Lexus NX gets autonomous driving tech
Improved safety features and price rises for mid-size luxury SUVLexus Australia has today announced the release of an upgraded version of the Lexus NX that brings advanced safety features as standard equipment.
The added equipment comprises more precise millimetre-wave radar that upgrades the pre-collision safety system (including autonomous emergency braking or AEB) to works day and night and detect most road users – vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
Priced between $55,400 and $76,900, the mid-size luxury SUV is more expensive by $600 across the range.
Another new feature for all Lexus NX models, which competes in the same category as the BMW X3 and Range Rover Evoque, is a road-sign assistance widget. It projects speed limits onto the head-up display system.
Adaptive cruise control and lane-keep assistance have been added/improved and Lexus claims the NX now delivers a "class-leading safety package".
All models have risen in price by $600 to accommodate the addition of the Lexus Safety System +, the improved radar-based adaptive cruise control system in which matches speed with the vehicle in front and can bring the vehicle to a complete stop in traffic without driver intervention.
The LTA or lane tracing assist uses cameras to detect the lane markings and/or tracks the vehicle in front to automatically steer the vehicle and keep it centred in the lane. It also works around gentle curves, says Lexus.
With these two systems the Lexus NX is "corresponds to Level 2 automated driver support as defined by the Society of Automotive Engineers”, says the Japanese car-maker.
Two engine variants are available for Australian-market Lexus NX: the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol (175kW/350Nm) dubbed the NX 300 or the 2.5-litre non-turbo petrol-electric hybrid (147kW) called the NX 300h.
Claimed fuel economy for the Lexus NX 300 is 7.7L/100km for the two-wheel drive (2WD) model and 7.9L/100km for all-wheel drive (AWD) variants.
The hybrid version, Lexus NX 300h, drinks fuel at the rate of 5.6L/100km for the 2WD and 5.7L/100km for the AWD.
Equipment levels on all model grades include 18-inch alloy wheels, smart entry and start, a powered tailgate, 10-speaker stereo, tyre pressure warning system, sat/nav and 60:40-split/folding rear seats.
F Sport models add wireless phone charging, sports suspension, sports body kit, 10-way power adjustable font seats with heating and cooling, and a 360-degree surround-view parking monitor.
The Lexus NX Sports Luxury models get everything listed so far plus leather-accented seat and interior upholstery, a colour head-up display, 14-speaker Mark Levinson audio system, faux woodgrain cabin accents and a moonroof.
Despite sales of the Lexus NX dropping by just over 20 per cent thus far in 2019 (1301 sales versus last year's 1655), the Japanese SUV is still the brand's top-selling vehicle.
Competitors such as the Audi Q5 with 1546 sales, BMW X3 (2078) and Mercedes-Benz GLC (2257) all comfortably outsold the Lexus for the first five months of 2019.
The German SUVs come with three-year warranties, while the Lexus NX offers a four-year warranty.
Lexus Australia recorded its best ever SUV sales tally for the first five months of any year in its history, largely on the back of the all-new Lexus UX small SUV.
How much does the 2019 Lexus NX cost?
NX 300 2WD Luxury -- $55,400
NX 300 2WD F-Sport -- $61,400
NX 300 AWD Luxury -- $59,900
NX 300 AWD F Sport -- $65,852
NX 300 AWD Sports Luxury -- $74,029
NX 300h 2WD Luxury -- $57,900
NX 300h 2WD F-Sport -- $63,900
NX300h AWD Luxury -- $62,400
NX300h AWD F Sport -- $68,400
NX300h AWD Sports Luxury -- $76,900
* Prices exclude on-road costs
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