Lexus NX 450h+ coming to Oz

Not content with launching its first EV, the Lexus UX 300e, Lexus Australia will take a new step into electrification when it introduces its first plug-in hybrid model, the Lexus NX 450h+, in early 2022.

Confirmed for Australia this evening, the 2022 Lexus NX 450h+ will be the flagship of the second-generation NX range, and another milestone on the path to broad electrification of the local Lexus range, which will comprise 20 distinct models – 10 of them battery-electric vehicles – by 2025. Full electrification of the local range will be achieved in 2030, says Lexus.

For its part, the NX 450h+ features an 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery, allowing it to cover 87km in electric-only mode before requiring a recharge, and to offer an official fuel economy figure of just 1.3L/100km, along with CO2 emissions of just 29g/km.

As with other plug-in hybrid models (and all existing Lexus and Toyota plugless hybrid models sold Down Under), the battery can also be recharged by the vehicle's own on-board petrol engine.

Lexus claims the NX 450h+ will knock over the 0-100km/h sprint in 6.3 seconds with a total combined power output of 227kW supplied by two electric motors outputting 134kW/270Nm at the front and 40kW/121Nm at the rear, plus a 2.5-litre petrol four-cylinder engine rated at 136kW/227Nm.

"The NX 450h+ represents both a performance high watermark and a low emissions benchmark for the highly anticipated all-new NX line-up, reaffirming the Lexus commitment to luxury vehicles that are fun to drive and efficient," said Lexus Australia chief executive Scott Thompson.

"When the first Lexus PHEV arrives in Australia early next year, it will complement the UX 300e BEV and our renowned hybrid-electric Lexus range to provide customers with a portfolio of advanced choices most suitable to their lifestyle."

The NX 450h+ will join the petrol NX 250, turbocharged petrol NX 350 and petrol-electric NX 350h hybrid in the new-generation luxury mid-size SUV line-up, which is underpinned by the Japanese brand's Global Architecture-K (GA-K) platform.

It will come with an E-Four all-wheel drive system that can split front-to-rear torque distribution in ratios between 100:0 and 20:80 and combines as standard with Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS) incorporating a firmer Sport S+ damping mode.

Other standard features will include a new 14-inch infotainment touch-screen with natural voice recognition, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto.

Lexus will reveal pricing and full specifications closer to the local launch early next year.