Lexus NX 300 2018 Review

The popularity of SUVs has swept over Australia with the ferocity and speed of a virulent pandemic, and with success stories like the Lexus NX 300, it's easy to see why manufacturers are eager to keep feeding our irrepressible appetite for this style of vehicle.

Launched here three years ago, the NX 300 presently accounts for around one-third of the brand's local sales. Some 2561 examples of the NX have been sold this year to the end of September (FCAI VFACTS data), claiming an 11.3 per cent slice of the medium SUV market (over $60,000).

Now -- as previewed at this year's Shanghai Motor Show -- the NX 300 and its NX 300h hybrid sibling have been updated with a raft of styling, suspension, equipment and safety revisions.

The update
The changes begin with the NX's nomenclature – gone is the old NX 200t model name for the 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol model, which is now known as the NX 300. It's a simpler convention, given the 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol/electric hybrid's NX 300h moniker.

Both engines remain unchanged, the turbo-petrol good for 175kW/350Nm and the hybrid for a combined (petrol and electric) 147kW and 210Nm (petrol only). The turbo-petrol is mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, while the hybrid runs a CVT (constantly variable transmission).

A choice of front-drive and all-wheel drive is available across the base-spec Luxury and more sports focussed F Sport trim grades, while the top-spec Sports Luxury grade is only available in all-wheel drive. The AWD models have a Dynamic Torque Control system automatically adjusting the front/rear differential torque split to best suit the prevailing conditions.

According to Lexus, the addition of the two-wheel drive F Sport variants will cater to those attracted to the grade's sportier focus, but at a more attractive price point.

The NX's refreshed styling sees a new-look spindle-style front grille with horizontal bars on Luxury and Sports Luxury models, and a more imposing mesh grille on the F Sport providing visual links it to the RX F Sport and RC F. New bumpers, exhaust tips and wheels also sharpen the NX's optical appeal, says Lexus.

It’s a small point but the cosmetic update sees the NX increase in length by 10mm to 4640mm, with the overhang bumped up by 5mm at either end. Other measurements, inside and out, remain unchanged.

Underneath, the suspension has been revised across the range to improve ride, with the dampers on the MacPherson struts up front and the stabiliser bar and bushings on the trailing-arm, double-wishbone rear all coming in for attention.

Meanwhile, the Adaptive Variable Suspension on F Sport and Sports Luxury models has been upgraded, and now has 650 switching levels (up from 30) to provide continuous damping adjustment over varying surfaces.

Grabbing attention inside the cabin is a larger 10.3-inch multimedia display with improved "remote touch" controller, while an upgraded Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) is now found throughout the range (previously only standard on Sports Luxury models). This features as its centrepiece a pre-collision warning system detecting pedestrians in addition to other vehicles.

Other LSS+ components include autonomous emergency braking, all-speed radar cruise control and active lane keeping assist, plus blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, trailer sway control and a selectable wider field of view for the reversing camera. A panoramic view monitor is available on higher grades, to further aid close-quarters manoeuvring, while the headlights have been upgraded across the range.

Standard features across the NX range include satellite navigation, a power tailgate, smart entry and starting, a 10-speaker audio system with DAB+ digital radio, tyre pressure monitoring and a reversing camera. Optional upgrades can cover a Mark Levinson surround sound system, a moonroof and a smart card key (the last two items standard in the Sports Luxury grade).

The Drive Mode Select function, which allows the driver to switch between eco, standard and performance-oriented drive modes, has also been improved, and can now be programmed to remember drive mode, chassis and air-conditioning settings.

Other changes include the adoption of toggle switches on the centre stack for the heating and cooling and a wider choice of interior colours.

Handling and performance
Our first taste of the updated Lexus NX 300 was relatively brief, comprising a short jaunt from Adelaide to South Australia's McLaren Vale wine region, but the twisting route through the Adelaide Hills bookended by the capital's city streets did highlight a broad cross-section of this medium SUV's repertoire.

