NX 300h Oldie, But Goodie in All the Right Ways
Though based upon the bones of the Toyota RAV4, outgoing-gen NX 300h a better package than smaller UX or the competition.
Today’s roads belong to the crossover. Lexus, in their wisdom, saw what was coming by offering the RX early in the company’s life. Three decades later, there’s a Lexus crossover and SUV for everyone, including a few hybrids like the NX 300h. The first-gen NX line’s been around since 2015, and is getting up there in age. Yet, it’s still a good choice for a few fans needing a right-size luxury crossover; the hybrid’s a bonus for green cred.
Does its current status hold the NX 300h back, through? TFLnow‘s Nathan Adlen takes a look at the hybrid crossover, finding a gem that holds up more often than not.
“[The NX 300h’s] powertrain gives you a combined 194 horsepower,” said Adlen of the hybrid unit. “This setup is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, and there are not one, but two electric motors in this. One that helps out the gas engine, and another one in the back powering the rear wheels.”
Backed by an electronic CVT, the hybrid delivers 31 mpg combined, all in a design that is striking compared to the RAV4’s boxier vibes; the pair share only minor structural elements. Adlen says the front end is “a little disjointed,” but is a fan the aggressive backside, which houses a nice, ample cargo area within.
“This is a great size,” said Adlen of the interior, “and it has a lot of things that are an improvement on its baby brother. One of which is the overall layout.”
Rear-seat passengers as tall as Adlen (6 ft 1) will have plenty of room for their legs behind the front seats. The rear seat backs are adjustable, too. Meanwhile, the stereo includes physical knobs, and the HVAC includes plenty of buttons and switches. However, the larger infotainment screen isn’t a touchscreen. Instead, a haptic touchpad on the center console handles the business, something you don’t want to do while driving.
“This is a great vehicle that should be a little bit better,” said Adlen, “considering what’s out there right now. Considering what it has to go up against. Lexus needs to up their game. This vehicle needs to be significantly upgraded.”
As it turns out, Lexus is working on the next-gen NX series. Adlen says that should’ve arrived in 2020, but ’tis better to be late than never.
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