speeds – there’s still a way to go before they’ll be able to chase the BMW X3 along a winding coastal road.

In terms of ride comfort Lexus has done a good job, broadly speaking, but in its quest to make its NX sportier it has lost of touch of suppleness.

Overall, there’s a lot to like here and perhaps the most compelling reasons not to buy the NX are completely subjective, such as design.

Given the car’s premium positioning and the average age of Lexus buyers hovering around the 50-year-old mark, the 2022 Lexus NX 250, NX 350h and NX 350 will broadly find more mature (and often male) buyers kicking the tyres in showrooms.

However, Lexus reckons the NX – and the smaller UX – is attracting younger and more female buyers too.

The new Lexus NX is bigger than its predecessor and offers more rear seat room. It also has a larger boot area, with cargo volume of 520 litres (expanding to 1410L with the rear seats folded) proving sufficient for plenty of gear – including prams and all the junk kids bring with them.

So it will also appeal to new and mature family car buyers alike.

Despite no EV version – yet – there’s also a lot of cool tech on board, with up-spec models fitted with massive 14-inch central touch-screens that look amazing.

There’s also deeper smartphone connectivity that allows users to check vehicle systems, honk the horn, flash the lights, set climate control, find/track your car and even turn the engine on and off remotely.

The e-latch door system is pretty cool too, making it easier (and safer) to open the doors, with just the touch of a button, and something no other rival offers.

As it stands, the new-generation 2022 Lexus NX is a luxurious, neat, tidy mid-size SUV that will certainly appeal to current NX owners and should draw in buyers new to the marque, including those planning to upgrade from a mainstream brand such as Toyota.

The new Lexus NX is a ‘safe’ evolution of the model line, in that there’s nothing radical that will turn off conservative buyers.

It delivers a smooth, quiet, premium experience, but in overall terms doesn’t quite push the boundaries enough in order to make it a clear standout compared to its major rivals.

That said, Lexus has a secret weapon in this new range – its first-ever plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV), the flagship 2022 Lexus NX 450h+.

Is that the game-changer we’ve been waiting for? We’ll find out later this week with a full review.

How much does the 2022 Lexus NX 250 Luxury cost?
Price: $60,800 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol
Output: 152kW/243Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 6.9L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 158g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

How much does the 2022 Lexus NX 350h Luxury 2WD cost?
Price: $65,800 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric
Output: 140kW/239Nm (179kW combined)
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Fuel: 5.0L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 113g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested

How much does the 2022 Lexus NX 350 F Sport AWD cost?
Price: $77,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 2.4-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 205kW/430Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 8.1L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 185g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested