Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport 2022 Review

We first drove the second-generation 2022 Lexus NX at the national media launch a few months back, but have now had the chance for a longer stint behind the wheel.

Evaluated in everyday urban conditions and on our own turf – visiting family on extended weekend drives with four occupants, grocery shopping and so on – the NX 450h+ proves to be a very competent performer, backed up by the most advanced hybrid system offered by the brand to date.

Despite its unhurried battery recharging rate and optimistic 87km all-electric range, the NX is arguably the most appealing Lexus SUV yet.

Priced at $89,900 plus on-road costs, the Lexus NX 450h+ is the flagship of the new NX range and competes in the mid-size luxury SUV segment alongside the likes of the Audi Q5, BMW X3, Mercedes-Benz GLC and Volvo XC60.

But unlike most of its Euro rivals, it gets all the fruit fitted as standard, starting with cooled/heated and power-adjustable F Sport seats upholstered with lovely perforated, leather-like upholstery. And, yes, they’re very comfortable.

A new 14.0-inch central touch-screen is another highlight, featuring a simplified menu system (replacing the beleaguered remote touch input system) and one of the sharpest, clearest screens offered in the segment.

While the 8.0-inch digital driver’s display isn’t quite as flamboyant, the Lexus PHEV gets an excellent head-up display that incorporates well with new touch-sensitive steering wheel controls.

Getting in and out of the car has been streamlined via keyless smart entry, push-button engine start and the intriguing e-latch push-button door handles. They’re a little weird to use at first but turn out to be very effective.

The ‘Hey Lexus’ voice control system has been significantly improved, as has the cloud-based satellite navigation, while wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto and wireless phone charging are nice extras – and all standard-fit, of course.

The NX also features deeper smartphone connectivity so owners can unlock the doors and start the car remotely from a phone, and it can be tracked if stolen.

Another neat feature is the central rear-view mirror that can be flipped to a digital mode, offering a wider, arguably crisper rearward view.

Another impressive inclusion is a 7kW (AC) wallbox charger, supplied and installed by JET Charge. For free.

Few other rivals offer such a bonus, and even if it wasn’t included, the $90K starting price still undercuts direct PHEV rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz GLC 300e (from $95,700), Volvo XC60 Recharge (from $97,990) and BMW X3 xDrive30e (from $104,900).

Check out the full list of standard equipment across the entire Lexus NX range here.

Lexus backs the NX 450h+ with a five-year/unlimited-kilometre warranty which is reasonably good for a luxury vehicle. The 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery gets a 10-year/unlimited warranty and service costs are fairly modest, costing $450 per year under a capped-price servicing program with 12-month/15,000km service intervals.

Lexus has listened to customer feedback and made big technology changes in the cabin of the 2022 Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport by fully digitising – but not convoluting – the experience.

Control placement is thoughtful and the big 14.0-inch central screen with a streamlined menu system is a breath of fresh air.

Throw in a digital driver’s display, digital rear-view mirror and more cameras and sensors than an ASIO safe house and you’re looking at a vehicle that uses technology to improve the driving experience, not make it more complicated.

The Lexus NX is currently the brand’s most advanced vehicle, thanks in part to an all-new platform architecture, GA-K, which is related to parent company Toyota’s TNGA-K underpinnings.

Lexus has also improved the semi-autonomous driving aids on the NX, which can now competently and independently control the car’s steering, acceleration and braking during highway driving without the driver needing to intervene.

Other safety areas have been enhanced significantly as well, with the fitment of 10 airbags and a reinforced passenger cell that adopts ultra-high strength steel with a world-first 1180MPa rating.

The e-latch door handles that can stop you opening the door if it detects a cyclist or another car approach is a neat feature too.

It’s hard to believe the 2022 Lexus NX 450h+ is the Japanese brand’s first-ever plug-in hybrid.

It started selling the full-electric Lexus UX 300e before it got to its first PHEV, and while this is not the most advanced plug-in hybrid we’ve tested, it’s a useful augmentation that can deliver big fuel savings and CO2 reductions.

If you leave the car to its own devices, and don’t drive like a maniac, you can achieve pretty good fuel economy.

After a week of driving we landed at 5.6L/100km, which is much higher than the claimed 1.3L/100km. That latter figure could be theoretically achieved, but you’d have to charge the 18.1kWh lithium-ion battery before almost every drive.

The Lexus NX 450h+ is fitted with two electric motors and one petrol engine, which combine to generate 227kW of power. Torque? It’s impossible to calculate according to Lexus, which doesn’t list a combined torque output.

The SUV‘s 2.5-litre petrol mill (136kW/227Nm) is best described as a flaccid operator, sometimes struggling to pull the car’s 2050kg kerb weight on its own and making a fair old racket doing so, especially up hills.

However, the permanent synchronous electric motors fitted to the front (134kW/270Nm) and rear (40kW/121Nm) axles are more impressive.

In pure EV mode the Lexus has adequate, but not what we’d call energetic, acceleration. It has a top speed of 135km/h using only the electric motors so you can drive in silence on the highway, but the e-motors do their best work under 60km/h around town and in heavy traffic.

We didn’t get anywhere near the 87km (NEDC-rated) driving range that Lexus claims is possible in EV mode, with our best distance 69km. But it does help reduce fuel consumption, no question.

The 7kW wallbox charger is a pretty tasty cherry on top of the Lexus deal but it should be noted that the battery takes roughly two-and-a-half hours to charge when hooked up. That’s pretty slow compared to some rivals, but the battery density of 18.1kWh is greater than equivalent Mercedes-Benz (13.5kWh) and BMW (12kWh) rivals and delivers better range, too.

The triple-motor powertrain drives all four wheels through an unobtrusive CVT automatic. Despite the petrol engine being a bit coarse at times, the Lexus PHEV powertrain generally feels calm and composed, especially in electric mode.

Lexus has stepped up its dynamic game with the new 2022 Lexus NX, this top-spec F Sport model benefiting from a sportier suspension tune than its predecessor.

It feels confident on long, sweeping corners and its direct steering response makes tighter corners easy to navigate with the car set to Sports mode.

It feels more confident zipping through roundabouts as well, and although it’s still no match for a BMW X3 in a dynamic sense, and certainly doesn’t feel as tied to the road or as engaging, I don’t think that’s going to bother too many potential buyers.

The luxurious cabin, complete with supple leather-like seats and thick floor carpets, is matched by an absorbent suspension that deals with poor-quality road surfaces deftly.

Indeed, the Lexus NX plug-in hybrid sails over rough roads without conveying much harshness into the cabin, and part of its impressive ride quality is due to the fitment of twin-stage adaptive dampers.

In Comfort mode it cruises along serenely and even passing over harsh speed bumps it settles quickly and smoothly.

Spending extended periods of time in the new Lexus NX reveals a couple of other key things.

Firstly, its beautifully finished and material quality throughout is exemplary, from the dash plastics to the door inserts and, of course, major touchpoints like the gear shifter, steering wheel and climate control dials.

Secondly, it’s reasonably roomy, with enough space to transport four fully-grown humans in comfort over longer distances.

The heated rear seats are generously sized, and while not as comfy as the front pews, they’re nicely cushioned.

Lexus claims the boot offers class-leading cargo space of 520 litres, expanding to 1410L with the rear seats folded down.

It has a power-operated tailgate and all Lexus NX models now adopt run-flat tyres, which means there’s no spare wheel now – hence the sizeable boot.

The new 2022 Lexus NX 450h+ represents a significant step forward for the brand, delivering impressive advancements in cabin technology, luxury and, yes, even driving dynamics.

It has a new-found confidence and, broadly speaking, it’s a very pleasant SUV to live with.

The more we drove it, the more we liked it, and that’s why the overall score has risen by a couple of points since our launch drive.

The simplified but sumptuous cabin execution is a highlight, and while the plug-in hybrid powertrain isn’t the deal-sealer we were hoping for, the Lexus NX 450h+ is a promising indicator of where the brand is headed.

It also bodes well for the upcoming Lexus RZ 450e electric vehicle.

The new Lexus NX is not a class-leading model – yet. It still needs a few twists and tweaks to give its European rivals a blood nose, but there’s no denying it’s an accomplished product and definitely closes the gap.

How much does the 2022 Lexus NX 450h+ F Sport cost?
Price: $89,900 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Powertrain: 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol-electric hybrid
Output: 136kW/227Nm (electric motor: 134kW/270Nm front; 40kW/121Nm rear)
Combined output: 227kW
Transmission: Continuously variable automatic
Battery: 18.1kWh lithium-ion
Range: 87km (NEDC)
Fuel consumption: 1.3L/100km (ADR combined)
CO2 emissions: 29g/km (ADR combined)
Safety rating: Not tested