Second-gen Lexus NX launched in Singapore; NX 350h hybrid starts at S$306,800 with COE, NX 350 F Sport and NX 450h PHEV to arrive Q1 2022

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SINGAPORE

The second-generation Lexus NX has arrived in Singapore, with authorised dealer Borneo Motors announcing the car’s launch via a Facebook unveiling event on 16 December. The new NX range kicks off with the NX 350h hybrid, which retails for S$306,800 inclusive of COE.

Two other variants will join the lineup in the first quarter of 2022, namely the sports-oriented NX 350 F Sport, as well as Lexus’ first plug-in hybrid electric vehicle (PHEV) to be offered for sale here, the NX 450h F Sport PHEV.

For now, the sole variant available is the NX 350h, which features a hybrid drivetrain that combines a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine with an electric motor. They combine for an output of 240hp and 239Nm of torque, which is good for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 7.7 seconds. Fuel consumption is rated at 5.0L/100km, while the NX 350h nets an A2 rating under the Vehicular Emissions Scheme (VES), which is good for a S$15,000 rebate.

Of the other two variants that are coming, the more interesting one is the NX 450h F Sport (above), which is will be the first Lexus PHEV to be offered for sale in Singapore. It features a 2.5-litre engine matched with a larger 18.1kWh lithium ion battery and two electric motors (at the front and rear of the car). This gives it a combined output of 304hp and 227Nm of torque, and a 0-100km/h sprint time of 6.3 seconds. More significantly, Lexus claims that the PHEV has a full electric range of around 69 to 76km, at speeds of up to 135km/h, which makes it a PHEV with one of the longest e-range capabilities here.

The other NX variant due next year is the NX 350 F Sport (above), which gets a 2.4-litre turbocharged four-pot engine that produces 275hp and 430Nm of torque that is good for a 0-100km/h sprint time of 7.0 seconds, and power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, as compared to the Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) found in the two hybrid models.

The latest NX sits on Toyota’s TNGA-K platform, which underpins a whole range of cars from the brand, including the Lexus ES, Toyota Camry, Toyota Harrier and Toyota RAV4. The new car has grown slightly in dimensions too, being 20mm longer and wider, and 5mm taller than before. Wheelbase has also been extended by 30mm, which translates into greater interior room for passengers.

The styling of the latest NX features a reshaped ‘spindle’ grille that is larger and more upright, and Lexus says that the redesigned grille is not merely for aesthetics, but also helps to improve airflow and cooling for the radiator. They are complemented by the slim LED headlights which are finished in black and accented by the L-shaped daytime running lights.

At the rear, the most significant change is the new taillights which feature the now-ubiquitous light bar that stretches across the tailgate. But another major design detail of the new NX is that in place of the brand’s stylised ‘L’ logo’, the Lexus name is now spelled out across the boot lid.

Inside, the NX has been completely revamped, and it now features a new 14-inch touchscreen multimedia infotainment display. It comes with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto connectivity, as well as intuitive voice-recognition technology (“Hey Lexus”), in a similar vein to BMW’s Intelligent Personal Assistant or Mercedes-Benz’s MBUX Voice Assistant systems.

Other neat features on the new NX include the digital rear view mirror, similar to those seen on newer Land Rover and Jaguar models, as well as the Toyota Harrier, an ambient lighting system with 64 colours and 14 themes, and what Lexus calls the Digital E-Latch system (above), which replaces the traditional inside door opening latch with an electric-powered switch.

The NX also comes fitted with the Lexus Safety System+ suite of driver assistance systems, which includes features such as pre-collision assist, dynamic radar cruise control, lane departure warning and advanced park assist.

The latest NX comes up against a whole host of premium SUVs on the market, including BMW’s X3 and Audi’s Q5, but its high entry price might prove to be a bit of a stumbling point. Perhaps the PHEV variant might offer a more competitive package, but it remains to be seen how it stacks up against the likes of the all-electric BMW iX3, for instance, as well as the PHEV X3 xDrive30e.

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