Lexus NX upgraded

An upgraded 2023 Lexus NX has been revealed in Japan just a year after its Australian release in February 2022 and less than two years after the second-generation mid-size premium SUV’s global reveal in June 2021.

The 2023 tech update is claimed to bring improved handling stability and ride comfort, fresh interior colours to create a higher-quality cabin, and enhanced functions for its Lexus Safety System+ driver-assistance suite.

On sale now in Japan and due to arrive as a running change in Australia around mid-year, the updated Lexus NX is claimed to incorporate increased body rigidity and optimised suspension settings, improving both its dynamics and ride quality in line with the Japanese luxury brand’s ‘Always On’ driving experience ethos.

Lexus says all NX variants gain extra body stiffness at the front via an additional radiator support, while an extra rear suspension member improves rigidity at the back-end – although this is already fitted to NX 350 variants, which also offers better driveability thanks to improving response and torque at start-off.

Coil springs, shock absorbers and ESC tuning are all revised to suit the revised body rigidity distribution, says Lexus.

Externally, at least for JDM-spec vehicles, the NX’s high-mounted brake light has been changed to a ‘surface-emitting’ type, while new wheel colours will also be offered including black 20-inch rims for F Sport variants.

Inside, Lexus says colour schemes have been revamped to enhance “glamour and quality”, with matching hues for the door trims, glove box and passenger side of the centre console. New Hazel and white-on-black colourways are available in Japan, but are yet to be confirmed for Australia.

Meantime, the Lexus Safety System+ has been expanded with the addition of a pre-crash safety acceleration suppression function at low speeds, as part of an autonomous emergency braking (AEB) system that recognises pedestrians, cyclists, vehicles and structures in front of the vehicle such as walls, in a wider range of conditions.

In addition to steering and deceleration assistance for pedestrians, cyclists and parked vehicles, deceleration assistance has been added for preceding vehicles, road bends and when turning right or left at signalled intersections.

Lexus Teammate Advanced Park – with remote functionality – supports various parking situations including forward parking, reverse exit and parallel parking, by mitigating collisions caused by brake and accelerator missteps.

Finally, a new drive recorder can capture and store vision ahead and behind the vehicle, which can then be viewed on the infotainment display or transferred to a USB chip or smartphone via the My Drive Recorder Viewer app.

There are no powertrain changes to the model line-up, which continues to comprise NX 250, 350, 350h and 450h+ variants.

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