Lexus NX PHEV Offroad Concept unveiled

Hot on the heels of the rough-and-ready Lexus LX 600 Offroad, another SUV from the Japanese luxury brand has been given an adventurous upgrade in the form of the Lexus NX PHEV Offroad Concept.

Based on the Lexus NX 450h+ mid-size SUV, the NX PHEV Offroad Concept was revealed at the 2022 Tokyo Auto Salon today in Japan and has been fitted with a lift kit to deliver increased ground clearance, along with chunky 265/65-section BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres on wider 17-inch wheels for extra purchase on challenging terrain.

There’s no mention of locking diffs or disconnecting sway bars but the adventurous Lexus NX features a unique bronze exterior paint colour dubbed Iron Oxide, along with a sturdy roof basket.

Lexus says its latest off-road concept delivers “refined driving performance and excellent environmental performance that reduces CO2 emissions, as well as reliable driving performance by electric motor on low-friction roads.”

The Lexus NX 450+ is a $89,900 proposition in Australia, making it the most expensive variant in the NX range, and is powered by a 227kW 2.5-litre four-cylinder petrol engine backed up by a pair of electric motors – front and rear. These are fed by an 18.1kWh battery that can deliver up to 98km of EV driving.

It’s not clear if Lexus plans on offering an off-road package for its new NX in future but this latest concept along with other recent releases suggest the brand is considering branching out with more rugged offerings.