We sampled the front-drive version of the F Sport variant, firstly the hybrid and then the turbo-petrol, and soon discovered Lexus has addressed much of criticism levelled at the previous model's ride.

The NX 300 is still a little brittle at lower speeds over less-than-ideal surfaces, but it's exceptionally secure through the bends in a way that belies the inherent handling limitations of an SUV.

We didn't get to sample an all-wheel drive model, but can only assume this takes the handling up yet another notch.

Acceleration in the hybrid is entirely acceptable although there is a degree of lag between stomping on the right pedal and motive force. Lexus quotes a zero to 100km/h figure of 9.2 seconds for the hybrid, compared to 7.3 seconds for the turbo-petrol.

The hybrid's CVT transmission works well enough, and indeed this driveline is largely based on the Toyota Camry hybrid’s set-up. When decelerating or braking, the vehicle goes into a charging mode, while an all-electric EV mode can be employed for short periods at low speed.

We have no complaints about the six-speed automatic in the turbo-petrol, save for the fact that a six-speeder by today's standards is looking a little short on ratios. Nevertheless, it flicks through its cogs with speed and precision, either in full auto mode or via the steering-wheel paddles.

The electric-assisted rack-and-pinion steering is nicely weighted and further promotes that sense of security on the road. It's a fairly quick-steering box, requiring 2.7 turns lock to lock, but it's nicely weighted and pleasingly precise.

Further sound suppression measures have dampened road roar to an acceptable level, but the NX is still a little raucous over coarse-chip surfaces.

Fuel consumption? Our sprint through the hills was too brief to test the claims (7.7L/100km for the front-drive turbo-petrol and just 5.6L/100km for the equivalent hybrid on the combined cycle) but rest assured we'll put those figures under the microscope soon.

Of course, a premium SUV such as this is about more than just the drive – and the Lexus NX 300 delivers in terms of cabin comfort, features and refinement.

Inside, the cabin is a sumptuous space showcasing the Lexus obsession with attention to detail. From the stitching on the leather seating, to the leather-wrapped wheel, to the well-thought-out ergonomics, once behind the wheel it's clear the NX 300 is a cut above your run-of-the-mill SUV.

The electric seating is comfortable and holds the driver securely in place through the bends, while the cooling feature was appreciated on an unseasonably warm October day.

Lexus has swapped to a larger multimedia screen – now 10.3 inches, up from 7.0 inches – which has a beautifully crisp display, and the menu hierarchy appears logical enough, even if the improved 'remote touch' interface takes some getting used to. The subject of some consternation in previous reviews, this scribe found it works well enough – but then so does a simple touchscreen…

But the toggle switches for the heating and cooling, located halfway up the centre stack, are nicely tactile and easy to use, although the tiny LED indicators for the seat heating and cooling just below them are difficult to see in direct sunlight.

There's good space in the cabin both front and rear, with reasonable boot space augmented substantially with the 60:40 rear seats folded flat.

Summing up
It would be hard to imagine any new NX 300 owner not being anything but delighted with their purchase. A classy exterior is amply backed up by a sophisticated interior brimming with features, including some of the latest safety tech available.

With pleasing performance and impressive handling, plus all the usual practicality an SUV represents, the Lexus NX 300 arguably embodies modern Australian motoring, servicing our SUV desires with a liberal dose of quality and style.

2018 Lexus NX 300/300h F Sport 2WD pricing and specifications:
Price: $60,800/$63,300 (plus on-road costs)
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol / 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol/electric
Output: 175kW/350Nm / 147kW/210Nm
Transmission: Six-speed automatic / CVT
Fuel: 7.7L/100km / 5.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 178g/km / 133g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety Rating: Five-star ANCAP

Related reading:
>> 2018 Lexus NX emerges
>> Shanghai Motor Show – Lexus teases facelifted NX