NX300h is a 5-seat, 5-door SUV that comes in front-wheel drive and AWD versions. The 'h' stands for hybrid and NX300h is driven by a combination of a four-cylinder, 2.5-litre petrol engine (155hp) and electric motor power that draws electricity from rechargeable batteries housed under the rear seats. Lexus quotes a combined power output of 197hp. Think Lexus IS300h and you’ll get an idea of what powers the NX.
Exterior styling seems to be a mix of Mazda CX-5, Lexus IS300h with some Jeep thrown in around the wheel arches. Depending on colour choice, the front end in particular can look quite striking. If you choose 'F Sport' (pictured) - one of the higher specification levels, you get a very imposing mesh grille that adds an extra drama.
Side on the NX can look a little under-wheeled - even with big alloys. The rear looks tall and the boot opening quite narrow but in reality it is not too bad. There is only an inflation kit - so no spare wheel! The upside is an additional storage area under the boot floor that is both deep and out of sight. Boot capacity is 555-litres, expanding to 1,600-litres with the rear seats down. A power tailgate and power folding rear seat bench are optional to make life effortless.
Inside the cabin is built around the front occupants. If you love buttons NX300h is the machine for you with lots of gadgets to make you feel special. There is a handy small storage box for your keys that doubles as a vanity mirror. New tech includes an optional smartphone wireless charging tray - very cutting edge. NX is cosy and comfortable with a nice commanding driving position.
The entry ‘Eco’ model gets cloth seats, but it is not expected to be a volume seller. As you go up the grades you get more toys to play with and the quality of seating improves from leatherette up to full leather. There is even a heated and cooled seat on the top spec 'Premium' NX. Audiophiles will get excited by the new Mark Levinson 835 watt, 14-speaker stereo that makes compressed music (basically ipods) sound better. We used our smartphones to stream some sound system challenging music using the car's optional wifi hotspot.
Double bass inparticular can really test Hi-Fi but it sounded tight and punchy with no distortion. Sadly the whine of the car's standard CVT automatic gearbox when under acceleration spoiled the listening experience somewhat. NX300h had reasonable performance with a 0-100km time of 9.2 seconds. Fuel consumption is quoted at 5-litres per 100km. NX300h has a CO2 figure ranging from 115-125g/100km. Only the AWD versions (E-Four) can tow and the capacity is 1.5 tonnes (braked).
On the road Lexus NX is easy to use. Steering and other controls are light and you never have to work to maneuver the machine around as you’d expect from a Lexus! You get a choice of driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport - selectable via a dial to adapt the car to your needs.
Sadly at no time did we feel inspired to drive with any enthusiasm or detour in search of twisty alpine roads - even in the F Sport version with its AVS adaptive sports suspension and additional Sport+ driving mode setting.
Lexus with NX300h wants to bring buyers to the brand that would otherwise contemplate buying a BMW X3, Audi Q5 or Range Rover Evoque. NX300h is relatively luxurious but buyers looking for a dynamic driving experience should look elsewhere.
Michael Sheridan
