Lexus releases updated CT and NX families

Lexus has launched its updated NX mid-size SUV and facelifted CT hatchback at a national media event in South Australia's Barossa Valley today.

While the revised NX is the headline act because over the past three years it has become the best-selling Lexus nameplate, both model families receive refreshed styling and a host of new features, including a notable boost in safety technology.

Revealed at China’s Shanghai motor show in April, the 2018 NX range also adopts a new model naming convention, with the out-going NX 200t now replaced by the NX 300 and the NX 300h continuing as the hybrid version.

Power and economy
As such the NX 300 is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol engine producing 175kW/350Nm while the NX 300h is powered by a 2.5-litre naturally aspirated four-cylinder petrol engine.

A single electric motor assists the hybrid in a two-wheel drive format while two electric motors assist the all-wheel drive hybrid. The hybrid powerplant produces a claimed total (both petrol and electric) of 147kW and 210Nm.

Lexus quotes fuel economy figures of 7.7L/100km and 7.9L/100km in the 2WD and AWD turbo models respectively, and 5.6L/100km and 5.7L/100km for the hybrids.

The urge is fed to either the front two wheels or all four wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission in the NX 300 or a constantly variable transmission in the hybrids.

The three NX trim grades remain, with the base-spec Luxury NX 300 and 300h backed up by the mid-spec F Sport NX 300/h and top-spec Sports Luxury NX 300/h.

Both the Luxury and F Sport models are available in two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive – the two-wheel drive F Sport a new model for 2018 – while the flagship Sports Luxury variant is only available in all-wheel drive.

Lexus says its Dynamic Torque Control AWD system adjusts the front/rear torque split from 100:0 to 50:50, based on a wide array of sensor-fed data, to enhance stability and economy.

Improved suspension
Looking beyond what Lexus terms as the NX's "bold new exterior design", the NX family now comes with improved suspension courtesy of a recalibrated stabiliser bar and bushing in the trailing-arm double-wishbone rear suspension and new dampers in the front MacPherson struts.

F Sport and Sports Luxury trim grades also benefit from the latest iteration of the marque's Adaptive Variable Suspension (AVS), as debuted on the Lexus LC sports coupe.

The AVS is coupled with the introduction of Drive Mode Select, which allows a driver to program the vehicle with his or her preferred combination of powertrain, chassis and air-conditioner settings.

Superior safety
Grabbing attention inside the cabin is a larger 10.3-inch multimedia display with improved ‘remote touch’ controller, while an upgraded Lexus Safety System+ (LSS+) is now found throughout the range (previously only standard on Sports Luxury models), and features as its centrepiece a pre-collision warning system that detects pedestrians in addition to other vehicles.

Other LSS+ components include autonomous emergency braking, all-speed radar cruise control and active lane keeping assist, plus blind-spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert, trailer sway control and a selectable wider field of view for the reversing camera.

Standard features across the NX range include satellite-navigation, a powered tailgate, keyless entry and starting, a 10-speaker audio system with DAB digital radio, tyre pressure monitoring and a reversing camera.

Option packs
A moonroof can be added to Luxury and F Sport grades for $2500, while $6000 adds the moonroof and a 14-speaking Mark Levinson audio package, a head-up display and a smart key card – all these features are standard on the Sport Luxury models.

The base-spec Luxury grade adopts bi-LED headlights with automatic high beam while the two upper grades gain an adaptive high-beam system that optimally adjusts light distribution to best suit the prevailing road conditions.

Stepping up to the F Sport, a 360-degree panoramic-view monitor is complemented by a wireless phone charger, paddle shifters, performance dampers, unique interior and exterior styling and electric seating, the latter with heating, cooling and a driver memory function.

Stepping up again, the Sport Luxury all-wheel drive models also receives 18-inch alloy wheels, woodgrain-look highlights and a larger central analogue clock, the latter with GPS control for automatic adjustment when changing time zones.

Top-selling Lexus
The NX family is currently the best-selling model in the Lexus range by some measure. A total of 2561 units have been sold to the end of September 2017 (FCAI VFACTS data) for a market share of 11.3 per cent of the medium SUV market (over $60,000), seeing the NX outpace offerings like the Range Rover Evoque, Audi Q5 and Porsche Macan.

In contrast, the next-best-selling Lexus is the RX large SUV, with 1413 units over the same period.

Lexus chief executive Peter McGregor said the heavily revised range would further secure the NX's status as the marque's leading range.

"Improvements to the NX styling and dynamics will enhance its appeal by projecting a sportier character from what is already one of the sharpest luxury SUVs on the road," he said.

"New and expanded features will be appreciated by consumers for enhancing ease of use, convenience and comfort while delivering an even more luxurious feel."

The update is accompanied by only modest price rises across most of the NX range, with the hybrid drivetrain adding $2500 and all-wheel drive adding $4500.

In addition to raising the curtain on its updated NX range, Lexus also chose the South Australian media event to unveil is facelifted CT 200h compact hybrid hatch.

Sales of the hatchback have languished in the Australian market, where the CT 200h is significantly outgunned in the premium small car niche (over $40,000) by major players like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class, Audi A3 and BMW 1 Series.

Some 664 examples of the CT 200h had been sold to the end of September 2017 (FCAI VFACTS data), the figure down 3.6 per cent year on year.

To address that trend, the refreshed CT 200h – like its NX siblings – has received sportier styling, new features and advanced safety technology across the range.

Safer, easier, better
The CT 200h adopts the LSS+ suite of safety systems including upgraded pre-collision alert, autonomous emergency braking, active lane keeping assist, radar cruise control and more.

Meantime all three grades – Luxury, F Sport and Sports Luxury – now receive the larger 10.3-inch multimedia display, with the F Sport and Sports Luxury also gaining bi-LED headlights.

The CT’s hybrid engine sees two electric motors coupled with a 1.8-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, with Lexus quoting a fuel economy figure of just 4.1L/100km and emissions of 95g of CO2 per kilometre. A constantly variable transmission feeds the drive to the front wheels.

Broader appeal
McGregor said the raft of improvements would further broaden the hatch's appeal.

"The new designs are more emotional and sporty, achieving significantly greater impact with a stronger road presence and a more modern and athletic appearance," he said.

"Together with the higher levels of standard equipment, the updates will enhance the reputation of the CT 200h as the ideal premium hybrid compact car for customers who enjoy spirited driving while caring about the environment."

Check back soon for our full review of both the updated Lexus NX and CT ranges.