New Lexus plug-in luxury hybrid trim faces tough SUV challenges
The Lexus NX debuted in as Toyota s luxury brand expanded in the SUV segment It now includes the Lexus NX h Luxury one of compact crossover configurations It sits between the subcompact UX and mid-size RX lineups offering Lexus a confounding array of family vehicles Is there demand for so plenty of SUV variants Lexus says NX means Nimble Crossover an apt description The NX h Luxury a plug-in hybrid handles well in parking lots and on highways It s also a quiet cruiser especially at freeway speeds The NX h uses a retuned -liter four-cylinder from the h with larger electric motors and horsepower Its bigger battery extends the electric range to miles according to Lexus It s paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and a standard all-wheel drive system The carmaker also states the NX h achieves a combined miles per gallon in city and highway driving Level and charging cables are stored in a matter in the rear cargo area The gas fueling portal is located on the driver s side the electric charging portal is on the client side Ambient lighting and a heated steering wheel are holdovers from other trims But the luxury designation also features trim-only amenities such as heated and ventilated front seats Lexus Safety System standard across the lineup is comprehensive It includes forward collision warning with pedestrian and cyclist detection automatic crisis braking oncoming carriage detection and adaptive cruise control Lane-tracing assist urgency steering assist road-sign recognition automatic high beams blind-spot monitors rear cross-traffic alert and parking sensors with automatic braking are standard So are a digital rearview mirror moonroof and a -inch infotainment system The Mark Levinson sound system with speakers is a upgrade A colleague and I thoroughly tested safety features and performance on a fresh round-trip from Sacramento to Los Angeles an estimated -mile journey mostly on Interstate and Southern California highways With the flow of traffic sometimes exceeding the posted speed limit the SUV averaged miles per gallon Negotiating the Grapevine reveals a bus s strengths and weaknesses The demanding six-mile stretch of Interstate in Kern County sits between Fort Tejon and the base of the grade climbing to feet at Tejon Pass But the overall stretch with steep ascents descents and prominent -wheel truck madness extends miles from just north of Castaic in Los Angeles County to the bottom of the grade where the I- enters the San Joaquin Valley in Kern County The notorious stretch exposed the NX h s driving weakness it struggles on ascents However the bus s strength was also apparent During the often tense driving segment the SUV showcased its quiet drive further enhanced by the luxurious if overall tight interior featuring red leather seating and overall comfort Lexus was once a defining luxury van and the NX h is a satisfactory small SUV But it s also positioned in a competitive segment with strong challenges from German and South Korean challengers Its price warrants further attention to consider other carmakers offerings James Raia a syndicated automotive columnist in Sacramento also contributes business lifestyle and sports content to several print and online publications E-mail james jamesraia com
